Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park in the United States with over 10 million visitors each year and one of our favorite destinations. It provides a wonderful backdrop for anyone looking for the perfect destination for camping in the mountains. The Smokies 521,000 acres in both Tennessee and North Carolina and contains many hiking trails, historic buildings, areas for fishing and spotting wildlife.
The Smokies derives its name from the fog that is created when it rains. The rain is common in this area and one of the most important things to be prepared for when you are camping in the Smokies is sudden storms. They are… Continue reading

Camping really is a great way to spend time with the family and is a very affordable option for a family vacation. You don’t need to worry about getting a hotel room, or flying or driving very far because you can camp close to home. The problem with tent camping is that for people who aren’t big fans of the outdoors is that you have to sleep outside on the ground.

The thought of sleeping outside on the ground can make some people cringe. For those of you who feel that way I completely understand. I have woken up a few times in the middle of the night uncomfortable and with rocks poking me in the back.

But you don’t have to be uncomfortable; you can make your… Continue reading

Different campgrounds and tent camping sites will have different amenities and options available to you. Not every camper is looking for the same conditions.  Here are some camping tips that will help you sift your way through all of the options available to you.

Research Possible Campgrounds

This is an important first step in finding a good campground.  You need to find out how much a spot is going to cost you and what kind of facilities it has. If you are new to camping you aren’t going to want to completely rough it.  So find out what sort of bathroom and water facilities they have and how close it will be to your tent site.  Are you going to be able to take… Continue reading

Tents are a basic and important part of the camping experience and the outdoor life.  Although they are not completely necessary they can make a camping experience much more comfortable and allow privacy in busy campsites.  On one backpacking trip I learned just how much I valued tents and the shelter they provide.  The group I was with decided we didn’t need a tent so that our backpacks could be lighter.  It is something we ended up regretting when we woke up with a bear standing over us!  I’ve also camped in wet and rainy weather and was happy to have something keeping the water out.

The number one concern for most campers is finding cheap tents or in, other words, a high quality tent at a low price.  … Continue reading