The Basics: Location

 Along with equipment, choosing where you want to camp is another important part of prepping for a camping trip. When choosing a place to go camping you have to take into account what you may want to do while on your trip. For example, when I went camping back in October, My friends and I planned on going hiking at Dupont State Forest to see some of the waterfalls (pictured left), so we chose a campground within easy driving distance of the park. Another thing to consider is, if you plan on fishing, swimming, or boating, you need to find a campground with its own waterfront, or near a park that allows various waterfront activities. Along with planning around activities, you also need to plan around the climate of the area you plan on camping in, as well as the time of year you plan on camping. The Appalachian mountains may be gorgeous year-round however, camping there in the summer is far different than camping there in the winter. 

Both of these images show the Great Smoky Mountains at different times of the year, in the winter (left) you'll likely deal with snow, ice, and possibly sub-zero weather with the possibility of losing phone service to call for help, while in the summer (below) you are more likely to deal with harsh storms, searing heat, and wild animal encounters, so when choosing a site, you have to make sure your desired campground works well with the time of year you plan to go camping.

There are a couple other things to consider when choosing a location, such as accessibility, price, and restrictions set by the campground, so remember to always do your research before making camp. 

Thanks for reading and until next time, safe travels and happy trails.