No matter if you're staying at your favorite campground or deep in the backcountry, your tent is your home away from home. And the right tent can make your stay more enjoyable. Whether this is your first tent or you're looking to upgrade, there are a few things to consider when choosing which tent to buy. Let's take a look at some things to consider.
Sleeping in the backcountry is supposed to be roughing it, but the difference between roughing it and being miserable and roughing it and loving it is as simple as a comfortable sleeping bag.
Even if you’ve camped a hundred times before, it’s always a good idea to create a checklist for your next outing – especially if it’s the first of the camping season.
Is there anything nastier than slurping down mold chunks and slime-water from the hydration bladder that has been sitting in the trunk for a couple of weeks? Probably, but we do not want to think about it.
Sure summertime is the classic time to go camping, but don't forget about the other three seasons. Each one presents its own unique experience, and challenges. Take spring for example. Sure the weather changes on a whim, but April, May and June are also the best months to watch Mother Nature's wonders as they wake up. Dogwoods are blooming, turkeys gobbling and the crappie are there in the shallows waiting to be caught.
I'd never been one for camping cots, mostly because I'd never tried one that was comfortable. I'm a side sleeper, and the few times I slept on one, my knees, shoulders and head were constantly banging into the rails. Of course, there were lots of times when I wished I'd been off the ground...like when I was hobbling around Yosemite in one of those "walking boot" leg casts that made getting up and down from my sleeping pad a painful experience.
If your outdoor adventure doesn’t involve returning to a hotel or your own home each night, then that means you’re camping out. And unless you’re some masochist on a starvation plan, then it also means meals out.
If your outdoor adventure doesn’t involve returning to a hotel or your own home each night, then that means you’re camping out. And unless you’re some masochist on a starvation plan, then it also means meals out.
No camper sets out expecting a plush experience. Well, none that have been camping before. Camping isn’t meant to be plush, and those who covet the outdoor experience don’t expect otherwise. Still, there’s no reason to suffer unnecessarily when you don’t have to. A sleeping pad is one of the items that will make an evening’s rest more comfortable. Pads serve to cushion the hard surface and insulate the sleeper from cold ground.
In the camping world, the best option for upgrading a night’s sleep is to add a cot to your selection of sleeping gear. If you’re camping near your vehicle, a cot should be high on your priority list. In my opinion, it should be No. 1. With some of the compact, lightweight models, it doesn’t matter how far you are from your vehicle. They’re really not that bad to strap onto a pack. Think about it. You’re going to spend a short time carrying a cot and at least eight hours sleeping on it!
Camping season is here! Are you and your family ready?
Here's a good starting point from our camping experts to ensure you have all the gear you need to enjoy a great camping experience. They also sprinkled in family camping gear tips, a camping check list, camping destination tips and ideas, camp recipes, plus links to some unique and unusual parks and campgrounds.
