Camping Vacations
Vacation Ideas

When you set your camp, you need to be careful about the location. If you are out in the open, don’t camp near a lone tree. If a lightning storm comes up that tree will act like a lightning rod. You don’t want to be nearby.

When you set up camp on your camping vacations, never do it in a dry creek bed or similar low spot. Rainstorms can produce deadly flash flooding. Choose a spot on higher ground. Look for where the water will flow if a heavy rain comes up. Camp on the spot which looks like it will stay dry.

You don’t want to camp in the middle of the home of critters. Before you set up camp and pitch a tent search the area for signs of life. This means holes in the ground which can indicate rabbits, snakes, ants or other burrowing creatures.

Ants will also make mounds which sometimes are quite large. Steer clear of ant mounds no matter how small they are. There are even some types of bees and wasps that live in the ground. So after you check the trees, look for holes in the ground.

Campfires require dry kindling to start. If you want to be prepared for wet weather or emergencies try bringing a plastic bag filled with dryer lint. This makes an excellent fuel for starting a fire when dry kindling is not available.

Other useful fire starters are candle stubs and waterproof matches. You can make your own waterproof matches by dipping ordinary matches in nail polish, shellac or melted paraffin.

Avoid all cotton clothing when outdoors in the winter. Cotton absorbs moisture thereby keeping it close to your body. This is not good in cold weather. What you need is man-made “poly” type fibers. These will wick moisture away from the body and provide needed insulation.

Camping vacations are a great opportunity to participate in all the outdoors activities that we love. If you've never tried it before then now is the time this extremely popular vacation idea and find out what you are missing.

While we initially were trying to find enjoyable activities that didn’t break the bank, we were pleasantly surprised at how many amenities the campgrounds offer these days. One of our most enjoyable camping vacation trips was to the Jellystone Campground in the Gatlinburg, TN. While technically in Cosby, TN, the campground is literally minutes from Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, TN.

The property is family owned and operated which makes it a very family friendly destination. All types of campsites are available, from tent camping to pull thru sites with full hookups. We went during Spring Break last year which was outstanding. There is a beautiful stream that runs through the entire property.

There’s nothing more enjoyable than falling asleep to the sounds of a stream after a full day of activities. There were lots of activities at the campground, as well as, many things to go see and do.

Our two favorites were Dollywood and the Great Smoky National Park. At the National Park we saw over 40 deer, countless turkeys, beautiful birds, and all kinds of wildlife. The highlight was when my wife captured a picture of a beautiful deer jumping over a wooden fence. Quite simply, it was just a wonderful place to go and spend quality time with everyone in our family at an affordable cost.

My favorite place to camp for a week is definitely Ocracoke Island in North Carolina. Teeter's Campground is where I usually set up my tent in the early spring.

The island itself is so small that it's just a short drive to town and once you get there, you will want to travel on foot. I mentioned the island is small, but the 13 restaurants you have to choose from are fresh and delicious. Howard's Pub is my flavor of choice. There are some neat things to do in town but I prefer to stay on the beach or take a walk on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail. Nothing helps you escape the city life like walking on the same ground Blackbeard did.

One of our favorite places to vacation is the Great Sand Dunes National Park in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The Great Sand Dunes has a wonderful first-come-first-served camp ground nestled amongst the pines and overlooks the dunes as well as the beautiful Sangre De Cristo mountain range.

Featuring the tallest dunes in North America, a climb to the top provides you with a breathtaking view of the valley. There are also many hiking trails in the area as well as an interesting visitor center.

Of course, campfire cooking can be an adventure, but who doesn't love s'mores? It doesn't get cold enough to freeze the rivers here, so this is something that we can do any time of the year, though summer is a favorite.

Of course, we always come prepared with mosquito repellent and sunscreen (no matter what time of year), along with whatever comforts we need. Many campgrounds have electrical service available to selected campsites, so we can take a small fan to keep relatively cool on hot evenings.

Return from Camping Vacations to Top Vacation Spots

Return from Camping Vacations to 1001 Vacation Ideas Home