How To Find a Good Campground

What’s better for summertime than grabbing a sleeping bag with your best friends and heading for the mountains, spending a weekend out under the stars, roasting s’mores? Nothing. That is, until you find out the access road is shut off six miles back and you have to hike all the way up the mountain, see a few too many grizzly bears or learn your s’mores are a no-go because campfires are strictly prohibited. These things can turn a memorable camping trip into one which is memorable for all the wrong reasons.

To ensure your trip does not end up like the aforementioned disaster, be sure to do some research ahead of time. Most public campgrounds (that is, those run inside of state parks or national parks) have rules listed on the Find Your Park on the National Park Service website. Here, you can find information such as check-in hours, fees, access roads, rules of what you can and cannot bring and more. Be sure to check out the list of prohibited items prior to arrival, as many parks do not allow fires, hammocks, grills or other objects for safety purposes, and you do not want to be disappointed upon arrival.

If you’d rather stay on a private campground, this can be slightly less straightforward, but every bit as rewarding. For one, private campgrounds are usually a bit more lenient in their rules regarding what you can bring in. For quality information on how to find the best private campground, check out Go Camping America, which has plenty of information about the best places to pitch a spot under the starry night sky.

Ultimately, a good camping location is one that fits your needs. Whether you’re in an RV or a tent, there is something for every camper out there. For the best bet, be sure to do your research ahead of time and consider any potential limitations on what you are allowed to bring or do at the campground.