Top Water Vacations

Did you know that a day at the beach can have aconsists of 53 acres of pristine forested land on a
positive effect on one's emotions? Or that evenpeninsula where the Nanaimo River joins the Ocean.
looking at a relaxing beach scene can have a calmingCampers here will enjoy water on three sides of this
effect? Maybe that's why many people choose topark, and have their choice of sunny sites, river sites,
spend their vacations at the water's edge, either atocean sites or secluded forest sites.
the ocean, lake or river.New Brighton State Beach - Capitola, California: New
Where might you want to spend your next "waterBrighton State Beach is one of the most popular
vacation?"state beaches in California, and chosen as one of the
On an Island"Most Beautiful Campgrounds" by Frommer's. Located
There are so many island destinations around thein the town of Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz, this
world with fantastic beaches upon which to relax, as93-acre park along the coast of Santa Cruz offers
well as great diving, snorkeling and swimmingspectacular views of the Monterey Bay. New
opportunities.Brighton State Beach is also popular for its
Most people instantly think of the Hawaiian Islands offamily-oriented campground which sits on the
Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. But if you've been totowering bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii and want to try something new, how aboutRiver Rafting
St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands? St.Whether it's rafting lazily down a river or an
John was voted one of the "Top 5 Islands in Theexhilarating whitewater rafting trip, a rafting vacation
Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas," by Travel +can be anything you want it to be. If whitewater
Leisure in 2006, voted one of the "Top 10 Caribbeanrafting's your passion, why not try the Youghiogheny
Atlantic Islands" by readers of Conde' Nast TravelerRiver Gorge which passes through Ohiopyle State
in 2006, and voted "All-Around Destination" byPark in Pennsylvania? Not only will you experience
readers of Caribbean Travel & Life in 2005.some intense whitewater rafting, but you'll also
The climate on St. John is nothing short of fantastic,experience Ohiopyle State Park, which Woodall's
ranging from the low 80s during the winter to theCamping Life includes on their "Top 10 State Parks"
low- to mid-nineties in the summer. Lodging optionslist.
range from pricey resorts on the beach (Caneel BayWhichever river you choose, do make sure your
Resort) to quite reasonable modest inns with shuttlesrafting experience matches the class of the river. If
that take you to the beach. One suchyou've never engaged in whitewater rafting before,
modestly-priced inn is The Inn at Tamarind Court.you may want to start out with a lower class, and
With 20 units, 14 with bathroom, The Inn atgo in a group with experienced guides.
Tarmarind Court starts at $110 - $120 for a doubleLakeside
room in the off-season, $148 in the winter. You canThe great thing about a lake is that there's usually
reach them at 800/221-1637.one within a couple hours where you live, so a great
Camping on a Beachweekend getaway isn't far away. But, if you're
Want a great view but don't want to spend bigplanning on a longer lakeside vacation with spectacular
bucks to get it? Consider camping on the beach,views why not consider Lake Michigan?
either with a tent or in your RV. As with islands,Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of
there are an abundance of great beach campgroundsNorth America, and has the distinction of being the
from which to choose. Here are three you might like:only one of the group of Great Lakes to be located
Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida:entirely in the United States. Lake Michigan is bounded
Henderson Beach State Park was named one of theby the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and
"Top 15 Scenic Views" by ReserveAmerica, and isMichigan, but it is the beaches in Michigan where most
located just east of Destin, Florida on U.S. 98. Tentconsider the lake to be at its most beautiful. The
and RV Campers here will enjoy more than 6,000off-white sand of its beaches are often referred to
feet of natural scenic shoreline, with sugar-white sandas "singing sands" because of the distinctive
beaches and emerald green waters of the Gulf ofsqueaking noise made when someone walks across it.
Mexico.That is due to the sand's high quartz content.
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground -Whichever water vacation you choose, the point is
Vancouver Island, Canada: RV West Magazineto go relax and rejuvenate. That means leave your
readers have voted Living Forest Oceanside RV &laptop at home and your cell phone off. The world
Campground their favorite privately run RV park andcan wait while you enjoy the water and the view.
campground. Located in Nanaimo, The Living Forest