During our recent multi-state family camping excursion I was struck by the amount of leftover trash that we found in many of the campsites that we occupied. “Dad, why are you taking pictures of garbage?” Asked my oldest daughter, who is used to seeing me snap lots of pictures for “the website,” but she thought it was strange that I was photographing old bottle caps, cigarette butts and discarded tent stakes.

An abandoned campfire in a remote portion of the Deschutes National Forest, in Oregon

“Why do you think people left this stuff here, for us to clean up?” I asked my daughter. “I don’t know,” she said, “but it sure is gross.” Gross indeed. We are used to finding some bottle caps and old aluminum foil, when we arrive in a new campsite, but the thing that struck me most on this trip is that we were camping in some pretty obscure and remote places. Even Lassen National Park is not heavily trafficked, particularly in early July when snow still covers much of the upper elevations.

In Six Rivers National Forest, California, someone attempted to chop this branch off for firewood

Discarded trash isn’t the only environmental damage that we came across, on our family camping journey. Right behind our campsite, in the Six Rivers National Forest, someone decided to cut their own firewood by trying to chop through a large tree branch. Never mind all the deadfall around the area, or the little market down road that sells firewood. They must have given up, but the tree is now heavily damaged.

Some of the backcountry garbage found during a 14-day camping trip through California and Oregon

This kind of stuff is so blatantly senseless that I really think the people responsible for it don’t realize that they are doing anything wrong. I don’t know how one reaches these people, because something like throwing a Pepsi® can on the ground is so foreign to me.

For all of the frustration over the seemingly endless supply of backcountry trash, though, there is hope in the next generation. While hiking through the redwoods one morning, we noticed a freshly-discarded soda can in the bushes, next to the trail. “Should we take it out?” My daughter asked, with no prompting from me. I didn’t even have time to get mad about the can.

See also…

• Green Camping: What not to do
• Reduce your Camping Impact on the Environment
• Camp Greener to Help the Environment and Your Wallet

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A big summer family camping trip is not something that I would want to do every year and, indeed, it’s been four years since our last one, but with two full weeks of vacation available, this seemed like a great time for another. The difference between a “big” family camping trip and a regular summer family camping trip is the number of camping days involved. Big trips mean planning for things, like washing clothes, that you don’t normally worry about on regular camping trips.

Crags campground, in Lassen National Park, is first-come, first-served. We had the entire campground to ourselves, in the early afternoon of July 7th.

You might think that a two-week family camping vacation takes a lot of preparation, but many times you can get by with last-minute campsite reservations. In fact, I made all of our reservations on June 15th, for our family camping vacation that would begin on June 26th. Our plan was to travel up the northern California coast to the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. After a few days in the redwoods, we continued on up into Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Finally, we would wrap-up our two-week vacation in Lassen National Park, on the way home.

Visiting one of the national parks has been a theme in both of our big family camping vacations. There are 392 national parks and I would like to eventually see them all. But for now, occasionally getting to share the national park experience with my children is satisfying, enough. At Crater Lake National Park it was the deep blue water, in Lassen National Park it was the snow and the bubbling mud pots – there is always something in these parks that the kids find interesting and memorable.

A two week camping vacation is a lot more work than a weekend family camping trip, which is one reason that we do not do this every summer. Even with a scheduled stop in civilization so that the kids could visit grandparents (and we could shower, wash clothes, restock food, etc.), there are a lot of meals and changes-of-clothes to account for. In addition to the logistics, there is the basic fact that you have a schedule to meet. It sounds like a small thing, but having to be somewhere on a specific date is a lot less relaxing than camping in one place.

Two federal campgrounds, two different restroom facilities. The Crags campground in Lassen has simple pit toilets, while the Panther Flat campground in the Six Rivers National Forest has flush toilets, a sink and coin-op showers.

You can start thinking about a big family camping vacation by making a list of all the places that you would like to visit, then grouping places together that can be seen on one trip. We limit any one day’s travel to four hours, which allows us to setup the campsite (usually at a state park) in the early afternoon and actually enjoy the place, before continuing on to our final destination. We also do not travel more than two days, in a row.

Obviously, you cannot see everything on one trip. It’s important to remember that this is still a vacation, which means more camping than traveling. Realize too, that if you are visiting multiple locations on one trip, you will only be able to get a general overview of any one place. This is fine for the kids, who tend to be more interested in variety, but may leave us parents wanting for more. I have been to Lassen twice, now – once as a child and once with my own children – and I still have not seen the Cinder Cone, in the northeast section of the park.

Finally, don’t forget your friends! Both times we have undertaken one of these multi-week journeys, some of our friends have been able to meet-up and camp with us, during some portion of our journey. This is a lot of fun for everyone and a great bonus to the trip, if you can coordinate it.

See also…

• 5 Great Camping Spots in the South
• National Park too crowded? Try a National Forest Instead
• Top 5 Parks to Visit in 2010

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This was a guest post by John Colville, an avid camper and outdoorsman. John has been camping all over the Southeast and has “hike the entire Appalachian Trail” on his bucket list. John also runs Buy Camping Chairs, which is dedicated to helping you research, find and buy top quality camping chairs for your next trip into the outdoors.

If you are planning a vacation with your family, want to spend some time out in nature, or just need to take a weekend off, there are dozens of camping locations in the south that can suit your needs.  From the dusky historic beauty of Texas, to the tropics of Florida, there are locations for fishing, hunting, swimming, discovering historical roots, hiking, and much more in the vast expanse of the south.  Here are 5 great camping spots in the south.

Balmorhea State Park, Texas

Balmorhea State Park (photo by hectore on Flickr)

Located four miles southwest of Balmorhea off of State Highway 17, nestled between Balmorhea and Toyahvale, Balmorhea State Park is an oasis in the desert of West Texas.  The state park features one of the largest spring-fed swimming pools in the world.  It is a great place for a family camping excursion and provides a wonderful historical site for the experienced camper.

Activities include scuba diving and skin diving. Not far also is the historic Fort Davis. The camp covers a small 48 acres, but is still a fascinating Texas experience.  The camp is easily accessible and is nice location for weekend vacation if you are interested in southern history, Texas wildlife, and fishing.

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

Petit Jean State Park (photo by davidwatterson on Flickr)

One of the first state parks in Arkansas, Petit Jean has some of the most outstanding scenery in the whole state.  After the rainy season when the waterfalls are in full flow, fishing and swimming become some of the favorite activities at the state park.   It is about an hour away from Little Rock and can be reached by road.

Offering more than 120 individual camping spots, the campground also provides 37 spots with electrical and water hook-ups where you can pull your camper or trailer into.  The price for individual campsites per day is about 14 dollars, and 75 dollars for a group.  You can also rent hiking and camping gear, boats, tepees, and tents.  If you do not fancy the thought of spending the night in a tent, you also have the option to rent a cabin for a slightly higher price.

Some notable features of the campsite include great hiking with breathtaking views, fishing, swimming, and boating.  There are more than 20 miles of hiking trails including the Cedar Falls trails, which lead you over and even underneath a series of waterfalls.  If you want the best views, you should time your visit right after the rainy season, as the falls will truly flow in all their splendor.  The longest hiking trail is the Boy Scout Trail, which is eight miles long.

Crabtree Falls Campground, Virginia

The actual falls, themselves (photo by turbojoe (away) on Flickr)

Crabtree Falls offers beautiful campsites on the flowing river Tye.  The camping site is a half mile from Crabtree Falls, which is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi river.  A short two-mile hike to the top of the falls reveals a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether you are looking for a lovely spot at the base of the mountains for your family camping spot, or if you want to find a place of peace and quiet, this might be the place for you.  Accommodations provided include cabins with electricity and running water and bathroom facilities if you plan to sleep in your tent.  If you are planning to visit this campground, you had better make reservations, as they are usually full in the camping season. Because of the relatively small grounds, they only accept an allotted number of campers at one time.

Other activities include hiking, swimming, and fishing.  The river is slow moving and provides a perfect place for a dip in the fresh mountain springs.  With beautiful coves for quiet fishing, it gives an atmosphere of rest and recuperation for the lone hiker.  In addition, the Appalachian Trail leads you to a swinging bridge at a frightening height.  You can also hike the Priest’s 4063 ft., which is the highest elevated rock in the area.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

High up in the Guadalupe Mountains (photo by stevesheriw on Flickr)

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to one of the world’s finest examples of a fossilized reef, an amazingly complex and unique family of flora and fauna, as well as one of Texas’ only designated wildernesses.  Hiking the trails of the Guadalupe Mountains is not very easy, so it is better to only try this with older children, teenagers, or adults, as young children may not find the area attractive.

The mountains give the hiker a sense of belonging and provide valuable perspective on life as one can feel a part of the lonely quietness of the plants, animals and masterpiece of landscape around him.  There are options for hooking up trailers and campers for a daily fee, as well as wilderness camping if you desire, for only an entrance fee.

The main attraction is hiking and you will find more than eighty miles of trails that wander through canyons, hills, mountains, and forests.  The weather on the mountain can change rapidly and can be hot during the daytime under the sunlight and then drop rapidly at night, so it is good to bring warm clothes.

Because of the mild climate of the day, you can enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, wildlife viewing, photography, and star gazing.  If you are feeling extra adventurous, you could also try horseback riding- but you will have to bring your own horse.

Fort De Soto, Florida

The white sands of Fort De Soto (photo by Pet_r on Flickr)

The beach was named the best beach in America for 2009 by TripAdvisor, the internet’s largest online camping community.  Last on the list, but by no means the least, Fort De Soto, on the coast, is truly one of the best family camping spots in the south.  White soft sand, clear water, and a relaxing atmosphere are the advantages of the campsite on the beach.

With 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands, Fort De Soto is one of the largest campgrounds in Florida and a top camping spot for families from all over America.  Aside from good camping facilities marked at about 30 dollars a day for a small family, the park includes a variety of historical and cultural sites.

See also…

• Best Winter Beach Camping Getaways
• National Park too crowded? Try a National Forest Instead
• Top 5 Parks to Visit in 2010

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This is a guest post by freelance writer Leslie Douglas. If you would like to guest post on CampingBlogger, please see the About page for my contact information.

After being cooped up during a long, cold winter, everyone looks forward to the weather warming up to enjoy the outdoors again. But along with warmer weather come a variety of pests that can make a camping trip a painful, itchy experience – mosquitoes. Rather than try to deal with an itchy, irritable kid, I try to fend off the mosquitoes before they bite. Here are some of the products I’ve tried with great success.

OFF!® FamilyCare Repellent

In existence for more than 50 years, OFF! is one of the best known brands of insect repellents on the market. The insect repelling substance in OFF! is a chemical called DEET. There has been some concern recently about the safety of using DEET on skin, but several health organizations including the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have deemed it to be safe for human use.

In addition, the brand has received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. OFF! comes in several varieties, and is available in most drugstores and grocery stores. It is available in aerosol and non-aerosol varieties, and is great for stuffing in a backpack.

SKIN SO SOFT® Bug Guard Plus™

Another company with a long standing reputation for quality is Avon®. Their Skin So Soft (SSS) Bug Guard Plus is a favorite among outdoor lovers, and particularly moms. It’s DEET-free, and is recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians as being safe for children, which is something I look for in products for my kids.

SSS has the added benefit of sun protection factor (SPF) 30, so it protects against sunburn as well as insects. It’s available in a pleasantly scented, non-greasy lotion, an aerosol, and a non-aerosol pump spray, and repels mosquitoes for at least eight hours. SSS Bug Guard Plus can be purchased online or through your local Avon representative.

Burt’s Bees® Herbal Insect Repellent

If you’d prefer to avoid chemicals, opt for a natural one like Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. The spray is made from a mixture of herbal oils such as rosemary, citronella, and lemongrass, along with a few others. It’s also DEET-free and is safe for children.

The company even touts it as a good way to keep mosquitoes away from pets. Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm via bites, so it’s a good idea to protect pets when they’re outside. Burt’s Bees repellent smells nice, but the downside is that it’s oily and some kids might not like the feel of it.

Citronella Candles

If you’re concerned about applying any sorts of insect repellents to your children’s skin, you can try to repel insects from the outdoor environment instead. One of the most popular ways to do this is by lighting citronella candles.

Citronella is an oil that can be derived from about 25 species of plants. Because it’s a natural ingredient, it’s also used in some topical repellents as well. Citronella candles emit a light, citrusy scent when burning that is unpleasant to many insects, especially mosquitoes.

The candles can be found in just about any hardware or home improvement store, and very often in drugstores and grocery stores as well. Torches that burn citronella oil are also available, and are popular alternatives to candles since they’re refillable. Torches and candles are perfect for setting around the patio or backyard, or if you go to the cottage.

Mosquito Magnet®

Candles and torches are nice and can add ambience to your outdoor living area, but they may not be the best option is you have small children or pets around. Not to mention, they don’t do much good when it’s a little windy outside, and the flames are blown out.

A good alternative is an all-weather mosquito trap, like the Mosquito Magnet. It’s a device that emits carbon dioxide, which is known to be a mosquito attractant. When the mosquitoes, or other flying insects, approach the source of the gas, they are trapped in the Mosquito Magnet’s tank.

The device pulls insects away from the activity area, keeping your barbecues, picnics, and outdoor play areas virtually insect free. This is, of course, not the type of contraption you want to take backcountry camping, but if you have a trailer or a cottage it might be a good investment.

The best way to get total mosquito control is to combine two or more of these methods. Wearing a personal repellent while running a trap will ensure you and your family can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about being plagued by mosquitoes.

See also…

• Be proactive against tick-borne diseases this summer
• Camping Mishaps: Critters
• Camping and Hiking with Poison-Oak

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If you haven’t made plans to camp at one of the national parks, this summer, you might be thinking that it’s too late to get organized and make reservations. This is likely the case, if you try to make all of your own plans, but there is another way to make this happen and that is with a travel consultant, like Tracks & Trails.

Hoh Rain Forest Olympic National Park (billandkent on Flickr)

A travel consultant works much like a travel agent, but in this case we’re talking about a lot more than just airplane tickets and hotel reservations. You tell your Tracks & Trails consultant where you want to go and whether you want to camp in an RV or a tent, and they make all of the hotel and campground reservations, hook you up with an RV or SUV and provide you with a complete itinerary and trip portfolio of things to see and do.

Can you do all of this yourself? Sure you can, but it’s already May so time is short – and unless you have a lot of local connections or experience in the park, it is going to take time to research the best campgrounds and things to see. Also, assuming the national park that you are interested in is more than a day’s journey by car, a significant portion of your vacation will be spent on a highway.

Quinault Rain Forest (Wildcat Dunny on Flickr)

For instance, we have some friends that want to visit the Olympic National Forest, this summer. That is a 900-mile trip that, realistically, is going take two days of driving – each way. That is nearly one-third of a fourteen day vacation spent on the road! With a Tracks & Trails Olympic Peninsula vacation (7 to 10 nights, from $3,375), you fly into Seattle and they put you up in a hotel, the first night. They drop off your fully-equipped RV in the morning and you’re off to Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, with all of your campground reservations. At the end of your vacation, simply drop off the RV back in Seattle and fly home.

Even with the addition of airfare for four, this makes a lot of sense. Renting a Class C RV is about $150 per day, so even if you drove the 1,800 mile roundtrip journey, you would still be paying $600 in extra rental fees. Add in another $600 for gasoline and those airline tickets are looking better all the time! The real benefit, though, is the extra four days in the national park, and not on the highway.

Tracks & Trails offers vacation packages for all of the great western parks, including Canada.

See also…

• 3 Camping Trips to Enjoy With Your Family This Summer
• Busiest Family Camping Weekends for 2010
• Family Camping Adventures

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Many of us grew up camping with our families and have some great childhood memories of what camping is all about. Family camping is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, as boomers castoff the excesses of the past twenty years and look towards simpler and more fulfilling family summer vacations.

New friends. Whether you are 6 or 60, there is no surer way to meet new people and make new friends than to camp at one of the popular family state or federal campgrounds in your area.

Unplugging. When is the last time your entire family unplugged for the weekend? There is something magical, in this day-and-age, about no phones, no computers, no video games and no TV. Help your family experience some of this magic, this summer!

Catching a first fish. Camping and fishing are two outdoors activities that go together like, well, camping and fishing! If your camping plans include a well-stocked lake, then you are in a great position to help your children experience one of life’s great rites of passage – catching their first fish.

Campfires. You can sing songs, tell scary stories, or just laugh and roast marshmallows, but family time around the campfire is one memory that your kids are sure to cherish. One of my early childhood memories, that still sticks with me today, was driving away from a campground and my dad realizing that he forgot to water and stir the fire pit. “Don’t worry dad,” I told him, “I took care of it.”

Snacks. Okay, so if your kids are like mine, snacks are nothing new. But camping snacks are something different, altogether! S’mores, trail mix and a cup of steaming hot chocolate around the campfire are all special camping experiences that hopefully our kids will pass on, someday.

Wildlife. Sure, it would be great to see a mountain lion or a bear, but even a deer or a banana slug can be exciting for the kids to see. Just remember, your best chance for spotting many animals, including dolphins and seals at the beach, is early in the morning.

Sleeping outside. It doesn’t matter if you are camping at the beach or in the mountains, there is something magical about the night sounds and the vast expanse of stars that fill the sky.

Rain. One of my strongest camping memories, as a child, is drifting off to sleep listening to the sound of rain drops on the tent. Rain is not something that most of us look forward to, when we go camping, but the sound and the smell is definitely a rich outdoors experience.

Many of my most memorable camping experiences are from my childhood, but now that I have kids of my own, I am starting to see some of that same enthusiasm in them. Their experiences are now my new experiences and that is exciting, for this dad.

What are some of your most memorable camping experiences?

See also…

• Family Camping Adventures
• Ease into Camping with Cabins and Yurts
• 5 Lessons to Teach Kids about Camping Responsibly

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Here in Northern California we had a huge spring rainstorm roll through the area, this weekend. I’d hate to get caught camping in one of those, but I know that near-perfect springtime camping weather is right around the corner, so it’s time to make sure we’ve got all of our gear organized and ready to go.

I have to admit, we’re not great planners when it comes to reserving campsites ahead of time. We try to camp every month, even during the winter, but more often than not we make the decision during the week. This leaves very little time to hit the grocery store for food. We need to have everything ready to go by Friday, so that we can be on the road to reach the campsite before dark.

Middle Cape Sable beach, Florida Everglades (photo by boltron on Flickr)

The key to this, of course, is organization. Unfortunately, getting organized is a lot easier to talk about than it is to do. At least for me! The only way that I’ve been able to pull this off, with any success, is with plastic storage tubs. They’re not perfect, because I can only fit two of them in my small SUV, along with an ice chest, but keeping the camping gear in storage tubs eliminates a lot of packing on those Friday afternoons.

We split our gear into “camp kitchen” and “camping gear” storage bins. Large items, like our tent, camp chairs, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and stove don’t fit into storage bins and are packed separately.  It’s proven fairly easy to remember those large items, though, and we pack those into the car last, so they are easy to see. One item that would fit inside a storage bin is the tarp that we use underneath our tent, but it would take up too much room so we spread it out in the back of the SUV and pack our gear on top of it.

For a more in-depth copy of this list, in PDF format, see The Camping Gear List.

Camping Gear Bin

• Lighter & Tender
• Garbage Bags
• Toilet Paper
• Table Cloth (2)
• Hatchet
• Stove Fuel / Propane
• Whisk Broom and Dustpan
• Lantern
• Collapsible 5-Gallon Water Bladder
• Plastic Dishpan
• Insect Repellent
• Sunscreen
• Spare Batteries
• Cards and Games

Camp Kitchen Bin

• Paper Towels
• Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
• Dish Soap
• Coffee Pot
• Dutch Oven
• Frying Pan
• Cooking Utensils
• Oven Mit
• Eating Utensils
• Plates, Bowels & Cups
• Aluminum Foil
• Re-sealable Bags
• Cooking Oil
• Dry Food (Cereal, Coffee, Trail Mix, etc.)

The bulky items in the camp kitchen bin take up a lot of room, but many of the smaller items pack away inside them. The key to making this work is keeping these bins stocked and ready to go. We have a hard enough time getting the three kids ready to go, so being able to grab the two bins, along with the tent and associated sleeping gear really helps out.

We use 1-gallon milk jugs to make our own block ice

The other key to a quick Friday getaway is the ice chest. We are fortunate to have a second refrigerator in our garage, so this is where all of our camping food goes during the week, until we are ready to pack the ice chest. It’s also where we make all of our ice. We use 1-gallon milk jugs and we need five of them for a weekend of camping. When I leave for work in the morning, I put two of the milk jugs into the ice chest to pre-cool it.

In the afternoon, after the kids come home from school, Lisa will replace those two milk jugs with three fresh ones and load the food and drinks into the ice chest. Managing the ice chest is one of the biggest problems most prospective campers face, because if you don’t have enough freezer space for all of that block-ice, it’s difficult to pre-cool it. If you cannot pre-cool your ice chest, try to ensure that everything you put into it is already cold.

The best way to get in the habit of spending a weekend camping with your family is to ensure that the preparation for the trip is not a huge ordeal. Hopefully these tips will encourage you to investigate your own system for getting organized.

See also…

• The Camping Gear List
• How to use an ice chest
• Trail Mix

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Let’s face it, spending a weekend in the woods with no showers or heat or big comfy bed is not everybody’s idea of a good time. Many parents today were not raised with a strong outdoor experience, themselves, which makes it difficult for them to appreciate the experience now. So what can you do if your spouse is not interested in camping?

Start with Cabins and Yurts

If you can’t get your spouse excited about spending the night in a sleeping bag inside a tent, cabins and yurts are an excellent alternative. Cabins and yurts are available at many state parks and national forests across the country and are furnished with real beds, heat and sometimes a small kitchenette.

Start with Overnight Trips

In many instances, when someone is turned-off about the idea of camping in the backcountry it’s due to a lack of experience and a fear that they won’t like it. It’s a valid concern and one that you can help alleviate by easing them into the camping experience with short overnight trips.  With experience comes confidence, and soon your spouse will be setting-up the tent like a pro.

Consider a pop-up tent trailer

If tent camping is a bit too rustic for your spouse, a pop-up tent trailer is a great compromise that offers most of the comforts of RV camping, without giving up the total outdoor experience. There is a healthy secondary market in used pop-up tent trailers, which makes for a reasonable initial investment.

Invest in Quality Gear

If you are attempting to convince your spouse that camping is fun and can be comfortable, the last thing you want to do is to ruin the experience with cheap gear. It may sound counterintuitive to spend a lot of money on gear if you don’t know how often you will get to camp, but you can always rent good gear from the reputable outdoor stores.

The biggest “gotchas” in camping gear are uncomfortable sleeping bags (so try before you buy!), air mattresses that go “pop” in the middle of the night, and tents that are cramped and flimsy. Buy or rent quality gear so that your spouse will have a great initial impression.

I know a lot of you have spouses who either did not camp, or still don’t camp – so let’s hear it: What are your tips and ideas for overcoming spousal camping anxiety?

See also…

• Ease into Camping with Cabins and Yurts
• Family Camping: Test the waters in your own backyard
• 10 Great Features of Pop-up Tent Trailers

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We have enjoyed a week of 80-degree weather, here in San Jose, and it has got me thinking about what kind of camping trips I want to plan, this summer. It’s a lot of fun to try different things and camping is no different. If you are just starting out, it makes sense to plan your first few trips close to home, just in case you forget something, or the weather takes a turn for the worse. As you gain experience and confidence, though, you are going to want to venture out and explore some new areas. Here are three ways to camp this summer that will keep your family excited about the outdoors and the camping experience.

The Quick Weekend Getaway

When we first started camping we were neurotic about packing – and many times overpacking – all of our gear and ensuring we had everything we needed. As time went on, we started keeping most of our gear in plastic storage bins so that packing was as simple and quick as loading the bins into the car.

In no time at all, we were at the point where we could be on the road to the campsite within 30 minutes of my arriving home from work on a Friday. This opened up a lot of family camping opportunities to us that we wouldn’t have otherwise gotten to experience. It’s been great for the kids, who get to experience a lot more “unplugged time” at the beach or in the mountains – and it’s been great for mom and dad, too.

A quick weekend camping getaway is probably our favorite camping experience, particularly when it’s something we decide on at the last moment – a little surprise to cap off a hectic week.

The Big Destination

One thing we like to do every summer is plan a seven to ten day camping excursion to one of the big state or federal parks, in the West. There are so many places to see that I’m sure we’ll be doing this the rest of our lives, but it’s a lot of fun to share as many of these experiences with our kids as we can.

The thing about camping in one of the big parks, or near one of the big parks, is that it takes a lot of preparation and it usually involves a lot of travel time. It’s not something that I would want to do all the time, but for once or twice a year I can put up with the crowds and play tourist. The rewards are some of the greatest natural wonders in the world, which is why these places are parks in the first place.

The trick to big destination camping is to not get wrapped up in the crowded roads, the crowded parks and sticking to a grueling sightseeing schedule. When the kids start to get burned out, it’s time to take a break and skip rocks in a stream, or just spend some time relaxing. This might mean you don’t get to check everything off your sightseeing list, but remember that this is a vacation and not a marathon.

Make Your Own Campsite (and then make it disappear)

We have a lot of fun in campgrounds and our kids have even more fun, since they always make new friends. Sometimes, though, we get the urge to really get away from it all and when that happens we head off onto BLM or Forest Service land and look for our own little slice of solitude.

Dispersed camping is the term that the federal government uses to describe camping on public lands outside of a designated campground. There aren’t any picnic tables, restrooms, or fire pits, but that’s a small price to pay for being able to spend a few days in the backcountry without ever seeing another person.

The challenge of dispersed camping, which is also part of the fun, is that you have to pack everything that you think you will need, including all of your water. And, of course, you have to pack it all out at the end of your camping trip, because there aren’t any garbage cans, either. It’s a rewarding experience, and one that you will surely want to repeat.

Dispersed camping is generally allowed on most public lands, but check with the managing agency (www.fs.fed.us or www.blm.gov) for regulations specific to the area or the time of year. For instance, campfires are almost always forbidden during the summer months, here in the West.

See also…

• National Park too crowded? Try a National Forest Instead
• Types of Camping Spots
• Top 5 Parks to Visit in 2010

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Backyard tent-check (BenSheldon on Flickr)

With most of the country beginning to thaw out, now is a great time to start planning for your first family camping trip, this spring. For many families, this will be the first camping trip since Labor Day. That means camping gear that has been in storage for months needs to be checked before hitting the backcountry. Also, springtime weather is unpredictable, so it makes sense to prepare for the worst, regardless of the weekend forecast.

Camping Gear Maintenance

It’s okay to admit that you haven’t looked at your tent all winter and you’re not even 100-percent sure where it is. But that’s all the more reason to dig it out and get it setup in the backyard, to make sure all the pieces are still there.

With the tent setup, it’s also a great time to renew the waterproofing with spray-on treatment and reseal all of the seams with a seam sealer product.

Big frontload machines are your sleeping bags best friend (A-Wix on Flickr)

If your sleeping bags have been rolled-up all winter, you will want to fluff that insulation back up, for maximum protection during those cool spring nights. The best way to do this is to grab a couple rolls of quarters and head to the local Laundromat.

Follow the directions on the manufacturer’s tag, of course, but it likely recommends to machine wash and tumble dry the bag – unzipped, so the water only has to go through one layer of the bag.

The big commercial frontload machines at the Laundromat are best, because the sleeping bag can’t get wrapped around a center drum and damaged.

Preparing for Springtime Weather

Camping in the rain is actually kind of fun, if you are prepared with the proper gear and you can relax and appreciate the pitter-patter of raindrops on the tent, at night.

Mornings can be the hardest part about camping in the rain. The damp, cool, air really makes you crave that first hot cup of coffee, but that means crawling out into the rain and firing up the stove.

Tarps provide additional shelter against the rain (faxpilot on Flickr)

Comfortably camping in the rain is all about secondary shelters, like canopies or tarps. The tent is great for sleeping, but you can’t brew a cup of coffee in there, which is why a canopy or tarp is invaluable. Who wants to stand in the rain and cook?

Another challenge about camping in the rain is keeping wet and muddy clothes and shoes outside of the tent. Condensation inside a tent, at night, is tough enough to fight without adding a family’s worth of wet clothes to the equation.

A secondary shelter, like a canopy or tarp, can provide you with a dry place to cook and a dry place to hang your clothes. You have to be able to get to the tent in your shoes, though, so if your tent does not have a dry vestibule area for gear (like shoes), your best bet is a storage tub.

Springtime is all about rejuvenation and renewal, so don’t be afraid to get the family outdoors for some quality camping time. If your gear is in good shape and you are prepared for the potential springtime weather fluctuations, you are bound to have a great time, together.

See also…

• The Camping Gear List
• How to make your own campfire starters
• Ease into Camping with Cabins and Yurts

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