Our we really starting a new year? Already! Amazing how fast the time goes by. Now that we have researched all 175 national forests and grasslands, for the past few years we have been revisiting forests and grasslands we researched five, ten, even fifteen years ago. One thing we have learned during our travels is each forest or grassland is a special and unique place with its own character. You may have noticed, we don't rate campgrounds. And if asked "What's the best national forest?", we always respond, "Depends on what you are looking for." We hope your 2020 camping adventures will include national forests or grasslands you are familiar with, as well as one or two new ones. Remember, we are here if you need help with your planning.

Located in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest (NF), just off U.S. Hwy 191, south of tourist town of Big Sky, MT, and north of Yellowstone National Park, is this months notable campground - Red Cliff. A nice basecamp from which to explore the Gallatin NF, enjoy tourist focused activities in Big Sky, or simply sit surrounded by beauty of the Gallatin Canyon. Shaped somewhat like a figure “8", Red Cliff campground's two unnamed loops stretch along the Gallatin River for 0.5 miles. About half the campsites are nestled among towering pine and fir trees while the other half, left of the campground’s entrance, is more open, with campsites surrounding a grassy meadow. To the right of the campground’s entrance are twenty-five campsites with electric hookups. These campsites have ample shade from conifer trees and nice long parking aprons. At the end of the right hand loop is a short, steep trail to a red cliff and cave that give the campground its name. Although none of the campsites are on the Gallatin River shoreline, the river is a short distance from campsites. With the Gallatin River so close, anglers will have ample opportunities to try their luck at hooking a Rainbow, Brown, Brook or Cutthroat trout. For those interested in exploring more of the forest, just beyond the trail to the red cliff is the Elkhorn Creek trailhead which leads to the Porcupine trail and accesses the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area.

The Gallatin River separates the campground from the highway, and occasionally traffic noise can be distracting. Most of the time the sounds of the river and wind in the pines are what campers hear. It is a quiet and peaceful place. The nearby community of Big Sky offers a wide range of activities including rafting, bike rentals, golf, summer weekend concerts, a cook's night out, and more. After the crowds and congestion found in the campgrounds around Yellowstone National Park (about 42 miles south of the campground), Red Cliff campground offers the quiet and tranquility of a Forest Service campground deep in the woods. 

Although initially used as guidelines for backcountry camping, there is a movement to apply “Seven Principles of Leave No Trace” to a greater range of outdoor adventures. You might be familiar with them but than you might not so here they are:

1. Plan Ahead & Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What you Find

5. Minimize Campfire Impact

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Other

Click here for more about the 7 principles of Leave no Trace.

You may have seen electric bicycles (e-bikes) scooting down city streets. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Interior approved the use of e-bikes in several national parks. For those who aren’t familiar, an e-bike is basically a good old fashion pedal bicycle but with electric motor, and battery. These components are meant to augment, not replace, human power. And, like a celllphone and laptop, an electric outlet is needed to recharge the e-bike’s battery.  

The popularity of e-bkes has caused the Forest Service to follow the Park Service’s lead. Currently, several national forests and grasslands welcome e-bikes on just multi-use trails. These are trails that allow motorized vehicle use, along with foot, pedal bike, horse, OHV users.

Awesome. Breathtaking. Inspiring. Incredible. Spectacular. These are just a few words used to describe the Beartooth Scenic Byway. This is one road that should be on your “bucket list.” This video should illustrates why the Beartooth Scenic Byway should be on your bucket list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78HnNT689ac

Just a reminder that cold temperatures can drain cellphone batteries in a hurry. Keeping your cellphone in a warm place like a pocket inside your winter jacket, helps to keep freezing temperatures from impairing your cellphone.