Planning a Camping Trip

Planning a camping trip can be invaluable.
Impromptu camping trips are often the most fun -
when you’re talking about a weekend. But for those
longer family vacations, proper planning makes sense.
And the winter months are the best time to do that.

Cold, blustery winds play among the eaves. Fingers of snow tap against your windows. Tendrils of ice stretch like frozen fingers from the roof gutters. For most people, not the best time to think about camping.

Actually, winter is the best time to plan next season’s camping adventures. You and the family sit warm and cozy in the living room, deciding where to camp, hike, fish and sightsee throughout the warm days of spring, summer, and early fall.

Once the frenetic days of the holiday celebrations are past, you’ll have plenty of long winter days and evening for planning a camping trip – time to pick, choose, and create a trip itinerary.

For many folks, however, this is easier said than done. More than one session of planning a camping trip has ended in a heated discussion. One family member argues for that campground with the great smallmouth lake. Another cries for one near a myriad of Victorian homes open for touring. Still another presses for a wilderness campground close to a spectacular hiking trail. Meanwhile, the kids want something with a rec room and lots of water sports.

With a little forethought and planning, you’ll be able to satisfy each family member’s expectations of what a camping vacation should be.

Deciding on geographic region is the first step in planning a camping trip. For instance, if you’re from the upper Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic region might appeal. Maybe the Blue Ridge with its mountains and forests, or the rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch country, or the beaches ringing Chesapeake Bay---good choices all. Or perhaps you’re in the Northeast, and are thinking the Rocky Mountain West would be a great destination. Yellowstone country, perhaps, or the crags of Colorado.

Without advance planning a camping trip, these possibilities, which sound so great in the winter, could easily turn into one of those vacation disaster movies.

Second order of business in planning a camping trip, after deciding on a gross region, is to contact the tourism department in the state or states you’re thinking of visiting. You local library has reference books, such as the “National Directory of State Agencies” which contain state-by-state listings of each travel department, complete with addresses, phone numbers, and emails.

Armed with the contact info of the state tourism bureaus you want, write a short note asking for general touring information, as well as any specifics you might like; including particulars on campgrounds, hiking, fishing, attractions, or any other activities that interest you. Be sure to include clearly written instructions on where to send everything.

Much of this same information is available on-line, of course. But it’s really easier to absorb and discuss it if you have hard copies that everyone can read.

Within one to four weeks you’ll begin receiving general information brochures, booklets, and pamphlets. From them you’ll get a good overview of places to visit and activities available. Included might be specific brochures on campgrounds, points of interest, historical attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities. For the cost of a first class stamp you’ll get stacks of information to help make up your mind about your vacation destination and assist in planning a camping trip. But don’t sit around waiting for this data to reach you. Get out and search for that ideal vacation.

As mentioned earlier, you local library is a good place to begin looking for information on travel opportunities. Some libraries have extensive travel sections filled with books on possible destinations. Unlike reference works, you can check those out, and read them in the comfort of your living room while planning a camping trip.

Your local bookstore is yet another source of travel information. Cruise the travel section for books about areas you might want to visit on your camping vacation. You’ll find books ranging from specific cities to general geographic areas, and lots of other spots in between. You can get ideas on places you hadn’t thought about, or find more in-depth information on areas you’re considering.

Of course, when planning a camping trip, once you decide where you want to vacation your need more specific information on things to see and do in that areas. If you haven’t already done so as part of your earlier research, you should contact the local convention and visitors bureau or tourism council. Often these agencies provide nuggets of information not included in general data from the state.

For instance, did you know you can, when visiting North Carolina’s Outer Banks, actually walk to Great Britain? Back in 1999, the British Cemetery on Ocracoke Island was ceded to the British government. Legally, that small patch of ground is now part of Great Britain. We only learned about that from a local tourism guidebook, and would not have learned it just from the info sent by the state.

One thing often overlooked, while researching destinations, are special events that might be going on. Could be that a major festival is scheduled for about the time you are planning a camping trip. On one hand, attending the event could be the highlight of your trip. But, on the other hand, it might also mean that every campsite within a hundred miles has been reserved a year in advance.

It could be, too, that the event is something you want no part of. A big motorcycle rally is fun if you’re into bikes. But if you’re not, several hundred motorcyclists gathered together can be intrusive, to say the least.

Finally, do not assume that there will be campgrounds where you’re going. Or that if there are they have sites suitable to your needs. If you’re a tent camper, and an available campground caters to big rigs, you’ll be uncomfortable at best, turned away at worst. Conversely, if you’re pushing a 40-foot Class A motorhome, and the campground you choose does not have pull-through sites, that could be a problem.

So be sure to make campground availability part of your research.