Journal archive
Field notes from the editors — reservation strategy, site selection, and the practical mechanics of camping well.
67 entries
RV and Coastal Camping During Hurricane Season: Monitoring Storms and Building an Evacuation Plan
NOAA called a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season, but peak runs mid-August to late October. For RVers on the coast, the forecast matters far less than the plan.
Costanoa: Tent Bungalows on the San Mateo Coast
Costanoa’s tent bungalows in Pescadero at 2001 Rossi Road — wood or metal frames with waterproof canvas walls, electricity, and village layouts from Cypress to Lighthouse on the coast between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.
Camping Through Red Flag Warnings: How to Read Fire Weather Alerts and Decide Whether to Go
Red flag warnings mean critical fire weather — not an active fire. Learn how to read NWS alerts, check campground restrictions, and decide whether to cancel a trip.
Terramor Outdoor Resort: Canvas Tents on Mount Desert Island
KOA’s Terramor at 1453 ME-102, Bar Harbor — 64 luxury canvas tents near Acadia National Park, five named tent types, 2026 season May 14 through October 18.
Heat Safety at Desert and Canyon Campgrounds: Lessons from a Deadly 2026 Season
June 2026 Grand Canyon heat deaths show why desert camping needs more than 'bring water.' A practical guide to spotting heat illness and timing your trip.
Camping in Wildfire Smoke: Air Quality, AQI Monitoring, and When to Change Your Plans
Wildfire smoke is now a summer camping reality across most of the US. Here's how to read AQI data, protect yourself at the campsite, and decide when to pack up and leave.
"Dust-Off Summer": Why 2026 Campers Are Going Back to Basics
KOA's 2026 report documents a sharp turn toward analog camping and nature connection. Here's what the data says and what it means for how you plan your next trip.
"Dust-Off Summer": Campspot's 2026 Survey on Closer, Simpler Trips
Campspot's 2026 survey found campers ditching new gear and far-flung destinations for simpler trips closer to home. Here's what the data shows and what it means for planning your summer.
How to Read a Recreation.gov Campground Listing Before You Book
Decode the symbols, tabs, and site-type terminology in a Recreation.gov listing so you book the right site the first time — and know what you're actually getting.
Shoulder Season Camping: Why Spring and Fall Beat Summer for Most Campers
Fewer crowds, lower prices, better weather for hiking, and sites you can actually book — here's the case for making spring and fall your primary camping seasons.
AQI Thresholds When Smoke Moves In: Tools and When to Leave Camp
How to use AQI monitoring tools to decide whether to camp, stay put, or leave when wildfire smoke moves in — with specific thresholds and practical backup strategies.
Under Canvas Zion: Furnished Safari Tents on Kolob Terrace
Under Canvas operates 66 safari-inspired tents at 3955 Kolob Terrace Rd outside Virgin, Utah — solar-powered, DarkSky certified, open March 12 through November 28, 2026. What the canvas setup delivers and when an NPS tent site makes more sense.
Accessible Camping: A Guide to ADA-Compliant Campgrounds and Adaptive Outdoor Recreation
How to find and book ADA-accessible campground sites, what accessibility features to look for, and resources for adaptive camping and outdoor recreation for campers with disabilities.
Best State Parks for Fishing: Where to Cast in the US State Park System
The best state parks for freshwater fishing in the United States — where to find trout, bass, and walleye in campground-adjacent waters, and how to plan a fishing camping trip.
Treebones Resort: Sixteen Yurts on a Big Sur Bluff
The Handy family opened Treebones in November 2004 — sixteen circular canvas yurts on redwood decks at 71895 Highway 1, South Big Sur. Guests 13 and older only; king beds, french doors, and cliffside Pacific views.
Camping with Toddlers: What to Expect and How to Make It Work
A practical guide to camping with toddlers (ages 1-4) — what gear to bring, how to manage sleep, campfire and water safety, and which campground features to prioritize when booking.
El Capitan Canyon: Canvas Safari Tents on the Gaviota Coast
El Capitan Canyon’s 12-by-14 safari tents on raised decks at 11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara — year-round canvas glamping under Sun Outdoors, with Adventure Yurts and cedar cabins on the same property. No pets.
Camping Safety for Families: Water, Fire, Wildlife, and Medical Preparedness
Camping safety for families with children — drowning prevention at swimming areas, campfire safety for kids, wildlife encounters, tick prevention, and what to have in a family camp first aid kit.
Firelight Camps: Safari Tents South of Ithaca
Firelight Camps’ luxury safari tents at 1150 Danby Rd, Ithaca — hardwood floors, king or double-queen beds, and shared bathhouses on wooded acres behind La Tourelle Inn & Spa.
Campground Cell Service and WiFi: What to Expect and How to Stay Connected
What cell service and WiFi are actually like at campgrounds — coverage by carrier, campground WiFi limitations, signal boosters, and how to set up reliable connectivity for work or emergencies.
Camping Meals for Families: Easy Recipes and a Practical Camp Kitchen Strategy
Practical camping meals for families — what actually works at a campsite with kids, the prep-at-home strategy that saves time, and specific recipes for each meal of the day.
First-Time Camping Checklist: Everything You Need Before Your First Trip
A complete first-time camping checklist — shelter, sleep, cooking, clothing, safety gear, and camp setup. What you actually need versus what you can skip on your first trip.
How to Level an RV: Manual and Automatic Leveling Systems Explained
How to level an RV at a campsite — the correct sequence for manual blocks and jacks, how automatic leveling systems work, and why a level RV matters beyond comfort.
RV Holding Tank Maintenance: Keeping Your Black and Grey Tanks Working Properly
How to maintain RV black and grey holding tanks — proper flushing technique, the pyramid plug problem, sensor accuracy, odor management, and what treatments actually work.
Best Campground Activities for Kids: Keeping Families Entertained Outdoors
Practical campground activities for kids of all ages — from toddlers to teenagers. What actually works, what to prepare in advance, and how to pick a campground that families will love.
RV Solar and Battery Systems: What You Actually Need for Off-Grid Camping
How to size an RV solar and battery system for your real camping needs — panel wattage, battery capacity, charge controllers, inverters, and what the common setups actually cost.
How to Winterize an RV: A Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Your Water System
Complete RV winterization guide — how to drain and blow out water lines, where to add antifreeze, how to protect tanks and appliances, and what order to do it in.
How to Back an RV Into a Campsite: Step-by-Step Technique and Tips
A practical guide to backing a travel trailer or motorhome into a campsite — the correct technique, how to use a spotter, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
How to Get Campground Reservations: Booking Tips for Popular Sites
Practical strategies for booking competitive campground reservations — booking windows, alert services, cancellation timing, and alternative sites when the primary is sold out.
RV Towing: Understanding Weight Ratings, Tow Capacity, and What You Can Legally Pull
How RV towing weight ratings actually work — GVWR, GAWR, tow capacity, tongue weight, and the common mistakes that lead to dangerous and illegal towing setups.
Campground Fire Safety: Rules, Restrictions, and How to Build a Safe Campfire
Everything campers need to know about campfire safety — how fire restrictions work, how to build and properly extinguish a campfire, and what to do when fire bans are in effect.
Winter Camping Guide: How to Stay Warm, Safe, and Comfortable in Cold Weather
How to camp comfortably in cold weather — the right sleeping system, layering strategy, campfire management, and how to avoid the cold-weather mistakes that turn a trip into an emergency.
How to Book State Park Campsites: A State-by-State Reservation Guide
State park camping reservation systems are not consistent — booking windows, platforms, and rules vary dramatically by state. This guide explains how each major state system works and how to get the sites you want.
Dispersed Camping on BLM and National Forest Land: A Complete Guide
How dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management and national forest land works — where it's allowed, the rules that apply everywhere, and how to find sites before you go.
Pet-Friendly Campgrounds: What to Look For and How to Plan a Dog-Friendly Trip
How to find and book pet-friendly campgrounds, what to expect from different facility types, and how to make a camping trip with dogs work well — for your pet and your neighbors.
Complete Guide to RV Hookups: Electric, Water, and Sewer Explained
Everything RV campers need to know about campground hookups — 30-amp vs 50-amp electric, water pressure regulators, sewer connections, and what to check before you plug in.
Equestrian Camping: State Parks and Campgrounds That Welcome Horses
How to find and book equestrian-friendly campgrounds, what horse camp facilities to look for, and how to plan a trail ride and camping trip with horses at state and national parks.
Campground Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Every Camper Should Know
The campground etiquette rules that experienced campers follow — quiet hours, campfire protocol, shared facility norms, and how to be a neighbor worth having at any site.
Best Campgrounds Near Major US National Parks
The top campgrounds near America's most-visited national parks — inside the park, just outside the gate, and the overlooked alternatives that get you the same scenery without the reservation fight.
Corps of Engineers Reservoir Campgrounds: Lake Sites Worth the Reservation Window
Insider guidance on USACE lake campgrounds — where the best peninsula and cove sites sit, how reservation windows work, and which reservoirs reward the booking fight.
Walk-In and Hike-In Tent Sites: How Directors Book the Best Backcountry Loops
How to secure and use walk-in and hike-in tent sites at state and national parks — gear caching, distance tradeoffs, and the loops worth the carry.
Airstream-Friendly Campgrounds: Pull-Throughs, Polishing Stations, and Site Selection
Campgrounds and RV parks that cater to Airstream and premium travel trailer owners — pull-through logistics, polishing stations, community culture, and site selection for polished aluminum rigs.
Southwest Desert Campgrounds: Where to Stay and How to Pick the Right Site
Site selection at Southwest desert campgrounds — Joshua Tree, Big Bend, Organ Pipe, and beyond. Orientation, wind exposure, shade structures, and the pads worth booking.
Hot Springs Campgrounds: Soak-Adjacent Sites Across the West
Campgrounds near natural hot springs in Idaho, Montana, California, and beyond — soak-adjacent site selection, clothing-optional etiquette, and family-friendly alternatives.
Snowbelt Tent Camping: Cold-Weather Sites That Reward Preparation
Tent camping in snowbelt regions — specific campgrounds that stay open through winter, four-season site selection, plowed access, and what separates a great cold site from a miserable one.
Motorcycle Camping: Two-Wheel Base Camps and Gear-Minimal Overnights
Motorcycle-friendly campgrounds, compact gear systems, overnight security for bikes, and the routes and base camps worth planning a two-wheel trip around.
Great Lakes Dune Campgrounds: Sleeping Above the Shoreline
Where to camp on the Great Lakes dune systems — Sleeping Bear, Indiana Dunes, Pictured Rocks adjacent campgrounds, dune ecology, and how to pick a site that delivers shoreline access without blowing sand through your tent.
Appalachian Mountain Campgrounds: Ridge-Line Sites and Valley Floors
The best Appalachian Mountain campgrounds from the Smokies to Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Parkway — ridge-line sites with long views, valley-floor campgrounds with trout streams, and how to choose between elevation and access.
Dark-Sky Campgrounds: Where Milky Way Views Are Part of the Reservation
The best dark-sky campgrounds in the US — IDA-certified parks, Big Bend and Cherry Springs adjacent sites, how to read light pollution maps, and why moon phase planning matters as much as your tent choice.
Coastal and Beach Campgrounds: Salt Air, Sand Management, and Site Quality
How to camp on the US coast — East Coast, Gulf, and Pacific beach campgrounds with honest site quality assessments, wind and tide planning, and the sand management strategies that keep salt air from destroying your gear.
Paddle-In and Kayak Campgrounds: Water-Access Sites Worth the Portage
The best paddle-in and kayak campgrounds in the US — Boundary Waters adjacent sites, Everglades chickees, lake paddle-in campgrounds, and the portage planning that determines whether water-access camping is worth the effort.
Tent-Only Campgrounds: No Generators, No RVs, Better Sleep
Why tent-only campgrounds exist, where to find them across the US, and the booking strategy that gets you quieter sites without generators, RV hookup noise, or the light pollution of a parking-lot campground.
Glamping Campgrounds: Yurts, Safari Tents, and Canvas Suites Worth Booking
What glamping campgrounds actually deliver — yurts, safari tents, and canvas suites across the US, honest price tier breakdowns, and when glamping beats tent camping for the same destination.
Spring Wildflower Campgrounds: Timing the Bloom Window by Region
How to time spring wildflower camping by region and elevation — Antelope Valley poppies, Texas Hill Country bluebonnets, Great Smoky Mountains ephemerals, and the reservation windows that actually work.
Texas Hill Country Campgrounds: Limestone Bluffs, Spring Creeks, and Reservation Strategy
A practical guide to Hill Country camping at Garner State Park, Lost Maples, and the Enchanted Rock area — limestone bluffs, spring-fed creeks, and the reservation windows that get you in.
Overlanding Base Camps: Staging Long-Distance Routes from Reliable Campgrounds
How to use established campgrounds as overlanding base camps for Moab trail staging, Rubicon approach logistics, and Baja prep — full-hookup vs dry camp trade-offs for long-distance routes.
Holiday-Week Campgrounds: Booking Strategy for Peak-Demand Windows
How to book campgrounds for Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day — reservation windows, cancellation timing, and alternative destinations when peak-demand sites are gone.
Group and Reunion Campgrounds: Multi-Site Loops and Pavilion Logistics
Planning group camping and family reunions at campgrounds — group sites, multi-site loops, pavilion logistics, KOA group areas, and state park group camping reservations.
Vintage Trailer and Airstream Parks: Rally-Ready Campgrounds with Character
Campgrounds built for vintage trailer and Airstream rallies — themed RV parks, restoration-friendly sites, rally logistics, and parks where polished aluminum actually fits the culture.
Oregon Coast Campgrounds: Dune Trails, Tide Pools, and Fog Belt Sites
Camping the Oregon coast state park system — Beverly Beach, South Beach, Humbug Mountain, and the fog belt campgrounds with dune trails, tide pools, and beach access worth booking.
Florida State Park Campgrounds: Hammocks, Springs, and Reservation Windows
Florida state park campgrounds combine hammock camping, spring-fed swimming, and one of the longest reservation windows in the country. How to book Myakka, Bahia Honda, Anastasia, and the rest through ReserveAmerica.
Adirondack Tent Camping: Lean-To Alternatives and Lake-Front Sites
Adirondack tent camping spans DEC lean-tos, lake-front state campground loops, and backcountry sites. How to choose between lean-to shelters and tent pads — and how to find the water views worth reserving.
Colorado Trailhead Campgrounds: Staging Fourteeners and Backcountry Access
Colorado trailhead campgrounds put you at the door of fourteeners, wilderness basins, and RMNP backcountry. How to stage Maroon Bells, Chicago Basin approaches, and national park trailheads from the right base camp.
Hammock Camping at Campgrounds: Trees, Regulations, and Site Selection
Hammock camping at developed campgrounds requires the right trees, strap rules, and site selection. How to find hammock-friendly campgrounds and avoid the pad-only sites that leave you sleeping on a picnic table bench.
Midwest Lake Campgrounds: Great Lakes Adjacent and Inland Reservoir Sites
Midwest lake campgrounds range from Boundary Waters gateway towns to Great Lakes shoreline loops and inland reservoir recreation areas. Where to camp on Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa water — and how reservation systems differ.
Moab and Canyon Country Campgrounds: Red Rock Base Camps Done Right
Moab area campgrounds sit between Arches, Canyonlands, and vast BLM land. How to choose red rock base camps for wind, dust, and crowds — and when to use national park, BLM, or private sites.
First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds: Arrival Strategy for Unreserved Sites
First-come, first-served campgrounds still exist at famous parks and forests — if you know arrival times, weekday patterns, and which loops release sites mid-morning. FCFS strategy for campers without reservations.