Florida Beach Camping

Finding just the right beach in Florida for a camping vacation could give you a headache; not because there are so few options, but because there are so many. Thank heaven, then, for Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. Leatherman is a professor of environmental studies at Florida International University in Miami, and the author of “America’s Best Beaches.” Since 1991, Leatherman has been compiling annual lists of the ten best beaches, in ranked order, all across the United States. Criteria includes sand quality, water temperature, presence of litter, and takes into account opinions of naturalists, scientists, and park rangers across the United States.

Florida Beach Camping Is at the Top

Of the four Florida beaches that are currently among the Top Ten Beaches in the country, only one has camping …

Agressive Camping Banned in UK as Security Heightens

COMMENTARY With less than 6 months until the London Olympics, British agencies are scrambling to put safety measures in place to protect the city. The security challenges that are poised to threaten London’s 2012 Olympics come from all angles.

Occupy protestors singled out

Home Secretary Theresa May addressed the issues on Feb. 22 during a security conference in London. May banned tents and related equipment as a response to the Occupy-style protests expected during the games. The anti-capitalist protesters are part of the international movement inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protest. Many of these protestors have been camped outside London’s St. Paul Cathedral since October, but with the new policies in place, they will be forced to move. MSNBC reports that May called for “rapid follow-action by the police…using all available powers to remove …

Camper Jacks

Since most RVs are literally homes on wheels, it’s sometimes easy to forget things like camper jacks, propane, oil, and other essentials. We remember food and water, and snacks and card games and maps and movies, but we fail to forget the things that will help get us there and the things that we keep us there safely. Check out an RV supply store or the respective online website to see what camper jacks best suit your RV needs.

If you have a trailer, you will need a jack that can lift your trailer tongue up high enough so that it remains level with the rest of the RV. You also need a jack that can hold a serious amount of weight, especially considering all the new RVs coming out on the market. Electric camper …

Five Tips for Memorial Day Camping in Michigan

Memorial Day is the opening weekend for many Michigan campgrounds, and also the busiest. Maybe you’ve bought a Recreation Passport and some hot dogs, but before attempting a Memorial Day weekend camping trip, consider these five tips to help you prepare.

1.  Pre-Check Gear

The campground is no place to discover you’re missing a tent pole. Before you go, take out all your gear and inspect it. Set up your tent completely, and test flashlights and other equipment. Make sure your sunscreen and bug spray are full. Remember, prices will rise as Memorial Day approaches.

2.  RSVP

Many campgrounds (such as Luddington and Van Buren state parks) fill up for Memorial Day weekend six months in advance. If you can’t reserve a site, plan to arrive very early Thursday morning to claim your spot, or have a …

The Best Camping Locations in North Texas

Looking for the best camping north and east of Dallas? Look no further. While there are no mountains, the prairie does hide a beach or two – really – and some delightful camping. Don’t drive for hundreds of miles when you can camp so close to Dallas.

Bonham State Park

Bonham is a hidden gem just northeast of McKinney. Built in 1935 by the CCC, both the lake and the park remain off the beaten trail. When other lakes closer to Dallas get too crowded, this is the park to escape to. It’s only $3 per adult, per day pass, and children under 12 are free. Tent camping is a mere $15, while RV campsites only $20. The campsites are limited in number, but the locals all rave. This is the park we whisper about …

Mississippi Palisades State Park camping, hiking, and backpacking – Chicago Adventure Travel

Mississippi Palisades State Park is a great place to camp and a suitable place to backpack. Located just south of Galena it is about a 2 hour drive away from Chicago. There are 241 camping sites at the northern entrance including electrical hook ups at 110 of the sites.

The electric sites are $20.00 per night through November 1 and between then and April 30 they run $18.00 per night. The non-electric sites are $10.00 and $8.00. All sites including the primitive ones cannot be reserved and are on a first come first serve basis. This means on busy summer weekends it might be a good idea to get on the road early before the good ones are all taken. The park office mentioned that one of the three primitive sites is almost always available.…

My Camping Catasrophe

Summer Tradition
Camping was a splendid summer treat for my family. We would pack up our trailer and set off to thrilling new locations. Swimming, hiking, and roasting marshmallows by an open fire – what could go wrong?

Beer Can Swamp

After a three hour drive, we spotted the sign for the campground up ahead. It’s exact appearance I don’t recall, but we turned onto the rickety dirt road and began our drive into the unknown. About 100 yards later, a sign was posted on a tree “Almost There!” We kept going. The potholes jerked the camper. It had just rained. We kept on. More signs scattered the road. By the fifth sign we were somewhere between laughter and tears – where were we going? Three miles later we saw human civilization again…well, sort of. …

Outdoor Camping Gear

Outdoor camping gear is designed to be rugged, lightweight, and waterproof. Most of it anyway: electronic equipment, such as GPS satellite receivers, tends to be more delicate than anything else. And costly–in price and convenience–to replace. Your most precious outdoor camping gear just might be the GPS that will lead you back to the trailhead.

Protect Your Outdoor Camping Gear

Avid campers and hikers will insist that you bring as little gear as possible, especially when you are carrying it on your back. Dehydrated food, convertible pants that zip into shorts, and the smallest toothbrushes you can imagine: everything adds weight, so cut back as much as you can. But when it comes to protecting gears, it’s better to err on the side of safety.

I try to backpack in Yosemite every year, and I’ve …