Where to First?

When I reached the resolution to start traveling more, specifically to go camping, one of the biggest obstacles was figuring out how I could manage a trip without taking PTO to do so. On social media I would see people taking extravagant, picture perfect camping trips in ‘Top 20’ destination areas. So naturally, I had built this idea in my head that these were the places I needed to go. I learned very quickly that if I ever wanted to get out of town and sleep under the stars again that I’d have to find camping spots that were closer and maybe didn’t meet all the marks that a national park might.

If you’re trying to pin down some nearby locations for tent or car camping, there are quite a few free resources online worth checking out. Recreation.gov allows you to search from over 113,000 federal recreation sites and offers booking directly through the website. The Dyrt offers similar functionality, but hosts a variety of privately owned campsites that you can reserve and lets you filter your search so you can find campground with amenities just right for you. If this is your first camping trip or potentially your first in a while and you want to test the waters prior to committing to some camping gear Tentrr might be the best starting point for you. Tentrr offers completely set up camping or glamping experiences so you don’t have to hassle with the set up.

I learned this lesson the hard way so hopefully you don’t have to – it is very important to read through reviews of the campgrounds in addition to reading through their list of available amenities prior to booking your trip. Depending on the winter seasons, some campgrounds can still be packed in with snow and debris which can make for an eventful but uncomfortable trip. On the west coast, where I frequent most for camping trips, we have had particularly bad drought seasons which can mean that wells for drinking water may be dried up. It is also a good rule of thumb to check out the average weather in the area you’re interested in around your trip dates so you can prepare for whatever mother nature might throw at you. By understanding what to expect for your trip you’ll be better prepared to pack in a way that allows you to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.

The answer to the question “Where to first?” now lies with you. Visit those sites and start getting some ideas for your next adventure and leave a comment down below sharing where you intend to take your next adventure. If you have any questions along the way, either leave them in the comment section or contact me on my socials!