Gold Camp Road, outside Colorado Springs
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Thanks for “tuning in” to today’s AllCampgrounds blog. We’ve not seen hide nor hair of our “Camping for Everyone” series for a while now, but that’s about to change as we discuss camp grounds catering to a growing demographic: campers who need wheelchairs, walkers, or other assisting equipment, but still want to be active and enjoy the outdoors. Luckily, with more and more awareness of access rights, there are plenty of places where visitors of all ability can enjoy nature in a serene and beautiful environment.

Wheelchair Visitors in the National Park System

The best place to start for accessible camp grounds is in the national park system. The great National Park Service bulletin “National Parks: Accessible to Everyone” focuses on parks that have the best facilities for visitors with limited mobility or other impairments. There’s also listings of trails and terrific vistas that are considered especially easy to access: level, safe, and accommodating to wheelchair users.

Campers with permanent disabilities qualify for a Free Access Pass for national parks and recreation lands administered by the federal government. The Pass allows you to waive Access Fees and Standard Amenity charges for all federal parks and lands. It’s easy to obtain, and lasts a lifetime, with no frustrating bureaucracy or time-consuming renewals. You can get the Pass in person at any federal recreational area.

Recreation.gov is where you can go to reserve your space at national parks around the country. You can also find tent camping and RV parks and campgrounds using the search function, which provides info on wheelchair-friendly facilities that may be present.

Picking the Right Camp Grounds and Equipment

Wilderness camping can be tough on your wheelchair, so if you plan to camp regularly, consider a model that’s built for multiple terrains, but still accommodates your basic travel needs. One choice is Renegade Wheelchairs. Designed to stand tough for users who regularly hunt, fish, and adventure in nature, it’s got some real “cherry” features that can turn accessibility up a notch outdoors. This includes eight gears to handle snow, slush, sand, and mud, with high gears for paved, level surfaces.

Not all campsites have comprehensive plans in mind for accessibility – but if you’re dealing with privately-owned or family camp grounds, you can find out more about how easy or difficult the sites will be for you by asking the right questions. Be sure that your campsite is level and lacks obstacles like stumps and stones that might make it tough to navigate. Paved hiking trails are always preferable, and those with railing are even better. Check out Eureka Tents for specially designed, quality tents that wheelchair users can set up independently for the total tent camping experience.

Sunrise over the Grand Canyon in winter
Photo by: Nafrea (Stock Exchange)

Hello and welcome to today’s edition of the AllCampgrounds blog.

Today’s trip brings us to hot, flat, sunny Arizona to visit one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: the Grand Canyon.

In certain areas you can actually pitch a tent inside the Canyon, which plunges almost a mile deep from its highest peak to its floor!

Most of the Canyon is encompassed by Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the oldest, most developed, and most versatile national parks in the United States; comparable with the first, Yellowstone.

A Brief History of a Six Million Year Old Canyon

The Grand Canyon probably began to form over six million years ago, though scientific estimates vary. Erosion by rain and flash floods, combined with occasional freezing, formed the Canyon slowly over all of that time, creating its current 4-to-18 mile width and over 250 mile length. Much later, the Canyon became a favorite spot of “Rough Rider” President Theodore Roosevelt, who first visited around 1903. After over a decade of efforts by the president and others, the area around the Canyon became a national park in 1919, and has been one of the most visited sites in the National Park System since.

What to Know About Camping the Grand Canyon

Usually, there’s good reason to compare camp grounds outside of and around a national park to get the “full experience.” In this case, though, you’d be hard pressed to find any features you can’t get in the park itself; and because of the unique geology of the region, you’ll have to pass through it to get to the “heart” of things. Camping “at large” is allowed in the Kaibab National Forest that surrounds the camp grounds; there are also tent camping and RV camping facilities on the South Rim, which is the more popular of the two “sides” of the Canyon for most visitors.

On the North Rim, you can expect fewer people and more wild. Facilities on the North Rim have a short season, from the middle of May to the middle of October, because of the possibility of hazardous weather and sudden road closures. The camp grounds are less accessible, and should generally only be chosen by experienced campers who are familiar with the location and the special concerns of setting up camp in a truly remote area; though the park offers services, for many things “civilization” is all the way in Phoenix.

Going “Below the Rim”

With a permit, camping overnight inside the Canyon itself is possible. The terrain leading down into the Canyon floor is narrow and dangerous, and requires either a horse or a lot of stamina for hiking. Special restrictions prevail; you can’t bring pets below the rim, for example. There are three backcountry camp grounds with over 50 sites total, but the biggest challenge might be getting a backcountry camping permit: park authorities deal with an enormous volume of requests and, at last count, honor less than 50% of them, granting permits for one or two-day stays. Fill out this form and cross your fingers! (Note, the demand for permits is so high that NPS does not accept these requests by email; fax may be your best bet. Request early for best results!)

Niagara Falls
Photo by: jnystrom (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds. In today’s adventure, we’ll be seeking out the finest camp grounds for getting a glimpse of one of North America’s most storied natural wonders: Niagara Falls, which you can visit from New York or Ontario. These massive waterfalls account for thousands of feet of water movement per second, and offer some of the most striking natural vistas anywhere on the continent. Though I wouldn’t recommend going over them in a barrel, you’ll definitely want to go camping close by!

The Best Camp Grounds on the Falls

Everyone has heard of Niagara Falls, so let’s focus on the local camp grounds …

Niagara Falls Campground and Lodging: At only six miles from the Falls, you can’t ask for a better site. There are plenty of LARGE, full hookup RV spaces offering 50, 30, and 20 amp service, as well as some tent sites. With taxi and plenty of rental cars available, you can make the short hop to Niagara any time.

Niagara County Camping Resort: Comes with pull-through RV and tent camping on 64 acres of prime rustic land. There’s also a beach, two ponds offering fishing and swimming, and even a free petting zoo. The resort is 22 miles from Niagara, and very affordable. Plenty of activities available for both kids and adults.

Niagara Falls KOA: For convenient access to the Falls, you can’t go wrong with KOA camp grounds. Situated a scant ten minutes from Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls KOA offers the usual full complement of great features for the whole family: indoor swimming, laundry and restroom facilities, games, and more. You can also book tours of the area conveniently from your KOA space.

Seeing the Falls Up Close: Local Attractions

Usually, we don’t talk much about “attractions” per se, because the land is the attraction. But in this case, the Falls themselves being a major tourist phenomenon, it’s important to know a few things about getting eye to eye with them. Many of the best opportunities around the Falls require a ticket and some planning, even if you’re camping out.

Maid of the Mist: Offering a one-of-a-kind boat tour of Niagara Falls, the Maid of the Mist takes passengers around American Falls and Bridal Veil, concluding with a close-up view of Horseshoe Falls. You can take the tour starting on either the Canadian or U.S. side of the Falls and return to your point of departure at the end.

Cave of the Winds: The one and only way to reach out and touch the Falls from right within, this tour brings you down into Niagara Gorge and through to the famous “Hurricane Deck” where visitors are only 20 feet from the waters of Bridal Veil Falls. The decks are equipped for adults, children, and the handicapped.

Top of the Falls at Niagara State Park: After that kind of adventure, you might want to sit down for a simple bite to eat. Niagara delivers with the Top of the Falls Restaurant, located on Goat Island and offering a breathtaking view of Horseshoe Falls from one of its many decks.

Polihale Beach, on the west coast of Kauai, Hawaii
Photo by: Gregory Runyan (Stock Exchange)

Aloha, everybody! On today’s AllCampgrounds blog we’ll be camping another of the 50 states as we look to get the low-down on all campsites in Hawaii. Tourists, surfers, and adventurers visit Hawaii’s pristine beaches every year to enjoy beautiful sand and crystal clear waves; but did you know there’s also a tent camping scene there? Amazing, but true; there are over a dozen sites around the Big Island, with several more dispersed across the rest of the land that makes up Hawaii. Now, I’m not going to lie to you; camping in Hawaii can be a tiny bit complicated. That’s why, as far as this post goes, I’m going to make sure you have all the info and resources you need to get started.

Parks & Camping on the Big Island is the first stop. It’ll tell you about the camping permit situation and other things you need to know when you’re selecting camp grounds on the Big Island. It’ll also link you to the state’s convenient permitting system, as you’ll need to get one before you can camp at most sites in the state. You can also get a quick run-down of the state parks and their features here.

Alternative Hawaii has a breakdown of regulations and descriptions of the state parks, national parks, county parks, and state forest reserves that Hawaii offers. You can find information on tenting or renting cabins from here, and it’s definitely informational enough to get you rolling, even though rules vary from island to island and site to site.

Now, if you’ve been reading along with these links so far, you might be thinking: “Yeesh! You REALLY have to know your stuff to go camping in Hawaii! Isn’t there any way to make this simpler?” Thankfully, there is. Things are a little bit more copasetic when you take a look at privately owned camp grounds. But, Hawaii being Hawaii, there are relatively few to choose from! Let’s look at a few …

Arnott’s Lodge offers a “BYOT” (bring your own tent!) lawn for tent camping. It’s only $10 per person, and includes your very own outdoor “camping bathroom” and hot showers, as well as access to other amenities. But what Arnott’s is really famous for is their expeditions, including close-up lava viewing, scuba diving trips, and star-gazing at the Mauna Kea Volcano 14,000 feet above sea level. These treks are designed for experienced hikers, and based on similar adventures in Australia and New Zealand.

Camp Olowalu is another option. It offers 36 sites for tent camping, with enclosed cool water showers, portable bathrooms, and a sink with drinkable water. For a more convenient travel experience, you can rent full kit from the camp, so you don’t have to lug all of your usual gear back and forth (though, if you’re like me, you’re too fond of the “old faithful” not to!). There are some reports of dolphin sightings around this camp …

Let’s say you’ve seen the above and you’re not quite impressed. If you want to brave camping on public land in Hawaii, you’ve got a lot of fantastic options that more than make up for a little bureaucracy. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two drive-in sites and requires no permits (though there’s also no reservations!). Tenting is in vogue here, though cabins are also available at the Volcano House Hotel.

There’s also Haleakala National Park, occupying the slopes and subalpine forest around the dormant Haleakala Volcano on the island of Maui. Though camping permits are required, there is no additional fee, and this is a perfect spot for campers who want their experience wild and “primitive.” To get more details, visit this third-party guide to Haleakala.

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful states, and as campers know: if you haven’t camped it, you haven’t seen it! Stick to your guns and don’t let a little extra regulation scare you away: the thrill is worth it. Aloha!

Could this be paradise?
Photo by: Benjamin Earwicker (Stock Exchange)

Hello and good morning to all! Hope you’re ready and raring to go with more great camping info as we move on to a whole new frontier in campgrounds, Illinois.

This northern state is a little bit unusual in that almost three-fourths of the entire population lives in the northeast, principally around Chicago.

That leaves a great deal of this nearly 58,000 square mile landmass relatively sparse, and there are plenty of great places for tent camping, RV camping, and more dotted around the landscape.

One of the most beloved camping areas in the state is the national park with the funniest name, Kickapoo State Recreation Area. The park is one of the most versatile you can find. With hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and even scuba diving, Kickapoo is a real natural wonderland. Kickapoo includes two large camp grounds for tent and trailer, with 184 sites total. However, sites cannot be reserved in advance at Kickapoo, so be aware of possible scheduling issues during peak season.

Kickapoo is especially amazing when you consider the park’s history: as far as anyone knows, it is the first U.S. park to be built on strip mined land. Over the last half-decade, nature has literally reclaimed the damaged areas; lush, green vegetation has filled in the industrial scars and retaken the ponds. Amazing! The park’s rangers and well-wishers are rightly proud of this, and you can be, too.

For a change of pace, try out Mendota Hills Campground. With three fishing lakes and one for swimming on 130 acres of land, it offers all the fun you could want on water, with a few bonus features besides. There’s a driving range for you golf enthusiasts, a basketball court, regular tournaments for horseshoe players, and dances in the “activity barn.” There’s also a bunch of activities for the kids, including a desserts-only potluck held once a year (maybe because that’s how long it takes them to get off the sugar kick!)

Only a little over an hour from Chicago, Troll Hollow Campground boasts one of the most close-knit camping communities in the state. Opened in 1972 and operated by the Jacobsen family ever since, many of the regulars have been around for a large part of THC’s nearly 40-year history. Not only does it offer a great seasonal camping value, but it’s conveniently located to restaurants, public golf courses, and a number of state parks.

Right on the Kishwaukee River, Blackhawk Valley Campground has 130 sites for motorhomes, and tents, offering water and electric, pull-through, and back-in full hook-up options. Open April through October, Blackhawk Valley publishes its itinerary of fun year-round activities on its website. On the agenda for 2010 is a mini-golf tournament, hay-rides, “Christmas in July”, and a whole bunch more.

This is really only a quick glimpse of what’s on offer for campgrounds Illinois. We’re bound to look at more parks and campsites around Illinois in the coming days; we also have Hawaii, Alaska, and plenty of other great locales on the agenda. Be sure to drop by the AllCampgrounds blog for the latest on camping destinations and tips! We’ll see ya real soon …

Beaver Pond
Photo by: Pamela Anne (Stock Exchange)

Welcome one and all to AllCampgrounds, the best site on the web for info on camp grounds, nature travel, parks and more!

To kick off our journey through some of the greatest parks and camp grounds in the U.S., I thought we would visit the world famous Yellowstone Park.

Everybody has heard of it – it even inspired “Jellystone Park” of Yogi Bear fame – but do you know what makes it so special? You will after our virtual visit!

The Start of Something Great: The World’s First National Park

Sprawling across over two million acres of untouched land in northern Wyoming and two other states, Yellowstone has the distinction of being the first national park in the world. It was signed into being in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant and has been a national institution ever since, becoming known around the globe as one of the last true wildernesses. It includes sites like Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone forged by the Yellowstone River. It’s also revered for its geysers and hot springs; especially “Old Faithful”, known for spraying water over a hundred feet in the air every hour or two since it was first discovered. Old Faithful is so punctual that when the park was “young”, it was often used to launder clothes! Nowadays, it’s part of a protected Historic District along with the Old Faithful Inn.

It’s no surprise so many campers flock to this natural wonderland each year.

Tent Camping and RV Camping Grounds in Yellowstone

As the world’s premier destination for campers, Yellowstone offers something for everyone. There are literally hundreds of camp grounds and lodging sites to choose from, especially in the confluence of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park nearby. Camping is always “in season” here, though options change with the weather.

There are twelve camp sites within the park itself, seven operated by the National Park Service. But since these are “first come, first serve” they can tend to fill up quickly when the weather is nice during the peak Memorial Day to Labor Day season. Luckily, you just can’t run out of options when it comes to Yellowstone.

Grand Teton RV Resort is fairly representative of the kind of place RV campers will find in great abundance around the Yellowstone area. In addition to 50 amp RV hookups and tent camping sites, it has a variety of cabins to suit your taste, and amenities like showers, laundromat, supplied firewood, a grocery store and a video arcade. Snowmobile rentals are available in the winter.

Yellowstone Holiday Lodges has cabins, RV sites, and even its own marina on the shores of Hebegen Lake. Hebegen offers opportunities for fishing rainbow and brown trout, and the full-service marina supports all the waterskiing and sailing you could desire. Its environs are also great for bird-watching, and only a cool fifteen minutes from the outer edges of the Park – making this one of the most convenient options.

Yellowstone Park KOA is the local offering from the famous “kamping” franchise. In addition to the usual complement of cabins, cottages, RV hookups and tenting grounds, it includes an indoor pool, hot tub, and amazingly, “homemade fudge.” Who knew?

Xanterra Parks and Resorts operates camp grounds at four different sites within the park. Of their sites, only Fishing Bridge, an RV area, offers water and sewer. Bear in mind that within the Park itself, overnight camping outside of designated areas is not allowed.

Not that I’d suggest you shouldn’t take full advantage of Yellowstone camping, but don’t forget you can also spend some time at Old Faithful Inn. The Inn dates back to 1903 and has over 300 guest rooms. In the winter, guests shift to the Old Faithful Winter Lodge. Check out this review from Frommer’s Travel Guides to learn a little more.

Well, folks, that’s Yellowstone, and we can put a pin in Wyoming, though we haven’t seen everything it has to offer just yet. We’ll hit the road and continue our journey to more great sites (and great sights!) in the next AllCampgrounds blog.

View from the top of a mountain at Yellowstone
Photo by: Steven Ritts (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to your premier “camp grounds” on the Internet, AllCampgrounds.com.

Since we talked so much about KOA camp grounds the other day, I thought it would be a good idea to give a little general background on the many beautiful national parks in the U.S.

After all, the national parks are part of the public trust, and they are some truly beautiful, pristine places – and great for getting acclimated to the unique joys and challenges of camping … without wireless Internet.

What Types of National Parks Are There?

It’s kind of surprising at first to learn that “park” is a pretty broad term. The National Park System encompasses national battlefields, cemeteries, historic sites, historic trails, memorials and monuments, and a whole range of other significant sites. Even the White House is part of the National Park System. But for the purposes of finding good camp grounds or just enjoying nature, there are three you should probably pay special attention to.

National Parks: These are what most folks are thinking about when they think “national park.” They include large, generally unspoiled natural areas that showcase the splendor of the land. Hunting, fishing, or otherwise “using up” the resources of the land is illegal here, but exploring and tent camping is perfectly fine. These are some of the last places where you can really get lost. Famous sites like Yellowstone fall into this category.

National Preserves: These are common in Alaska, and are basically national parks where hunting or fishing (and other less enjoyable pursuits like mining and oil exploration) are still allowed. Though most of these are out in the frozen north, there are a few really amazing sites to be found elsewhere in the U.S., like the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas, perfect for hiking. There are also preserves in Texas and Florida.

National Recreation Areas: Centered on large reservoirs, these sites offer water sports and recreation. Though they’re mostly set in the vicinity of large populated areas, there’s also surprisingly good “backcountry” camping to be found. Some of the greatest fishing spots in the U.S. are located in National Recreational Areas; for example, the Amistad National Recreation Area in Texas hosts almost 200 bass tournaments every year.

What are the Rules for Using National Park Camp Grounds?

Whether they’re private or public, all campsites have some rules, and if you want to go camping quick, you’re best off knowing before you go. Generally speaking, you should try to leave the park exactly as you found it: that includes little (but important!) things like litter and big things like not interfering with the wildlife. The golden rule is “leave no trace.”

There are often specific areas in national parks where tent camping is permitted. Likewise, in the more populous areas of the parks, fires are usually restricted to certain places, such as grills designated by the park. Further out in the trail, it may be okay to make your own fire ring, but be sure you have sand or water close at hand to keep it safe.

There are often other things to be aware of, and these change from site to site and. As any outdoor adventurer knows, one quirk of the landscape and a little “act of nature” can have you facing unexpected conditions in a hurry: fire, flood, or worse. Touch base with your local ranger station and get the facts before you go too far afield. It also doesn’t hurt to inform the rangers of your plans. They’re there to help you (and nature!) stay safe.

But That’s Not All …

There are also National Forests (of course!) and a slew of other public lands where you could find your home away from home. We’ll be exploring those and more as we continue our journey on the AllCampgrounds blog. For now, I’m about ready to set up camp, so see you next time!