Camping: each year, around 40 million Americans go camping for a collective 500 million or more days. Families and individuals use time spent camping to get in touch with nature and participate in other outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, or hunting and fishing. Yet before booking a camping trip, it’s important to know exactly what’s needed to stay comfortable and have fun on the trip.
Need to know how to narrow down campground locations before you plan your trip? Here are three factors to keep in mind before you book your next camping excursion:
- Consider the type of camping you want to do. Whether you’re staying at camp sites that allow tents or you’re choosing from cabin rentals across the U.S., make sure you know which campground locations are designed for these types of camping. Additionally, some campgrounds will allow for RVs and campers, whereas others will not. If you’re not sure what is or isn’t allowed at a particular location, ask the staff.
How do others compare? Of other campers surveyed, 86% said they stay in tents, 33% book cabins, 30% head into the backcountry for backpacking, 26% choose a drive-up campsite while 24% camped in an RV, and 8% decided to sleep under the stars. As for location, 11% also admitted to camping out in the backyard, and just 2% got to know what it’s like to sleep in a yurt. - Think about your family’s comfort. Are you and your children fans of “glamping” (or glamorous camping)? Or do you prefer to rough it in the wilderness? Depending on the creature comforts that everyone prefers, you may need to consider this when you book your accommodations. Be sure to ask about other amenities, like showers, air conditioning, and plumbing.
- Don’t forget about the weather. Now that temperatures have cooled down in many parts of the country for autumn, you’ll need to think about when you want to go camping. Planning a trip to take place in the next month or two means you’ll need to bring some extra layers to fight off the chill. Some campgrounds will allow for winter camping, whereas others won’t. However, if you plan to go in the spring or summer, now may be the perfect time to book a cabin or select your campgrounds.
So whether you’re going camping in Pennsylvania or you’re searching for family vacation campgrounds in Texas, make sure that you’re clear about what will work best for your family. Have more questions? Be sure to leave a comment below or find the best campground locations at your desired destination.
