A practical guide to camping cabins, yurts, fire lookouts and other rustic rentals at state parks, national forests and private campgrounds: what they include, how they compare with tents and hotels on cost, how to book them, what to pack, and tips for comfort, safety and winter stays. Continue reading Camping Cabins and Yurts: What to Expect, Costs, Booking and What to Pack
How to Plan Your First Camping Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
A step-by-step plan for a first camping trip: choosing the type of camping, picking a campground close to home, booking a site, checking weather and rules, borrowing or buying gear, planning simple meals, packing the car, setting up camp, staying safe and leaving no trace. Continue reading How to Plan Your First Camping Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Hiking Boots vs Trail Runners: Which Footwear Is Right for Camping and Backpacking
How hiking boots, hiking shoes and trail runners compare for camping and backpacking: weight, support, ankle protection, waterproofing, drying time, durability, break-in and fit, plus which to choose by terrain, load, season and foot type, and how to fit footwear to avoid blisters. Continue reading Hiking Boots vs Trail Runners: Which Footwear Is Right for Camping and Backpacking
Bike Camping for Beginners: Bikepacking vs Touring, Gear, Packing, Routes and Safety
A beginner’s guide to bike camping: the difference between bikepacking and bike touring, which bike you can use, bags and racks, a lightweight gear list, how to pack and balance a loaded bike, planning a first overnight route, finding campsites including hiker-biker sites, and road and trail safety. Continue reading Bike Camping for Beginners: Bikepacking vs Touring, Gear, Packing, Routes and Safety
Hantavirus and Rodents While Camping: How to Protect Yourself at Campsites, Cabins and RVs
What hantavirus is, how campers can be exposed through mouse droppings and nests, symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the CDC’s safe cleanup steps for cabins, sheds and RVs, how to keep rodents out of tents, gear and food, and a brief look at plague and other rodent-related risks. Continue reading Hantavirus and Rodents While Camping: How to Protect Yourself at Campsites, Cabins and RVs
How to Sanitize an RV Fresh Water Tank: Bleach Method, Flushing and Keeping Water Safe
Step-by-step instructions for sanitizing an RV fresh water tank and lines with household bleach, how much bleach to use, how long to let it sit, protecting the water heater and filters, flushing out the chlorine taste, how often to sanitize and everyday habits for safe RV drinking water. Continue reading How to Sanitize an RV Fresh Water Tank: Bleach Method, Flushing and Keeping Water Safe
Swimming Safety While Camping: Lakes, Rivers, Cold Water, Algae Blooms and Water Germs
How to swim safely on camping trips: choosing a safe spot, life jackets and water watchers, cold water shock, river currents and low-head dams, harmful algal blooms, swimmer’s itch, water germs after heavy rain, lightning and alcohol, plus what to do if someone is in trouble in the water. Continue reading Swimming Safety While Camping: Lakes, Rivers, Cold Water, Algae Blooms and Water Germs
RV Weight Ratings Explained: GVWR, GCWR, Cargo Capacity, Payload and Tongue Weight
A plain-English guide to RV and trailer weight ratings: GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, dry weight, cargo carrying capacity, truck payload and tongue or pin weight, where to find each number, how to calculate what you can safely carry and tow, and how to weigh your rig at a truck scale. Continue reading RV Weight Ratings Explained: GVWR, GCWR, Cargo Capacity, Payload and Tongue Weight
Blister Prevention and Care for Campers and Hikers: Socks, Shoes, Hot Spots and First Aid
How friction blisters form, how to prevent them with the right socks, footwear fit, lacing and foot care, what to do when you feel a hot spot, when to leave a blister alone or drain it, how to cover it on the trail and the signs of infection that need medical care. Continue reading Blister Prevention and Care for Campers and Hikers: Socks, Shoes, Hot Spots and First Aid
Canoe Camping for Beginners: Planning, Packing, Paddling and Safety
A beginner’s guide to canoe camping: choosing a route, permits, renting or choosing a canoe, life jacket rules, how to pack and load a canoe, basic strokes, portaging, cold water and wind safety, campsite habits and Leave No Trace on the water. Continue reading Canoe Camping for Beginners: Planning, Packing, Paddling and Safety
Stargazing While Camping: Dark Skies, Timing, Gear and What to Look For
A practical guide to stargazing while camping: how to find dark-sky campsites, how the moon and seasons affect what you see, how to protect your night vision, what to bring, which meteor showers and objects to look for, and how to stay warm and courteous after dark. Continue reading Stargazing While Camping: Dark Skies, Timing, Gear and What to Look For
Backcountry Permits Explained: When You Need One, How to Get It and What the Rules Mean
A clear guide to backcountry and wilderness permits in the U.S.: why they exist, which lands require them, quotas and lotteries, self-issue permits, Recreation.gov reservations, common conditions like bear canisters and group limits, and how to plan around them. Continue reading Backcountry Permits Explained: When You Need One, How to Get It and What the Rules Mean