Going camping and connecting with the great outdoors is a fun family activity. But to get the most out of your camping experience, you need to find the perfect camping spot. But how exactly do you find the best place to spend your camping time? It just takes a little research and knowing how!
National and State Parks
There are beautiful natural resources at our disposal that are maintained and preserved by the federal and state governments. These could be a large national park like Yellowstone or Yosemite, or small recreational areas like lakes and reservoirs. National parks have campgrounds where you can reserve a campsite simply by visiting the Recreation.gov website.
On the reservation website you can search by type of camping you want to do, tent, camper, cabin, etc. You can also search for available campsites by state or region. Specify the dates you want and the site will generate a list of all available campsites in the area. You can then make your reservation online and you’re good to go. There is nothing better than that!
To reserve state park campsites, check with the official website of the state you want to visit. They will usually have a link to the reservation or at least a phone number that you can call to make reservations.
privately owned campgrounds
There are many campgrounds that are privately owned and operated. Many are run by well-known camping companies like KOA or CamperWorld. These campgrounds cater to travelers, campers, and people who want to stay long-term. Most are connected to or near attractions such as amusement and water parks or lakes and other recreational areas. Most have laundry facilities, playgrounds, and possibly a pool. Some of the campgrounds owned by large companies require a membership to stay at their sites, so make sure you know before you book to avoid additional charges.
know what you want
If you’re not a hardcore camper, make sure the campground you choose has the features you want. Most commonly, people want running water and toilets. Nothing makes a weekend camper more miserable than having to dig an outhouse or pack water if you’re not used to that kind of camping. So do your homework and make sure you know what amenities you’ll have at the campground before you make a reservation.
Book in advance
Many national and state park campgrounds fill up quickly. In fact, most campgrounds start taking reservations in January, so plan your trip well in advance. Generally, if you book early, you’ll get your pick of campsites so you can have a quiet spot by the lake instead of next to the busy highway.
Keep in mind that not all campsites or campgrounds will have RV hookups or even be accessible to RVs and large trailers. This is another important thing to ask when you make your reservation. You don’t want to arrive and find that you can’t hook up to the water or maneuver your RV into the campground. Camping is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the peace and serenity you will find. Make your camping trip the best it can be by getting ready early and getting the best camping spot!
