It’s out there. . . I can feel it.
The next big summer dream!
I can’t quite make it out, but it is popping into the corners of my conscious mind.
It’s a sign.
It’s the wilderness saying, “Pick me!”
Last year, I took a spur of the moment camping trip with a co-worker and her two kids. She and I were so consumed by work that we put off planning and reserving a camp site. You can guess how that turned out: we got the last camp space open. You know the one: small, sloped, rocky, cement sleeping pad, and huge boulder smack dab in the middle of the camp. We raced the sunset to set up base camp and get on with meals and campfire fun.
The overnight camping trip was great fun; however, advance planning would have relieved a mountain of last minute stress. Here’s a list of helpful tips for planning your next camping vacation:
Plan your trips ahead, especially if you will be traveling with other people. Pick an agreeable date. Will you be bringing along the fur friends? If not, find a potential pet or house sitter and accommodate their calendar in your early planning process.
Utilize the Internet to research State and National Parks. Many sites provide maps of the campsites, and some include photographs so you can avoid the beastly slopes!
Recreation.gov Explore America
Find and reserve a KOA site
Review National Parks
Pick a desirable camp site and register online. If traveling with older campers or campers with mobility issues, consider a site that allows you to drive to your camping space. Do not choose one that requires grandma to hike two miles to get to your idea of the pristine cliffside spot. Consider your campsite’s distance from running water and bathroom facilities (or the lack thereof). Does the park allow pets? Lastly, try to choose a camping site that will be near activities your group will enjoy (e.g., fishing, biking, hiking trails, etc.).
Research permits. Will you be allowed to make a fire at your site? Will you need a fire permit? Find out where to purchase those and take care of it in advance.
Will you be fishing? Purchase or renew your fishing license(s).
Take RFID ing.org – Renew fishing licenses
Plan your food menu. Divide up the food shopping and cooking responsibilities before the trip. The advance preparation will make food more affordable for each camper and reduce campsite stress.
Make a checklist of camping equipment, entertainment items (e.g., frisbee, deck of cards, guitar, etc.), and pet supplies to pack. Plan to have non-perishable items packed up in advance.
Prepare your vehicle for the trip. Clean out your vehicle, examine the tread on your spare tire, make sure you have tools to change a flat tire, and consider having the oil changed if you will be traveling any distance.
Will you be gone for more than a few days? Call the post office and your local newspaper and have vacation holds placed on your account(s).
USPS – Process mail hold online
You know the next step: have fun!
Guest author: Lynny Young
Visit the Summit Outdoors Gear store
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Apr.1,2012
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