Above, a mother bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
As far as I know, my campsites never received a visit by a bear while I was camping in a tent or in an RV.
I have camped in bear country a few times. One can tell by the signs and having a bear-proof food storage locker at the campsite.
Above, the bear-proof food storage locker at my campsite in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
However, recently some kids sleeping in a tent in a Colorado campground received a midnight visit by a black bear. Nobody was hurt and the kids took the incident in stride.
RV Travel posted an article on the incident.
They begin it with:
When a black bear poked its nose—and claws—into a tent where two kids were sleeping at Difficult Campground near Aspen, Colorado, the U.S. Forest Service decided that “difficult” was a little too “on the nose.” The result: an emergency ban on tents and other soft-sided shelters at the site, effective immediately.
There's a new National Forest Camping directory. Actually, it is the second edition.
According to RV Travel:
For many campers — and that includes those in RVs — camping in a U.S. National Forest campground is the way to go. As its name suggests, most are in forests, most in the Western states. And more often than not, they are in beautiful, secluded, peaceful settings, often along streams or lakes.
So where are they?
That’s where the 326-page second edition of National Forest Camping saves the day. It profiles 4,108 designated camping areas at 141 forests in 42 states. It provides specific locations, how many campsites are available, what size RVs will fit, types of toilets, length of its season and camper stay limits, plus price, contact information and whether there’s a dumping station. Some National Grasslands areas are also included.
Above, at North Pines Campground at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Camping in a national park is something that everyone should try at least once in their lives.
Whether it is in a tent, sleeping under the stars or in an RV, it is an experience that will bring lasting memories.
The Travel has posted a list of ten things to know before camping in a national park. They are things every newbie should know and a good refresher for experience campers.
They begin with:
America is known for its breathtaking nature and esteemed national parks. In 2021, the National Park Service registered 297 million park visits! Visitors travel to national parks to enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, and bird watching. Another main draw to the parks is camping. Staying in a national park overnight helps visitors really connect with nature and escape the trials of everyday life.
Arches National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Glacier National Park are all popular national park camping spots. Campers enjoy in the charging waterfalls, breathtaking hiking trails, and unique wildlife.
Camping in a national park is not as simple as walking up and pitching a tent, however. Camping takes a lot of prior planning and research. From reserving a campsite to packing supplies to learning park procedures, a lot of thought goes into this outdoor activity. Below is a list of ten things to know before camping in a US national park.
Homeless encampments have been growing by leaps and bounds these past several years.
Many states have taken a blind eye to them and others (predominantly liberal states) have even encouraged them. People are getting fed up with these eyesores and the crime they bring.
There are some that are taking action to try to eliminate them. Tennessee is one of them. They just passed a law making unauthorized camping a felony.
From RV Travel:
Tennessee is poised to become the first state to make unauthorized camping on public lands a felony.
The move is intended to cut into the rising tide of homeless camping on public property, including parks and highways. The Tennessee Senate voted 20-10 in April to advance the camping felony bill. The Tennessee House passed a version of the new law last year.
Public pressure to do something about the increasing number of highly visible homeless encampments has pushed even many traditionally liberal cities in the U.S. to clear them out. Although camping has generally been regulated by local vagrancy laws, Texas passed a statewide ban last year. Municipalities that fail to enforce the ban risk losing state funding. Several other states have introduced similar bills, but Tennessee is the only one to make camping a felony.
Hopefully, these kinds of laws won't affect travelers who stop for a night's rest at rest areas or even truck stops/travel centers or boondocking.
Above, Sierra in the motorhome at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Pets are part of the family. There are no two ways about it.
A vacation is not a vacation to many people (60%) without the family pet. When I go on an extended camping trip in the motorhome, I bring my cat Sierra with me. She probably has been in more states than my daughter has.
WJHG has posted research results of a study on pet owners and vacations.
They posted:
CLEVELAND, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pets truly are members of the family. In fact, 60 percent of owners even bring their fur babies on vacation with them.* To make it safer and healthier for pet parents to hit the road with their canine companions in tow, Embrace Pet Insurance, a top-ranked insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), an organization committed to creating family-friendly camping experiences throughout North America. Together, Embrace and KOA will make the experience of camping even better for dog owners with resources to support pet health and wellness while traveling. The two organizations will team up to provide pet parents with educational content, like a guide to camping with pets as well as events at two KOA campgrounds with food, games and even live training sessions.
"As campers, we're in the business of dealing with the unexpected – detours, traffic jams, blown tires, stuck slides, shattered vent covers, holding tank anxiety, etc. You name it. We've all been there. Whether driving a motorhome, pulling a travel trailer, or setting up a tent – and I've done them all – camping is about preparing for what could happen and troubleshooting when it does," said Brian Macias, president, Embrace Pet Insurance. "Our pets add another aspect to that. That's why KOA and Embrace are teaming up to make sure that you're prepared when it comes to traveling with your four-legged companions. Our 24/7 pet telehealth and use-anywhere accident and illness coverage is exactly what every camping pet parent needs for peace of mind."
The partnership is sure to be an impactful one, with camping and outdoor recreation popular among pets and their owners. In fact, Embrace research* shows that:
Nearly 30 percent of traveling pets go camping
Over 20 percent of traveling pets go to the mountains, a lake or to visit family
50 percent of pet parents take their pups hiking
50 percent of dogs like to swim
Of the 60 percent of pet owners who take their pets on vacation, 12 percent will stay in an RV or camper, and an additional six percent will sleep in a tent
While we're on the subject of pets, camping and motorhomes, there is a prominent video blogger on YouTube, Eric Jacobs the Nomadic Fanatic, who posts videos of his RV travels with his cat Jax. It has been reported that Jax passed away recently from complications of a thyroid tumor. My condolences to Eric for his loss. Jax was as much a celebrity on the Nomadic Fanatic as Eric, perhaps more so. Those of us who follow Nomadic Fanatic will miss Jax.
Above, Ashurst Lake Dispursed Campground near Flagstaff last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Being cooped up at home for months has made people wanting to get out and do something and camping looks to be the safest way to "get away from it all."
However, with so many people wanting to get out, RV sales and rentals have skyrocketed and this is resulting in campsites being hard to find. But, there are things one can do and AZCentral has an article on what people can do to find a campsite in Arizona.
They begin with:
Camping in Arizona has a lot to offer, with a multitude of world-class destinations, jaw-dropping scenery and abundant outdoor recreation.
You can wake up in the desert at Lost Dutchman State Park, in one of the seven natural wonders of the world at Grand Canyon, by a sparkling lake in western Arizona or under pine trees in a high-country national forest.
Those hoping to nab a campsite this summer need to know the cold hard facts, however; Coronavirus shutdowns and stay-at-home advice over the past year have triggered a flood of visitors wanting to get out and do something. Reservations at popular campgrounds can be very difficult to come by. They're often snapped up months — even a year — in advance.
Here's what you need to know about finding and reserving a campsite in Arizona this summer.
Above, a bear relaxing at Yellowstone Bear World in Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
There's a reason why some campgrounds don't allow soft-sided RVs (such as tent trailers and hybrids) and tents. Bear activity is why.
RV Travel has a story of a recent bear encounter while some folks were sound asleep in their tent.
The story begins with:
Okay, here’s a reminder of why most of the readers of this newsletter prefer sleeping in an RV over sleeping in a tent. Thankfully, there’s a happy ending to this bear-human encounter. Here is what happened.
A couple sleeping in a tent in an RV park southwest of Colorado Springs was startled early Monday when a small bear pounced on their tent. Though neither of the people inside was injured in the incident, the incident was classified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as an attack because the bear contacted a human. A small brown-colored bear has been seen wandering the campground in recent weeks and it is suspected in this incident.
If caught, CPW does not plan to euthanize the bear because it was not aggressive toward the people. Also, it would be impossible to positively identify the bear without hair or tissue samples for comparisons. So wildlife officers intend to haze or release the bear in a more remote region.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. as the couple was staying at the Golden Eagle Campground off Colorado Highway 115, about five miles southwest of the city.
Above, camping on the Keene Ranch near Tehachapi, California in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Pretty much everyone who is a camping enthusiast started out by camping in a tent. Then, as they got older and the desire for more comfort set in, they "graduated" into RVs.
Of course, not everyone who starts out in tents abandons them, but those people a different breed.
Country 17 has an article on five reasons why RV camping beats out tent camping.
They begin with:
Why sleep on the hard ground and swat the bugs away as you attempt to eat your hot dog around the campfire? Ditch the stress and strain of sleeping in the great outdoors with an RV. Seriously, they come in all shapes and sizes from light-weight and bunkhouse campers to Class A and C motorhomes, 40′ toy haulers, and four-season fifth wheels for the entire family (and your toys, too!).
The debate continues: RVs vs. tents. Does anyone ever win?
Here’s our top 5 reasons why we choose to RV, every time. (And where to get one, if you’re looking.)
Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA in June 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Did you know that June is National Camping Month?
Well, it is and several companies are promoting it, such as REI, North Face, Basecamp Hospitality and others are urging people to get out into the great outdoors.
It doesn't matter if one has only a sleeping bag to sleep under the stars, a tent or even a RV, the idea is getting people out of the house and into nature, whether it is the mountains, the beach or even the desert.
Above, a spacious hunter's cabin tent I saw at a recent camp-out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Although I now enjoy the comforts of a RV when traveling to the "great outdoors", like many, I started camping in a tent. At my age, I feel that I owed it to myself to live a little and I paid my dues in tents when I was younger.
But there are some out there who either prefer tent camping or just cannot afford a RV. The question arises on what kind of tent should they get.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has an article of tips to buying a camping tent.
They begin with:
In the years following World War II, Americans took to the open road in numbers never seen before. Not for recreational purposes anyway.
New highways and paved roads opened access to the country’s wildlands and provided access to its natural wonders. And a booming postwar economy provided people with the financial wherewithal to get there.
At first, there were no formal campgrounds, or few of them, especially in the West. And there weren’t any RVs, either. People who went camping either slept under the stars or in a tent.
One of my earliest camping memories is of my dad telling us siblings to slide down inside a large double sleeping bag where we spent the night next to a campfire. Such was often the case, and I still enjoy sleeping under the stars when the weather is cooperative. When it isn’t, a simple tarp can provide shelter from the elements, but not everybody feels comfortable in such primitive digs.
As a result, RVs have become the norm for many campers, but they are rather costly and limit the places you can set up camp. Then there is the storage factor.
Tents, on the other hand, have remained relatively affordable and provide camping flexibility. While they don’t have the comforts available in an RV, tents can be easily stored in a garage or storage shed and transported in a car or pickup truck bed.
Along with providing shelter from the elements, tents also give people the peace of mind that makes it possible for them to sleep outdoors. Not that tents provide the same level of physical protection that RVs do, but their walls provide just enough separation from the outdoors to soothe nerves and fears some have of being in the outdoors when the sun goes down.
Above, The Beast at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
OMG! The Los Angeles Times finally posted something useful!
At least, it's useful for those who want to find a campground in California or Arizona.
They have an article on two campground guides for those states.
They wrote:
Here are two free guides that can help you find private tent and RV camping sites in California and Arizona — and a whole lot more. Some locations offer stays in cabins, cottages, vintage Airstream trailers, covered wagons, African safari tents and tepees.
The deal: The 2018 Camp-California! guide offers details about 300-plus privately owned and operated campgrounds. You’ll also find amenities such as pools and playgrounds for kids in the 80-page guide compiled by the California Assn. of RV Parks.
The 2018-19 Arizona RV and Camping Guide details locations and amenities for 90 campgrounds in its 32-page guide. Check out camping extras such as a pool and on-site laundry at Munds Park RV Resort while touring the northern part of the state. You can order a free copy by emailing arizonaarvc@aol.com or a digital version at www.GoCampingInArizona.com.
Above, The Beast at Manzanita Lake Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Some women don't like to tent camp. For many of them, "roughing it" is not having electricity to run their blow dryers. I know this to be true because I used to be married to one.
However, there is a way to coax the little woman into the wilderness and Margot Black has an article on this topic at PeterGreenberg.com.
She starts it with:
I love the outdoors, and as an outdoor family travel writer I endeavor to take myself and my family all over the country as often as I can to experience our beautiful nature and wildlife.
There’s no better way to do that than by camping, but as a busy working mom I also want to enjoy my vacation. I don’t want to work harder than I work at home, and I personally do not enjoy the idea of packing up my entire house just to relocate to a tent for a few days. As one of my mom friends said to me when I mentioned it to her, why would you want to go on vacation and work harder than you do at home but with cold water?
Addressing this family travel conundrum, this is the first in a series of articles about camping for moms who don’t like to camp.
Here’s how it happened. My son had asked my husband and I if we could go camping so I decided that renting an RV would be the perfect compromise. The RV ticked many boxes because, in fairness, I know my kid wants to camp but I also know he currently dislikes spiders and bugs.
This was a trial expedition for us all and we now plan to try out campers, yurts and cabins. But for this first trip in an RV we’d have a roof over our heads, proper beds and a good shot of enjoying the ‘not sleeping at home’ thrill of life in a top-of-the-range touring vehicle.
Above, The Beast at the Elk City (Oklahoma) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Back when I was a kid, camping meant pitching a tent and unrolling a sleeping bag inside that, hopefully, doesn't have a pebble underneath that will feel like a boulder if I should try to sleep on it.
Today, after celebrating the 25th anniversary of my 39th birthday (thank you Ronald Reagan) earlier this month, I prefer to camp in a lot more comfort.
Over the couse of years, I went from tent camping to a tent trailer. Then, from the tent trailer to a micro-mini Class C motorhome to the present Class C.
This must correlate to one's age as I see that I am not alone in this.
"Mr. Outdoors" at Kitsap Sun has an article on "The Definition of Camping Changes As We Age".
He begins it with:
Almost subconsciously, my concept of "camping" has changed over the years.
I used to think it was all about tents and campfires and S'mores. I once considered bribing a youngster to buy marshmallows, Hershey bars and graham crackers for me because I was too sophisticated as an adult camper to buy them for myself.
Today, I tend to regard camping as finding a big enough spot to park the Navion IQ. The campsite must provide WiFi and a clear view of the southern sky for satellite TV.
Every now and then -- more often then, these days -- we pack up the big REI car-camping tent, Coleman stove and lantern, and visit Sol Duc Hot Springs or Dosewallips State Park for an old-time camping experience. More often than not, our adventure ends with soggy sleeping bags and questions like "What in the (expletive deleted) were we thinking?"
Above, the Spring Platrix Clampout on the Keene Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Glamping, also known as luxury camping or glamorous camping. - Glampinghub.com.
Up until about two years ago, I have never heard the term "glamping" until I started reading Camping News online. There, they talk about all kinds of camping, from the "roughing it" kind to luxurious "glamping".
Do It Yourself RV has an article on 11 differences between camping and glamping.
They begin with:
The beauty of nature is just absolutely breathtaking sometimes. Whether it’s on the shores of a lake, on a mountainside, or in the middle of a sprawling desert, there’s a good reason that over 40 million Americans are involved in some form of camping each year.
The true definition of camping tends to vary, though. For some purists, it’s simply not “camping” if it’s anything more than a sleeping bag in a tent. For some, it’s still camping even if you’re kicked back in a luxury RV. But whether or not you think “roughing it” is a requirement, there’s no denying that “glamping” is bringing a whole new level of interest to the outdoors.
RVC Outdoor Destinations, a leading operator of high-quality outdoor vacation destinations, came up with 11 fun differences between camping and glamping. Here’s our take on their list.
For me, I paid my dues camping out in tents and sleeping bags where a small pebble under your sleeping bag feels like a boulder poking your back. Since I am much older, I prefer to have more comforts while out in the wilds somewhere.
