North and South Carolina offer some of the most beautiful camping spots in the world. South Carolina has Huntington Beach State Park, which is perfect for children, with it’s swimming, fishing and bird watching. Prices vary so it’s important to check with them before traveling. In North Carolina is South Mountains State Park, which is more suited for childless families, with it’s miles of hiking trails and fishing spots. Prices start at nine dollars a night.

Most people don’t think of camping trips when they think of Florida, but for sixteen dollars a night, campers can enjoy a unique trip they will never forget. Manatee Springs State Park offers fishing, boat tours and manatee watching.

In Minnesota, Bear Head Lake Camp offers fishing, hiking trails and bear, moose and eagle watching. This site will run you eighteen dollars a night.

In Wisconsin’s Big Bay Lake offers a quiet beach with swimming for only seventeen dollars a night. This one would be perfect for families with children.

In Michigan, Brimley State Park cabins run sixty-five dollars a night, or fifteen to twenty to camp outside, and once a year they offer a free fishing weekend.

In Kentucky, National Bridge Park offers a quiet retreat next to a babbling brook. Kids and Adults alike will enjoy fishing, hiking and exploring the Red River Gorge. It even has wi-fi access. Prices range from twelve to twenty-six dollars a night.

In Nebraska is the Two Rivers State Recreation Center. This one is a favorite among children because of the retired Union Pacific train cabooses that now serve as lodging. There are only ten cabooses available, so it’s important to call ahead of time for pricing and availability.

Illinois Beach State Park is located along Lake Michigan and offers swimming, fishing, hiking and many other kid friendly activities.

Camping can be a wonderful way to to bond with nature and family. The most important thing to remember is to just relax and enjoy!

When it comes to selecting camping sites, the right choice can help create memories that are made that can last a lifetime. The experience of living in the great outdoors, if only for a short time, alongside Mother Nature’s lush green trees and crisp cool breeze, is simply extraordinary. Let’s face it, with our busy schedules and hectic fast paced lives, when do we get the opportunity to stop and appreciate what camping outdoors has to offer? Camping gives us the chance to have a stress-free – I’m not trying to impress anyone’ type of attitude. While camping itself is great; it can really only be that way if you choose the proper camping site location. A poor location can result in a terrible experience, and no one wants to have that as a “lasting” memory. That said, let’s discuss how to select the best form all the available camping sites out there.

First off, there is nothing like a finding the perfect camping site. While there may be some differences of opinion on what one looks for in a great camping site, there are some basic core expectations. You will want a relative flat surface that is free of rocks and stumps. This will make for a much more pleasant sleeping experience. Generally speaking, shade is often a must as it will provide a cooler spot on those warm summer afternoons. Regardless, however, we have a tendency to label a place as the best, relying only on one’s own personal experience at a particular campsite. Nevertheless, the basis of what makes for a perfect campsite will depend on a few additional variables discussed below:

How Long Will You Be Camping?

The length of your camping trip will play a large role when wanting to consider the appropriate space needed, when choosing the ideal camping site. For example; camping in a forest for a month or more versus a national park for just a weekend, will certainly entail some very different gear that need to be taken into consideration. Another thing to think about is, if you can do without certain facilities on a weekend trip. The idea of not having a hot shower or using what’s called a ‘pit’ toilet (basically a permanent version of a port-a-potty) may not appeal to everyone. However, if we are thinking about something like a month’s stay in the wilderness, the toilet and shower accommodations probably need to be fairly nearby and easily accessible. Not to mention people who would be staying for an even longer duration will require some means to communicate to the outside world. Remember, you are in the woods and cell signals are not always available. Furthermore, the great outdoors does not have Wi-Fi, so connectivity issues have to also be considered. You will also want to camp close to a camping store, so that you restock your food and water supplies on a regular basis. Generally, a camping store can also provide items like fire wood, bug spray, first aid items, as well as tent repair kits if needed. And of course all the things to make a good s’more around the nightly camp fire.

Regardless of how long you camp, in order to pick the right site, you need to be prepared.

Type of Camping?

Now, your choice of camping site depends on the type of camping you plan on doing. Are you planning on roughing it during the trip or would you prefer to have all the comforts of home to be present at the campsite as well? If you are looking to stay in a commercial campground such as KOA or Yogi Bear then you will probably have electricity, hot water, Wi-Fi and even cable connections provided. If you are going for a more primitive campsite, then they will offer only the basic necessities such as cold tap water and toilets. Also, if it’s a leisure trip, you might not want to have any other campers near you. Try to select a site that gives you maximum privacy from neighboring campers. If you’re taking a backpacking trip, then this will not be as big a deal, since you won’t be around the campsite as much during the day. Then again, if you would rather not want to be disturbed by the noises of kids playing round, then you should probably choose an ‘adults only’ camp ground. Any and all these factors will make a big difference when it comes to choosing the best camping site.

The Travel Hammock Ultra Light Hammock: When you are going hiking or camping, it is advisable to carry as light luggage as possible. However that does not mean you have to sacrifice your comforts. This hammock is just right for lazing around, taking an afternoon nap, or even getting a good night’s sleep. It is made of pure polyester taffeta. The weight is just 12 ounces and hence, you do not add weight while carrying your bag pack. This is the best option to keep from sleeping on the ground. If you are traveling in an area where it may not be safe to sleep on the ground, using this hammock can offer very good solution.

This hammock is easy to setup as it comes with a hanging kit. The kit has ropes that are 10 feet in length, attached S hooks, and a detailed manual for fixing the hammock. The hammock can hold up to 250 pounds, and comes with 10 year warranty. It is 9.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide.

Texsport Wilderness Hammock with Mosquito Netting: This is a multipurpose hammock that can convert into a tent very easily. The hammock bottom is made of cotton canvas. The hammock has mesh to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects and bugs. With this hammock you can rest assured of your safety and comfort. The hammock is quite spacious and measures 82″ x 28″ x 18″. The capacity of the hammock is 250 pounds. It comes with a nylon storage bag and weighs around 3 pounds. The price of this hammock / tent is only $35.

Hammock Bliss Single Portable Hammock: This hammock provides ultimate comfort to its users because it is designed to provide the most comfort to the body. This strong yet beautiful hammock can carry 350 lbs of weight. The other features of this hammock are its compact size; it is lightweight and can be washed in washing machine. The hammock can dry easily. It is equipped with 6 mm thick climbing rope which is 100 inches in length. In addition, it is easy to transport this bag as it comes with a travel bag attached which can also be used as gear pouch. The climbing ropes at the sides are made of 100% nylon. The nylon used in the ropes is of superior quality which can dry quickly, is soft, and does not rot.

Hammock Bliss Double – XL Portable Hammock

This hammock is designed to be spacious so that you do not feel cramped while resting. In fact, you can sleep in any direction in the hammock. 80 inches x 118 inches, it measures 25 inches more than any single sized hammock. The fabric used in making this hammock is nylon parachute silk which means it is resistant to mildew and will not rot. The 100-inch ropes come attached to the hammock so that it is ready to be hung any where. Another feature is that the hammock comes with the sack. The hammock is light weight and weighs just 21 ounces and hence is ideal for traveling. It can be washed and dried in the washing machine, and is available for only $50.

Camping hammocks offer many great advantages. First, they are very affordable and lightweight. Hence, they can be easily carried with you. Secondly, these hammocks are to be tied above the ground, and if the camping place is infested with harmful insects and pests, sleeping above the ground will offer security. As compared to tents, hammocks can be easy to assemble and transport. These camping hammocks are available in several vibrant colors and are easily washable.

Hammocks are much preferred over sleeping bags as camping hammocks are much more comfortable. Some of them are equipped with mesh so that you get protection from mosquitoes. These hammocks come in various sizes, suitable for single and two people. The normal capacity of these hammocks for a single person is about 250 to 350 lbs and can accommodate even a large person easily.

Whether you want to go camping in summer or you want to gaze at the stars and the moon lit skies, just tie the hammock and enjoy nature to the fullest. The hammocks generally are equipped with all the accessories such as hooks, pre tied knots, and thus you simply have to secure the hooks with a strong branch of tree. A camping hammock is an absolute must if you are going to spend the day or night outdoors.

Selection:

Slumber bags are calculated in loft. Loft is generally how “fluffy” the bag is. How high is it when it’s laying on the ground. The taller it’s, the more air “pockets” or dead airspace there is and the warmer it will keep you.

Simply because of disparity in the past of the temperature measurement of the best sleeping bags, there have been new testing modifications within the slumber bag market in America.

The Europeans have had a testing structure, for a while now, that has shown to be reliable in how it determines a sleeping bag’s temperature range. It also gives more information by recognizing the matter that men and women have diverse opinions to what is a cozy sleeping temperature.

Some U.S. companies of backpacking sleeping bags have followed the European Norm (EN 13537) method of temperature screening. Without going into too much depth about how they arrive at these numbers, basically they check the best sleeping bags under stringent guidelines utilizing a clothed dummy sporting long underwear and a hat. Sensors on the mannequin record temperature readings.

The New Tag

A label utilizing this new testing approach displays:

EN Comfort Rating for Women

This is an exterior air temperature that typical women would keep comfortably warm.

EN Lower Limit Rating for Guys

This is an exterior air temperature that a typical man would keep comfortably warm.

EN “Extreme” Ranking

This is an exterior air temperature that the sleeping bag would still keep a woman alive. These rankings must not be applied too seriously.

Take note that these numbers are centered on the fact that you are wearing a single layer of clothing and have a sleeping pad underneath the slumber bag.

Do not Remove This Label Under Penalty of the Sleeping Bag Police

If the slumber bags that you are checking out have not adopted the EN standard, don’t freak out. You can go by their temperature measurement. The only distinction is that these measurements are to be employed as a guideline only and don’t take into account the male/female distinction. If you’re like me and are generally cold whenever you sleep, then get a slumber bag with additional loft and a lower temperature number. The lower the number, the colder the external ambient temperature can be where the bag will keep you warm.

How Low Can You Go:

In either situation, using the old rating or the innovative EN, when choosing a bag, determine what type of weather and what time of year you will likely be utilizing it the most. If you are in the mountains and only intend to hike Spring, Summer and Fall, then get a three season sleeping bag. Find out the average lows for that coldest time of year which you will probably be backpacking and subtract 10 to 20 degrees and find a bag in that scale. (Example: say that the average low in the mountains throughout the spring is 20 degrees Fahrenheit, then take away 20 degrees and look for a sleeping bag that’s rated at 0 degrees. Here is a requirement chart to help:

Bag Style Temperature Ranking (Fahrenheit)

Summer: 40 to 60

Three Season Bag: 10 to 40

Cold Weather: -10 to 10

Winter: -10 and Below

Shapes/Styles:

There are three basic shapes of the best sleeping bags for camping and backpacking:

Mummy

Mummy sleeping bags are portioned broader at the shoulders and more narrow around the feet. These types of bags are the most “snug” fitting bags and therefore are even more successful in keeping you warmer, attributed to the absence of airspace between your body and the bag. Because of their structure, they’re also one of the most lightweight. These kinds of bags also come with a hood which has a drawstring which can help keep heat around your head. By the way, up to 50% of heat loss from the body can take place from the head.

Rectangular

These are exactly like the term suggests. A big rectangle. As a result of their shape, they have a tendency to be the least functional style of sleeping bag. There is a good deal of room within the bag for the body to heat up. Because of their heavy weight, they may be far better suited for a “Car Camping” adventure instead of a backpacking excursion. They do have the benefit of a pair of bags being able to be zipped jointly and become a sleeping bag for a couple instead of one individual. With this design, a full or queen air mattress underneath really contributes to a pleasant night’s sleep. (Again not recommended for the back country).

Semi-Rectangular

I call this the cross. This backpacking bag is rectangular at the head and then slims along towards the feet. With this form, you get extra room, but not as much weight as a true rectangular sleeping bag. For those who are claustrophobic, like me; we can get to sleep a little better inside a bag with extra room in it and still have some benefit from the shape.

There are also some different shapes intended specifically for body styles:

Woman’s

These tend to be a bit more narrow on the shoulders. Broader at the hips along with added padding in the upper body and foot box.

Children’s

These basically have “Kid Friendly” attributes for instance: pockets for their “stuff”, a pocket to stuff and make a pillow at their head and a sleeping pad restraint system to ensure that the pad stays in place all night.

Features:

Hood

as outlined previously with the Mummy Sleeping Bag, a hood having a drawstring can help retain body heat

Draft Tube/Draft Flap

This is a flap or tube that runs along side the zipper. This flap helps reduce heat loss. When picking a hiking slumber bag, confirm that the flap is just sewn on the lining and not through the bag. Make sure you examine the zipper prior to purchasing to verify that the flap/tube doesn’t conflict or get caught in the zipper path.

Draft Collar

This is a tube at the base of the hood. It “closes” off the spot at the neck in order that air doesn’t get away. When trying out a bag, make sure that this tube is comfortable.

Foot Box

This is, as the name claims, the place around the feet. Several bags have extra room within the foot box to keep your boots or water bottles.

Zipper

The zipper should come with big teeth and must function well. They must also not snag the fabric in the course of use.

Pockets

Pockets can be an asset or a pain. If your bag includes pockets, be careful with just what you decide to put in them. Also, before buying the bag, take note of the pockets different places. Do you care to roll over onto your keys or MP3 player in the middle of the night?

Length

Should you be taller when compared with the “average bear”, there are backpacking sleeping bags that come in extended lengths.

Materials:

Fill: There are two basic choices of bag fills; Fabricated (polyester) and Down (insulating feathers of geese or ducks).

Goose Down Sleeping Bag

There’s nothing with a greater weight to warmth ratio when compared with down. A Goose Down sleeping bag is incredibly lightweight. The issue with down is if it ever gets wet, it loses its thermal capturing capability. Also, the drying out time frame for down is especially long. If your down bag becomes wet on the trail late in the day, you’re in for a chilly night. Down is only for individuals most diligent in keeping their sleeping bag dry.

Manufactured

The best sleeping bags have been becoming lighter and more efficient every year. They do weigh more than down bags, but if they do get wet, they keep more of their warming functionality. Additionally, they dry out a lot faster compared to down. So, the trade-offs are weight, warmth and drying faster.

Taking Care of Your Sleeping Bag:

Before setting up your backpacking bag, be sure you shake it out a couple of times. This will help “fluff” it up and boost the airspace.

When packing up your bag, never fail to stuff the bag into your stuff bag. (Is that repetitive?) Certainly do not roll up and fold the slumber bag, this will reduce the insulating properties quicker.

When not using your bag, never leave it inside a stuff bag, always hang it up or keep it in a loose storage bag. In the event you leave it stored inside a small bag, it can permanently decrease the insulation.

Don’t forget that over time, from typical use, a hiking sleeping bag will lose its warming effectiveness. This is due to the fill getting a bit more compressed. This will cause the “air pockets” to disappear.

Lastly, understand and follow the care information from the manufacturer. They produce the best sleeping bags for hiking and backpacking and they understand how you can keep it in great shape.

In fact, once you learn about the host of advantages these ovens provide, they would not seem expensive to you at all. From an energizing breakfast to keep you up and about all day, to a hearty meal at night, which would ensure a good nights’ sleep, all are the workings of the oven. You can even indulge in some sinful desserts while camping, with the help of camp cooking and a dutch oven.

Once you have the oven, you do not need to carry any other camp-cooking device with you. In fact, if you take good care of the oven and take the necessary precautions, these ovens will last you a lifetime of camping trips. We are thus enlisting a few tips on how best to take care of your oven. Also mentioned are the things to avoid ensuring that it lasts long.

Rule 1

If you allow water to be in contact with your oven for a long period of time, whether the water is inside the oven or outside, even the oven with the best quality coating will rust. The reason is that cast iron is the material used in the making of most Dutch ovens.

Rule 2

You should clean your oven using a brush with hot water. Soap must be avoided at all costs, or else, your next food preparation will have a soapy taste to it. This is because the metal used in making Dutch ovens has pore, which absorb whatever is put in it. The flavor of the same gets transferred to the next dish that you cook in it. In fact, the damage of soap can be such, that in case of even accidentally using soap, you might even have to get the coating on the oven replaced.

Rule 3

The composition of the oven is such, that it can only be used for slow cooking. And hence try to avoid any hasty cooking by using this oven in ho fire as it will lead to severe damage of your dutch oven and also result in your food being completely burnt.

Rule 4

An empty dutch oven, if placed on hot coals may crack it.

Rule 5

The Dutch oven may crack, even if cold water is added to it.

Rule 6

The best way to store your Dutch oven, is by coating it lightly with some oil.

If you adhere to these tips, your Dutch oven will remain fit to produce some lip-smacking fare. You can choose from amongst the extensive range of Dutch ovens found over the Internet. Depending on your requirements and the size of your family and the kind of food you wish to cook at the campgrounds, you can decide whether to buy a large dutch oven or a small one. And if you have a large feast in mind, go in for even more than one oven.

Shaping Up Your Tent Choices

Tents come in four basic shapes: A-frame, umbrella, geodesic or “dome”, and wall. The A-frame is the old-style, traditional “pup” tent shape, but can also be quite large. The umbrella is a commonly used family tent, with plenty of standing room, including large windows and a rain fly. The geodesic dome has many variations, with varying combinations of connected triangles. The wall tent is like an A-frame tent, but is generally much larger and has vertical side walls, and is most commonly used in army applications and Scout camps (These are usually set up on permanent decks).

Tents with square floor shapes are more efficient when laying out sleeping and gear arrangements. If you decide to purchase a tent with a round or oval floor, you should plan some extra floor space to compensate for the less efficient layout.

Size DOES Matter

Tents are marketed as two man, four man, six man, etc. At best this describes the most people you can cram into the tent for sleeping, with no storage for any of your personal items. This size determination is okay for backpackers who are packing light, but makes no sense for the average camper.

Why be shoe-horned into your tent? Figure on using the tent at half its rated capacity and you should have enough room for two adults and most of their gear. Each person should have a minimum of 24 square feet of floor space; enough room for your pad, sleeping bag and gear. If you are packing for a long trip, you may want to increase the square footage depending on the quantity of gear you are going to bring.
Don’t forget to purchase a tent that will be wide/long enough for you to stretch out when you sleep… a 6′ tall sleeper will be very cramped in a 6′ wide tent; leave yourself at least 1 foot of foot-room. You will need a minimum of 30″ of space across the tent for each sleeping bag just for sleeping.

Adding ‘dry’ storage for your gear, and enough space to get out of your tent without tramping on your tent companion, will result in a more enjoyable outdoor experience. With this in mind, an 8′ x 8′ tent would work well as a 2 man family tent. This gives each camper 32 square feet to spread out their gear and sleeping area. BUT, a 10′ x 10′ tent is much more suited for two adults (seems like overkill, huh?). This size tent will have enough space for air mattresses, cots or pads AND still have enough space to stand up when changing clothes.

Be careful about buying a tent larger than 10′ x 10′. First, finding a suitable place to pitch such a large item will be a challenge. You need a spot as level as possible. Second, big tents are extremely heavy and bulky to carry. Finally, it might be better to have several smaller tents so everyone isn’t sharing the same sleeping, changing & living area.

The peak height is very important to your comfort. For most trips, try to have a tent that is tall enough to stand in. Plan for the taller persons in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is necessary for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.

Kids can fit comfortably in smaller tents. Once they are old enough, about seven or eight, they will probably want to sleep in a separate tent anyway. Parents will appreciate the privacy provided by this arrangement too. A five by seven foot tent is adequate for young kind. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent.

Support Your Local Tent – Poles

Poles included with most tents available today are made from aluminum or fiberglas. The better quality tents usually come with specially made aluminum poles, with a high degree of flexibility. Fiberglas poles are included in most ‘every day camping’ tents. The poles are usually linked together with an elastic shock cord. This speeds up the setting up process (important when doing it in the rain!). Poles, when mishandled can bend or break, so many tent manufacturers provide repair kits for you to carry along on the trip.

Seams to Me It’s Important

Seams should be reinforced with nylon tape and double-stitched. The tape is stitched into each seam, which reinforces the seam and adds to the weather-proofing. All waterproof seams in on the fly and floor (or tub), are usually factory waterproofed with a seam sealer. Set up the tent in your yard before the first tent use to test out the pitching process. You can also use this opportunity to go to your local sporting goods store to buy some seam sealer and waterproofing spray. It’s always a good idea to do this to ensure a dry trip. Make sure you allow the tent to dry before packing it back up.

Fabric

Almost all modern tents are now made of nylon. Coated nylon is used for waterproofing. Nylon mesh is used for inner walls and gear pockets. No-see-um mesh is used for the window screens. Better tents use thicker fabric and rip-stop fabric.

Hey!!! Zip It Up!!

Make sure when you go out to buy your tent… test the zippers. They should open and close with ease and shouldn’t catch on the tent fabric. The zippers should be rust-resistant.

Hot and Cold Flashes and “Why is My Tent Shaking?”

Weather variations will place many demands on your tent.

Windy conditions will call for strong poles, stakes and anchor ropes. Dome tents perform extremely in wind. Their rounded design reduces the wind’s effect, and their pole arrangement provides great strength.

Rain causes two issues to surface. Keeping yourself and your gear dry is first and foremost. Second, you need enough room for all tent occupants to be comfortable if ‘weathering the storm’ becomes necessary.

The floor should be constructed of waterproof coated nylon covering the floor, and turning up the sides for approximately six inches, creating the tub. There should be a minimal amount of seam (the more you have, the more potential for leaks). It will keep out any water that runs down and under the tent.

Make sure your tent has a waterproof rain fly made of coated nylon. The fly should wrap around the tent and reach down the sides, leaving only a few inches of space between it and the ground. This should shut out the rain, even in windy conditions. The fly should extend far enough over the door, so it keeps out the rain when you open the door to enter or leave. Some tents even come with a vestibule that allows for this.

Sunlight and its accompanying heat create a major need for shade and airflow. The rain fly will provide shade. Screen windows on opposite sides of the tent, or a screened window opposite a screened door, will allow air to flow through the tent.

Long excursions in cold weather call for a special, heavy-duty 4 season tent. Unless you plan on doing winter camping, you can use a “three-season” tent that has the features mentioned above. The most important features will be a rain fly that fully covers the top and sides to keep snow and other precipitation at bay, and an interior layer made from an open mesh fabric to allow water vapor to breathe out of the tent. In cooler weather, water vapor inside the tent from moist, outside air and exhaled breath from the occupants will condense on the interior surface of the tent. This can be prevented by allowing airflow through your tent or by passing through the mesh fabric.

The tent size is also a consideration with cool weather camping. A smaller tent will stay much warmer than a larger tent with your body heat.

You Get What You Pay For

Usually, the more expensive tents are made with stronger fabric, poles, and stitching. They’re built to withstand stronger wind and more violent rain. A good tent, that is well cared for, can last for many years.

Remember that not everyone will need this amount of durability. The milder the weather you camp in, and the closer to home you camp, the better solution will most likely be a less expensive tents.

If you’re just beginning your camping journey, and don’t know if you’ll enjoy it, you might want to start with a less expensive setup. Your first trips will probably be when the weather is warmer, and you will probably not venture deep into the wilderness until you gain some experience and decide if you like camping or not. Remember, you can always upgrade your equipment later.