SLO CAMPER

May daughter and Grandkids relaxing at Montana De Oro SP.

The First Step in Planning a Camping Vacation

There are many components to a successful camping trip. So what do I recommend you do first? Maybe go to the local sporting goods store and buy some camping equipment… NO. How about making a menu plan so you will know what food items to bring along… NO sorry. The very first thing is to pick a date and location you wish to camp and make reservations.

There are many apps and websites to find camping in California. I have used recreation.gov and reservecalifornia.com with great success. They both list governmental campgrounds throughout the state and take reservations. Be sure to have a few alternate dates and locations in mind when making your reservation, as popular sites can fill up quickly! Okay, that is an understatement. Camping is one of America’s most popular pastimes and the lead time for campsites can be up to six months.

Public campgrounds fill up fast and like any vacation must be planned. Both State and Federal campgrounds offer reservations six months from the day’s date. For example, if you wish to camp on July 15th, you may make reservations as early as January 15th. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible!

How much do paid campsites cost? Campsite fees range from $15 to $60 per night. Some sites have an additional charge for more than two vehicles. There may also be a reservation fee of $20 or less, which is non-refundable. If you cancel your campsite, most times you will receive a full refund, less the reservation fee. I will probably get flak for this, but I make more reservations than I need and just cancel the ones I cannot use before the date. I know some other happy camper will take my place and all I am out is the reso fee.

So take a look at the two websites, find a place you would like to visit, and make a reservation. This will give you six months to get everything else together for your first camping trip in the great outdoors. If you are not planning on camping in California, I am sure your state has a similar system to secure a site. Just do a web search.

I hope this gives you a little information and inspiration to get out there and enjoy all that nature has to offer! Camping is one of my favorite things to do and I hope you will try it too. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below and I will answer them as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and Happy Camping!

Car Camping: An Overview

We have explored the many forms of camping and now it’s time to learn more about my favorite way of camping, car camping. First of all, car camping does not mean camping in your car, although you could theoretically do that. Car camping is merely camping out of your car, SUV, truck, or whatever. This means that you will be able to bring more gear and supplies with you than if you were, say backpacking .

When car camping, one of the great things is that you are not limited to designated campgrounds. You can camp anywhere you can find a spot big enough to park your car and set up your tent, as long as it is legal. This is called dispersed camping or boondocking. This opens up a whole world of possibilities for where you can go camping. Of course, with this freedom comes a certain amount of responsibility. When disperse camping, you will need to pack everything in and out with you, so be sure to bring only what you need and can carry. I recommend finding a nice paid campground for your first camping adventure.

When you choose to camp in a paid campground, you will find that they have many amenities that are not available to those who choose to disperse camp. Things like bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and fire pits are often standard. Some even have swimming pools, playgrounds and general stores. This can make for a much more comfortable camping experience, especially if you are camping with young children.

Another great thing about car camping is that you can bring all the comforts of home with you. This means you can bring your favorite foods and drinks, as well as any other items you might need to make your stay more comfortable. For example, bringing a portable grill is a great way to cook your favorite meals while camping. and an ice chest to keep your drinks cold and food fresh.

One thing to keep in mind when car camping is that you will likely be spending more time at your campsite than if you were backpacking. This means that you will want to bring activities to keep yourself and your family entertained. Things like games, books, and fishing gear are always good to have on hand. Consider leaving the electronics at home and at the very least limit screen time.

Car camping does not require a bunch of fancy, expensive equipment. Items for cooking and eating can come right out of your kitchen, to the campground, and back again when you get home. However, there are a few items that I would recommend getting if you plan on doing any car camping. A good tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad are a must. A camp stove and grill are also great to have, as well as some basic camping gear like a lantern, hatchet, and firewood. I’ll have more in-depth details on these items and more down the road.

Now that you know a little more about car camping, I hope you’ll give it a try the next time you’re looking for a weekend getaway. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors without having to spend a lot of money. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

Do you have any car camping tips or tricks that you swear by? Let me know in the comments below! Happy camping!

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Thanks to Ryan Null for the great logo.

What is Camping?

According to Wikipedia, “Camping is an outdoor activity that usually involves spending the night away from home, either without shelter or using basic shelters such as a tent or a recreational vehicle. Participants typically leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural settings, in pursuit of activities that provide them enjoyment or an educational experience.” The night sky, campfire, fishing, and hiking are popular outdoor camping activities.

So, just what is camping? To some people, it might mean packing up the family SUV with all of the gear needed to spend a week in the woods. For others, it might be as simple as pitching a tent in the backyard and spending the night . And still, for others, it might mean renting a cabin in the mountains for a weekend getaway. It can be anything from sleeping under the stars in a sleeping bag to driving a luxury Recreational Vehicle (RV) to your favorite RV park.

No matter what form of camping you enjoy, some things are always universal to the experience. Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time in nature. It’s a chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the simple things in life. For many people, camping is a way to connect with family and friends, create lasting memories, and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

So, what does camping mean to you? Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Can’t decide? Let us explore the different camping styles and figure out which one fits your adventurous wishes best. The range of camping experiences goes from survivalists to RVs that are more expensive than many homes.

The baseline and most challenging style of camping is the survivalist, who travels with minimum or no gear to test their skills in the wild. This type of camping can be very rewarding for those who are looking for an adventure and are willing to push themselves. The people who camp this way are highly skilled. This type of camping is not for the beginner.

More popular is backpacking. Backpacking is popular because it is a more remote form of camping. It requires more planning but can be very rewarding, giving you a sense of accomplishment and allowing you to see some amazing places. If you wish to backpack as a beginner, its a good idea for find an experienced family member or friend to guide you.

For those who want the experience of being in nature without giving up all the comforts of home, there is car camping. This type of camping involves driving to your campsite and setting up camp near your vehicle. Car camping is a great option for those who want to camp with young children or older adults as it allows you to have all your camping gear close at hand.

Then there is glamping. Glamping is a luxury form of camping where you can have all the comforts of home while still enjoying being in nature. This type of camping has become very popular in recent years and there are many different companies offering glamping experiences. Most glamping is done at a resort that specializes in this form of camping.

Finally, there are recreational vehicle enthusiasts. This ranges from tent trailers to 50 foot Class A motorhomes. For many people, their RV is like a second home and they enjoy the freedom and flexibility that it offers. This type of camping allows you to bring all the comforts of home with you wherever you go.

So, what is camping? As you can see, it means different things to different people. What matters most is that you get out there and enjoy the great outdoors. Camping is a great way to relax, unwind, and connect with nature. So, grab your gear and head out for an adventure. You won’t regret it.

I am a car camper and proud of it. It’s what I recommend for beginner campers to experience first. Follow along and I promise to make your first camping a memorial experience, in a good way.

Happy Camping!

Camping in the great outdoors can provide one of the most rewarding experiences one can have with nature. It can be a great way to spend time with family and friends, or even by yourself. Many wonderful camping locations throughout California cater to all types of camping experiences.

When getting started camping, it is important to consider what kind of camping experience you would like to have. Are you looking for an adventurous backpacking trip or a more relaxed camping trip, like car camping? Once you have decided on the type of camping you would like to do, research what kind of equipment and gear you will need. That’s where SLO Camper can help.

Cost is also an important factor to consider when camping. Camping can be a very affordable vacation if you are willing to camp in more remote locations and enjoy outdoor cooking. If you are planning on camping in more developed areas, like an RV park or private campground, then your costs will be higher.

One of the great things about camping is that it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. If you already have some camping gear and equipment, then the investment needed for getting started camping will be less.

No matter what your budget is, there are many ways to get started camping and enjoying the outdoors. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring!

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Samuel P. Taylor State Park Camping in 2021.

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My first camping trip of 2021 is happening next month (March) and I could not be more excited. I have reservations for two nights at the National Forest campground Plaskett Creek located on beautiful Highway 1 in California. This was the campground my daughter and I first camped in together so many years ago.
I was concerned the campground may be closed, not due to COVID, but a landslide that took out part of the highway just North of the park at Rat Creek. Yesterday CalTrans posted that the road will be open up to three miles before the slide, which will allow access to Plaskett. Here's a link if you wish to learn more about the park, https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231959
I have a fair amount of preparation to do and will keep all posted with my progress... SLO Camper.

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Lake Alpine 2019 A short hike around the lake on our Lake Alpine camping holiday. Rustic Ballad by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.comMusic promoted by ...