Most Amazing National Parks in the US for Camping

Living in the lap of nature is an experience in itself! Exploring the wilder side of life and enjoying the sun, sky, and the stars amidst the breezy air and great views make camping one of the best activities for most people. If you are in the United States, you will have no dearth of options, with landscape diversity at its peak. Here are the best picks keeping choices wide and varied.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Incredibly stunning, this can be the ultimate beach camping site! The Maryland side of the location allows camping, and it is always on the first-come-first-serve basis. Horse camping is also allowed, but what’s the best part? Well, it’s open all around the year!

If you love beaches and camping, this is the spot for you. Assateague is a barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia covered in sandy beaches, salt marshes, forests, and coastal bays. There’s even a community of wild horses (how exotic!). Enjoy relaxing on the 37 miles of beach or hiking by day, and buckle down your tent right by (er, a safe distance from) the crashing waves for a night under the stars. Greatist

Glacier National Park

Lake Mcdonald Glacier NP

If you are keen on great sunrises and want to explore the best of views around Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park is your best bet. The best part is the number of campsites, which are almost 1,000 or more, and the amenities and sceneries are different.

Glacier National Park: One of the best parts about camping is witnessing those awesome sunrises. Pitch your tent at Rising Sun Campground and take in the scene near the Canadian border. Care to wake along the shores of Lake McDonald with snow-covered peaks in the distance? Head to Sprague Creek Campground. Or backpack deeper into the wilderness of Glacier’s more than one million acres to set up camp at one of the park’s backcountry sites. USAToday

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

From mountain lakes and stunning views, Rocky Mountain National Park is much more than what you would expect. One of the most popular sites includes Andrews Creek campsite, which is remote but often the camping experience is better than others.

On your way to this cliff-hemmed, pine needle-strewn patch of alpine comfort, you’ll pass two deafening waterfalls, a glassy, peak-reflecting lake known charmingly as “The Loch,” and a shady aspen forest sprouting between boulders of pink granite. The glacier itself lays smoothed across charcoal-grey slopes just west of the remote Andrews Creek campsite and drips enough meltwater to send a creek burbling past the site’s sunny clearing. BackPacker

Yosemite National Park, California

No list is complete without the Yosemite National Park in California. A major part of the park neither has structural roads nor even electricity, so camping here is a quite a wild adventure. There are more than 10 popular campgrounds that are scattered but do check in advance because campgrounds are open for certain months, although the Park is open all year long.

In the heart of Yosemite Valley you’ll spy more natural wonders in a minute than you will anywhere else in an entire day. California’s Yosemite sparkles as a crown jewel of the national parks, showcasing not just glacier-carved beauty but a panoply of superlatives: North America’s highest waterfall (Yosemite Falls). Telegraph.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

From the beaches and mountains, it is time for the desert, and there is nothing better than the Joshua Tree National Park, which spreads over 800,000-acre in California. There are nine campgrounds, and each one is unique in its own. The park is open all through the year, but seasons for campgrounds vary. The pricing for each night is also lower than many others on this list. A must-see experience for wild lovers.

We know, camping in the desert doesn’t sound like so much fun (hello, sunburn). But the nearly 800,000-acre Joshua Tree National Park is so much more than just desert. The park sits at the intersection of two very different ecosystems: To the east is the low-lying Colorado Desert; to the west lies the slightly higher, cooler, wetter Mojave Desert (home to the park’s namesake, the Joshua tree). Greatist.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Mojave point – Grand Canyon NP

No one needs a reason to come to Grand Canyon! This is also one of the best places for Backcountry hiking if you are interested, and you will love both North Rim and South Rim although the former is more secluded. There are three well-developed campgrounds, but it is wise to consider advance booking. The park is open all through the year though some facilities may not be available in South Rim in winter whereas the North Rim is open for the middle of the year.

The Grand Canyon in Arizona was the fourth-most popular spot among national parks for camping in 2014, with 438,845 completed overnight stays. The iconic canyon is one mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. MarketWatch

Some of the other locations that should be on your must-camp list include Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Zion National Park, Utah and Olympic National Park, Washington. Commendable mentions also include Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

Spring season is starting so it is time you start creating your own wild hiking and camping plans now!

To find more info on these US National Parks as well as info related to campsites visit www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

 

 

from What Camping Tent http://www.whatcampingtent.com/blog/most-amazing-national-parks-in-the-us-for-camping/

How To Properly Clean & Care for Your Tent

Camping is a great deal of fun and is a very popular outdoor activity for millions of people. Your tent is the most important part of your trip to ensure you have a great time. They will protect you from the elements and allow you a good night’s rest. Tents can last a very long time if properly maintained and taken care of. Before setting off on your first camping trip of the season, you should check the entire tent out to make sure everything is in tip-top shape and give it a good cleaning.

Tents are erected outdoors, they are open to many environmental elements and will become dirty quite easily. If you stay in your tent for any length of time, you want to perform a good cleaning on the inside as well. Interior cleanings of tents are often overlooked and can become pretty nasty in a very short period of time.

At the end or beginning of camping season, your tent needs a good cleaning both inside and out. Here are some steps and tips to win the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval:

Steps For Cleaning Your Tent

Always start the cleaning process on a pitched tent.

Step One
Remove all loose dirt and debris that accumulates on a regular basis such as pine needles, leaves and debris that build up in the corners of the tent as well as on your bedroll. Make sure you remove everything from inside the tent before cleaning it. Then clean the flooring before putting anything back inside.
Exterior cleaning also requires removing outdoor debris and cleaning off any loose dirt before giving it a bath.

Step Two
If you have a small tent it will be pretty easy to put it in a tub of hot water. This method will probably not work on very large tents for obvious reasons. Use a soft brush or damp cloth to clean off all dirt a debris. A large tent will have to be spread out, hosed down and cleaned. It will be a little more difficult but must be done.

Step Three
A small tent can be washed in a tub with hot water and a very mild cleaning solution that is recommended for tents. Do not use conventional detergents as they can break down your water repellents. You can remove mud and mildew with a mixture of lemon juice and salt or vinegar and water. Cleaning products developed for tents will ensure the tent is cleaned properly while protecting its repellency. The cleaning solutions are the same for large tents as well.

Step Four
After washing the tent, rinse it off thoroughly with water. It can be a little difficult to rinse off some areas, but it is important that all soapy residue has been removed completely.

Step Five
Apply a water repellent on the fabric floor, lower sides of the walls and the rain fly.

Step Six
Once the tent is clean, place it outside in a shady area or a building and let dry; you do not want to position the tent in direct sunlight. The drying process will take some time so be patient and leave it in place until it’s completely dry.

Important Points

Never use a washing machine for cleaning your tent.
Do not scrub the underside of the tent; it can damage the tent and remove the waterproof polyurethane coating. More on tent waterproofing options here.
Use a cleaning formula developed for tents and rinse with water until all soapy residue is eliminated.
Never dry in direct sunlight.
Your tent must be completely dry before placing it in storage.
When storing your tent, make sure it will have enough ventilation so as not to pick up bad odors. Never store in an attic or other facility that has poor ventilation.

Caring For Your Tent On A Trip

Select a campsite that offers a smooth and level surface without vegetation. Clear away any debris such as pine cones, rocks or twigs. Items like these can tear the floor of your tent. Try not to disturb your site any more than necessary.
Use a custom-cut cloth, known as a footprint, specially designed for your tent floor. Footprints will protect your tent’s floor from any abrasive materials and provide a clean surface for folding up your tent at the end of the trip.
Choose a relatively shady area as the sun’s UV rays can damage the tent. If camping in cold mountain areas, you might want to invest in a tarp to erect the tent for shade.
Place all shoes and boots outside the tent.
Always fold your tent each time you pack up and go, you want to make sure you do not damage the tent fabric overtime.

Your tent is an investment and keeping it clean will ensure you have it for a long time while providing you a safe an comfortable trip. Tents can last for many years if well taken care of. If you are using your tent many times over a season, there are different techniques you can use to protect your investment.

Always follow proper procedures to prevent your tent from unnecessary damage from harmful substances. Always use cleaners that are developed for tent materials to ensure longevity.

Following these tips will keep your tent in excellent condition for many years to come. If you take care of your tent, your tent will be there to take care of you while camping.

If reading is not your thing, feel free to watch this additional video:

from What Camping Tent http://www.whatcampingtent.com/blog/cleaning-of-your-tent/

Protect Your Tent With Waterproofing

Camping tents will protect you from many natural elements including rain if they are properly taken care of and waterproofed. Applying a water repellent will ensure a good night’s sleep instead of waking up to a soaked bedroll and muddy ground. Leaks are miserable and not necessary if you take action to waterproof first. Here are some steps you can take to waterproof your camping tent.

If you have spent the day discovering new trails, spending the day fishing or horseback riding, you need to rest! There’s nothing worse than having your sleep interrupted by a leaky tent and not to know what to do.

Reasons Why Your Tent Leaks

Before going into repairing your tent, let’s look at some of the reasons why your tent leaks:

The Age of Your Tent
If you have owned your tent for some time, it has already experienced many weather conditions. Wear and tear can be a leading factor for leakage. If this is the case, it’s time to treat your tent with a repellent to enjoy many more years of camping.

Improper Care of Your Tent
Before taking off on a camping trip, you should go over every inch of your tent to make sure everything is operating properly. I even recommend you add this to your camping checklist! Check polls for debris or oxidation, make sure everything fits in place snugly and there are no tears or build up on the tent’s fabric. Tents need to be cleaned regularly to give them a longer life. It is also quite important to pack and fold it the right way when leaving your campsite.

Not Cleaning Your Tent Properly
When cleaning your tent, do not scrub the underside of your tent fly, this will damage and possibly remove the polyurethane waterproofing, originally applied by the manufacturer.

Solving Your Tent’s Leakage Problem

If your tent is in need of maintenance, here are steps you should take.

Apply Waterproofing
The most popular product on the market is Nikwax. Before applying it, set up the tent and then apply Nikwax using a hosing method. After using a good saturation, you can use a damp cloth, brush or sponge to spread it out making sure the entire surface is properly covered. Nikwax not only increases the water repellency but will protect your tent’s fabric from exposure to UV rays.

Use A Tarp
Pick up a basic tarp, or tarpling, that is available in many stores and is inexpensive. Place it above the tent for added protection and shelter.

Important points:

• Examine the seams to ensure there is no wear.
• Check all the zippers.
• Make sure the stitching is in excellent condition.
• Does your tent have a rainproof entrance?
• When was the last time your tent was waterproofed? Recently or a few years back.
• Examine the Hydrostatic Head.
• Is there a bathtub sewn-in groundsheet?
• Does your tent have a skirt?
• If all seems good, it’s time to look at other factors.
• If you are using a footprint, make sure you inspect it.

Overview:

Avoid a Wet Camping Trip with Family!

It’s always a good idea to go over your tent before heading out on a camping trip. You do not have to run out and spend a great deal of money to replace your tent. In most cases, the waterproofing has simply worn out and not doing its job anymore. Get a good waterproofing product; they are inexpensive, and they work really well. Apply the waterproofing and see how it is doing, if you need to, you can always apply a second coat. Waterproofing does not last forever, but applied every few years will ensure your tent has a long life and is protected from the elements. Applying waterproofing properly will guarantee the next time you go camping, you sleep will not be interrupted by leaks from rain.

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Bond With Your Family By Tent Camping

You are planning a holiday trip, but there are so many options that your head is spinning. You’ve thought about a trip throughout Europe but just can’t make up your mind where. You’ve done that before and want something different!

Possibly you are just not broadening your options and just keep going back to the same old trips. How about considering a camping trip for you and your family? Camping can be a great deal of fun, adventurous and a great opportunity to bond with each other. Here are some great reasons why you might want to go on a camping trip vs. the same old places:

There are Many Options Available

Tent camping can be an amazing experience for everyone. Choose a tent that will fit your family’s needs and go!

Choose the perfect place to setup camp, near a body of water, rugged mountains, a canopy of trees or a wide open sky filled with stars.

Your food choices will vary depending on where you will be setting up camp. Will you be isolated and need to bring your food supplies or will there be a local store near by? Will your campsite have barbecue pits or do you need to bring a camping stove?

Depending on where you are going to pitch your tent, plan out activities for each day. Exploring the wilderness, fishing, swimming, hiking, photographing or just lying on your back and staring at the stars. Do you have a child who loves to horseback ride? See if there are riding facilities near the site. You would be amazed how creative and fun camping can be! If you plan your adventure carefully, you will take home incredible memories.

Escape from Urban & City Life

You work hard each and every day, spending more time at work than with your family. Your children spend most of their time in their rooms glued to their computers, cell phones or tablet games. It’s time to get away from the same old rut, bring the family together and have some really great fun.

It’s time to escape from urban and city life and discover a restful, relaxing, with picturesque surroundings that can change your mind and heart. Leave behind the plugged-in, technological world of laptops, and television along with all the headaches that come with them.

Valuable Experiences at Low Cost

Going on a camping trip can be very inexpensive if planned properly. The most expensive item will be the tent you purchase. Tents come in every shape and size, it all depends on what you and your family need to experience a great and unforgettable adventure.

Choosing your tent is critical to ensure everyone is comfortable and enjoyable. Choose wisely including how many people will be staying in one tent or if will you need two tents.

The cost to stay at a campsite is very inexpensive but look into various sites to choose the one that will work best for all of you. Do you want rugged and open air or a campsite that offers different activities and some comforts?

Will there be a store nearby to purchase food or will you have to bring your own? Bringing your food will be quite inexpensive vs. searching down restaurants or convenient stores. Since you are camping and have a vehicle, you can move from place to place for even more adventures.

Think about it: if you choose to go on holiday tours, you must pay for your lodging, food, transportation and in some cases admission tickets. Camping is very inexpensive and sometimes simple things are the best! You might find a site that is close to an area that offers tours, set up camp and only pay for the tour!

Bonding with Your Family

This is the most popular and valuable reason to go on a camping trip. Family tent camping will give you and your family so many opportunities to engage in great activities and closing the divide that has built up at home. Your whole family will be doing things together, eating great meals cooked over a fire and have great conversations.

Partaking in activities together will only bring you closer together because you are spending more time together. Rediscover your children, realize how much they have grown while you’ve slaved away at work. Discover their growing interests, their dreams and for the first time, you might see them in a new whole light.

There’s Therapy In Nature

Nature has always been a part of our lives, just taken for granted too many times. Mountains, rivers, trees, flowers and creatures are monumental and should be cherished. Nature has the gift of healing you from stress and improving your mental health. You will feel better, more alive and stress-free surrounded by trees, starry skies and majestic mountains.

Nature is something that you should be introducing your children to as well. Life is not all about laptops, television shows or talking on their phones for hours on end. Explore hiking paths or caves, point out birds and animals that are rarely seen in your urban lives. There are so many exciting and wonderful things waiting to be discovered by your family. Possibly you need to be reminded about the marvels of nature as well.

The Flexibility of Camping

If you have a car and a tent, you can roam around the countryside, stay at different campsites and enjoy different cultures and activities. Find a campsite that is near a historical area where you can join tours or discover the area on your own. Maybe a hot air balloon show will be nearby, your kid’s eyes will pop out!

Conclusion

Family tent camping is a wonderful choice for your next holiday or vacation. You and your family will come back home physically and mentally healthier. You will learn new things, discover adventures that only nature can provide. It’s a chance to reconnect, have fun and the memories are priceless!

Make sure you read our ultimate camping checklist  to make sure you and your family are ready for a week end out!

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