The Great Outdoors: Best Campsites in the U.S.
No summer is complete without a weekend in the Great Outdoors.
Camping is a great way to get away from the everyday life and indulge oneself in a little adventure for very little money.
To lay out beneath the stars, or in an RV, and bond with nature can be great therapy.
Whether you choose to RV beside a lake, rent a cabin in the woods or pitch a tent, take time out for yourself and enjoy all nature has to offer you.
Camping can be enjoyed as an individual or as a family. Campsites are available almost everywhere and are usually not too far from home and are very affordable.
Every state has its own selections of campsites to choose from, but if you are willing to travel for the best, here are the top five best campsites in the United States:
1. A.B.C. (America’s Best Campground) in Branson, Missouri, the Live Entertainment Capitol of the World. A.B.C. offers 162 RV and tent campsites with
electric, satellite T.V., and phone service hook ups.
There is also a concrete patio, table and grill available at each site. Pets are welcome, as long they are kept on a leash and you clean after them.
Camping Cabins and Deluxe Cabins are available complete with air conditioning, heat, T.V., bathroom, kitchenette, covered porches, picnic table, grill, and outdoor hydrant.
No pets or smoking are allowed within the cabins. Branson offers plenty of attractions like amusement parks, dinner shows, and outlet malls and so much more all within a reasonable driving distance from camp.
2. Petit Jean State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas is the legendary first State Park in the U.S. This campsite features 127 campsites and 33 cabins.
The park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming, and hiking trails. Camping equipment is also available for rent.
While you’re there, walk along the Cedar Falls Trail and you will come across the majestic Cedar Falls’ Water Fall and be amazed.
Take your camera along for this one, there are so many beautiful sites and area attractions you might want to capture the moments so they may last a life time.
3. Montana de Oro (meaning “Mountain of Gold”) State Park in Southern California is a beautiful place for camping on a beach.
It’s most popular for the ocean access, wide array of golden flowers, and hiking trails.
A walk along the bluff reveals a steep drop off with a fantastic view of sea lion colonies.
There are four locations available for hike-in only campers and you must bring your own supplies.
There are no camp fires allowed and you must bring your own small grill and pack your own bottled water.
At Montana de Oro, you will be truly “roughing it” so don’t forget your hiking boots.
4. Angel Island State Park located in San Francisco Bay can be your own private island paradise.
You are transported to the island by a ferry boat, where only a handful of campers and rangers pitch their tents for the night.
At night while you breathe in the cool salty air, you can view the flamboyant lights of San Francisco and have a phenomenal view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are nine campsites available, with a picnic table, running water, pit toilet and barbeque grill.
There are trails to hike around the island where you can find shops, bicycle rentals and the Cove Café.
Angel Island has a lot more shops and activities, if you have the hiking boots to walk the trails you can discover everything paradise has to offer.
5. Fort Welikit Family Campground is in South Dakota. Camping is near three large lakes and is less than an hour away from all the area attractions, such as, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, Custer State Park’s Buffalo, caves and many golf courses.
Fort Welikit offers horse camping with several major trails. RV hook up, tent area and cabins are also available. Pets are allowed anywhere but inside the cabin rentals.
This campground also offers on site trailer rentals and propane sales.
The Travel Industry Association reports camping to be the number one outdoor activity in the United States and is enjoyed by citizens from all walks of life.
Pack up your backpacks, load up the maps and grab a compass and prepare to create memories to last a lifetime.
Amtrak: A New Adventure
One of the emerging methods of travel in the United States in recent years has been around for over a century – the railroad.
Amtrak, the leading railroad for personal travel, has made great strides in providing fast and convenient travel for millions of customers each year.
With over thirty routes throughout the Unites States and Canada, why not travel by train to your next vacation destination.
Traveling on an Amtrak train line can provide you and your family with a ride to remember.
The great service and excellent accommodations provide a wonderful start to your vacation.
During your trip by train, you will likely find that traveling by train is far easier than traveling by car or plane.
Although train rides may take longer than flying in an airplane, you also get to take in sights along the way.
For people who are afraid of flying, trains provide the perfect option.
Amtrak trains also offers something airplanes do not – private rooms for long trips.
On most Amtrak trips that span through the night, trains are used that feature private suites for those who choose to purchase them.
Inside you will find a bed and accommodations that will remind you more of a hotel room than a train.
Suites can be purchased to sleep up to four adults, a great convenience for those who find it hard to fall asleep sitting up.
Given the fact that trains are much larger than airplanes, you are typically allowed to bring more luggage with you on a train than you are on an airplane.
Amtrak’s baggage guidelines allow passengers to carry on two bags and check up to three pieces of baggage.
Most Amtrak lines will also allow you to bring bicycles on board.
As is standard with airplane travel, baggage exceeding fifty pounds is not permitted onboard and all baggage must pass through security checks before being placed on board the train.
There are also a number of prohibited items, including firearms, explosives, weapons, flammable material, and corrosive chemicals.
Security at train stations is often just as tight as it is at airports, so have no fears over your safety aboard the train.
Given that the train is limited to staying on its tracks, there is little chance of high jacking.
Like airplanes, Amtrak trains offer both coach and business class seating.
On some Amtrak train lines, including Acela Express and Metroliner, business class is the lowest option for seating.
These lines offer first class seating as well which is considered a step above business class.
If you are looking to save money, try not to book your train tickets on these lines. If you are traveling with young children, a train may be the perfect choice of travel.
Although the trip will be longer than flying on a plane, the train offers the child many more features to keep them occupied.
Many train lines travel through a number of major cities en route to their destination.
In doing this passengers are given full views of surrounding areas and any sights that may be in close distance to the train.
This can be exciting for young children to see.
The train also offers a dining car that passengers are able to walk to during its hours of operation.
Set up like a restaurant, the dining car offers everything from meals to simple snacks like a bag of chips.
Taking a walk to the dining car for a snack can be the perfect time filler for a young child.
If you travel on a train and decide that it is the best method of travel for you, you have the option of enrolling in the Amtrak Rewards program.
Through the program frequent Amtrak travelers are able to earn reward points for miles they travel on Amtrak.
Like frequent flier programs, the Amtrak Rewards program rewards frequent passengers with points that can be redeemed for tickets, gift certificates, merchandise, and, given partnerships, even airline miles.
When planning your next trip why not try a ride on the train? It can be a great experience and a fun trip for you and your family.
You will most likely find that a trip on Amtrak is well worth your money.
Some Tips on Backpacking
Travelers around the world enjoy seeing the sights and wonders of different places with only a backpack for all the things they need.
Because they only have a pack on their backs, the possibilities of new sightseeing and activity adventures are limitless.
But of course, before you head for a faraway hiking adventure with your backpack, you must make sure that you bring all the things you need to put in your backpack.
Below is a checklist that will make your backpacking adventure a pleasant experience.
– Backpack
Of course, how can you go for a wild backpacking activity without a backpack! Pick one that is comfortable and fits well on you. A properly fitted backpack is essential. You are going hiking and the last thing you need is a backpack that is gouging into your shoulders. Make sure yours is fitted properly.
– Quick Drying Towel
Widely available in many stores. You don’t want a heavy, damp towel on your backpack, do you?
– Walking Shoes
Pick comfortable shoes as you would learn soon enough that walking would be a major part in your backpacking adventure.
– Underwear and socks
These go without saying.
– Long Underwear
This depends on the season and place where you are traveling. You might also wear your long underwear when you stay in hotels that do not have adequate well-heating systems.
– Pillow Case
Pillow case is an essential thing to keep when you stay in backpacker hotels.
– Sleeping Bag
When you stay in backpacker hotels. Select a lightweight sleeping bag. Down is the best type of sleeping bag. Yes, they do cost a bit more, but the prices is well worth it. Feathers are very light and you can compress a down into a very small package.
