A clear, step-by-step guide to pitching a tent: practicing at home, choosing and clearing the spot, laying the footprint, poles, stakes and rainfly, guylines for wind, setting up in rain and taking the tent down without damage. Continue reading How to Set Up a Tent: Step-by-Step for Dome, Tunnel and Cabin Tents (Plus Wind and Rain Tips)
Altitude Sickness and Camping at Elevation: Symptoms, Prevention and When to Descend
What campers need to know before sleeping high in the mountains: how altitude illness develops, the warning signs of AMS, HACE and HAPE, CDC guidance on safe ascent, plus how elevation changes sun, cold, cooking and water treatment at camp. Continue reading Altitude Sickness and Camping at Elevation: Symptoms, Prevention and When to Descend
Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac for Campers: How to Identify Them, Prevent a Rash and Treat It at Camp
A camper’s guide to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac: how to recognize each plant in every season, how urushiol spreads, prevention habits for the trail and campsite, first aid at camp and when to see a doctor. Continue reading Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac for Campers: How to Identify Them, Prevent a Rash and Treat It at Camp
Bear Safety While Camping: Black Bears vs Grizzlies, Encounters, Bear Spray and Camp Setup
How to camp safely in bear country: telling black bears from grizzlies, setting up camp so bears are not drawn in, what to do in an encounter, how bear spray works and when to fight back, based on National Park Service guidance. Continue reading Bear Safety While Camping: Black Bears vs Grizzlies, Encounters, Bear Spray and Camp Setup
How to Level an RV: Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels and Motorhomes, Step by Step
How to level an RV at a campsite: why leveling matters (refrigerators, slide-outs, doors, sleep), tools you need, leveling side to side with blocks first and front to back second, the difference between leveling and stabilizer jacks, steps for travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes, automatic systems and common mistakes. Continue reading How to Level an RV: Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels and Motorhomes, Step by Step
Winter Camping on a Budget: Affordable Gear, Free and Off-Season Sites, and Staying Warm and Safe
How to go winter camping on a budget: where to camp cheaply or for free in the off-season, which gear matters most (sleeping pad R-value and bag rating), low-cost ways to stay warm, buying used, layering with what you have, food and water in the cold, carbon monoxide and hypothermia safety, and a budget winter packing list. Continue reading Winter Camping on a Budget: Affordable Gear, Free and Off-Season Sites, and Staying Warm and Safe
National Park Camping Reservations: How Booking Works, Booking Windows, First-Come Sites and Backup Options
How national park camping reservations work: where to book (Recreation.gov and park pages), how booking windows and release times work, first-come first-served campgrounds, backcountry permits, timed entry versus camping reservations, fees, cancellations, pass discounts and nearby free and low-cost alternatives on national forest and BLM land. Continue reading National Park Camping Reservations: How Booking Works, Booking Windows, First-Come Sites and Backup Options
How to Find Free Campsites: Maps, Agency Tools and Scouting Tips for Free Camping in the U.S.
How to find free campsites in the U.S.: using Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Maps, BLM field offices and maps, free developed campgrounds, state and county lands, overnight parking rules, online maps and apps, how to scout a free site, the 14-day limit and what to bring when there are no services. Continue reading How to Find Free Campsites: Maps, Agency Tools and Scouting Tips for Free Camping in the U.S.
How to Dump RV Tanks: Black and Gray Tank Steps, Gear, Dump Station Etiquette and Mistakes to Avoid
A step-by-step guide to dumping RV holding tanks: the difference between black and gray tanks, the gear you need, the right order (black first, then gray), rinsing the black tank, when to dump, where to find dump stations, hookup tips, etiquette, cold-weather notes and the mistakes that cause clogs and smells. Continue reading How to Dump RV Tanks: Black and Gray Tank Steps, Gear, Dump Station Etiquette and Mistakes to Avoid
Solo Camping Safety: Trip Plans, Communication, Campsite Choices and What to Pack When You Camp Alone
Solo camping safety tips for camping alone: leaving a written trip plan, choosing campgrounds versus dispersed sites, satellite messengers and personal locator beacons (and NOAA registration), first aid, wildlife and weather planning, personal security at camp and a solo-specific packing checklist. Continue reading Solo Camping Safety: Trip Plans, Communication, Campsite Choices and What to Pack When You Camp Alone
How to Choose a Safe Campsite: Where to Pitch a Tent and What to Avoid
How to choose a safe campsite and the best spot to pitch your tent: checking for dead trees and widowmakers, avoiding flash flood zones and low spots, lightning and wind exposure, distance from water, wildlife and food storage, ground surface and slope, plus a quick arrival checklist. Continue reading How to Choose a Safe Campsite: Where to Pitch a Tent and What to Avoid
Tick Prevention and Removal for Campers: CDC Steps for Repellents, Tick Checks and Safe Removal
Tick prevention and removal for campers, based on CDC guidance: where ticks live, EPA-registered repellents and permethrin-treated clothing, how to do a full tick check, the right way to remove a tick with tweezers, what not to do, symptoms to watch for and how to protect dogs at camp. Continue reading Tick Prevention and Removal for Campers: CDC Steps for Repellents, Tick Checks and Safe Removal