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
Some Fishing Spots in National Forests
There seems to be two types of anglers: those who know the best fishing spots and those looking for the perfect spot. After talking with Forest Service folks who know about fishing spots in the National Forests, our conclusion is the very best spots are 12 miles up a trail. However, the Forest Service folks Read More >>
Cooking at Elevation
While camped at Gunnison, Colorado, a fellow camper complained about her difficulties in preparing a pot of pasta the night before. I had to chuckle for her problem sounded familiar. If you have cooked a meal or even made a cup of coffee above 3,500 ft elevation can appreciate that camper’s frustrations with cooking at Read More >>
Ten Reasons I Camp
Why do I like to camp in national forests and grasslands? Here are my ten reasons to go camping: A big reason is camping is better than therapy. Afterall, John Muir said like, “The wilderness is an antidote to the stress of modern life” and I concur. Another reason is discovering a quiet, two-lane road Read More >>
Ideas for camping fun with children
Get the children’s input. What do they like to do? Swim? Hike? Fish? What do they want to see? Wildlife? Waterfalls? What would they like to eat? Hot dogs on a stick? S’mores? GORP? Use this information in preparation for your family’s time outdoors. Have an activity box for each child. Fill an old shoe Read More >>
This Grandma’s quiet time recipes
Quiet time with our time with grandchildren is a favorite activity when visiting them In reality, most of our time with our grandchildren has us running here and there so those quiet times are precious. Honestly, a rainy day is a great day to just enjoy some quiet time inside with our grandchildren. We’ll read Read More >>
Charles Waters Campground
in the Bitterroot National Forest and convenient to Missoula, MT, Charles Waters Campground combines rustic luxuries with some wonderful trails. The campground, once the outdoor laboratory for Dr. Charles Waters research on the life history and control of forest tree diseases, consists of a spur next to a large grass meadow and a loop passing through Read More >>
Family Travel Tip
I can remember my days traveling in the backseat of our stationwagon. A brother on either side of me, miles traveled and we still had miles to go. In memory of the days I’m doing a series of “Family Travel Tip” blogs based on my time, as well as my children’s time, spent traveling via Read More >>
Noteworthy Horsethief Lake campground, Black Hills NF (SD)
We consider Horsethief Lake campground to be a notable Forest Service campground in the Black Hills National Forest (NF). The Black Hills NF, located in western South Dakota, has some great campgrounds but how do you pick one? There are several things we look for when selecting a noteworthy national forest campground. It should have basic Read More >>
Campfire safety basics
As the camping season approaches, we are remined a campfire can cause destructive wildfires. Wildfire destroy wide swaths of national forests and grasslands. The black stumps and scorched earth left by fires in national forests across the country are reminders we should always observe what Smokey Bear tells us and follow basic safety when in Read More >>
When camping in bear country
Wildlife viewing, ranging from birds to bears, is one reason people go the national forests. It may be exciting to see a big old Black bear wander across a meadow or up a hillside. But iIt is a completely different thing to have that wild bruin exploring your campsite. When camping in bear county here Read More >>
