Planning Your Trip

Yay! You’ve decided to go on a trip. Yes, it can be as simple as packing your car and driving in any direction. If you’re like me though, you’d rather plan it ahead of time. And some destinations require reservations that have to be made literally months ahead of your trip, such as a campground stay at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during peak autumn foliage. Below are some tips on planning your trip.

Choosing a Destination

Where do you want to go, and why? Personally, I am open to going just about anywhere I can safely travel. When planning a trip though, I have to consider how much free time I can set aside for it. If I can only get a week off work, I will either be staying within a day’s drive home or I will be flying somewhere and renting my camping gear once I arrive.

Are there big attractions where you’re going? Some destinations are really popular because of what’s nearby. A place that comes to mind is Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky—it’s a national park because of its cave system. These caves are part of the world’s longest-known underground cave system and have a variety of guided tours available. As such, lots of people like to visit and you may need to plan your trip further in advance.

What are you interested in? If all you want is to sleep in a tent and be outside, you may not have to travel to any certain place. If you’re like to fish, choose a destination that has quality water ecosystems that can make it happen. In a country so large with a wide variety of landscapes, the world is your oyster! Do some research on locations & their offered attractions and build a camping destination bucket list.

What’s your price range? Some destinations are cheaper than others because they may not be as well-known or have a shorter list of attractions. To camp in Yellowstone, for example, you will need a variety of permits and camp gear. Prices will also be higher because it’s a high demand area. And in general, it will be more expensive if you have to travel further from home to get there.

What is the climate and weather forecast? If you don’t handle heat well, you probably don’t want to book an August camping trip at the Arches National Park in Utah. The same goes for cold or snowy areas. While “weather” is a term meant for short periods of time, you can know the general climate of where you want to go and during which season. Plan around that and your comfort level.

Different Types of Camping

There are two main types of camping: Front-country and backcountry. In short, front-country camping occurs in professional campgrounds or other organized camping areas with access to facilities and amenities such as running water, electricity, and bathrooms. Backcountry camping is usually off a trail and often requires hiking to a remote destination with little to no access to basic amenities.

So, what’s right for me? Great question! To answer this, the most important questions to ask yourself are “what do you want to get out of your camping experience” and “what you consider ‘essential’”. While everyone camps as a way to see the outdoors, the type of camping often depends on how much time you want to be there. If you are absolutely, positively, unable to dig a hole when nature calls, you’re going to want to stay in the front-country. If this isn’t a problem and you’re looking for a LOT of peace & quiet, backcountry might be just what you need!

Keep in mind that front-country campgrounds are drive-in and have a variety of different sites available, ranging from tent-only to camper trailers and RVs. They’re also usually staffed. Depending on your campground, the amenities available at front-country campsites can include hot showers, camp stores, flush toilets, playgrounds, pools, and more. Because of these amenities and easy access, front-country camping is usually more popular, and one can expect more people nearby. The diversity of the camp population is also larger—you’re likely to meet everyone from young families to retired couples during your stay.

Backcountry camping, on the other hand, is considered “wilder,” because you can’t drive to your campsite and the lack of facilities available. Quite often, backcountry camping is as simple as walking into a patch of forest and finding a flat area to set up your tent. You bring only the essentials and are willing & able to carry everything in and out of your site. You are ready for no electricity, minimal cell service, and no flushing toilets or running water.

Choosing a campground and campsite

There’s a lot of campgrounds around the country. With the sheer number of them, you have to do a little bit of weeding out to find the one that works best for you. This involves a few questions to ask yourself: what amenities do you consider “essential”? How much time do you plan to spend at the campground? What’s the size of the campground? What attractions are nearby? What’s your price point?

First off, I find that government owned campgrounds tend to be cheaper than private campgrounds. The cheaper price usually comes at the cost of amenities; lots of government owned campgrounds don’t have as large of an array of amenities as private campgrounds, and the amenities they do have can be rather old or outdated. While the method used to book a campground varies by campground, my favorite website to use and book a campsite at federally owned campgrounds is Recreation.gov; it’s simple to use, has a large selection of campgrounds, and offers a lot of information about them.

In general, regardless of campground ownership, if you’re reserving a campsite at a campground, many campgrounds have websites with interactive maps and photos. You can use these websites and maps to figure out what site to reserve whether it’s drive-up or walk-in and tent only, electric and water hookups to trailer and RV sites. If you’re camping in a tent and sensitive to noise, see if the campground has an area that is designated “generator free;” it’ll be much quieter during the day. If the campground doesn’t have a website, give them a call! I’ve reserved some wonderful campsites by calling and asking the camp host what sites they recommended for what I wanted. And while it’s not always an option, some campgrounds will let you drive through the campground so you can look at a campsite before you reserve it.

Lastly, no matter what campground you’re looking at, check out online reviews! These can be lifesavers.

Packing: Essentials v. Nonessentials

When you’re planning a camping trip it seems like you have a long packing list, especially if you’re staying in a campground. What will I wear if it gets cold? What if my air mattress pad starts leaking? What if I run out of food? What is there to do if the weather turns bad and I’ve finished my one book?

Yes, it is important to grab the essentials and be ready for anything. And don’t get me wrong, if you have a long trip, it’s great to have some extra gear to make your trip more comfortable. However, most campers usually end up packing more than they need. When packing, think about what type of camping you’re doing. If you’re camping in a tent at a campground, you will probably bring more items than you would if you’re carrying everything into a backcountry space. Below is a list of items I’ve found to be essential or not:

Needs: a tent or trailer that’s rated for the season you’re camping in and works with the type of campsite you have, a quality sleeping pad and camp pillow, appropriate clothes PLUS extra, proper shoes including shower/river shoes, basic toiletries, food and a way to cook it, eat it & keep it edible, a can opener, environmentally-safe camp soap, a book or one other method of entertainment, emergency first aid kit, fire starters, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, towel, tent patch/repair kit, a lantern or flashlight, some form of personal protection, and paracord, tent stakes, and a rainfly if you’re tent camping. Water treatment gear is also essential if you’re backcountry camping or camping at a campground where the water isn’t potable. And lastly, a source of power to charge your personal device such as a power bank—I find that a 10,000Mh power bank usually lasts me about a day and a half or two full phone charges. Four 10,000Mh power banks lasted me eight days in Appalachia to charge my phone and camp lanterns, although there were times when I would drive from one place to another and could charge my phone during the drive.

Wants—these can make your stay more comfortable but usually aren’t considered “essential”: a second air mattress or pillow, a camp chair, a cot, multiple books or entertainment devices, a hammock (unless you’re sleeping in it), a bunch of extra blankets, portable toilets and privacy shelters, floor cushions, string lights, music speakers.

Of course, this list is always up for adjustments; if you’re going to be camping in the summer near a lake, definitely bring a swimsuit and an extra towel! If you’re expecting snow or freezing cold, you’ll need gloves and a personal space heater for your tent. And if you’re camping in bear country, bring bear spray and a bear proof food storage canister unless there’s one available for use wherever you’re going. One thing I’ve found that I always pack but never need is more than one book—I’m constantly hiking during the day, and I always fall asleep shortly after nightfall. It’s very rare that I find myself with nothing to do. Meanwhile, a nonessential “need” for me is my journal and pens; I like to record my trip experiences to read further down the road, write down what I like and didn’t like, things to do next time. I also always keep an electric tire inflator and engine starter in my car too, just in case– in the past I’ve never needed it but I’ve helped out campground neighbors with both items.

In summary, apart from the camping basics, it is up to you and your individual trip itinerary to know what you truly need versus what you want. It helps me to prepare a checklist before I pack so that I know what I have to pack or need to purchase near my destination.

How Long a Trip should Last

When I plan a trip, I try to stay at least two to three nights; I like to spend time at my destination and check out nearby attractions, and if I stay less than that, I don’t really relax before my trip is over. Depending on how far I have to travel to my destination, I will gladly stay longer; if I’m driving across multiple states to get to wherever I’m going, you better believe I’m staying longer than the time it takes to journey to and from my home. You may need more or less time though; listen to yourself and what you’re looking for.

Having Fun by Yourself

Camping is often considered a social event, spending time with friends or family. However, it can be just as fun– sometimes even moreso– just by spending it alone! One major reason I go solo camping is just to be left alone. When I’m camping alone, I can do whatever I want without having to consider what others may be interested in. I can also feel whatever I may be feeling and exhale without worrying that others are watching or judging me. Nature is therapeutic to me, which is another reason why I got into solo camping– it’s quite possible that it’s the same for you.

Depending on your hobbies, camping doesn’t require a companion. Hiking and fishing, for example. Reading. And don’t even get me started on napping whenever you want! If you’re frontcountry camping, you are also close to other individuals should you want to be social– if you’re staying in a highly popular destination or during a popular season, there’s a good chance that your campground could even put on community events such as a group hike or stargazing trip.

When you may plan a long trip, you may think that you’ll have too much free time during it– what if I run out of hobbies? What if there’s nothing to do? I can promise you, that never happens! While the day might not be as planned out as a day in your normal life, the time still flies by when you’re outdoors without an itinerary.

Book Recommendations

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (fiction)
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (nonfiction)
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (nonfiction)
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (fiction, friendly for all age groups)
Peace is a Practice by Morgan Harper Nichols (inspiration and selfcare)
Ten Years a Nomad by Matthew Kepnes (nonfiction & inspiration)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (inspiration and selfcare)

Music Playlists

Driving the BRP (Fun, fast-paced bluegrass & country mix that’s great for scenic drives. Artists include Lanie Gardner, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, and more)
Alternate Folk (A mix of slow and fast bluegrass, alternate, country, and folk music. Artists include Mumford & Sons, The Head and The Heart, Caamp, and more)
Country (Today’s country music hits with some classic country throwbacks thrown in. Artists include Lanie Wilson, Lady A, Riley Green, Vince Gill, and more)