Don't go with someone who doesn't want to go or who needs a clean bathroom, clean clothes, & is a fussy eater.
***
KOA & some private camps have "camping cabins" - enclosed but no bath or kitchen.
***
Camping at the beach can be almost as expensive as a budget motel so be prepared to spend alot.
***
Essential: flashlight & entertainment (books, cards,games etc) & rain gear
***
Drive people crazy: giant RVs running generators (why not stay at home?), barking dogs, screaming children

Posted By mary on May 23, 2011, 10:19 AM

State Parks usually have lovely campgrounds with clean restrooms

RV camping is NOT the same as tent camping. Be sure you know the difference

Do a shakedown camp out close to home before you do an extended camp out far away.

Posted By F on May 27, 2011, 10:45 AM

Know the floor size of your tent. Many campgrounds
now ask you for that information when signing in for a spot.

Posted By Elizabeth on May 31, 2011, 11:26 AM

Never, never any food in the tent whatsoever.

Always pitch the tent well before dark.

Some campgrounds offer only a spot with rocks on which to pitch your tent. If you have no mattress you will be very uncomfortable.

Read up on your tent. Some tents are not really waterproof. This is insane I know but you have got to examine what the tent really offers.

Posted By MsAnnaNOLA on July 7, 2011, 1:22 PM

Camping in a lot of places has gotten very expensive. Tenting in campgrounds is still the cheapest way to go, but I noticed that many KOAs are charging upwards of $85/night for their cabins (with no services in them and no linens, etc.). I can find a decent motel in the same area for that much! State parks are a good bet, and cheaper, too. Remember, when you camp, you end up hauling more stuff and it can take time from your day--setting up the tent, building a fire, etc. The most amazing KOA I ever stayed at is the one in Great Falls, MT--it was more like a four-star resort! We even tacked on an extra day just to enjoy it! When we were young and foolish, we tossed our sleeping bags next to the car and almost got run over by a park ranger one night! Once, in CO, there was a heavy rain and a river ran thru our tent at 3 a.m. and we spent the entire next day doing laundry and drying out.

Posted By mona on July 7, 2011, 2:47 PM

If campgrounds don't have shower facilities, and there aren't any very near, and the weather will be quite warm to hot, is there a good substitute solution? I don't necessarily need a full shower, but would like to be able to rinse off grime and sweat.

Posted By sg on July 7, 2011, 3:20 PM

Be sure to comment on the restrictions around having campfires
1. forest fire risk
2. Restriction from bringing in firewood in the north east due to invasive beatle infestations: meaning you have to buy your firewood at the campground.....at an additional cost

Posted By denise on July 10, 2011, 11:39 AM

I have a small Teardrop camper.Where in the northeast would I be welcomed? I am also a senior citizen.Looking for a safe campground. thanks

Posted By Lou on July 11, 2011, 11:08 AM

Be aware that weather can intervene in ways that are more than inconvenient. Illinois State Beach had to shut down due to a windstorm, and is still closed as I type.

Posted By James Michalek on July 11, 2011, 11:17 AM

It pays to have a backup plan for that reason.

Posted By James Michalek on July 11, 2011, 11:18 AM

We have been campers for all of our 56 years. Camping has changed from the days you pulled into a park & put up your tent. Many private parks do not allow tents. State & National parks require reservations. Some states are having rolling closures of parks or sudden closures due to budget cuts. Finding a ranger to deal with troublesome fellow campers is next to impossible. Camping has also gotten very expensive & the funding is not reinvested in the infrastructure. We raised our kids camping & we were able to travel the country inexpensively. Sadly those days are gone.

Posted By Sherry Zampino on July 18, 2011, 8:00 PM

I agree with Sherry Zampiro regarding state parks, with the budget cuts is like camping at your own risk, there are no rangers around and anyone can walk into the park. National parks are more expensive, but worth the fee. Compared to staying at a hotel where one can't cook, campgrounds are still a good deal.

Another word of advice, research campgrounds with plenty of tent sites, many are full of RVs. We also inquire if the sites have trees, it's nice to have some privacy between sites and to hang a hammock if you want.

Posted By mimic on August 1, 2011, 9:50 AM

Any kind of traveler can go camping, but the best campers are travelers who enjoy the great outdoors and don't mind "roughing it" a little bit. There are 3 main types of camping: RV, tent/car camping, and backcountry camping. RVs are great for people who want to enjoy nature, but still have many of the comforts of home. Car camping is great for parents who want to introduce their younger kids to camping. Backcountry camping is for more seasoned campers who want to get out into the wilderness (and have been trained in "Leave No Trace" camping).

State and national parks/forests are great for camping. You can find what kinds of camping is offered on the state's DNR website.
Campgrounds charge anywhere from $5-10/night for a tent only site to $25-30/night for a full hookup RV site. Some state/national parks will also charge a car fee for entrance. Backcountry permit fees are usually around $15.

Camping gear depends on what kind of camping you want to do. For car camping with a tent, obviously you'll need a tent. You don't need a huge one (trust me, they're more of a hassle than they're worth). You'll need some kind of camp stove to cook on, in case it rains and you can't get a fire started. Sleeping pads are essential when sleeping on the ground in a tent. If you bring any food that needs to stay cool, you'll need a big cooler with ice packs. What you don't need is to bring everything from your house to make your campsite like your home. Once I saw someone bring a full sized refrigerator and a rug. Ridiculous.

Camping newbies often bring way too much stuff and then wind up using only half of it. Part of the fun of camping is living minimally for a few days. Pack light. Also a lot of newbies treat their campsite like their house, leaving food and garbage everywhere, thinking they'll clean it up later. BIG NO-NO. You are asking for animals to raid your campsite (and other campsites as well). Put your food and garbage away every night before you go to bed in tightly sealed garbage containers or back in your car. NOT IN YOUR TENT!!

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