Fellow truck campers reveal the places and experiences they would beam back to in a heartbeat. These are the destinations and adventures that tug at our souls and beacon for a return visit. Get ready to beam back in three… two… one…
Like great white sharks that need to swim to breathe, truck campers generally prefer being on the move in search of new places and new experiences.
This constant desire for what we haven’t seen before can be intoxicating, especially if you haven’t been to the major national parks or checked off every state or province or stepped foot on the Las Vegas strip or surveyed the Little Bighorn battlefield or tasted a BeaverTail pastry in Ottawa. Hey, we all have our thing.
Fast forward a few years into the magical adventures of truck camping and you’ll likely find there are places, experiences, and—most importantly—people you want to return to. Twenty years into our truck camping lifestyle, our annual trip planning almost always revolves around friends and family we want to go see in person again, and a few destinations that left us wanting more. Just last year, we spent ten amazing days on a seaglass beach in Nova Scotia that we visited for only a few hours on our first go around.
With this concept in mind, we brought back METCAT—aka the Matter to Energy Truck Camper Transporter—and asked our readers where they would like to return to. Yes, the METCAT II is a fictional figment of your Publisher’s imagination, but the idea that there are places, experiences, and people we want to return to is not. The question was, where you’d want to go, and why?
Get your bucket list out and get ready to make a few additions.
METCAT II Coordinate I: Redwood National Park
“Ethereal. Immortal. Spiritual. Beyond simply incredible. A visit to Redwood National Park may meld body, mind, and soul into a more powerful experience than any other place on earth. I’ve seen it happen, and have experienced it myself.
Step gently into their wooded glades, quietly observe the giant immortality of life on our planet, and you just might be forever changed. Groves of titans, towering more than 300 feet above, and an understory of sword ferns six feet high, the Redwood ecosystem has a way of placing your entire life in perspective.
When you go, go head up, listening. Notice how they absorb light and sound. You may have an epiphany, and realize your place on earth is but a ripple, a nod. The experience “right sizes” us humans.
Amongst the Redwoods, time doesn’t just stop either. It unspools, backward to the coming of America, the birth of Christ, and winds all the way back to the dawn of the Jurassic age. Your life? But a moment in comparison.
Old and young alike, eyes tipped upward, mouths agape in wonderment, the totality changes perspective. Larger than your life, older too, they stand, the giants of our entire world.
Marveling at the power of nature, it’s like becoming an insect, so small, so temporary, so irrelevant amid an ecosystem full of more life per acre than anywhere else on earth.
Photographers flail away, but no one can capture it adequately enough to portray what it really feels like. You honestly have to experience it for yourself. I hope you do.
The Grand Canyon is big they say, but go to the Redwoods to feel small. The Redwoods are more a spiritual pilgrimage than a mere camping trip.” – Bob Frazier, 2001 Ford F-250, 2008 Bigfoot 2500
METCAT II Coordinate II: Portsmouth Island, North Carolina
“I’d go to Portsmouth Island, North Carolina—in 2007. It was a zoo for sure, but a memory I’ll never forget. I’d make sure to say good-bye to some special people who weren’t part of my life for nearly long enough. My rig is second from the right. I think it was this photo that was in the first TCM calendar.” – Nik Rende, 2011 Ram 3500, 2024 Arctic Fox 865
METCAT II Coordinate III: Arches National Pank and BLM Campsite
“In 2018, I had just retired. My wife, Carol, and our toy poodles, Dotte and Dede, had always wanted to take a trip out west from our home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. We planned a trip with Carol’s sister and their kids to join us with their travel trailer. One of the places we wanted to see was Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.
We camped at many places on our way out west including, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah.
We didn’t plan a campground in Utah while visiting Arches National Park, but instead planned on staying at BLM. We found a beautiful BLM location a mile from the park entrance.
After driving about a mile down a dirt road, we found a mesa that had 360-degree views and a stone fire pit. Best of all, there was some cut and split dry wood to burn.
We spent two days visiting Arches National Park and taking in gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, and wonderful nighttime stars and planets. It was the highlight of our trip out west!” – David Fradkin, 2018 GMC 3500, 2017 Lance 975
METCAT II Coordinate IV: Grand Canyon West Remote Parking Lot
“I’d go to a random forest service campground in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. We were backed up to a gurgling mountain stream and never saw another human being for our entire stay. It was solitude at its finest with all the luxuries and comforts of home!
The second place goes to Grand Canyon West. We went for the glass sky bridge located on an Indian Reservation. After our late afternoon visit, we asked the operators about RV accommodations.
We were directed to a vast and empty remote parking lot. When it got dark, they turned off the lights, shut down the CAT diesel generators, closed the gates, and everyone left. We spent a spectacular night alone and in complete solitude in the midst of the stunning and beautiful Arizona desert.” – John Vansant, 2019 Chevy 3500, 2021 Bigfoot 10.6
METCAT II Coordinate V: Alaska
“Alaska! Alaska was the 49th state we visited with our truck camper and we saved the best for last. We spent four months up there and it was not enough time to explore and see all that we wanted to.” – Kami Golembeski, 2011 Ford F350, 2019 Northstar Igloo U 9.5
METCAT II Coordinate VI: Ouray to Telluride, Colorado
“Living in Colorado offers many opportunities for incredible camping that’s not too far. Our favorite trip was to Ouray and then over to Telluride. You can camp at the town park and walk downtown which is full of restaurants and shops. You can also take a two mile hike to the highest waterfall in Colorado.
As we all know, the journey is half the fun. The picture was taken at a two-night stop at Taylor Park Reservoir just west of Buena Vista. At the reservoir, we got in some hiking and paddle boarding. My only regret on this trip is that we did not stop at Black Canyon National Park. I would not make this mistake again.” – Alan Rogers, 2015 Chevy 2500, 2000 Lance 825
METCAT II Coordinate VII: Threshermen’s Bluegrass Festival
“Send us back to Threshermen’s Bluegrass Festival in Pontiac, Illinois. The truck camper fit perfectly in the spots along the fence. We had tons of open space around us to jam and play music until the sun came up without disturbing others. And yet we were close enough to partake in all of the events of the weekend.
Sadly, the event was discontinued after its 25th year, and Threshermen’s Park, while still there, is fully private again. They were the event sponsor.
Our truck camper was so essential to making those trips possible. We got to spend so much time with family and our “bluegrass family”. Many are gone now—we were the younguns—and I am so thankful our trust Sunlite Hideaway, and later our Lance 880, were there for us. Truck camping makes special memories.” – Linda Becker, 2004 Ford F350, 1992 Lance 880
METCAT II Coordinate VIII: High Hill Harbour, Ontario, Canada
“I would go to High Hill Harbour on Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Canada. It’s an unbelievable and quiet harbor on one of the largest fresh water lakes in Ontario. It’s known for its beauty and serenity. Oh, and world-class Brook trout fishing as well as lake trout and walleye.” – John Turcotte, 2008 Chevy Silverado, 2021 Lance 865
METCAT II Coordinate IX: City of Rocks Campground, New Mexico
“I would go to the City of Rocks Campground in New Mexico. I was there on a cool clear night in November and the stars were brilliant. I had coffee, beans, and a hot dog over a campfire. The coyotes were howling. It was the greatest camping night ever.” – Bill Evans, 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2004 Northern Lite Classic 8.5
METCAT II Coordinate X: Grand Canyon North Rim Campground
“A National Park System campground on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon would be my destination. It’s perched right on the rim in a beautiful, tree-filled setting. The sites are spacious. There are no hook ups, but showers, water and a dump station are adjacent. The North Rim lodge is a twenty minute hike along the rim.” – Garry Morgan, 2022 Ford F-350, 2022 Northern Lite 8-11EX
METCAT II Coordinate XI: Rio Grande del Norte NM, New Mexico
“Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Questa, New Mexico is where I’d go. Part of the reason I enjoyed our visit there was because we were able to meet up with my brother and his wife (full-timers in a motor home) and also a cousin from southern New Mexico in her motorhome.
The Rio Grande River—as it comes south from Colorado—follows a continental rift where the earth is still splitting apart. There are a few national campgrounds along the rim with the river 800 feet below. There are hiking trails along the rim that we enjoyed and also trails that go down to the river which our older bodies didn’t attempt. There’s lots of wildlife in the area. We saw bighorn sheep and elk. The day after we left, my cousin took pictures through her window of the sheep licking her camper.
The visitors center is nicely done and very informative. We would love to go back there.” – Bob Claycomb, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, 2018 Northstar Laredo
METCAT II Coordinate XII: Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica
“I’d go to Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. Halfway through our one year trip through Central America, we backed up the camper next to the jungle. The monkeys in the tree above us started throwing branches down on us, trying to tell us to go away. It was a pleasant day of walking on the beach and through the jungle watching sloths and parrots. That was in 1989 as part of a mid-life retirement at 38. I’m a full-time truck camper again.” – Steve Cordis, Ford F-250, 1972 camper
METCAT II Coordinate XIII: Craig, Colorado
“Wow! I have so many good memories in my life of truck camping! I grew up camping with the family in a 1966 Chevy Camper Special carrying a 1966 Travel Queen 10.5 foot beast! So many wonderful trips but I especially remember deer hunting around Craig, Colorado the wonderful meals my mom cooked, and the exploring we did as a family. The fall scenery, leaves turning, hunting friends and family are wonderful memories.” – Tom Frew, 2020 Ford F-350, 2020 Arctic Fox 865
METCAT II Coordinate XIV: Jarbidge, Nevada
“I would go back to Jarbidge, Nevada; the most remote town in the Lower 48. One of my favorite experiences of living full-time in our truck camper for the last three years and seven months was camping just outside of town. I stayed in a free national forest campsite along the wild and scenic Jarbidge River. The site was a short three-tenths of a mile hike from town with miles of wilderness in every other direction. The town is only accessible by dirt road and is hours from the closest hospital or grocery store. It’s one of the most far out I’ve felt outside of Alaska. The small local community there is very welcoming making it an overall wonderful experience.” – Doug Michaels, 2018 Ram 1500, 2021 Palomino Rogue EB-2
METCAT II Coordinate XV: Gros Morne NP, Newfoundland
“I would return to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada. I would be excited to go there because it is a beautiful place to enjoy nature. While I was there I would take the boat tour on Western Brook Pond, do some hiking, and find a good spot to read a book all day.” – Christopher Stone, 2021 Ford F-250, 2022 Northstar Liberty
METCAT II Coordinate XVI: Yellowstone NP, Wyoming
“I just love Yellowstone National Park. I have been there four times and would love to go back. I stayed at Fishing Bridge Campground, which was okay. It’s good for a new-to-truck-camping campground. It’s also the most expensive. It was almost like camping in a treelined parking lot. The canyon was nice and seemed to be the one we liked the most central part of the park. I was thinking of Madison on our next trip.” – James Tedford, 2012 Ram 3500, 2017 Adventurer 116DS
METCAT II Coordinate XVII: Sand Hollow State Park during “Trail Hero”
“I’d go back to camping on the beach in 2023 at Sand Hollow State Park during “Trail Hero”. Trail Hero is an off-roading event and music festival that supports veterans and children with special needs.” – Robert Ruggles, 2022 Chevy Colorado, 2023 Bear Adventure Vehicles 7′ Black Bear
METCAT II Coordinate XVIII: New Hampshire with Dad
“Any of the many places in New Hampshire that we camped with my Dad. Why? Because I miss my Father. We had many good times together.” – Bill Tex, 2020 F-350, 2013 Eagle Cap 850
METCAT II Coordinate XIX: Across the World
“The journey is the experience. If you’re going to zap me there, why do I need the truck camper? If I am forced, I would choose a destination otherwise difficult to drive to. Zap me to Australia, New Zealand, or Africa with my camper. I would love to visit these places and then explore them with the comfort of my own rig.” – Tom Davidson, 1998 Dodge 2500, 2022 Capri Cowboy
METCAT II Coordinate XX: Alaska and the Yukon
“Without a doubt, I’d go back to Alaska and the Yukon. I talked to a couple who spent a month in $12 a night government campgrounds—including firewood—and only had one rain day. I was mainly fishing, so I would prefer to go back in late August to September once the stream flow slows and improves the trout fishing in the Kenai. I’d also fish for silvers, which became my preferred salmon fishing. I couldn’t narrow it to one particular destination because everywhere I went and fished was the best place up to that point.
I want to see more of the Yukon. My favorite moment was from the photo above where I literally chased the end of a rainbow down the Denali Highway. It was unbelievable!” – Danny Crain, 2016 Dodge 2500, 2015 Camplite 9.6 S
METCAT II Coordinate XXI: Grand Canyon
“I would go back to my last destination before my truck was stolen. I’d also go to the Grand Canyon, both the north and south rims. This was a moment of peace in a turbulent world. The memory of this trip was damaged as it was right after this trip that saw a lot of turmoil and loss. Going back to this place would revitalize that memory and let me find peace there again.” – Ed Ladner, 2006 Ford F-350, 2016 Adventurer 86SBS
METCAT II Coordinate XXII: Labrador and Nova Scotia
“Off Highway 510 is Highway 513 to St. Lewis (Fox Harbour) in Labrador. It’s a small ocean-side village. Past the village on a crossroad to the left is a steep gravel road. Four wheel drive low got my heavy rig up no problem. We ended up at an old Cold War antenna site. We parked on the concrete pad (checked for old rebar, etc.) to enjoy a peaceful view of the Atlantic Ocean and spend the night there. This site is the most easterly spot in North America, and you can drive there.
Off the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, there’s a side road to the village of Dingwall at a harbour. We went to the north side of the harbour. It ends at a free parking area next to the ocean beach. It was better to go to the right side of the harbour up the south side. Near the end are two roads to the left. Avoid the first sandy road and take the second hard road. There’s a place to park for the night. There is a small beach. You can watch the boats come through the harbour’s breakwater and enjoy the serenity of the Atlantic Ocean.” – Les Wilks, Bigfoot 10-4
METCAT II Coordinate XXIII: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
“We have camped at Las Vegas Motor Speedway several times and have enjoyed the closeness to racing action for the weekend. It’s a great place to get your thrills day and night! There’s no better place to visit that has a huge out-of-this-world feel. I love the smell of nitro in the morning!” – James Thomas, 2013 Ford F-350, 2020 Northern Lite 10-2EX
