One of the best things about RV camping for Jimmy and Jan Thomas is enjoying the outdoors, whether it’s taking a stroll around Inks Lake State Park or just sitting outside their camper. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2020 issue of 101 Fun Things to do in the Highland Lakes magazine.
The first thing experienced RVers will tell those thinking about heading to the Highland Lakes is: “What are you waiting for? Life is great here.” And with everything the Highland Lakes offers, including top-quality RV sites and more than 100 fun things to do, it is a destination for recreational vehicle enthusiasts.
“To me, there’s so many things to do around here,” David Hallock said.
He and wife Teri ditched their Liberty Hill house and belongings in 2012 to hit the road as full-time RVers, racking up 12,000 miles across 34 states before “settling” in Burnet about a year later. But the RVing bug didn’t go away. The couple made frequent trips to Inks Lake State Park and, in 2015, again became full-time RVers, this time as Inks Lake park hosts.
“As cliche as it may sound, there really is something here for everyone,” Hallock said of Inks Lake State Park and the surrounding area.
Fellow RV enthusiast Alan Warren concurred. He and wife Lisa know a thing or two about traveling. He owned what was once Big Chief RV Resort (now Lake Buchanan RV & Cabin Resort) before selling it in 2021. He also owned and operated an outdoor TV program, and one of his favorite fishing excursions was to Lake Buchanan.
RVers in the Highland Lakes are surrounded by attractions, including wineries, great restaurants, and outdoor adventures, pointed out Warren, who also hosts an online RV show and podcast at theRVshowUSA.com (coming soon, according to the website).
He believes everyone would enjoy RV camping, but beginners shouldn't rush out to buy a vehicle.
“The thing is, if you’re new to this, you really don’t know what you want or what you don’t want,” he said. “And you don’t want to find out the RV you bought for, you know, $25,000, $30,000, $40,000, or even more isn’t the right one.”
Instead, he and Hallock agree, beginners should get their toes wet by renting an RV the first few times.
“That’s what we did at first,” Hallock said of his and his wife’s initial RV adventures.
With rentals, they learned what they liked about a layout, what they didn’t like, and what they needed in one when they finally purchased an RV.
Nowadays, a number of businesses rent RVs, and some even offer to tow them to a campground and set them up.
Warren also pointed out that most people overestimate how often they’ll actually use an RV throughout the year, so renting can be an affordable option.
Though once someone tries RVing and decides to jump in all the way, Hallock said they can purchase a good, small vehicle starting at $12,000 and go up from there. He’s noticed a big growth in RVing over the past several years, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of people who can work remotely have embraced the RV lifestyle, even homeschooling their children.
Still, for the recreational RVer, there’s nothing like escaping to a campground or state park. The Highland Lakes boasts a plethora of RV sites. Find a good match, book it, and then turn the key to your RV adventure.
daniel@thepicayune.com
