gardening in an RV - RVing with Rex

21 Enjoyable and Fun Hobbies to do while Camping

What hobbies can y’all do while RVing?

RVing is a great way to escape it all. You can relax in the quiet beauty of the natural world. Some people live in the peaceful and relaxing setting of a campsite.

But sometimes camping by itself can be a little, ahem, dull. While a quiet and serene landscape may be incredible for a few days, you may need a hobby while on the road.

Maybe you’ll find a new hobby on this list!

1. Create nature art

Many RVers enjoy creating art out of items they find in nature. For example, some folks like to create a nature journal and include leaf rubbings of the foliage nearby. While creating art out of natural items is engaging, be sure that you follow all park rules and laws. For example, picking flowers from a national park is a big no-no. You want to ensure you know what you are and are not allowed to do before starting a hobby in a state or national park.

Yarn for knitting *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

2. Knitting

Knitting is a great portable hobby that’s perfect for camping. Not only is it enjoyable but it is useful too. While you create beautiful, handmade items, your body relaxes and experiences therapeutic healing at the same time. Using both of your hands for a focused activity is stimulating for your brain. So if you find yourself wishing for something to keep your hands and your mind busy, give knitting a try.

3. Metal detecting

A unique hobby some RVers enjoy is metal detecting. You never know what hidden treasure might be found in a campground or on a deserted stretch of beach. You can find a good metal detector for only about a $100. Not too pricey for a new hobby that keeps you active. However, it’s important to research metal detecting restrictions and the code of ethics before you dive into this hobby.

4. Wood carving/turning pens

Turning pens is a woodworking technique to create custom pens, pencils, and other writing instruments. Many people like to work with wood in varying capacities whether by carving or making a helpful tool from wood. You can get a mini wood lathe for about $200 and wood carving set for under $20 to keep in your RV.

Hiking in Catalina State Park, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

5. Hiking

In my mind, there are few things more rejuvenating than hiking or walking in nature. One of the biggest reasons I fell in love with the RV lifestyle is that beautiful nature is so accessible wherever you are. It seems like I am always just minutes away from a spectacular trailhead. Whether I am hiking in the mountains or traversing trails in the desert, nature is a refuge—it’s a change of pace from city life, from being stuck inside, from being sedentary.

6. Painting Rocks

Painting rocks is a fun thing to do while camping. Rock painting is a fun, creative outlet that doesn’t require you to be da Vinci in order to enjoy it. It requires minimal supplies (paint brush and paints) and you can search for smooth rocks right at your campsite. It is like treasure hunting and painting in one fun hobby.

7. Geocaching (modern day treasure hunting)

One of the more popular activities that many campers and hikers take part in is geocaching. A geocache can be anything from a simple logbook where you add your name and the date you found the hidden cache or something larger such as an ammo box which may be filled with trinkets left by other geocachers. (If taking something from a Geocache, it’s customary to replace it with a similar object of equal or more value.) Geocaching can be a fun way to get out and explore around your campground and people of all ages love treasure hunting.

Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, Texas *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

8. Quilting

Quilting is another relaxing hobby you can work on when traveling. It’s a wonderful way to create items you can use in your RV or give as gifts. Some RVers make quilts out of t-shirts they buy wherever they travel. So, the quilt becomes a storyboard for their journey.

9. Paper quilling/paper crafting

Paper quilling is the art of cutting paper into long thin strips and rolling and pinching them into different shapes to create an overall design. You can buy paper quilling kits online to get started. They have everything you need to complete numerous beginner projects.

Fishing at Parker Canyon Lake, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

10. Fishing

Fishing offers a double dose of fun and food—as long as the fish are biting. Be sure to check the local fishing regulations, get your fishing license, and read up on what kind of fish you’ll find near the campsite.

11. Jewelry making

Another fun hobby you can try is jewelry making. Create earrings, necklaces, or bracelets that are just your style. Jewelry making includes many different options including wire wrapping, leatherworking, and beading. There are numerous starter kits available. Some RVers sell the jewelry they make at swap meets or on Etsy. Talk about a creative way to make money while RVing.

12. Travel journaling

Instead of waiting until after their trip (and inevitably putting it off), many RVers journal and/or scrapbook as they travel.

13. Lego

Lego aren’t just for kids anymore. Some folks find it relaxing to build intricate lego sets while camping. You may think taking these tiny bricks camping will be a disaster but you can use an organizer box to stay tidy. You can even build a Volkswagen T2 Camper Van. The building kit for this classic camper van comes with 2,207 pieces.

Horseback riding at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

14. Play outdoor games

Fun outdoor games to play while camping include horseshoes, bocce, cornhole, ladder golf, and Frisbee. You can also toss around a mini football or play catch with a baseball.

15. Painting

While getting started painting can be daunting given the wealth of incredible art that has been produced for centuries, it can also be an enjoyable pastime for anyone to try. Painting is a calming hobby that also allows you to express yourself creatively. On top of that, it’s surprisingly affordable to get started and you can make real progress very quickly with a little dedication.

16. Gardening

Keeping a garden while traveling can be challenging but it also helps ground you and brings in wonders like fresh herbs and produce or simply beautifies and detoxifies a closed space like an RV. Start small and then work your way up to edibles. Even a cache of succulents can brighten the interior of a motorhome or trailer and are low-maintenance.

Gambel’s quail in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

17. Birding (or bird watching)

Bird watching is an ideal way to keep in touch with nature and you also have the satisfaction of learning something new. Birding also relieves stress and can provide a place of solitude except for the sweet song of a bird. Most people go birding as a casual activity. One of the must haves for this activity is a field book that has pictures and tips about birds in your area or wherever you plan to identify them. Good binoculars are one of the most important items for a pleasurable time.

Boating at Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

18. Boating

Boating and camping just go together. Who doesn’t love a day on the water? From canoes and kayaks to small sailboats, fishing charters and recreational crafts, these vessels can be seen gliding across lakes and rivers from coast to coast. Love boating? Many campgrounds and RV parks provide on-site and nearby opportunities for boating rentals and charters.

Biking the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

19. Biking

In the minds of some, camping and bikes go hand in hand. Nearly everyone is aware of the fact that spending time outdoors is good for your health. In fact, this health benefit is one of the best reasons to go camping. And, this can be enhanced if you throw some exercise into the mix. Riding a bike to get from point A to point B is a wonderful way to get some exercise into your trip while also reaching your desired destinations. Best of all, you’ll be spending even more time outside.

20. Crossword puzzles

You might think of a crossword puzzle as a fun way to pass the time on a lazy Sunday. They’re inexpensive (especially at a Dollar Store), require only a pencil and your brain, and can be played wherever you happen to be including camping. And, it turns out that there are quite a few benefits to solving crossword puzzles. One of the most obvious benefits of solving crossword puzzles is that it can help improve your memory. This is especially beneficial for older adults who are at risk for memory decline. Solving a crossword puzzle also requires focus and concentration.

Photographers at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

21. Photography

Camping is a fantastic opportunity to get started with photography. You will have a wealth of subjects, events, and scenery that you simply have to record for later enjoyment. Taking photos means you can keep a visual record to look back on for years to come. Preferably you want as little equipment as possible—both weight and space are often at a premium when camping.

Worth Pondering…

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

—Albert Einstein

The Ultimate Guide to Gardening in an RV: The Why, the How, and the What?

If you want to learn how to grow a garden while RVing, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about growing produce on the go.

Whether you view your RV as holiday accommodation and transportation or as your snowbird or full-time home, growing your food inside your vehicle is easier than you may imagine.

What to grow? © *Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

The WHY

Why grow your own food in the RV? Having access to your own fresh food in your RV can make you healthier. What is more, growing your own food in your RV can be a truly rewarding experience. There is nothing quite like sitting down to enjoy a meal prepared with your own delicious ingredients.

In addition to deciding where you will grow your plants, you’ll need to consider the implications of growing plants in a moving vehicle. The fact that you need to be mobile makes growing food in an RV more complex than growing food inside a regular home or garden. While there are challenges, they are generally fairly easy to overcome.

Can you garden while traveling?

While keeping a garden in a moving vehicle may sound unwieldy and even impossible, many RVers do it with style and success. Space availability is the main limiting factor. Of course, if you park your RV and camp for an extended period, you will have more flexibility in this regard and can set up a container garden not only in but also around your vehicle.

Start small and then work your way up to edibles. Even a cache of succulents can brighten the interior of a motorhome or trailer and are low-maintenance. Decide on your goal and get cracking on some of these traveling garden ideas.

If you have/had a garden at home and find yourself missing it as you wander the highways and byways. Houseplants are a great way to bring some green into your life. Most are easy to grow and require minimal care. The key issue when gardening in an RV is how to keep your plants in one piece while on the road.
Building shelves with holes in them to hold the containers or a bar or twine at the front to stabilize pots will keep those plants in place. Suction cup shower caddies make great planters and can simply stick to windows or the shower walls.

During travel, place containers of fresh herbs in the sink to keep them from tipping over and making a mess. Once you park for a time, you can move any that will thrive outdoors until it’s time to pull up stakes and get on the road again.

The HOW

How to garden in an RV? An interior mobile garden that provides herbs and produce is a winning idea. Not only does it cut down on grocery bills but the process is rewarding.

Many of the crops commonly grown in a vegetable plot or kitchen garden can also easily be grown in containers that can be transported with you wherever you go. You can grow a wide range of salad crops, herbs, and even plenty of other fruits and vegetables.

To maximize space, you need to think on the vertical axis as well as the horizontal one. This idea incorporates a range of thinking and practical methods known as ‘vertical gardening’.

Vertical gardening is all about making the most of the vertical space as well as the ground area square footage of your RV. One of the easiest ways to incorporate a vertical gardening solution in your RV is to create vertical garden structures that can be hung from cupboard doors, walls, and other vertical surfaces. Such hanging gardens often have a series of pockets that can be used for planting. Purchasing (or making) a fabric shoe organizer and hanging that in your RV, then filling it with plants rather than shoes, is one way to get started.

Another idea is to create a wooden framework with wire loops that can be used to support a series of plant pots. Likewise, you could use a series of hooks to hang a range of containers using the same principles as the hanging baskets that you see outside many homes.

Interior plants need plenty of sunlight, so purchasing a grow light can get the traveling garden off to a good start. If your home-on-wheels has window shelves, buy or make a planter to fit and park so the sunlight streams in on your plants.

Self-watering pots are available from several stores and online retailers. You can find self-watering containers in every size and shape imaginable, from large planters to small houseplant containers to window boxes.

If you frequently set up camp for long periods, you can make or purchase larger containers for items like tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, beans, or peas. Some of the simplest containers are five-gallon buckets with holes punched in the bottom.

A garden box mounted on the bumper of the vehicle is another way to grow larger produce. Even large plastic totes make great containers. Choose varieties of produce with a short seed to harvest time. Use good potting soil and keep plants watered since container-grown plants dry out quickly. Feed your plants frequently. Consider placing plants on a wagon or casters so you can easily move them around the campsite and catch the most sun. It may take a little effort but keeping a garden while traveling is fun and rewarding.

The WHAT

What to grow? Some plants grow better in containers than others. Keep this in mind when selecting plants to grow and make sure your container is of an appropriate size before planting. Here are some ideas for what to grow in your RV garden.

Fruits: Strawberries can thrive in small containers making them great for RV travel. Other fruits that require more space but are still able to flourish in containers include cantaloupe, tomatoes, and even bananas!

Veggies: Mushrooms are relatively simple to grow in containers as are spinach and lettuce. Other vegetables that can be grown in containers include peppers, summer squash, cucumber, and potatoes.

Herbs: Introducing an herb garden into your RV can add some fresh flavor to your meals. Grow favorites like sage, thyme, basil, parsley, rosemary, and oregano.

Flowers: Flowers can add a burst of natural color to your RV letting you feel right at home no matter where you are. Grow favorites like alyssum, geraniums, violets, snapdragons, petunias, and poinsettias.

Other Considerations

Be sure to check into the constraints involved in moving plants over state lines. The laws and restrictions will depend on where you plan to travel in your RV. There are strict state and federal regulations regarding the movement of plants across particular state lines. States that rely heavily on a crop for revenue—potatoes in Idaho, citrus in California, corn in Minnesota—will fervently protect their land with strict plant regulations.

Some states regulate the transportation of plants and require that you declare any plants you bring across their borders to prevent plant pests and diseases from being spread to the state. For example, California’s rules are particularly strict.

Additionally, if you travel between the U.S. and Canada, you will need to declare any plants you bring into each country and potentially pay to have the soil inspected and declared free of pests.

While you may be able to find space for plenty of containers, it is important to consider how much these will weight when filled with soil and water. Consider the weight of your extra cargo when planning for fuel and setting tire pressures and be sure not to exceed your RV’s carrying capacity.

When preparing your RV garden, it is important to make sure that all your plants and containers are secure and will not tip over or fall off during transit. Making sure plants are safe in transit can be as simple as stowing a range of containers in the base of your shower where they will keep each other upright and will not make a mess that is difficult to clear up. Smaller containers could also be stowed in a sink during short journeys.

Worth Pondering…

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.

—Luther Burbank