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Great Camping Experiences – What Makes Them, and How To Have One

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Now that summer is over and school is back in session, you and the kids may be bemoaning the loss of those carefree weekends camping as a family in all your favourite spots. While autumn does bring in some cooler weather, never fear – if you live in an area where it’s a slow process you might be able to squeeze another trip or two in before the white stuff flies. If you don’t however, why not consider stocking up on some cool gear that helps you get out and get back under the stars – come what may?

Here are a couple of our top picks for things you’d need if you want to extend that camping season into the chillier months.

Tents

One of the main reasons it gets so cold when camping is from laying on the cold, hard ground. Many people purchase special heating pads or insulated ground coverings to solve this issue, but what about going one step further? Opting for a truck roof tent can be a great way to get off the ground and up a bit higher, helping to stay warmer and more insulated than your traditional pitched tent on the ground. Another benefit to sleeping in a truck tent is a less chance of being accosted by insects in the night. Even if you aren’t able to use a new truck tent this season, it’s a great option for those hot summer nights next year when you find you can’t sleep inside the house.

Helpful Equipment

If you’re the type of person who really likes to get out and among nature through camping, then you might want something that really puts those campsites to shame in the way of creature comforts that you can bring on the road with you. Tuff Stuff 4×4 is the place to check out everything you need from trailhead winches to overland expedition trailers that are solar ready with full kitchens, the perfect accessory to make any long distance road trip through backcountry a success story.

Make Camping Your Go To Activity

Everyone who’s ever been camping knows what fun it can be – taking off out of town with your favourite people in tow to check out some of nature’s best spots below mountains, along lakesides and on beaches. With so many places to explore while camping, the world becomes your oyster, even if you’re only exploring your own regional area. The benefit to some places with larger area to cover is that you will never run out of places to explore – especially with Tuff Stuff and all their fantastic gear that you will want to make your camping spot a home away from home.

So if you like camping and are still wanting to get in on it a bit before the weather changes too badly, why not consider saddling up with some unique and heavy duty gear that will continually get you from one end of the country to the other with nothing but great times and adventures to be had in between. Enjoy!

Comfortable Camping For Reluctant Campers

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Camping is one of the favorite past times in the USA with over 40 million Americans going camping during 2016. Despite almost one million new households going camping every year since 2014, there are still those reluctant to leave the comfort of their own homes and brave the wild (and even the not-so-wild) outdoors.  Luckily innovations in the camping-gear industry have made it possible to enjoy many of the comforts of home while camping. Apart from making sure your tent is easy to set-up (and take down), where you sleep and where you prepare and store your food is of vital importance in ensuring that a camping trip will be enjoyable for even the most unenthusiastic camper.

Don’t skimp on your bed

Dubious sleeping arrangements are often the biggest fear of reluctant campers. Your bed is the one thing you do not want to skimp on when camping. If you want your camp set-up to resemble home, try to make your camping bed feel as much like your home bed as possible. A comfortable sleeping pad, whether of the inflatable or foam variety is an absolute must as is good-quality lightweight bedding. While most campers opt for sleeping bags, nothing prevents you from bringing your favorite sheets and quilts along on your camping trip. A comfortable pillow from home can add greatly to the cosiness of your bed while an eye mask and earplugs can drown out unwanted light and noise. If you sleep with a white noise machine at home and it is battery-powered, bring it along on your outdoor expedition as it is bound to remind you of home and make you sleep sound at night.

Get your kitchen area sorted

One of the luxuries we tend to enjoy most at home is to always have cold drinks and ice at our disposal.  Critter-proof, insulated cooler boxes of a good quality will keep your ice icy, your wine and beer cold and all your perishables as cool and fresh as the day you bought them.  There are a number of ultra-reliable cooler boxes and bags on the market, each with its own unique appeal. After conducting a bit of research you may even be able to solve the age-old Yeti vs Pelican debate as to what the most reliable camping-accessory available is.

Apart from keeping your food fresh, you would also like to eat, drink and cook in comfort. A couple of insulated wine glasses will beat any plastic or paper cup and is also a more eco-friendly approach. A camp kitchen will help you keep your food and utensils organized and will provide you with a sturdy surface to put your portable propane coffee machine on. There is also no longer a need to settle for grungy-looking pots and pans when you camp – snazzy cookware and utensils designed for the outdoors are readily available online and at department stores and will enable you to prepare feasts fit for a king if you wish to do so.

No need to stay dirty

One of the biggest concerns of many campers revolves around personal hygiene. While bathing in a dam or stream is often an option, not everyone is cut out for that level of roughing-it. Portable pump-action camping showers have been around for many years and although they get the job done, they are hardly a luxury. Cue the portable tankless water heater with its attached shower head that allows you to suck water from any source and heats it via a standard propane cylinder. Couple the water heater with a portable privacy tent, and you will able to have a warm shower in the private. Just remember to bring along your favorite body wash and shampoo to truly make you feel right at home in the middle of the wilderness.

Camping offers the ideal opportunity to get reacquainted with Mother Nature while taking a break from many of the stressors of daily life. The notion that you have to rough-it completely while spending time outdoors is grossly exaggerated and often deters many city slickers from leaving their comfortable technology-driven nests. By taking the discussed guidelines to heart you will be well on your way creating a camping experience that will closely contest the comforts of your own home.

Top 3 Family Camping Destinations in the US

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Countless Americans have called camping their pastime of choice for decades. This should come as no surprise – the countless activities and experiences that camping provides is like no other. The pleasure that comes with having access to fresh air and a beautiful view is something everyone can enjoy.

Buying equipment and choosing which friends and family can come is easy, but finding the right place to set down your tent can be daunting. After all, the United States isn’t a small place. Listed below are three of the best camping destinations that you and your family can enjoy.

Jellystone Park Larkspur

Situated between Denver and Colorado Springs, this family focused resort offers a multitude of premium services and amenities, along with a scenic campsite. The park follows a Yogi bear theme, with daily flag raising and lowering ceremonies, as well as opportunities for kids to take pictures with the famous characters.

If you don’t have a tent of your own, there are a variety of options available when it comes to accommodation, from rustic teepees and safari tents to more luxurious cottages. As the fittingly playful name would suggest, Jellystone has something for everyone. Adults can enjoy swimming pools and barbecue pavilions while the kids play in the numerous playgrounds and sports courts available on site.

Herkimer Diamond KOA

If you’re in the New York area, be sure to head upstate and enjoy the science-themed Herkimer Diamond KOA. Here you also have the option between bringing your own tent into the allocated sites or booking one of the numerous high-tech cabins available.

For example, there’s Professor Gadget’s robotics lodge, which features a bunch of robotic toys and motion sensing lights. There’s also the Sky Catcher, which features a real observatory with a high-powered telescope. But camping is namely an outdoors affair, which is why this resort also features a “Diamond Mine”, where families can dig for quartz crystals.

Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Situated in Oregon is the Bend-Sunriver RV Campground, which features numerous outdoors activities for family members of all ages to enjoy. Its close proximity to Mount Bachelor makes it the perfect place for fishing, hiking, canoeing and biking.

The Thousand Trails Club Blazer program gives kids the opportunity to earn badges by participating in competitions and scavenger hunts. This campground facilitates tents and RV’s, but if you’ve had enough of your family members, you can always rent the cabins or yurts located on-site.

Conclusion

North America’s sheer size means that there are a variety of unique locations, from dense forests to mountainous valleys. Luckily for prospective campers, it’s likely that there’s a resort or campground available in that area with helpful staff and all the amenities you need to enjoy your stay. Now that you have the location down, all you need to decide is who to take with and what equipment you need to make your stay comfortable. You can check out My Family Tent to get started.

We hope you have a fantastic camping trip!

5 Best Camping Destinations in the United States

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Do you class yourself as a camping enthusiast? Want to discover the best place to pitch a tent? Well, to help you experience the ultimate outdoor adventure, we have chosen the five best camping destinations in the United States.


  1. Apgar Campground

Nestled away in a stunning pine forest is Apgar Campground, which is the biggest campground in Glacier National Park. Whether you want to pitch a tent or pull up in an RV camper, you can stay at the campground without a reservation. It’s also as entertaining as it is beautiful, as you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, public bus tours or a boat rental. It’s therefore the perfect site for a family camping experience.


  1. Palo Duro Canyon

Are you looking for something a little different than a campground? If so, you should grab your Everest Active Gear equipment and make your way to Palo Duro Canyon in Texas. Drive along the switch-back road to reach the base of the canyon.

Adventurers will love to build a fire at the primitive campsite, while families and couples might prefer the RV site that offers stunning stone cabins, which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. There’s also plenty of things to see and do at Palo Duro Canyon, as you can go mountain biking or hiking, and you can even attend a musical performance of Texas between June to August.


  1. Gulf Islands National Seashore

There is nowhere quite like Gulf Islands National Seashore, which offers beautiful white sand beaches and clear blue waters. Venture to the seashore on the Gulf of Mexico for a camping experience you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry. Primitive campers will be happy to learn they can pitch a tent on one of the many islands. Yet, there are wildlife protection rules in place that all campers must adhere to. Those wanting to drive up in an RV can visit the Fort Pickens Campground, which is on the Santa Rosa Island. It’s the ideal destination to experience breath-taking views, swimming, snorkeling and boating, and you can also explore the islands’ many historical sights.


  1. Baxter State Park

Take a break from everyday life and explore the great outdoors at Baxter State Park, which is a stone’s throw away from Moosehead Lake in Kokodjo, Maine. The tranquil mountain backdrop will provide an unforgettable outdoor retreat, and you can choose to pitch a tent, sleep in an RV or enjoy creature comforts in a beautiful cabin. In addition to absorbing the beautiful Mount Katahdin, campers can also enjoy wildlife sightings, boating or swimming.


  1. Nahalem Bay State Park

There is something for everyone at Nahalem Bay State Park in Oregon. Those looking for a Pacific Coast camping experience will fall in love with the mesmerizing camping site, which offers rolling sand dunes, a wide variety of water activities, and hiking trails for different abilities and ages. The campsite also offers both electricity and water, and those looking for a roof over their heads can choose to stay in a yurt.

The Essential Things You Should Take on Your Next Camping Trip

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Spending a few days out in the wilderness with just the wildlife, trees and the stars is what most people are looking for when they go camping. However, for those that haven’t been very often, it can become a nightmare; especially if they aren’t well-prepared.

Part of a successful camping trip is making sure you have all the things you need before you travel. If you leave something behind, then there won’t be a store nearby to get one.

Sleeping Bags

A sleeping bag is certainly an essential item on your camping checklist. Even if you are traveling in a hot climate, the temperature at night can plummet, so you need something to keep you warm.

You can get various thicknesses of sleeping bag depending on the place you are camping. You can also get specialized double sleeping bags and ‘onesie’ types that allow you to move your legs independently.

Cooking Equipment

The world of camping has changed a great deal since the campfire and a pot on the top. However, it is still important to have the essentials with you in the first instance. While you can make fire with just wood and kindling, that doesn’t mean that you would want to do it. Make sure you have something with you that can help you start a fire.

You also need something to cook with; you can get some sophisticated cooking stoves and burners that make quick work of cooking in the wild. Most run from butane, which must be handled properly to prevent an accident. It can also be a nice idea to have a way to wash your cookware afterwards; there are some neat portable sink units that can also serve as a washing station for you.

Lighting

Lighting is an essential item for many reasons; it isn’t just to help you see at night in the tent, it can also be good if there are problems outside at night that you need to sort out. It is also a good way to attract attention if you are in trouble. However, you need to be careful of your power supply if it isn’t solar powered.

You also want a light that is tough enough to survive in the outdoor conditions. You can find the best tactical flashlights for the job on sites such as Best Tactical Flashlights, who review many types.

Water

Depending on where you are camping and how long you plan to stay, you should always take enough water to see you through. Bear in mind that you will also need to wash unless there is a clear stream nearby.

It is a good idea also to take some sort of water purification device with you. If something goes wrong and you run out of water, this could be a life saver.

Camping is an exciting and inspiring thing that will make you feel closer to nature. Just make sure that you have all the basic equipment with you before you travel.