Whitewater rafting fun in Alberta
Photo by: Jeff Mackay (Stock Exchange)

Last time on AllCampgrounds, we got started looking at the thrilling and often challenging world of river rafting. Now that we know the basics of finding a river and a raft – and that you don’t have to bring Jean-Claude Van Damme along to safely work your way through a beginner river – it’s time to look at some basic techniques for navigating that current.

Tips and Tricks for Your First Rafting Trip

Get informed before you go: Not all campsites are right for rafting, but there are thousands of camp grounds around the U.S. and Canada that offer guided trips downriver. For your very first trip out without a guide, you definitely want to select a camp that focuses on its rafting as a main feature, even if only to find out from experienced rafters what kind of challenges you might face around the bend. In many places, you can get handy river guidebooks to study, too. (more…)

River rafting on a quiet day
Photo by: alpeviolen (Stock Exchange)

Millions of people go camping around the U.S. every year, and we all have our favorite things to do outdoors. Some of the best tent camping anywhere is found on lakes and rivers, and getting out on the water can really help you enjoy camping to the fullest: just take a look at your favorite angler, getting up at dawn to find the best fishing spot, and you know what I mean!

But fishing is serene and quiet … what if you want a little more action? If you’ve never been rafting before, you might have a “Hollywood” vision of white rapids and a buff Stephen Seagal-type navigating some dangerous jungle river – but the truth is, with a little preparation, anyone can enjoy rafting at a range of skill levels. Today’s AllCampgrounds will tell you all about it. (more…)

Lightning: Beautiful, deadly, and a real concern for hikers!
Photo by: Thomas Bush (Stock Exchange)

Welcome one and all to AllCampgrounds, where we’ve been learning all about hiking lately.

It’s a great activity that you can combine with tent camping, roughing it in primitive backcountry camp grounds, or just about any other visit to your local park.

No matter where you’re staying, though, the very first thing to be aware of is the weather: and if you’re in an area where lightning is possible, you know that it can whip up suddenly and unexpectedly.

Here are some tips to make sure you stay safe and sound, even if there’s a thunderstorm when you’re well along the trail. (more…)

Another great fireworks display
Photo by: Nimalan Tharmalingam (Stock Exchange)

Good morning, campers! On today’s blog we’ll be talking about fireworks safety for your Memorial Day and Fourth of July festivities. Whether you’re tent camping or live the RV life, everyone has to be careful of starting fires in the backcountry. But there are some private camp grounds that provide areas for enjoying fireworks; and even if you’re only pitching a tent in your backyard, there are some things to keep in mind. In the interest of keeping the 4th safe and fun, and helping protect great holiday traditions at the same time, a little reminder on firework safety. (more…)

View of the Smoky Mountains from Tennessee
Photo by: Rene Kelley (Stock Exchange)

Good day!

Today’s AllCampgrounds blog will introduce our new National Park Spotlight feature as we move into the Great Smoky Mountains.

Around here, we think it’s pretty great that some of the most majestic natural features in the U.S. are on protected land for everyone to enjoy, so we’d like to highlight some of the best national parks.

And where better to begin than the state we’ve been touring lately, Tennessee? (more…)

Mud Lake, Alaska
Photo by: Jeremy Sauskojus (Stock Exchange)

Hello, hello, hello! In today’s AllCampgrounds blog, we cross another state off our list by zooming out to the frozen tundra of Alaska!

Now, unless you’re an Eskimo, your goal will probably be to camp in what passes for summer in this icy region, but rest assured there’s phenomenal natural beauty for you to enjoy when you do.

There’s also some of the greatest trout fishing anywhere in the world.

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Grizzly Bear
Photo by: drouu (Stock Exchange)

All campsites should be set up with basic animal safety in mind, but if you’re tent camping in bear country, you need to be aware of some important precautions. Though bears are surprisingly gentle creatures, the American black bear can be six feet long and close to 500 pounds – and they’re the smaller ones. Also, not all bears hibernate, so camping in the winter is no guarantee your camp grounds can’t be visited by a bear.

That said, the danger from bears is often exaggerated and sensationalized. Lucky for us, bears aren’t “looking for trouble” any more than any other forest creature; and many, if not most, dangerous bear encounters are provoked by human behavior. Likewise, bear encounters can be minimized by human behavior. That’s where we come in.

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Part of the camping experience involves other outdoor activities. Though we are nearing the end of the winter season, Ice Fishing is still an activity that campers may enjoy in many backcountry areas. Many state parks have lakes that are great for this also. There are of course rules and regulations that must be followed. Check with your state for the correct rules and necessary licensing. Other than that there are some basic safety rules that should be followed.

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Chipmunk, Lake Tahoe, CA
Photo by: Alpeviolen (Stock Exchange)

A few years ago, right before we went on our annual camping trip, the news was full of stories about children getting attacked by bears while they were camping. In fact there seems to be an up rise in the occurrence of bears attacking people over the last decade. The really scary part is that several of these attacks did not take place in the backcountry wilds, but in established camping areas, parks and other recreational facilities. I will admit that I was particularly diligent the first night and slept with one eye open. Fortunately nothing larger than a chipmunk hopped up on the sugar from a stolen Oreo visited our camp.

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