If you want to get away from your daily routines of work, school, sleep and eat then camping is a great choice. It affords the opportunity to connect with nature in a way that the majority of us simply are not able to do on a daily basis.
How to choose the perfect camping location?
Before you can pick an actual camping site, you first have to do research on campgrounds that fit your needs. Many campgrounds now have internet websites, which makes this task much easier. You can make an educated decision about your campground as most websites allow a virtual tour or at least have pictures of their campsites.
Just remember that much like the pictures in a restaurant's menu card, the campsites will always look nicer on "film" than they are when you see them in person.
Before you choose your campsite you need to take into consideration what kind of camping you want to do. When a campground is labeled as "primitive", exactly what should you expect?
At a primitive campground you will have to provide everything that you need yourself. Prepare to bring everything from toilet paper to a first aid kit and from shelter to lots of water. Deep in the wilderness is were these primitive campsites are located, you'll be hard pressed to find showers, (running) water, electricity, or toilets.
On the other extreme, you'll find campgrounds that offer hookups for water, waste, and electric - all in a beautiful setting. Some campgrounds have super-upgraded their amenities and will even have a spa!
Most campgrounds fall somewhere in between these two extremes. Camping in private parks usually includes all the amenities you could possibly desire. Many campgrounds welcome long-term guests since they offer laundry facilities, arcades and shops. The majority of private parks also offer bingo and other organized activities such as child-friendly games or competitions.
Fees for the Campground
The fee to stay at a private park will be higher than renting a spot at a public campground. State park campgrounds can have any level of amenities, from primitive tent campgrounds to near-luxury resorts. A lot have modern amenities such as electricity, showers, working toilets, swimming pools, tours with guides and playgrounds for children.
The majority of the state or national forest parks however are usually very basic. You are likely to discover fire pits, picnic tables and primitive toilets. Thankfully, these campgrounds are very easy to afford. They may be absolutely free, or cost a mere few dollars a day.
Make your campground reservations early during good weather.
Note that when the weather is favorable, people don't want to drive hours and hours for the campground they might have planned on. Instead, they will settle early at a campground closer to them so they can enjoy the rest of the day. To get the best spot you must arrive early and have a bit of luck.
Would you want a location by the swimming pool and children's playground? Although it is an ideal site for kids it may be somewhat noisy due to pedestrian activity. This is also the case with sites in close proximity to bathrooms and showers. Expect to have a constant stream of pedestrians outside your tent.
Are you someone who needs the sounds of a noisy city or do you prefer a more quiet setting? Since camping has so much to offer, you should have no problem finding the campground that matches you and your family's needs.
For more information on Camping, check out the beginners guide to camping.