A Sleeping Bag

Just like tents, sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes.  For example:  a woman’s bag is usually narrower in the shoulders and wider in the hips than standard sleeping bags and often have extra insulation around your feet.  The cost for sleeping bags start at about $50 for kids & $150 for adults.

A Camping Stove

You can buy a decent stove for about $50-$100.  Stoves come in two types butane (canister) stoves and white-gas (liquid-fuel) stoves.  Basically, if you’re strictly a recreational camper then you most likely will need the butane stove.  If you’re camping in places that are prone to extreme wind or cold temperatures, then go with the white-gas model.

Don’t Forget These Camping Essentials!

• Playing Cards (you never know when a sudden rain shower might hit)
• Bug Repellent
• Sunscreen
• Calamine lotion (poison ivy lurks everywhere and doesn’t seem so bad until you’re itchy all over!)
• Extra Layers of Clothes (even in the summer it can get cold at night)
• Lighter or Matches
• A Flashlight
• Drinking water
• First Aid Kit
• Compass
• Salt & Pepper

How to Find the Best Places to Camp

Finding the perfect spot to rest your head depends on what you want to get out of your camping experience.  For instance, if you’re taking a family trip, you may need to look into kid friendly sites with lots of activities.  If it’s just you and your sweetie, then you might want to scope out a more secluded site.  Also, if you are hoping to experience something special like hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding, or fishing, look for parks that cater to your interests.

Great Resources To Find a Spot Near You!

Best Places To Camp

Triple Blaze

Trails.com

For The Hobbyists

Fishing

Black Mountain Campground, North Carolina

Waveland Park, Arizona

Birdwatching

Juniper Springs Recreation Area and Ocala National Forest in Silver Spring, Florida

Horseback Riding

Steamboat Lake State Park, Colorado

Golfing

Cooper Falls State Park, Wisconsin

Off-Roading

Oceano Dunes SVRA, California

National & State Parks & Forests

Use Findapark on the National Parks Service website to search for a park by name, location, activity, or State. Or go directly to State Parks!

Outdoor & Adventure Clubs

Appalachian Mountain Club

Sierra Club

Keep in mind, your favorite camping memory may have very little to do with the camping experience at all!  Steph once headed out on a camping trip with friends, when the weather got so treacherous that the ranger ordered them all out of the park.  She and her friends ended up in a Best Western in New Jersey!  True, they didn’t end up having their night under the stars in the great outdoors – but it was a fun adventure they still look back on and laugh about today!

| Print

Pages: 1 2