Articles
The U.S. National Forest Campgrounds Guide web pages are loaded with tons of information about some 2,400 developed Forest Service campgrounds but there is more to experience than just the trees. The following articles provided here cover a little of what isn’t said. Most of the articles answer questions asked and fall into broad categories. These articles are intended to make the best of your time in a national forest and grassland memorable, safe, and great.
Please check back on a periodic basis as new articles will be added periodically (to the top of the list).
Enjoy!
Categories
- camping with children
- Notable Campground
- Skills and knowledge
- Things to do
- Things to experience
- Things to see
- Tips and Tricks
Halloween goodies for Grand-babies
I’m basically a scaredy-cat. I once would cover my eyes for scarey scenes in movies but now I avoid scarey stuff altogether. So you would think Halloween wouldn’t be a favorite holiday but I since I have grand-babies, I really enjoy it. Although I can’t be there when my grand-babies get dressed up for their Read More >>
Original Chex Party Mix – always a hit
Been making Chex Party Mix since the 60’s. Back then it was made in the oven (microwaves hadn’t been invented yet!). It is faster in a microwave, and the finished product is okay, but occasionally I’ll go back to my in-the-oven version. Also, I’ve been know to toss in some dried fruit or chocolate chips. Read More >>
Don’t be a headline this winter
Headline from last winter: Family in their recreational vehicle rescued from Oregon’s snow-covered wilderness There are lessons to be learned. Lesson 1 – Check the weather forecast. Storms can surprise even the most experienced. A weather radio is essential to any traveler. I remember enjoying a delightful stay at Gooseberry Lake Campground in Fishlake National Read More >>
Safe Wildlife Viewing Tips
Watching elk bed down for the night in an open field, a deer leaping gracefully over a downed tree or bears next to the road munching dandelions. These are some of the memorable wildlife encounters found in a national forest. Little wonder wildlife viewing is one of the top reason folks visit national forests and Read More >>
Hickory – Special tree – Special nut
A great thing about our work is meeting so many great people and being exposed to their special interests. Years ago we met a man who enjoyed wood-carving. A favorite medium for him was the nuts of hickory trees. Through him we have learned more about hickory trees. Did you know hickory trees once grow Read More >>
Samoa Cookhouse – Eat like a Lumberjack
The Samoa Cookhouse, at 908 Vance Avenue, Samoa (CA), is the last surviving cookhouse in the West. It continues to serve well-cooked “all-you-can-eat” food in the family or, as they called it “lumber camp,” style. Check the little museum and dining room walls for culinary items from the past and historical mementos from the area’s Read More >>
Holly Springs National Forest
The Holly Springs National Forest, in Mississippi, is only 154,654 acre but has 33 lakes ranging in size from 260 to 2 surface acres. Fourteen of these lakes have “improved” fish habitat offering Smallmouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish to challenge a wide range of anglers. Chewalla and Puskus lakes are two of the larger lakes and are Read More >>
Fletcher View campground, Toiyabe NF (NV)
If I said, “Let’s go camping near Las Vegas, NV” would you in-vision this? Probably not. Most of us think Nevada is all dry, dusty, flat desert but this isn’t always the case. There are some amazing lush riparian areas like the one in this photograph. The campground is call Fletcher View and it is Read More >>
You can prevent wildfires
Wildfire continue to destroy wide swaths of national forests and grasslands. The black stumps and scorch earth left by wildfires are reminders we should always follow basic wildfire safety when in the forest or on a grassland. Here are some of those basics: Scrape dead grass and other flammable materials away from campfire sites. Keep Read More >>
Best Places to Canoe and Kayak on National Forests
In the past years, Fred and I have been focused on visiting and surveying developed campgrounds to post on ForestCamping.com. But now that we have completed our initial visits we are going to take time to take advantage of more our national forests offer, such as canoeing waterways. I think the above mentioned Best Places Read More >>
