You already know to bring the basics. Leveling blocks, water hoses, extra extension cords, and enough coffee to fuel a small army. You’re a seasoned RV camper. But here at Streamside, we’ve spent years watching guests roll into our parks across the country, and the ones who seem to have the best time always have a few extra goodies. These aren’t the essentials. They’re the icing on the cake. Here’s what we see making a real difference at our parks, summer after summer.

Lightweight Portable Hammocks

Nothing says “I have officially left my responsibilities behind” like stringing a hammock between two trees and disappearing into it with a book. At nearly every park in our network, the guests with hammocks are the ones everyone else is quietly envious of. Modern options pack down to the size of a water bottle and weigh almost nothing, making them a no-brainer addition to your gear list.

ENO DoubleNest Hammock on Amazon

Portable Griddles & Grills

Sure, you’ve got a stovetop inside the RV. But cooking outside on a flat-top griddle just hits different. Say yes to smash burgers at sunset, pancakes with a view, and bacon that somehow tastes better in the open air. 

Blackstone Tabletop Griddle on Amazon

Screen Houses & Gazebos

Bugs are part of the great outdoors, but they don’t have to be part of every meal and conversation. A pop-up screen house gives you a dedicated bug-free zone right at your campsite without requiring tools, a permit, or an engineering degree to set up. 

Clam Quick-Set Escape Screen House on Amazon

Camp Chairs

Not all camp chairs are created equal, and your back will remind you of that fact by day two. The guests who look the most relaxed at our parks aren’t sitting in $15 folding chairs. They’ve invested in something with real lumbar support, a solid cup holder, and maybe even a rocking base.

GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker on Amazon

Outdoor Games

The best campsite conversations we’ve ever overheard started over a game of cornhole. Outdoor games keep the energy going between meals, give kids something to do while adults manage the chaos of arrival, and have a funny way of pulling neighboring campers over to join in. Cornhole, bocce ball, ladder toss, Spikeball. All of them pack flat, weigh next to nothing, and are guaranteed to be the most used item in your cargo bay.

Outdoor Lawn Games on Amazon

Outdoor Rugs

This one sounds small until you experience it. A good outdoor rug transforms your campsite from a slab or gravel into an actual outdoor living space. It defines your outdoor area, keeps grit off bare feet, and does wonders for keeping that same grit from following you back inside the RV. 

RV Outdoor Patio Rug on Amazon

Reflective Window Covers

Summer sun is relentless, and your RV’s A/C unit doesn’t need the extra challenge. Reflective window covers, especially on the windshield and large side windows, can drop interior temperatures dramatically before you’ve even fired up the cooling system. Guests who use them consistently arrive to a cooler rig and run their A/C less, which means quieter evenings and a happier electrical setup all around.

RV Windshield Reflective Sun Shade on Amazon

Portable 12V or Battery-Powered Fans

Even with A/C, the moments between while you’re sitting outside, sleeping with the windows cracked, or just trying to get some airflow through the door call for a good portable fan. Battery-powered camping fans have gotten seriously impressive in recent years, with rechargeable units running 40+ hours on a single charge. A small clip-on or hanging tent fan can make sleeping in summer heat genuinely comfortable rather than something you just survive.

Rechargeable Portable Camping Fan on Amazon

Portable Bug Repellers

Last but absolutely not least: the Thermacell. If you’ve never used one, prepare to be converted. These compact devices create a 15-foot mosquito-free zone using heat-activated repellent. No sprays, no DEET, no smoke, no citronella smell. We see them at campsites all over our parks, usually sitting quietly on a table while everyone around it enjoys their evening in blissful, bite-free peace. 

Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller on Amazon

The best camping trips aren’t just about where you go, they’re about how well you’ve set yourself up to enjoy it. These extras won’t all fit in every rig, but even a few of them can meaningfully upgrade your time outside. We’d love to see what you bring to the campsite.

Tag us on your next visit to a Streamside Park and show us your setup!