Summer RV Adventure Recap: From Idaho's Lakes to Oregon's Coast

Our family's summer was one for the books, filled with new experiences, breathtaking views, and countless memories made on the road. This year, we embarked on an unforgettable RV adventure that took us from the serene lakes of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to the rugged coastlines of Oregon. Each stop along our journey brought its own unique charm, and I couldn't be more excited to share the highlights of our trip with you. In addition, I’ve put together a YouTube playlist showcasing some of my favorite moments, and I’m sharing Amazon links to my top RV essentials. And for those planning their own RV adventures, stay tuned until the end—I’ve included some of my top travel tips to help make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Stop 1: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Our adventure began in the picturesque town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where we celebrated my newest 14-year-old's birthday. The day was filled with excitement as we visited the 7 Stars Ranch, where we all had a blast interacting with the animals. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip, surrounded by nature and the joy of being together.

The real highlight of our time in Coeur d'Alene was spending a beautiful day on the lake, parasailing and paddleboarding under the warm summer sun. The crystal-clear water and stunning mountain views made it an experience we won't soon forget. There's something magical about seeing the world from above, soaring high in the sky, and then returning to glide across the water's surface.

As we packed up to leave Coeur d'Alene, we couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. Our time there was nothing short of amazing, and even though we could only capture a fraction of it in photos, the memories we made will last a lifetime.

Stop 2: Washington State - Eatonville & Mt. Rainier National Park

From Idaho, we journeyed into Washington State, a new destination for all six of us. Our goal was to explore the majestic Mt. Rainier National Park. Despite booking the site months in advance, we couldn't secure an RV spot near the park entrance, so we settled in the small town of Eatonville. While the RV park was a bit on the rustic side—and we faced a nerve-wracking moment when the power went out on a 95-degree day with our pups inside—we made the best of it. Thankfully, our pups were okay, and we praised God for keeping them safe.

Eatonville turned out to be a hidden gem. We spent five wonderful days in this quaint town, maximizing our time with hikes and lake swims. Mt. Rainier quickly became one of our favorite national parks, easily landing a spot in our top five. The scenery was nothing short of awe-inspiring, with towering trees, snow-capped peaks, and pristine trails that seemed to go on forever.

During our stay, we hiked several trails, including Myrtle Falls, Skyline Trail, Narada Falls, Alta Vista Summit, and Twin Firs Trail. Each hike offered its own unique perspective of the park's natural beauty, and we couldn't get enough of it. Even though we were a bit early to see the full bloom of wildflowers that typically blanket the mountainsides, the few that were in bloom added a pop of color to the already stunning landscape.

When we weren't on the trails, we explored the local area, stopping by Gypsy Wagon Espresso and Mill Haus in Eatonville for some delicious eats. We also took a refreshing dip in Alder Lake and visited the Northwest Trek Animal Park, where we got up close and personal with some of the region's wildlife.

Stop 3: The Oregon Coast - Astoria & Cannon Beach

Next on the itinerary was the Oregon coast, a place I've dreamed of visiting for as long as I can remember. The drive from Mt. Rainier to the coast was a breeze, and before we knew it, we were settling in at the Astoria Warrenton KOA. We love KOAs for their family-friendly atmosphere, and this one didn't disappoint. The park was bustling with kids and activities, a welcome change after our more primitive stay in Eatonville.

The weather on the Oregon coast was nothing short of spectacular. We wore sweatshirts in July—a rare treat for us! The sun peeked out each afternoon, warming the air just enough for us to enjoy our surroundings before cooling down again in the evening. We took full advantage of the cool evenings by lighting a fire every night, a cozy way to end our days.

One of the highlights of our time on the coast was visiting Haystack Rock and exploring the tide pools—a bucket list item I've had for years. We also ran on the beach, soaking in the salty air and hearing the waves crashing beside us. Another highlight was visiting the Goonies house in Astoria, a nostalgic stop for my husband, who loved the movie as a kid.

We spent a day exploring downtown Cannon Beach, where we enjoyed lunch at Tom's Fish and Chips and wandered through the charming shops. The Oregon coast is full of surprises, like the 1906 shipwreck we stumbled upon, which was both eerie and fascinating. We also visited the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, where we learned about the explorers' final leg of their journey and their time at Fort Clatsop. The history homeschool mom in me was thrilled to follow such iconic figures' footsteps.

As we made our way down the coast, I couldn't help but marvel at Oregon's unique beauty. On one side of the road, towering pine trees stretched towards the sky, while on the other side, the Pacific Ocean waves crashed against the shore. It was everything I had imagined and more—a place where nature's contrasts create something truly special.

Stop 4: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Our final major stop before heading home was Crater Lake National Park, a place that, despite its smaller size, packs a punch in terms of natural beauty. We only had one day to explore the park, but it was plenty of time to soak in the incredible sights.

We hiked the Cleetwood Cove Trail, one of only two trails in the park that allow swimming in Crater Lake. The trail is steep and strenuous, but the reward at the end was well worth the effort. Crater Lake's water is the bluest and clearest I've ever seen, even more pristine than the waters of Hawaii. Despite the chilly 57-degree temperature, we all jumped in—hiking clothes. It was exhilarating, refreshing, and the perfect way to wrap up our time in the park. I could not believe my eyes, the bluest water I’ve ever seen. 

RV Road Trip Tips & More

After all the adventures, hikes, and unforgettable experiences, we've gathered valuable insights on how to make the most of an RV road trip. Whether you're planning your first journey or you're a seasoned traveler, these tips—along with my YouTube playlist and favorite Amazon finds—can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable adventure for everyone involved.

Tips for RVing

Tip #1: Start your RV trip plan with the main destination and reverse plan the stops you need.

Tip #2: RV’ing has become incredibly popular since 2020, so expect to reserve your sites about six months from your arrival date. For a July trip, that's a December booking, so plan ahead. 

Tip #3: We don't like towing and driving much longer than 8 hours, so pick sites where you can stop along the way. 8 hours in the car with a trailer behind is the max!

Tip #4: break up the longer drives into fractions mentally and share that with your kids. An 8 hour drive looks like 2 four hour chunks or 3 2.5-hour blocks. I don't allow phones and iPads the entire time. So our first chunk is the talking and looking out the window chunk, the middle one is the games/movie chunk/, and the last one is eating/snacking and going over what we will be doing when we get there chunk. It helps everyone have manageable sections to make the longer drives easy. 

Tip #5: when in doubt: snacks 😍 always have more snacks. Fun snacks. I always hit up Trader Joe’s before we leave and we are stocked!

YouTube RV Travel Playlist 

Need help planning your next RV trip? Check out my RV Travel Playlist for tips on planning your trips and things to be aware of, and join us on a few of our adventures.

RV + CAMP LIFE Amazon Finds

This Amazon list features our families' must-have items for the years we spent camping and our new adventures in our travel trailer.

As we made our way back home, reflecting on the incredible journey we had just completed, we realized how much this summer's RV trip brought us closer together as a family. Each destination offered something unique and unforgettable, from the tranquil lakes of Idaho to the towering peaks of Mt. Rainier and the rugged coastlines of Oregon. We hope our experiences, along with these travel tips, inspire you to hit the road and create your own unforgettable memories. Happy travels!