How boiling, filters, chemical tablets and UV compare against bacteria, viruses and parasites, plus what none of them fix, based on CDC guidance.
How Campsite Reservations Work on Recreation.gov
When federal campsites open for booking, how rolling windows and lotteries work, what to check before you book, and what to do when a campground is full.
Park Passes and Camping Fees: What the America the Beautiful Pass Covers
Which federal recreation passes exist, what they cost in 2026, what they cover at national parks and forests, and why your campsite fee is usually extra.
Thunderstorms at Camp: Lightning, Flash Floods and Wind
National Weather Service lightning advice for campers, why tents aren’t shelter, and how to stay safe from flash floods and high wind.
Leave No Trace at Camp: The Seven Principles in Practice
The seven Leave No Trace principles translated into campsite habits: human waste, dishwater, fires, wildlife and noise.
Dispersed Camping on National Forest and BLM Land: The Basic Rules
Where you can camp outside campgrounds on public land, common stay limits, how to find legal spots, and the habits that keep dispersed sites open.
Camping in Cold Weather: Staying Warm and Avoiding Carbon Monoxide
How to stay warm on cold camping nights with layers, sleeping bag and pad ratings, plus the signs of hypothermia and why heaters don’t belong in tents.
Choosing and Setting Up a Campsite: Ground, Water, Wind and Hazards
How to pick the best spot within your site or a dispersed area: flat durable ground, distance from water, wind and sun, dead trees and flash flood risk.