Thursday, May 3, 2012

What to Consider When Choosing a Campsite

Are you interested in going on a camping adventure?  If you are, have you already decide where you would like to go camping?  If you have yet to choose a campground park to camp at, you may want to think about doing so soon. In the summer months, camping is a popular activity; therefore, you will want to make sure that you are able to get a camping reservation at the campground park of your choice.

Another one of the many reasons why you may want to think about making your camping reservations in advance is because many campground parks allow their guests to handpick which camping spots they want.  Of course, not all campground parks allow you to do this, but you will find that a large number of them do.  In terms of getting a good camping spot or a campsite, you will find that the earlier you make your reservations, the more campsites you have to choose from.

Speaking of choosing a camping spot, which is also commonly referred to as a campsite, you may be wondering what you should look for in one.  In all honesty, the “perfect,” campsite is likely to vary from person to person.  It actually depends on your wants and needs, as well as the wants and needs of those in your camping group. Although there may be some variations of what you are looking for, you may want to take some of the factors mentioned below into consideration, when choosing the perfect campsite.

One of the first things that you will want to do is review who you are going camping with.  If you are going camping with children, namely small children, you may want to think about making sure that your camping site is a good distance away from any bodies of water or any dangerous hiking trails.  You will also find that many campground parks have onsite playgrounds and such. If you are camping with children, it may be a good idea to try and get a camping spot that is located near a playground or other locations that are designed for children.

In addition to the safety of those that you will be camping with, preferences are also something that should be taken into consideration, when choosing a camping spot or a campsite.  If you are a water lover and would regularly like to spend your time boating, fishing or swimming, you may want to think about getting a camping spot that is close to the water. On the other hand, if you would prefer to spend your time hiking, you may want to try and get a camping spot that is located near the campground’s hiking trail, and so forth. 

Size is also another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when choosing a campsite.  When reviewing campgrounds, you will find that different campground parks have different sizes campsites.  Often times, the larger campsites are designed for those with multiple tents or with motor homes. Before agreeing to rent a particular camping site, you will want to make sure that the site in question is large enough for all of your camping group members.  This is important as not having enough space could put a damper on your next camping adventure.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you may want to take into consideration, when choosing a camping spot for your next camping adventure.  As a reminder, not all campground parks allow you to choose your owing camping sites, but a large number of them do.

Camping Gear You May Want to Bring With You on Your Next Camping Adventure

Are you planning to take a camping adventure?  If you are, have you ever been camping before? If this is yours first time taking an extended camping vacation, you may be unsure as to what you should bring along with you.  If that is the case, you are definitely not alone. Although a camping vacation can be fun and exciting, it can sometimes be stressful to plan.  If you would like assistance with planning your next camping vacation, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to camping, you will find that you need to bring multiple items with you. These items often include items that are referred to as camping supplies and then items that are referred to as camping gear. In most cases, you will find that camping gear is used to describe pieces of equipment, whereas camping supplies are often used to describe food, health and beauty products, and so forth.

When it comes to camping supplies, like clothing and food, there are many individuals who automatically know what they need to bring. On the other hand, when it comes to camping gear or camping equipment, there are many individuals who are unsure as to what they really need to bring with them.  Just a few of the many pieces of camping gear or camping equipment that you may want to bring with you on your next camping adventure are outlined below.

One of the most common pieces of camping gear that you will need to bring with you on your next camping vacation is a tent. Depending on who you are going camping with, you may even need to bring multiple camping tents with you. If you have yet to purchase a camping tent, you will want try and make sure that you purchase a tent or tents that are strong, sturdy, dependable, and waterproof. Even if you are planning on camping in a motor home, you may want to think about brining a tent, just incase.  Many motor home campers prefer spending at least one night in the open wilderness and you may too.

A sleeping bag is another piece of camping gear that you will want to make sure that you bring along with you. If you are camping with your family or your romantic partner, you will want to make sure that you have enough sleeping bags to go around.  Although you may assume that a light sleeping bag is good in the summertime, you may still want to think about brining along a heavy style sleeping bag. These types of sleeping bags are good in case the weather suddenly turns cold.

In addition to brining a traditional sleeping bag with you, you may also want to think about bringing along a sleeping pad or an air mattress. If you will be camping in a traditional tent, you may find it somewhat uncomfortable. While many campsites have level ground, not all do.  If you are concerned with how you will be able to sleep on your next camping adventure, you may want to buy a sleeping pad or an air mattress along with you, just to be on the safe side.  With these items being relatively affordable, you really have nothing to lose by doing so.

The above mentioned camping gear pieces are just a few of the many camping gear pieces that you may want to think about brining along with you on your next camping adventure.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Camping Hatchets: Making things Easier

Essential tools for outdoor work, hatchets are also great tools to have when out camping. By definition, hatchets are lightweight versions of axes. They could be operated with only one hand, and are quite handy for “small cut” job needs. They are smaller axes, which are quite useful when working outdoors. American Indians are known to have used hatchets with prominence, with the tomahawk hatchet being the most popular.

These days, hatchets are somewhat complementary tools for axes, which are made for cutting and shaping wood. Axes deal with the bigger stuff, while hatchets handle the small work which axes would definitely over chop.

As camping tools, they are great to have around. One could actually bring an axe when out camping, but the convenience boasted by a camping hatchet would be much more beneficial for campers. Understandable enough, a hatchet’s compact size and lighter weight makes it more practical to bring when out in a camping trip. Axes are simply just too big, and would be of much use with outdoor oriented work, not so much with outdoor recreational activities like camping.

Hatchets could be easily used to help clear tree limbs, should one be working outdoors, or for chopping up kindling and/firewood should one be out camping outdoors. They could also be helpful in tent pitching, as their size could serve as a proxy for shovels or trowels, making the act of digging holes easier.

The thing about hatchets, as a general outdoor tool as well as a camping tool, is that they come in various shapes, as well as sizes. With all the hatchet varieties out there, campers are sure to find the ideal hatchet for them.

Normally, a good hatchet could be visually defined as a foot long, with a strong handle designed for comfortable use. These hatchet types should be ideally one piece items, meaning they are safer to use as the steel making up the hatchet, runs from the hatchet’s head up to the hatchet’s handle.

Hatchet handles should be ideally one which prevents slippage, especially when perspiration is involved. Leather laminations and rubber handles are known to provide such perspiration-handle slippage incidents, and should be a feature one should look for when picking out hatchets for outdoor work, or for camping reasons.

So on your next camping trip, think about the things that could’ve gone smoother if you had packed a hatchet with you, and definitely bring one along.

Estimated Starting Cost of Camping Equipment


One of the best recreational activities that people can enjoy is camping. Many people who long for the beauty of the outdoors and the thrill of adventure find camping a very good avenue for these desires.

Camping has become quite popular that many people want to try it. Upon seeing all the camping equipment an experienced camper possesses, however, they would hesitate to continue on with the endeavor. That’s because camping equipment looks so equipment.

In reality, the starting cost of camping equipment is relatively low. All you need to do is to find the right starting equipment.

The first must-have equipment is, of course, a good tent. For a group or family of four, a tent that can accommodate 6 people is suggested. The extra space provided by a bigger tent will give you a sigh of relief. The cost of this camping equipment may be as low as $200.

The next things on the list are sleeping bags. Sleeping bags are essential since they can protect you from cold weather and from mosquitoes. It is a good idea to buy a 3-season bag which can be used in any weather. In case it gets too warm, all you need to do is to unzip the bag. When sleeping on cold, hard ground, sleeping pads ranging from $10 to $30 that can be placed under sleeping bags can provide that added comfort. The cost of both camping equipment may range from $80 to $100.

Most public and private campsites have charcoal grills which is useful for barbecuing and grilling fish and meat. However, there are meals that require a pot or skillet. To keep them from becoming all black from soot, you would need a propane camping stove. The cost of this camping equipment is around $25 to $80. Fuel for the stove comes from cheap $2 or $3 propane cylinders. Each of these cylinders has enough propane to last for a week.

Cold drinks are also a great for camping. To keep drinks cold, you would need to buy a cooler. Aside from keeping beverages cold, coolers also keep the food from spoiling. The cost of this camping equipment may range from $30 to $100.

You also need to spend other pieces of camping equipment such as lanterns, first aid kit and mess kits. All in all, you would need an investment of around $600. Add to this $200 or less for a weekly campground fee and $200 for food, gas and ice and you can have a great camping vacation. The great thing about camping is that subsequent camping trips will cost less once you secured your camping gear.