Mountain Camping
Mountains are magical. With their snow-capped peaks, sheer rock faces, and dramatic ridgelines, mountains call us in, begging to be explored. From the ancient, well-worn ranges of the east to the towering young upstarts of the west, mountains offer much more than pretty scenery. They have a spiritual quality that is undeniable, bringing people closer to the heavens and lifting their spirits. This year, why not head to where the wild things are and spend some time camping in the mountains!
Before you head out on your mountain trip, consider what you want to pack. Mountain temperatures can drop dramatically, especially after the sun goes down, so you’ll need extra-warm clothing and sleeping gear. And because the days can still be hot, you’ll also want shorts, a hat, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses.
There are plenty of things to do in the mountains. Try horseback riding, fishing, hiking, ATV riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing. You can swim in a crystal blue mountain lake or view the wildflowers growing in the meadows. Some of the most fascinating animals makes their homes in the mountains – watch for foxes, deer, bears, owls, eagles, mountain goats, marmots, and lynx.
If you plan to go hiking during your trip, you’ll want a pair of good hiking boots – waterproofed if possible – for crossing mountain streams, as well as several pairs of hiking socks. Mosquitoes can be especially active in the mountains, so be sure to take repellent with DEET and/or some kind of netting for your tent or RV. You may also want binoculars for watching birds and animals, photography equipment, and bandanas that you can dip in mountain streams to cool yourself down.
RV campers should always pack tire chains, extra water or coolant fluid, and other emergency equipment when heading into the hills. Because supplies like gas and groceries are often more expensive in remote areas, it’s always smart to shop before you go. And you might want to give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Mountain roads can be slow and winding – you’ll be glad to have a little extra time for stops and slow traffic.
Mountain camping can vary dramatically with the change in seasons. In the fall and winter, storms can cause mudslides, snow-ins, or trees to fall across the road, so be sure to call ahead for travel conditions. Many mountain campgrounds close when the snows arrive, or only offer limited winter services. If you’re willing to rough it, this can be a fantastic time to visit, when the mountain landscape is covered in white and the campgrounds are uncrowded. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are popular wintertime activities.
In the spring, mountain streams can swell with run-off, sometimes flooding roads and creating spectacular waterfalls. Take great caution when crossing streams, whether you’re on foot or in your vehicle. The summer months are an ideal time for mountain camping, when cool alpine breezes feel so refreshing. Just be aware that afternoon thunderstorms are very common summer events, especially in the Intermountain West. It’s always best to be prepared for sudden showers, even if the day seems perfectly clear.
This season, why not take a camping trip to the top of the world? From hillsides full of wildflowers to amazing views of peaks and ridgelines, mountains truly have it all. So warm up your sense of adventure and see what mountain camping is all about!
Baja CampingAre you ready to kick back and relax? Baja camping is all about taking it easy, soaking up the sun and sand, and not letting your worries get in the way of having a great time. Even if your weather isn’t quite Baja-hot yet, you can still get into the spirit of a southern beach escape by donning the right mental attitude.
Look the Part
Start your Baja-inspired trip off right by dressing to fit the part. You’ll want comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, comfortable shorts, and a big floppy hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. Flip flops or sandals are a must. And don’t forget the shades and the sunscreen!
Equip Your Camp
A proper Baja campground needs a few key things. You’ll want to bring at least one hammock, plenty of beach towels, and a cooler with lots of cold drinks. If you can, string up a big tarp or tent rain fly and cover the area beneath it with mattresses, inflatable pads, pillows, and beach towels. You’ll be shady, dry, and warm as you lounge under your very own camp-style beach umbrella.
Eat Fresh
If you were camping in Baja, you’d want to eat the freshest possible foods. You’d want fresh-caught fish and crabs, freshly squeezed limes in your margaritas, and tortillas that are still hot off the griddle. Even if you aren’t in Mexico, you don’t have to scrimp on freshness. Just ask your campground hosts if there are farmer’s markets nearby or if the area you’re visiting boasts any delicious specialties. You might find the best crawdads or BBQ or cinnamon rolls anywhere in the country!
Plan Plenty of Down Time
The key to kicking back at the beach is to schedule plenty of relaxation time. This is time that’s completely unscheduled, when everyone in the family can do exactly what they please. They can lie in the hammock reading a book, run and play on the sand, take a hike, or just settle back for an afternoon nap. Be sure to bring games and books with you so everyone can find something to do. Then settle back and see what fun can be had when there’s no planned agenda.
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Protect Our Forests - Go Camping!
Deep, lush forests are a thing of magic. These swaths of trees are filled with life, from squirrels and birds to deer and eagles. Surrounded by cathedrals of trees, you can feel the pulse of nature and the quiet hush of the forest. On your next camping vacation, head to the woods for a serious dose of beauty, fresh air, wildlife, and fun.
Forests can seem silent, but if you take a moment to listen closely, you'll hear far more activity than you might expect. Bees hum in the flowering bushes, birds flit from branch to branch, and chipmunks run races around tree trunks. All those trees can block out the light, so be sure you take time each day to get some sun and a clear look at the blue sky above. You can head to the lake, to a nearby river or meadow, or hit the trail and start climbing until you get above the tree line.
One of the benefits of forest camping is that you have plenty of trees around to act as posts for clotheslines and supports for tent rain flies, and branches to hang jackets and hats on. In hot areas, you'll have plenty of shade and you'll probably enjoy cooler temperatures than outside the forest.
The forest floor is covered with aromatic pine needs and pine cones. While collecting and admiring these forest treasures is a fun activity, resist the urge to haul too many cones away with you. These seed-packets are filled with pine nuts, food that will sustain squirrels and birds throughout the season. Also, if you want to see wildlife in the forest, try to keep your noise level to a minimum. Wild animals are frightened away by loud noises, so your odds of seeing deer, rabbits, and forest birds goes way up if you're quiet.
As you sit around your campfire, admiring the crowns of trees overhead, you'll feel the special magic of the woods. Forests are all about life, and when you spend some time in one, you'll feel renewed for your own life. So get out there and head to the woods!
Easter Camping Ideas
With its bright weather, longer days, and feeling that the world is just waking up, the Easter season is a perfect time to go camping. You can see the forests coming to life, watch wildlife coming back into the hills, and see plenty of buds and brilliant new-born green leaves. And because Easter is a holiday weekend, it's a great time to get away with the family.
If you want to make this Easter special - or just keep up your usual family traditions in a camping environment - do a little planning before you go. What do you need to take with you to make the holiday everything it can be? From candy to decorations, you'll want to bring all the equipment with you.
Consider the ages in your group when you're choosing the weekend activities. If you have little ones, you'll probably want to do a campground egg hunt or visit a nearby town to take part in a bigger egg hunt. Consider dying your eggs at home and bringing them along in a cooler with ice, or use plastic eggs with candy treasures hidden inside.
If the kids are old enough to enjoy a hike, consider a twist on the traditional egg hunt. One adult can hike with the kids while another hurries ahead and either leaves hidden treasures along the trail or hides eggs near the place where you'll stop for lunch or a trail break. Hauling Easter baskets on the trail can be cumbersome, so consider giving each child an inexpensive fanny pack that they can store their finds in.
Boating is a great Easter activity. Not only is the weather warming up in April, but after the long winter it feels especially luxurious to be out on the water in Spring. Kids love canoeing, playing around in the row boat, or paddle boating. Just make sure everyone wears a life jacket and that an adult is always nearby to supervise.
Another important part of Easter is the family meal. Do a little research in advance to see how you can replicate your family favorites around the campfire. You may decide to bake a ham in a Dutch oven, brown potatoes in a skillet over the fire, or try something new like a vegetable Easter pizza or lamb pita sandwiches.
Kids will enjoy wrapping dough around a stick and browning it until cooked through. Slide the dough (or "dough boy") off the stick and fill the cavity with butter, jam, or honey. Mmm! And of course you'll want to include camping standards like s'mores and hot dogs. If you're willing to eat some of your hard boiled eggs, egg salad sandwiches are great camping lunchtime foods (just remember to keep the eggs in a cooler with ice).
No matter what you choose to do on your camping holiday, keep the basics in mind - have fun and enjoy being in the great outdoors! The world is newborn in the spring. It's a delight to feel the earth warming up under your feet and to feel nature starting to stir. Take some time during your trip to stand still and soak in the world around you. And have a very happy Easter.
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