Fireworks for the New Year
Photo by: Anu Länsisalmi (Stock Exchange)

Welcome to AllCampgrounds!

Today, we’re checking in on the latest trends that are sure to be hot in the camping scene for 2012.

We’ve covered many of these in depth in prior posts, so you can enjoy a little more on each subject by checking out our archives.

Here are the top trends we expect to see more of in the outdoor world during the new year.

Eco-Camping: Campers have always been in touch with nature and with the need to “leave no trace.” Now, with protecting the environment more important than ever, eco-camping stands to see big gains in 2012. Eco-camping can be as simple as getting in touch with the land at your nearest national park or as complex as planning a major trip to a steamy locale like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or even Chile. Public lands are well-protected from any lasting effects brought by their eco-tourist guests, and are further defended from development when more visitors show interest.

Local Camping: The “Garden Camping” movement in Britain has led to people opening their gardens and porches to overnight visitors. The trend hasn’t caught on in the U.S. just yet, but that could change: camping is growing faster in Britain than anywhere else right now, and it doesn’t take much for new ideas from across the pond to catch on. Although laws differ, many towns and cities have public greens that are well-kept and inviting to a night out under the stars. Of course, you should always stay safe and make sure you’re on the right side of the law before you plan a backyard camping trip.

International Camping: Far on the other side of the tent camping spectrum we have international camping. This has been Europe’s best-kept secret for quite a while: millions of vacationers visit Italy from the continent’s cooler climes every year, and a growing number of those folks bring their tents along. In many countries, camping is not only alive and well, but laws about where to camp are much more relaxed: for example, in Sweden you can pitch a tent practically anywhere as long as you don’t overstay your welcome or cause inconvenience to private land owners.

Glamping: “Glamping,” or glamorous camping, can combine all of the impulses above into one fantastic camping event. To put it simply, glamping is camping without roughing it; while that may not appeal to everyone, it’s a growing segment of the camping scene that has a lot of people excited. Glampers seek out posh destinations like the French Riviera, and camping experiences that are a little more luxurious than most. Many glamping sites are designed for picturesque views and the best in ecologically sound accommodations. It’s a total vacation and camping in one.

Of course, that’s not all that’s going on in the world of camping. This year will probably see much more from the experts in extreme camping. Plus, RV camping shows no sign of slowing down despite recent craziness in the cost of fuel. All in all, 2012 is likely to be another banner year, where more people than ever will be introduced to the fun and excitement of the outdoors. Let’s hope the trend continues for years to come!

Thank you for visiting AllCampgrounds, your #1 source for everything about camping.

Have a s'more on us
Photo by: James Rubio (Stock Exchange)

Hello from AllCampgrounds!

The time between Christmas and New Years is perhaps the slowest point for camping all year, so we like to use this time to relax, unwind, and take a look back at the interesting and exceptional things we’ve discovered in the world of tent camping and RV camping.

2011 was a banner year for major developments in the national camping scene, and also saw the arrival of several outstanding resources that campers can use for trip planning.

Here’s a quick retrospective, AllCampgrounds style.

Tips to Camp More and Save on Gas: Everyone is looking for good ways to save money nowadays, and campers are no exception. In this post, you’ll learn the ins and outs of taking your camping plans out on the road, with apps, websites, and tactics you can use to minimize your cost per mile. If you’re looking for easy ways to stretch your budget and get out even more, this is a fantastic place to begin.

Make Camping Delicious With Outdoor Cooking: Camping cuisine has come a long way from plain old franks and beans. In this post, enjoy mouth-watering recipes and learn about some of the great, modern ways to make camping delicious. Potatos, kebabs, and even gourmet variations on the s’more can all be found, as well as some in-depth pointers on how to turn the Dutch oven into the cornerstone of a camping kitchen.

Igloo Camping: I’ll admit it: I just can’t get enough of the igloo camping post. It’s the height of winter camping finesse to be able to introduce the most effective ancient methods to your modern camping experience. For the old motto of “Leave No Trace,” this is the ultimate way to devise a natural, winter-proof shelter. The post covers the basics of how an igloo works, how to build one, and igloo camping experiences.

Can Camping Get Even Greener?: Speaking of natural camping, let’s commemorate this eco-friendly innovation from the Herkimer Diamond Mine Kampgrounds of America site one last time. Herkimer KoA is home to the solar-powered lodge, a great stride in camping technology. This lodge strives for a carbon-neutral, eco-friendly experience with a futuristic but very approachable design that incorporates green ideas at every turn. It stands out as one of the most unique ideas in the already very forward-thinking KoA camping network.

That’s just a sample of the tent camping and RV camping adventures we had this year, so check out the archives for more. Of course, we discussed AllCampgrounds’ 2012 plans recently, too, make plans to visit every Friday for more. Thanks for helping us achieve another excellent year in the world’s one-stop shop for camping! See you again soon!

Winter in Wisconsin
Photo by: jnystrom (Stock Exchange)

Hello and welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

You know, as much as we all love camping, it’s a fact that just about nobody spends the holiday season in the wilds: you have to come in for all the celebrations, even if you spent all kinds of time building your own igloo to extend the camping season that much longer!

But that doesn’t mean that we just forget about camping or that there aren’t any campers on our holiday shopping list.

So, today, we’ll look at some ideas for those who are doing last-minute holiday shopping (or early New Year shopping) for campers of all kinds.

Camping and Hiking Gifts: Interesting suggestions, including some neat little utilities like GPS, a pocket video camera for when you run into amazing sights out on the trail, solar chargers for your gear, and a whole bunch more. There are at least a few things here for campers of all experience levels, and definitely a big handful that took creativity and imagination to come up with. Overall, a great list for all tent camping enthusiasts.

RV Art Gallery: Whether you spend the whole year or just the warm season in your RV, there’s no missing the fact that an RV is a home away from home. Why not help the lifestyle RV campers in your circle decorate appropriately with some of the unusual finds in the RV Art Gallery? In addition to wonderful seasonal pieces, there are several picks here that your giftees will enjoy all year around.

REI Gift for Campers: REI launched itself from a regular camping supplier to a great source of information when it inaugurated its outstanding knowledge database earlier this year, including a ton of articles and videos focusing on key outdoor skills. Now, it helps out with the holiday shopping thanks to the new Gifts for Campers section. You’ll find attire, equipment, and handy outdoor tools for both tent campers and RV campers, and even a few things made especially for younger campers.
RV Ornaments and Gifts: No matter what you celebrate, a big part of getting into the holiday spirit is enjoying the fun and excitement of decorating. Full-time RV campers don’t need to be left out of the loop, thanks to these unique RV gifts. Remember, space can be a factor when it comes to getting gifts for RV campers — so, what better thing to offer than a set of ornaments that will make your favorite RV campers’ next year more festive? Plus, they get to think of you each year!

By the next time we see you on AllCampgrounds, it’ll be the day before Christmas Eve. So, get that holiday shopping done right and enjoy a little break from the great outdoors: we’ll see you on the trail again soon, bringing you even more camping news and information! Thanks for stopping by!

Camping out on Sandy Beach
Photo by: Brad Harrison (Stock Exchange)

Welcome to AllCampgrounds!

December is upon us, so it’s time to look ahead to some of the great features we plan to roll out over the new year.

If you’re a new reader, it might surprise you to know the AllCampgrounds blog has over 100 posts covering all kinds of tent camping and RV camping topics, dating back to 2008.

In fact, the AllCampgrounds camping directory, has been around for more than ten years!

You might think we’ve done everything in that time, but there’s always more to see and do when it comes to camping!

More Features on the Way

AllCampgrounds is already one of the most respected and well-established camping sites on the web, but we want to push it even further on the blog in 2012. Last post, we talked all about our classic features, including Nature-Watching, Camping for Everyone, and seasonal camping news. Expect more of these great special series posts to find their way to the blog in the coming months, along with the return of the Camping 50 States series.

Even More RV Parks and Camp Grounds

Camping is growing all over the United States, and everyone is getting in on the act. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to forget about some of American camping’s most iconic pioneers, the leaders in the RV lifestyle. 2012 will see even more posts focusing on the best RV parks and camp grounds, as well as more information on how to get the most from your RV. You might even get to see some live posts from the road.

AllCampgrounds Wants to Hear From You

The most important thing about the AllCampgrounds blog is you! We want to hear more from our readers than ever in 2012. If you have an idea for a story, series, or just a great park to recommend, let us know. Your idea might be featured in an upcoming post. We pride ourselves in knowing about all campgrounds (heck, that’s our name!) but YOU’RE the local expert, so weigh in! In fact, that leads us to another important point

Our Mailbag is Always Open at AllCampgrounds

If you have a camping question, you can always contact us. Send a comment to our team by replying to any post; don’t worry about which one, we’re sure to see it. Give us a day or two to research and your question will receive a response. If there’s something we don’t know, we’ll point you toward a resource where you can find out more. Once we do find out, your questions make for great posts in our AllCampgrounds mailbag.

As you can see, it’s going to be another exciting year here at AllCampgrounds. This year, we want to serve you better than ever. You can help us do it by letting us know just how we can make this the camping blog for you. Until next time — stay warm, outdoors-folks, and we’ll see you here again next Friday! And a very happy (early) 2012!

Big Ridge, The Smokeys
Photo by: Fran Priestley (Stock Exchange)

Hello and welcome to AllCampgrounds!

As we head into December, it’s the time of year most folks associate with a lull in camping.

Since our goal is to promote tent camping and RV camping all year around, we thought we’d take this chance to remind our newer readers about all our regular features.

In the last few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about winter camping, but AllCampgrounds has a range of news and articles to offer everyone!

Here’s a brief recap.

Nature-Watching Series: One of our earlier special features, the nature-watching series gives you the lowdown on spotting some of nature’s most intriguing critters. Every kind of “watching” is a little bit different, so we include tips on where to find the animals that most interest you, how to tell species apart, and what kind of equipment and knowledge you’ll need to make the most of every visit. So far, we’ve covered all the favorites, including the American bald eagle … but here’s the full list for the truly curious.

• Getting Started in Bird Watching
• Best Bird Watching Campgrounds
• Prairie Dogs
• Buffalo

Camping for Everyone: At AllCampgrounds, we truly believe camping is for everyone. Of course, there are a lot of folks who aren’t sure they agree — either they’ve never been camping before or they have some ideas about “roughing it” that don’t quite hold true in modern camp grounds. With Camping for Everyone, our longest running special series, you can help the people in your life get the camping bug by finding the right outdoor trip for them. Here are the posts we’ve dome so far, with even more soon to come!

• Glampers
• Primitive Campers
• Technology Enthusiasts
• Children
• Business Owners

Seasonal and Holiday Camping: Of course, if you’ve been visiting us lately you’ve seen the Winter Camping Series. We also put out special posts for other seasons and holidays throughout the year. Want to know more? Use the search box over on the right to look for any holiday or season that interests you. AllCampgrounds posts all year long with no interruption, so you’ll never be behind the curve when it comes to camping news. Want to welcome the New Year with camping? Just look for our upcoming post!

RV Camping: We love tents, but we don’t limit camping – RV campers are welcome, and we do plenty of posts on the RV camping lifestyle. Check out the RV camping tag, also on the right side of the screen, and you’ll be presented with all our great and growing collection of posts about getting the most from your big machine. In the last few months, we’ve looked at the great RV services available from Good Sam Club, discovered the best summer RV camping, and served up a slew of RV camping discounts. That only scratches the surface, so take a look for a whole lot more.

AllCampgrounds is looking forward to welcoming another great year of camping with our online readers! We hope you find the site informative and helpful; remember, you can always share your camping tips with us using the comment form below.

Wild turkeys
Photo by: Yousif Waleed (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

You know, for the holidays, even hardcore tent campers like us have to come indoors for turkey, ham, stuffing, and all the rest.

Just a bit ago, we discussed some things we’re thankful for in the camping world.

Now, as we snooze off another terrific holiday meal, it’s time to look ahead to the peak of the winter holiday season and ask: just what would AllCampgrounds want from Camping Santa this year?

Join us for a little more holiday fun, won’t you?

On our wish list this year:

An Incredible Winter Tent: WinterTrekking.com introduced us to the SnowTrekker Tent, designed from door to floor with the challenges of winter camping in mind. Of course, for the most authentic winter camping experience around, you can always build an igloo: we covered that in a previous post, too. But for those who want to stay warm and stay outdoors all winter long, but who aren’t ready to shave their own blocks of ice and snow, the SnowTrekker looks like a great alternative. We’ll be grabbing one for next year and testing it out with a little backyard camping in October before the freeze hits.

A Full-Service Camping Trip in Hawaii: Hawaii is a destination that combines the best of travel with the best of camping. True, tent camping is a bit easier to pull off in most places around the islands, but RV campers can also find campsites with incredible views, and everyone can visit some beautiful biomes: white sand beaches, extinct volcanoes, and a bunch of other good stuff. Because most folks will only be visiting temporarily, it might be smart to look for a tour operator rather than go it alone. Hawaii Camping Adventures is near the top of our list, with packages for families, leisure, and extreme camping.

A Visit to the Grand Canyon: We love Yellowstone National Park, but there’s a darn good argument to be made that Arizona’s Grand Canyon is America’s most iconic view. EveryTrail.com is offering a brand new guide to Great Hikes in the Grand Canyon, which you can download directly to your smartphone. Of course, the Canyon hike isn’t for everyone, so you might want to team up with a trusty steed for a Grand Canyon mule ride. That would probably be our preference, too! Naturally, some folks are bound to brave the trail the old-fashioned way, so be sure to bone up on your safety precautions with a slew of articles like Summer Grand Canyon Hiking Tips.

Forest of the French Dordogne
Photo by: Fred Fokkelman (Stock Exchange)

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at the best in winter camping and cold weather camping in general.

If you’re ready to come in from the chill, we’ve got something new: international camping news, including a whole slew of wild camping trends you might not be familiar with yet.

These new ideas in tent camping are sweeping the globe, and you might just be inspired.

Extreme Camping in the Trees: Out of Bavaria, famous for its Oktoberfest, comes this awesome concept for extreme camping. During the spring and summer months, campers can dangle several feet over the ground in a portaledge, the kind of self-contained, hanging tent that rock climbers use when they’re out for more than one day at a time. Not quite extreme enough? The next option “up” has you hanging among the cliffs on a platform that can be deployed up to 6,000 feet high. Hope you like heights!

What is it About Camping?: From Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald travel section comes this entertaining anecdote about the challenges and triumphs of camping in Africa. The biggest hurdle? Well, it’s literally the biggest one, as our author finds himself and his fellow tent campers on an “elephant road” out in the middle of the Savannah. Serial Africa adventurer Ben Groundwater tries to put his finger on just what it is that makes camping so appealing, and does a fine job of it, even if you’ve never been so far afield.

Camping in the French Dordogne: France’s Dordogne River region is one of the most beautiful areas of an enchanting country, so it’s no surprise that this lush, picturesque riverside summons tent campers from all over the surrounding nations. There are wonderful offerings at camps all around the shoreline, such as Eurocamp, which includes fun for children and families. Is it any surprise this is one of the most popular destinations in Europe’s growing camping craze? Check out the amazing photographs!

Gardens as Campsites in Europe: Driven by sites like Camp in my Garden, which lists hundreds of private family gardens that are open to camping, explorers are learning about local communities in Europe by taking up the offer to camp right outside a residence. This may seem outlandish to North Americans, but remember that tending a beloved garden is one of the most important and routine parts of life for many Europeans, especially the British. You can avoid camping fees and get a dose of local color by checking out garden camping; just don’t plan to stay too long.

The colors of fall
Photo by: John Nyberg (Stock Exchange)

Here at AllCampgrounds, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays.

With so many people discovering camping for the first time, there sure is a lot to be thankful for lately!

In today’s post, we wanted to highlight some of the extaordinary things that are out there for tent campers and RV campers alike to enjoy.

These are some of the top sites we’ve pointed out in previous posts; they’re the best of the best, and we want to be sure they don’t slip by this Thanksgiving.

So let’s pay a visit to some camping resources we’re thankful for.

Kampgrounds of America: Kampgrounds of America is one of the most respected, and easily the largest, franchise in camp grounds throughout the United States. Thanks to the rigorous inspection process and quality standards of KOA, you can be sure you’re going to enjoy a safe, fun, friendly experience. KOA is also known for great camping options — which usually include cabins, and can sometimes include yurts, rental RVs, and even a solar-powered bungalow in one notable case — and total dedication to providing plenty of family-oriented outdoor activities. All this makes KOA something to be thankful for!

Good Sam Club: An institution in the world of RV camping, Good Sam is a nationally recognized discount club that also provides a slew of trip planning resources. In addition to all kinds of DVDs, a smartphone app, and a terrific community forum all devoted to the best RV camping, they also have you covered when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the lifestyle. That includes, for example, roadside assistance, technical tips to get the most from your rig, and a number of competitive insurance and finance options. Good Sam does it all, and from all we’ve heard, it’s an outstanding value for the money.

Recreation.Gov: It used to be a huge challenge to get reservations at the most-loved federal camp grounds. Then Uncle Sam pulled it together with Recreation.gov, the most streamlined, camper-friendly site yet for planning to your visit to public lands. There’s a huge search that will help you find exactly the kind of camping experience you want from over 84 million spectacular acres of national park land throughout the United States. Not only that, but it’s easier than ever to claim your spot thanks to a centralized account interface that lets you make your plans known well in advance, all via the internet. If the camp grounds you’re seeking require a permit, you can apply for one here, too.

REI: At AllCampgrounds, we don’t endorse any particular camping supplier. But REI recently made the jump from supplier to outstanding information source thanks to their new expert camping advice section. This collection of columns and checklists covers a huge range of camping topics. You’ll find just about everything to do with tent camping here, and the archive is growing by leaps and bounds. Even more impressive, though is the collection of how-to videos on camping and outdoors topics. The videos are still pretty rare, but we’re hoping to see the library expand as time goes on. Very helpful!

Self-made igloo
Michael Faes (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

You know, one of the best things about camping is how creative it is.

RV campers and tent campers alike are always finding new ways to enjoy and learn about nature.

What better way to “Leave No Trace” than bring back one of the oldest and most eco-friendly ways of camping?

If you never let winter stop you from getting outside, then AllCampgrounds has the great idea you’re waiting for: igloo camping. Sound impossible? It may be easier than you think!

A Little Bit About Igloos

Many folks traditionally associate igloos with Arctic societies like the Inuit of Alaska. It might seem strange that a dwelling made of snow and ice can actually keep you warm, but it’s actually true, and HowStuffWorks has it covered with this article: How an Igloo Works. Igloos are usually used only for hunting purposes, not as homes; but the igloo makes for a surprisingly well-insulated and weatherproof shelter you can learn to make.

What About Igloo Camping?

How to Build an Igloo: The basic form and construction of an igloo are both surprisingly close to how you may imagine it. That said, though, igloo design shares a few important points with all campgrounds: location is everything. Since you probably don’t have a nearby snow field cold or solid enough to cut ice blocks from, you’ll also need plastic boxes or another mold to shape your “bricks” before you get started building.

Camp Igloo: Hearing the pros and cons of igloo camping from real igloo builders will help you figure out whether this is right for you. Naturally, igloos are usually set up in the backcountry, and many areas can only support them in the cold of winter. It’s fairly warm inside, safe to cook, and offers great sleeping conditions … but don’t replace your all weather tent if you want to make frequent trips out. Putting up an igloo is tough work!

Igloo Mania: A thorough piece, beginning with how two friends got started with igloos, and going on to offer an in-depth peek into the world of igloo camping, including a step-by-step narration of the whole construction process. Eight pages of detailed information; how to pick spots, create your igloo, get the most of it, and improve on it. A very interesting article – and it shows how igloo camping can grow on you!

Perfect winter weather?
Photo by: Ariel de Silva Parreira (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

Last week’s visit had us combing through some of the best sites on the web for winter camping.

Of course, winter camping makes for some of the best and most challenging opportunities for backcountry adventures, but you have to know your stuff!

Likewise, not everyone wants to trek into the “deep freeze” to enjoy the outdoors during winter.

So today’s post will highlight trusted parks and camp grounds that are open all winter long; both chilly and warm, to suit everyone’s tastes.

Tent campers and RV campers alike will find something to whet their camping appetite!

Blue Springs State Park: Blue Springs is one of the best bets for tent campers who want to enjoy their favorite hobby in November, December, and January. Situated in Orange City, far enough from Orlando to keep the traffic out but not so far that it wouldn’t make for a great family day-trip, Blue Springs is especially notable for one amazing feature: its winter population of the rare and iconic West Indian Manatees. Of course, you shouldn’t swim with the manatees — there’s a rule about that — but spotting the critters is common. There are newly renovated cabins, and a whole host of water sports.

Winter Camping at Ohio State Parks: Ohio is one of the few states that tends to keep most parks and camp grounds open through the winter. Note, there are places where campsites cut back or might have limited access to certain facilities, such as heated showers, through the winter season. But for a versatile roster of sites in all weather conditions, you can’t beat Ohio: there are dozens of lakeside camps in this Midwestern state, and a surprising number offer your choice of cabin, lodge, RV site with electrical hookup, or tent camping sites with picturesque views. Boating and fishing are common.

Popular Destinations in Utah: Down in the west, Utah is known for its thousands of miles of trails that can accommodate any off-road vehicle. If off-roading isn’t your thing, you might enjoy hundreds of miles of trails through and around Utah’s many mountains. Naturally, the state is also known for skiing, and there are several camps near top skiing destinations, as well as ski resorts that partner with private campgrounds to give you a seamless experience. Utah is also one of the states driving the yurt camping craze, though as of right now, the State Parks site lists only seven public campgrounds with yurts.

Winter Trekking: A post on winter camping options just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning backcountry winter camping, which can include awesome snowbound fun like snowshoeing and skiing. We covered a few resources for this last time, but Winter Trekking is another one you shouldn’t miss out on: it covers clothing, equipment, safety, and more. This site also introduced AllCampgrounds to the SnowTrekker Tent, one of the only tents out there specifically designed for tough, cold weather camping. Definitely worth a look, even if you know everything there is to know about trekking.