Camping in the Outdoors Without the Risks
Campgrounds are a popular recreation site for campers, hikers, RV campers, nature lovers, fisherman, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. There are several types of campgrounds to choose from. Each one has its own set of features that make it a preferred site for campers. This article provides tips and ideas on how to select the best campground for your trip.
Most major front country campgrounds are well marked. A well-defined campground will usually contain a grills, a limited parking area, and a table or fire ring. Other campgrounds may be more loosely themed with fire rings and open parking lots. More remote campsites may only offer a map or minimal information such as bathrooms, showers, pit toilets, and lakes or streams. Some campgrounds do not have bathrooms or shower areas at all and do not have basic utilities such as running water. For this reason, these campsites may be better avoided unless they are an absolute must for your camping trip.
If you are planning on backpacking into the park, or hiking from your car into the park, you will want to find a campground that has a lot of hiking and outdoor recreational opportunities. Some campgrounds have miles of hiking trails, where you can hike to different campsites, usually in day or night fashion. Others have designated hiking trails, which allow you to choose your own campsite, move up or down the trail, and camp at a particular place without the use of another camper. Hiking may be a better option if you are not going to choose a nearby campground.
Some parks also offer different types of camping. Backpack camping is often a good choice for those who do not want to restrict themselves to just hiking. Different types of camping include cottages, sites with fire rings, and even RV parks that allow you to park your RV and stay in it. You should determine what types of accommodations you prefer before deciding on a location. Some camping grounds have all the amenities, while others have limited or none at all.
Another type of camping includes what are called cabin campsites. These are just that – campsites in the woods, close to a cabin or other structure that allows you to pitch a tent and sleep in it at night. Usually you will find a lake or another body of water at the camp site, so you will need to carry your drinking water with you in a bottle, as well as a supply of food. The only equipment you will need is a tent, some food and sleeping bags or rugs. Not all cabin campsites have electricity, so be prepared to carry some kind of lantern for lighting. If you plan on hiking, consider staying at a nearby cabin for the night, then hiking to your campsite in the morning.
Campgrounds near popular holiday parks, such as Disney World, offer a variety of amenities. These may include access to swimming pools, cabins or even hot tubs. A few of these parks even offer special tours of the parks, which can be a fun way to learn more about the history of the area. Backpackers often choose to camp at one of these vacation parks instead of in a campground, since these sites provide everything they need for a short break, without the hassles of hookups and miles of walking to a campground. Holiday park camping can also be a budget-friendly way to enjoy a vacation, because there aren’t many campgrounds along the way.
Another type of campgrounds that are a great choice for backpackers are those located off the beaten path. Many people who choose to camp in backcountry settings do so for the solitude that they feel camping in more mainstream sites offers. By nature, these areas are beautiful, with little to offer for modern amenities. In most cases, camping in these less commercialized settings can be much more affordable. The only downside is that you will need a large, portable tent or else you risk having your food waste dumped into a nearby body of water.
Camping in less traveled campgrounds is a great option for anyone wanting a great outdoor experience without the hassles of city living. Hiking into the great outdoors, finding a nice campsite, pitching your tent, eating a good meal and taking a relaxing shower before bedtime, can all be accomplished and still leave you looking green and rested. If you’re looking for a great way to spend a week, this can easily be achieved by going hiking.
