Archive for the ‘Travel Park Campgrounds’ Category

Common Camping/campground Courtesies

One of the most important things to remember when you and your family go on a camping trip is your manners. Camping manners are more than just “please and thank you.” Having camping manners is a combination of following the rules of the specific campground and also respecting the privacy of any other visitors who share the campground with you. Keep in mind that the campground rules vary whether you are staying in a State or National Park or if you are staying in a private RV or tent campground.

Regardless of where you are staying, first impressions are the most important. If you arrive at a camp site during the evening, keep in mind that it is often very rude to have music blaring or headlights blazing in the eyes of your fellow campers. If arriving late at night, without jeopardizing anyone’s safety, dim the lights a little to make things easier on your neighbors.

Selecting a Campsite

When choosing your spot from among available camp sites, you must first ensure that the spot you are trying to occupy is indeed vacant. Often times when a family goes on vacation, they will head off on day-long excursions thus giving the appearance that the RV campsite is vacant when it is in fact not. Often times, if a family has left the RV campground for the day, they will leave behind some sort of indicator that the space is still theirs such as a couple of chairs or an awning. Even if the site appears vacant, you might want to ask some of the nearby campers if the spot is available.

Respect Your Neighbors

Be respectful of your neighbors and pick up your trash. Not only can it be unsightly to have napkins and soda bottles blowing around a campground, it can also be dangerous in some places. Depending on where you camp, there might be bears in the area. Bears love it when campers leave food out or trash blowing around, therefore making the tent campground their own personal playground. Even if you are camping in an area where there is no risk of bears, it is simple common courtesy to pick up after you and your family. Camping is more fun when you can enjoy nature in its purest most pristine form.

If you are camping with rambunctious youngsters, please keep in mind that you are sharing camp sites with strangers who might have come on their camping trip to escape the noise and bustle of the city.  Most campsites have separate areas for children to play in so make sure that you respect your neighbors and make good use of these play areas. The same principles apply to your pets. There are often more smells, sights and small animals for your pets to chase at a campsite than in your backyard. With this in mind, it is in the best interests of your fellow campers as well as yourself to keep your pet on a leash and always…clean up after your pets!

Obey Campground Rules

Please keep in mind that every campground has specific rules regarding things like fires, smoking, quiet areas and so on. It might be a good idea to be prepared by bringing a small supply of your own firewood. Camp sites frown upon chopping down trees for firewood or kindling; plus, you do not want to bother your neighbors in the middle of the night by inquiring if you can have some wood from their supply, should you happen to run out of firewood during your late night marshmallow roast. Before loading up your trailer with firewood, however, check with the local laws in the area you will be visiting since some states prohibit the carrying of firewood across state lines. Furthermore, when quiet hours are posted, make sure that you turn your radio down and keep your voices to a minimum. You would be surprised how well sound can travel in any campsite!

The same principles apply early in the morning. If you are planning to get an early start before you head off to the next RV campground on your tour, try to get your belongings packed up the night before. This includes any chairs, tables and trash that you might have left lying around. Before you leave, make sure that your fire from the evening before has been fully extinguished and that the ashes around the fire pit have been cleaned up.

Respecting nature around you, as well as your fellow campers is a big part of what can make camping such a great experience. Following the rules makes the whole experience enjoyable for everyone, not to mention ensuring that the RV or tent campground is as safe as possible for everyone staying there.

Family Fun Trips Close to Home That Require Minimal Travel

There are several affordable family vacations to choose from if you want your family to experience a great vacation at lower costs. With today’s fuel and travel prices, it would seem that the best option would be to take them somewhere not too far from home; to a place where every family member can have fun. It is also important to choose when to travel. Planning family vacations after the peak season will not only leave you with more choices for family vacations, but often vacationing during these off-peak times is less expensive.

Vacation expenses pile up due to the high cost of fuel as well as pricey overnight accommodations. The best alternative is to ignore airline travel and go on a road trip. Travel closer to home and choose a great campsite where the whole family can have fun. Affordable family vacations are available “just around the corner” in most states. For those who think that camping may not be as creative as planning a vacation on your own, consider this: it saves a lot of time and money. It also presents alternatives like camping in tents or traveling in RVs (recreational vehicles) that will bring your whole family closer. You can rent the best cabin here and eventhough expensive you still can get it by applying paydayloan for extra cash

Whether you live in the Midwest, the South, or the Wild West, some of the least expensive family vacations can be found near your home. There are exciting camping spots nestled away in every part of the country, from sea to shining sea.

Discover the Midwest

If you live somewhere in the Midwest, there are cost-friendly campsites near the Wisconsin Dells area. “The Dells” as it is referred to by the locals, is a popular tourist destination with 18 indoor and 3 outdoor waterparks. “The Waterpark Capital of the World” is home to several RV parks and campsites as well. Wisconsin vacation rentals are available at several campgrounds within the vicinity. These campgrounds also have economy campsites for families on tight budgets. Their grassy, simplistic tent sites and RV amenities beckon many campers and families. For those without tents or RVs, most of these campsites offer alternative lodging such as cozy cabins, chalets, bungalows, or lodges. There are also camp resorts that rent out tent sites for big groups like those in a Church group, a school field trip, a company outing or family reunion.

Most of these Wisconsin campgrounds come stocked with amenities that nearly every family member can enjoy.  These amenities may include boat rentals, playgrounds, board games, picnic tables, and game rooms. When searching for campsites, try to find one that features an interesting line-up of events and activities which the whole family can take part in. You and your family will thoroughly enjoy your vacation time! When visiting the Midwest, the Wisconsin Dells should definitely be on your list of places to see.

Slow Things Down in the South

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of North Carolina and Tennessee’s major tourist attractions and should definitely be a vacation destination if you are traveling to the South. An affordable family vacation destination, it is home to a wide range of colorful flora and fauna. It is found in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the country’s most popular vacation resorts. If you decide to park and stay at any of the Gatlinburg cabins available within the Smoky Mountains, your family can enjoy the beauty of this scenic National Park. Campsites in the Gatlinburg area have relaxing forest settings complete with creeks and streams. Vacation spots in the South are perfect for the family who loves the outdoors!

Some of the campsites offer tours of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other nearby attractions such as Civil War Battlegrounds or memorials. After a long day of sightseeing, Gatlinburg cabins are a welcoming retreat since many come fully equipped and furnished. Families who prefer to stay outdoors may use tent campsites and RV camping areas. These outdoor camping areas usually have full hook-ups for RVs. Gatlinburg campsites typically have complete restroom and laundry facilities, as well as recreation/entertainment areas. If your family stays in one of the camp sites, access to the usual amenities like game rooms, swimming pools, and mini-golf courses might also be available. For those living near the Smoky Mountains, the best way to make your vacation worthwhile and affordable is to rent one of the Gatlinburg cabins – available at many campgrounds and ready for you to enjoy!

The Big Sky State Will Leave You Breathless

If you are located out west, consider traveling a bit to the north to a state that rarely gets the attention it deserves, Montana.  Montana’s Glacier National Park is home to more than 130 lakes, over a thousand plant species, and hundreds of animal species. The equally beautiful Yellowstone Park has 3,468 square miles of lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges. To experience the wonders of these parks, consider staying as close to nature as possible in a Montana vacation rental.

Driving through Montana, you will discover a number of RV parks that offer complete amenities like pull-through sites and full hook-ups. There are also sites that rent out equipped and furnished cabins to families and individuals who are looking for a little more space or personal comfort. The areas surrounding these campsites are blessed with abundant wildlife and areas perfect for fishing. Montana vacation rentals are comfortable and fun camp areas. Recreational activities like swimming and exploring are common.  Other popular amenities include heated pools and mini-golf courses. Most Montana campsites also have playgrounds, game rooms, and clean restroom facilities.  In some places, Wi-Fi connections are available, but with so much nature surrounding you, it might be best to close the lid of your laptop and drink in all the surrounding beauty.

For those who are strictly interested in the natural aspect of all that Montana has to offer, some camps arrange sightseeing tours to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Your family is sure to enjoy every moment spent in any of the campgrounds in Montana. It’s an affordable vacation the whole family will surely enjoy.

Activities at Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located along the Rocky Mountains in the northwest corner of Montana. It is a perfect place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts and those who appreciate nature. From hiking to bike riding and camping, there are several activities in which to partake, whether young or old. The following is a detailed list of four activities recommended for those who take the venture to Glacier National Park.

1. Hiking: There are over 700 miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Hikers can choose quick day trips or extend their adventure to a multiple day excursion. The Red Eagle Lake Trail starts in St. Mary, Montana and offers an easy course for a beginner hiker or someone who wishes to walk along low-elevation terrain. The moderate hiker can enjoy an adventure on The Highline Trail, one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park. The trail starts at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, in east Montana, and spans for about 20 miles to Fifty Mountain Campground. Hikers wishing to continue their adventure can continue on to the Waterton Valley Trail. Guided day-hiking and backpacking tours can be planned from mid-May until September.

2. ATV Tours: From May to October, visitors staying in St. Mary can book an ATV tour of the eastern portion of Glacier National park. St. Mary Lodge and Resort guests have the option to book an ATV tour through the lodge. The 39-mile tour takes about four hours. These tours allow visitors to experience breath-taking views and to spot wildlife including elk, moose, deer, and possibly bears.

3. Horseback Riding: Guided horseback riding tours are available during the summer months. Beautiful views and wildlife may be spotted no matter which trail visitors decide to blaze. The guided tours can accommodate to any riding skill level and range from hour to a full day. The tour around Lake McDonald, the largest alpine lake in Glacier National Park, is a favorite of horseback riders. One of the most popular day trips includes a tour of Sperry Chalet, and the scenic two hour tour through Upper McDonald Creek Trail gives horseback riders a chance to view picturesque scenery and views.

4. Red Bus Tour: The Red Bus tours are known throughout Glacier National Park because of the historic nature of the buses. There are 33 touring coaches in total that were built between 1936 and 1939. The tours allow visitors to experience traveling throughout all parts of Glacier National Park, including a road trip experience along the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road. Each bus features a roll back canvas top, allowing tourists to experience spectacular views right from the road. Between 1999 and 2002, the entire fleet was renovated, at a cost of $250,000 per bus, so the safety features could be updated and the buses could continue to service the park visitors.

No matter what activities visitors of Glacier National Park choose to do, there are plenty of adventures in which to participate. Outdoor enthusiasts and general visitors can all appreciate the beautiful scenery and exciting adventures Glacier National Park, located in Montana, has to offer.