How first-come, first-served campgrounds work, how to tell if a campground takes reservations, and when to arrive to claim a site on a busy weekend.
National Park Campgrounds: What to Check Before You Book
A practical checklist for comparing national park campgrounds: reservations, RV length limits, generator hours, shade, water and trailhead distance.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Backpacking Trip
A starter guide to your first one-night backpacking trip: picking a short route, permits, pack weight, water planning, and food storage rules.
Backpacking Terms to Know Before Your First Overnighter
A plain-English glossary of the route, permit, water, and food-storage terms new backpackers meet on trail signs, permits, and ranger phone calls.
How Junior Ranger Programs Work at National Parks
How the National Park Service Junior Ranger program works: getting the booklet, what kids do, ages, the badge ceremony, and fitting it into a camping trip.
Yellowstone or Grand Teton for a Camping Trip?
A side-by-side comparison of camping in Yellowstone and Grand Teton: campgrounds, reservations, seasons, wildlife rules, crowds and doing both in one trip.
If Your Tent Leaks at Camp: A Field Repair Checklist
Find out whether water in your tent is condensation or a real leak, stop drips overnight with what you packed, and repair seams and zippers at home.
7 Ways to Find a New Hiking Trail Near You
Seven practical ways to find new hiking trails near you, from official Forest Service and National Park tools to ranger stations, clubs and topo maps.