Firsthand RV travel
Big rig. Honest details. Better stays.
We started RV travel in 2024 so we could escape Scottsdale summers without leaving Callie behind. Today we travel in a 35-foot Brinkley fifth wheel and review the details campground listings rarely explain.
Our setup
2024 RAM 3500 + Brinkley Z3100
Our priorities
Quiet surroundings and dedicated dog space
Our connection
Starlink backed by Verizon
Our independence
Self-funded stays and firsthand opinions
The Backpacks & Flip Flops approach
From a nimble touring van to roomier fifth-wheel travel
The Unity FX at Pine Mountain Lake · June 14, 2025
After roughly two years of research, we began RV travel in May 2024 with a Leisure Travel Van Unity FX on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. We wanted to escape Scottsdale’s hottest summer months, see more of the country and bring Callie along when flying with her was not an option.
The Unity taught us the basics of RV life and made boondocking easy, but it could feel tight for three. Because it was also our only vehicle, a trip to the store or dinner meant breaking camp. We chose the Brinkley Model Z3100 for Brinkley’s reputation and owner community, its comfortable layout and king-size bed—and because staying near 35 feet preserves more national-park possibilities.
The Brinkley gives us genuine living, kitchen and sleeping space plus the freedom to leave camp in the truck. Setup and departure take more effort, and boondocking is temporarily more limited while we plan a generator, but the comfort is worth the tradeoff. The practical details matter, but so does the joy of exploring the country with Callie and discovering places we never expected to love.
The Backpacks & Flip Flops approach
Why the campground details matter
National parks, shared moments and the view beyond the site
The RV park is the practical base; the destination is the reason for going. These are the landscapes and shared moments that shaped each trip, while campsite photographs stay where they answer a real planning question.
Granite walls and a wider horizon
Yosemite National Park
The travelers belong in the story, too
Bryce Canyon National Park · August 3, 2025
Room to keep exploring
Grand Teton National Park
Our six-point campground check
What we record at every stay
The same practical lens makes parks easier to compare for new RV owners, large-rig travelers, couples, families and people bringing a dog. It is the information we wanted while deciding whether RV life would work for us.
Arrival & turning room
Entrance clarity, internal road width, tight corners and the final approach to the site.
Site fit & levelness
Rig position, awning clearance, truck parking, shade and useful personal space.
Hookup placement
Water pressure, pedestal and sewer position, plus any electrical or reach concerns.
Noise after dark
We are sensitive to road noise, so we record highway, train, neighbor and activity noise—with notes about quieter sections.
Real connectivity
Park Wi-Fi, Verizon service and how our Starlink setup performs in actual site conditions.
Dog-friendly reality
A dedicated dog spot is one of our few booking priorities. We also record grass, dust, walking routes and the day-to-day experience with Callie.
What is on site
Start with our North Idaho stays
Both parks worked with our 35-foot Brinkley, but for different trips. One favors an in-town Coeur d’Alene base; the other feels rural and is especially convenient for Silverwood families.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Tamarack RV Park
A convenient city base with shaded, paved sites, clean facilities and useful access to Coeur d’Alene. We found the back of the park quieter, though some internal turns can feel tight with a long rig.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Ravenwood RV Resort
Our best large-rig arrival experience so far: wide roads, ample turning room, level sites and comfortable spacing. We stayed two weeks and used three sites; farther back, Highway 95 noise faded into the background.
Review roadmap: Canyon Pines RV Resort near Riggins is next. Riverwalk and New Frontier RV Park in Winnemucca are also planned, giving the hub a useful mix of spacious, tight and overnight-stop experiences.
Large-rig notes
Amenities are only useful if the rig fits
Moving from the Unity FX to our 35-foot Brinkley made access details part of every review. Ravenwood showed us how much wide roads and generous turning space improve an arrival; Riverwalk showed how tight spacing and narrow internal roads can complicate both entry and departure.
Approach before arrival
We look for the entrance, turn direction and any awkward lane or median setup.
Position once parked
We note awning clearance, slide space, truck parking and whether a back-in forces an angle.
Living space after setup
Shade, neighbor distance, outdoor seating and whether the site still feels comfortable.
Quick comparison
Tamarack or Ravenwood?
Our firsthand shorthand—not a universal ranking. The right answer depends on whether the trip centers on Coeur d’Alene itself or Silverwood and Athol.
| Decision | Tamarack RV Park | Ravenwood RV Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shorter Coeur d’Alene stays and travelers who prioritize an in-town base. | Families visiting Silverwood and travelers who want a more rural setting. |
| Large-rig access | Workable in our Brinkley; some turns can feel tight. Pull-through was easiest. | Wide roads, ample arrival room and level sites. Back-in truck parking may require an angle. |
| Quietest area | The back of the park was noticeably quieter. | Sites farther back reduced the already-modest Highway 95 noise. |
| Connectivity | Park Wi-Fi was spotty; Verizon worked well and we used Starlink. | Park Wi-Fi worked but was fairly slow; confirm your own backup plan. |
| Dog routine | Large grass area near the office, but no dedicated fenced dog run. | Dedicated dog area plus outer walking trail; the dog park could be very dusty. |
| Value | Higher price can make sense for a shorter, convenient Coeur d’Alene stay. | A little less than Tamarack during our trip, with more family-oriented amenities. |
Work from the road
“Wi-Fi available” is not the same as connected
Reliable internet is a constant requirement because both of us work from the road. We separate park Wi-Fi from cellular service and our own Starlink experience, then describe the conditions we actually used at the site.
Starlink Mini
Our primary connection uses the unlimited plan.
Tree-covered sites
We place the Mini on the Brinkley roof to improve its view of the sky.
Verizon backup
Our current cellular alternative; we have not added a second carrier yet.
Park Wi-Fi
We still test its speed, stability and whether it reliably reaches the site.
The convenience tradeoff
Dog-friendly means room to be a ranch dog
Callie is a ranch dog at heart. Campgrounds with large open spaces, attached trails, a usable dog park or somewhere safe to swim are the places where she is happiest. A park merely allowing pets is only the starting point.
Her uncomplicated RV kit: treats, water, toy box, harness, long leash—and, most importantly, a Chuckit! launcher and ball. If a park and the surrounding area offer nowhere to chase a ball, run or swim, we have shortened the stay.
What the review still needs to prove
Four useful views of the park itself
Once the travel story has room to breathe, campground photographs can do a more specific job: show the roads, daily walking space, amenities and the people or facilities that shape a stay.
Road width and turn room
Everyday walking routes
Who the amenities really serve
Arrival, office and support
RV travel FAQ
Fast answers from our setup
These are based on our own rig and stays. Confirm measurements, policies and signal conditions for your exact dates and equipment.
What rig do you travel in?
What truck and hitch tow the Brinkley?
How do you divide campsite setup?
Chris currently handles most outdoor setup and breakdown. Dani manages cleaning and feeding, and she is learning more of the setup process as the trips continue.
Which pieces of RV gear would you replace immediately?
Our air compressor, Watchdog surge protector and Berkey water filter are the three items we would replace first.
What did you travel in before the Brinkley?
We began in May 2024 with a Leisure Travel Van Unity FX on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It taught us the basics and was well suited to boondocking, but it felt small for two people and Callie—and every errand meant breaking camp.
Why did you choose the Brinkley Z3100?
Brinkley’s reputation and owner community mattered, as did the Z3100’s king-size bed, practical layout and comfortable living space. We also wanted to remain near 35 feet so more national-park campgrounds would stay within reach.
Do you prefer pull-through or back-in sites?
What matters most when you book a campground?
Our list of true priorities is short: we prefer a quiet setting because road noise affects us, and a dedicated dog area makes daily life with Callie much easier. We can compromise on many amenities when those basics work.
How far ahead do you reserve?
Do RV trips need to be planned far in advance?
We understand why many travelers prefer a detailed itinerary, but we do not believe it is mandatory. Some of our favorite experiences happened accidentally after a last-minute decision, and flexibility is one of the things we value most about RV travel.
How long is a comfortable towing day?
Eight hours is manageable for the driver, but about five hours is the realistic family limit. Longer days wear on the rest of the crew, so our route planning reflects the lower number.
What earns a negative campground review?
We can work around many imperfections. Rude staff or a poorly maintained park are the two issues most likely to turn a stay into a negative review.
How do you stay connected?
What campground features matter most for Callie?
Attached walking trails and a dedicated dog park make the greatest difference. Large open spaces and safe swimming access are even better because Callie loves to run, chase her ball and swim.
What is in Callie’s RV kit?
Her kit is intentionally simple: treats, water, a toy box, harness, long leash, Chuckit! launcher and ball.
Are your campground reviews sponsored?
Will you add more campground reviews?
Yes. Canyon Pines RV Resort near Riggins is next, followed by more coverage of Riverwalk and New Frontier RV Park in Winnemucca.
Low-cost, high-reward
Planning the next RV stop?
Come for the practical details; stay for the photographs, unexpected favorites and stories of exploring the country with Callie.
Planning more of your trip? Start with our firsthand guide to the best things to do in Coeur d’Alene.