Camping World Rumors, Packed National Parks & The RV Reality Check

This week on the RV Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland digs into four stories every RVer should be paying attention to. First up: Is Camping World really in trouble? Rumors of bankruptcy exploded online after comparisons were made to the collapse of marine retailer West Marine. Mike separates the facts from the fear and explains what’s really happening inside the RV industry right now. Then, Yosemite National Park is becoming a crowded mess. Reservation systems are gone, traffic is piling up, vandalism is increasing, and many park employees are sounding the alarm about what this summer could look like. Also in this episode: Why are RV owners staying home? KOA’s CEO just revealed a troubling trend inside the camping industry. More RV owners than ever are using their rigs less often, or not at all. Rising travel costs, fuel prices, campground fees, and economic uncertainty are changing how people camp. And finally, some good news. In a world where so many people feel isolated and disconnected, camping may be one of the best antidotes to loneliness. New research shows RVers and campers are forming friendships and community connections unlike anywhere else. This is the RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition for May 26, 2026. Stories Covered: • Is Camping World in Trouble? • Yosemite Is a Crowded Mess • Why RV Owners Are Staying Home • Loneliness Antidote: RVing! Resources Mentioned: • RV Trip Budget Planner: RVLifestyle.com/budget • RV Community: RVCommunity.com • Show notes and source links: RVPodcast.com ► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place. You will find it all https://rvlifestyle.com/plan Join our community: https://rvcommunity.com Free camping guide: https://rvlifestyle.com/freecampingguide RV Podcast: https://rvpodcast.com Plan an RV trip: https://rvlifestyle.com/start PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the bell icon to be notified of new videos and our YouTube Live special reports from the cool places we visit on our RV adventures. Please note this channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV experts and are not simply sharing our opinions and what seems to work for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions.