Casting in Comfort: RVs for Fly Fishing

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Fly fishing and camping are a match made in wilderness heaven—offering anglers the freedom to chase hatches, explore remote waters, and wake up steps from the riverbank. But as some of us age, tents quit cutting it. Choosing the right RV takes more than just picking a rig with a comfy bed. It’s about finding a setup that supports your lifestyle, your gear needs, your quirks, and even your four-legged companions.

My wife and I have gone through a few different RVs over the years and while I’m getting close to declaring that there is no perfect rig, I also know that it’s possible to get close enough to live the adventurous lifestyle that many of us crave.

Many years ago my mom let me keep our old Palomino Mustang pop-up camper that I grew up with in Minnesota. But this RV wasn’t even wired for a battery, had low ground clearance, and four-ply tires–a true meant-for-the-RV-park Upper Midwest-style camper. There weren’t many fishy places it could go in Montana.

So we bought an old F-350 7.3-liter diesel pickup and threw a Lance truck camper on the bed. This way we could bring our trailered raft and still leave the camper at the campsite when launching. Alas this too was also far from ideal because while the very rough condition of the rigs allowed it to fall within our budget range, it was also unbearably loud and jostling on gravel roads. Despite being well within the weight rating of the truck, the setup felt cumbersome and leaned heavily when turning. The jacks of the truck camper would tilt and lurch when unloaded and it didn’t afford enough space for two people and a dog for more than a few days.

So we sold that and got ourselves a 2017 Starcraft AR-One Extreme 16BH–the modernity alone of which solved many of our problems. The RV systems all work great, it has a bathroom, sleeps four, and can still comfortably get into most dispersed sites in Montana. We coupled it with an SUV with the proper torque and suspension to minimize towing anxiety (I try to stay at about 30 percent of a vehicle’s towing capacity), and off we went. But we then added a young man and another dog to our family and found that again we lacked elbow room, and we find ourselves looking for something better once more.

So we’ve learned that there might not be a perfect setup, but there are enough options to find something that’s good enough for most anglers. And we've learned that there are a lot of considerations and factors to bear in mind to get the most out for your riverside camping trips.

Factors and Considerations to Optimize Your Camper for Fishing

If your fly fishing involves float trips, your RV needs to accommodate a way to bring the boat, whether that means towing, mounting it to the vehicle, or stowing it in the camper. If towing, you’ll want an RV that’s a vehicle and camper in one, such as a Sprinter van or motorhome (unless you want to triple tow). Also consider the weight of your boat and make sure you have a tow vehicle with the capacity to pull it (especially if you’re already weighed down by a truck camper). You’ll need to check payload limits, brake controller compatibility, and off-road clearance on the trailer. Roof racks or hitch mounts are great for kayaks and inflatables, but make sure your layout allows easy access to gear—nothing kills a morning bite like digging through clutter.

Rugged-road readiness is also key. Many prime fishing spots are tucked behind washboard roads and rocky pullouts. Look for off-road tires, lifted suspension, and skid plates. Lighter campers are better on rocky, rutted Jeep trails. For serious backcountry anglers, the Four Wheel Campers Orvis Edition is a standout. Co-designed with Four Wheel Campers, it features a lockable rod bunker with a six-rod capacity, mud locker, L-track mounting system, and all-season comfort—essentially a fly-fishing command center on wheels.

“This camper is designed to meet the needs of serious anglers, providing a perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and durability,” said an Orvis press release about the collab project in May of 2024. “Imagine heading out to your favorite fishing spot, knowing your gear is securely stored in the rod bunker, ready for action. The mud locker ensures that your wet gear won’t create a mess, keeping your camper clean and organized. The L-track system provides the flexibility to mount your essential gear on the exterior, allowing you to customize your setup according to your needs.”

The Orvis truck camper starts at about $40,000.

So budget is another major factor. RV ownership isn’t cheap, so consider renting through platforms like Outdoorsy before committing. You can test different styles—Sprinter vans, pop-ups, fifth wheels, truck campers—and thusly combine your lodging and rental car into one package, when flying in to a destination. But like anything else, there’s a good way and a bad way to seek out a rental. Trying out rigs like the ones from the good folks at TheVintage lets you experiment with layouts, storage, drivability, and style without a huge upfront investment. Communication with the RV owners (hosts) is key if you go this route.

“I have found that communication and documentation is key," Reddit user RoTrevLun said in August of 2025. "Talk to the host before you rent. You can easily filter out the good from the bad that way. Take pictures of the inside and outside of the RV before the host leaves. Make sure the host explains clearly how everything works. We have found that all RVs are the same but different, so knowing how it works and if there are any tips and tricks is important.

“We had a host cancel on us 5 days before our trip started, before spring break. (Not the host's fault, the RV had a mechanical issue that made it unsafe to drive, and it took two weeks for repair.) Outdoorsy's customer service was amazing. They found us a new RV and covered the cost difference.”

In the spirit of experimenting, my wife and I recently rented a 1976 Toyota Chinook from TheVintage via Outdoorsy which was well worth the relatively small investment. Beyond reveling in retro-styling compliments through Montana’s Absaroka Range, we learned the pros and cons of using this fashionable but dated rig. This particular RV got great gas mileage, had a stove, fridge, bed, a kayak rack, plenty of storage, and heaps of style, but lacked cruise control, air conditioning, and power steering which made for a long drive on the interstate. While the Chinook (dubbed the Troutmobile) was again not the right setup for our long-term needs, we were able to further refine our ideal camper while finding good numbers of Yellowstone cutthroat in a gorgeous spot. (Incidentally, if you're interested in owning one of these sweet old Toyota campers, check with TheVintage as they often have some for sale).

If your pup is part of your fishing crew, look for features like non-slip flooring, easy-to-clean interiors, and good ventilation. Some RVs even offer built-in pet stations, which can make long trips more comfortable for everyone.

Anglers can also pair their RV setups with smart tech like the onWater app or TroutRoutes by onX. OnWater is more than a map—it’s a full-featured navigation tool tailored for anglers. Replace Google Maps with river-specific routing, download off-line maps with public and private land, check flows and weather, find access points, campgrounds, and dispersed sites, check regulations, and use the crazy-cool new AI fish-measuring tool to safely document catches without handling fish. I have used this tool and can confirm that it does a remarkably accurate job of estimating fish lengths. OnWater also provides relevant periodic updates such as the cicada mapping tool that helps you track seasonal hatches, giving you an edge when finding spots.

OnWater also recently added lake contour maps, opening up intel on a whole lot more fisheries. Photos accompany many access sites, creating a street-view-like preview of your water. Trailheads and trails are shown on certain layers, fly shops and shuttle services are listed, and the fishing journal makes it easy to catalog catches and organize them by trip, body of water, weather conditions, or time of year. Trip notes make it easy to look back on the conditions, tackle used, and locations of hot spots. Anglers can also add custom waypoints on the offline maps. OnWater offers a free seven-day trial, which I recommend.

If you’re going to be camping in griz country, a hard-sided camper (as opposed to the canvas of a pop-up) provides some peace of mind, especially if you cook inside. If the possibility of a lightning strike makes you uncomfortable, the hard sides also act as a faraday cage for the occupants. Getting a weight-distribution hitch adds towing capacity and improves handling, in the event that you’re near your vehicle’s GVWR limit.

Favorite Camping X Fishing Accessories

• Orvis Carry-It-All Fly Outfit Case: These sweet cases are crucial in keeping your fishing gear organized in your RV. You can fit a few rods and reels, fly boxes, wet-wading boots, a vest, and more.
• YETI Rambler Insulated Bowls: Pack a salad on the river without worrying about it getting nasty with YETI’s insulated and lidded bowls.
• Benchmade Station Knife: I now realize that I’ve never used truly good cutlery. We no longer squish the grapes when making our riverside charcuterie plates–I’m obsessed with this knife.
• Heavy-Duty Totes: YETI, RUX, and Toadfish all make heavy-duty tote bags that are ideal for camping. Each has its own pros and cons so look before buying. We use the hell out of them.
• Toadfish Stowaway LED Lantern: This handy light can be mounted via suction cup, hook, or magnet, and it floats. It has unlimited uses when camping.
• YETI LoadOut GoBox 60: Organizing camper gear in an agreeable way can mean the difference between a peaceful trip and intrafamilial conflict. YETI's biggest LoadOut GoBox can help—and the new Wetlands Brown colorway looks fantastic. 
• Rocky Talkie Expedition Radios: One of you wants to catch golden trout at a mountain lake, but the other wants to streamer fish for browns in the river. Stay in touch with Rocky Talkies, which are designed for the backcountry. The built-in weather-band radio provides peace of mind and help planning.
• Solo Stove with Cast Iron Griddle Top: If you kept some stockers for dinner, cook ’em up on this portable and easy-to-use grill. Solo Stoves burn with ease and are relatively safe compared to most fire pits. The griddle cooks hot and quick. It’s great for breakfasts too, and requires nothing more than wood and a spark.
• PACT Outdoors Bathroom Kits: Those of us who dislike squatting over a hole and who lack a bathroom in their camper should consider these kits.
• YETI Boomer Dog Bowl: Keep your pup’s water chilled in the heat of summer.

In the end, the best RV for fly fishing is one that blends comfort, capability, and your preferences. It should support your gear, your dog, your boat, and your backroad fishing ambitions—while keeping you connected to the river and fish. With the right rig and the right tools, you won’t just be traveling to fish—you’ll be living the dream.

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Josh Bergan is a digital fishing editor with Outdoor Sportsman Group.

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