How To: Get a Camping Spot

You've decided to take a camping trip. Good! You have three options.

1. Backpacking/Boondocking - Pack up your stuff, drive to your desired area and look around for a spot to set up camp. Be careful that you aren't camping on private property. Your best bets are federal or state land  available for public use. You run a risk of not being able to find a spot, but if you are a risk taker and enjoy the unknown, this is for you.

2. Walk-In Campsite - All campgrounds offer sites you can reserve and walk-in sites meaning first-come-first-served. Usually at least half of the campsites are walk-in only so unless its a busy holiday weekend there is a good chance you'll get something. Load up your gear and head to the campground you have in mind hoping to get a spot. Have an alternate campground in case your first choice is full. Worse case scenario you aren't able to find a campground with an available spot and you have to boondock it for a night and see if one opens up.

3. Reservations! - This is me. I reserve every single time we go camping. I like knowing that we FOR SURE have a spot to dump our gear and sleep, especially if we are driving a long distance. There are websites available for online reservations, or you can call the phone number and make them with a reservation agent. You will be allowed to select the exact park and campsite you want, as long as its available and reservable. Some parks even have yurts or cabins you can rent. See below.

Federal Camping; www.recreation.gov - this is a great site for reserving Forest Service and other federal campsites. A good majority are primitive sites (see my previous post about types of camping). There is an online reservation fee but for me, its worth the peace of mind. If you are a disabled Veteran like myself you get half off camping!

State Park Camping; www.reserveamerica.gov - You can reserve for an $8 fee per reservation (whether its 1 or 5 nights). These parks usually have full hook ups, grass and concrete. Veterans get free camping in certain states. The state of Idaho doesn't offer it unless you are 100% disabled but the state of Oregon offers free camping for all disabled vets (LOVE YOU OREGON)!

Levels of Camping! Which is for you?

Growing up in Idaho I was surrounded by camping. In fact, for most of my childhood our family vacations consisted of being out in the wilderness for weeks at a time. Not only does camping offer time away from our busy lives, it gives us a chance to bond with one another. No Internet, no phones, no TV, no distractions! Yes, that means you actually have to sit and talk to people face-to-face, usually over a campfire telling stories or taking a hike to discover new things. Have you ever caught and released a fish? It's amazing! Try roasting marshmallows over an open fire while telling stories, it's life changing. I realize some of you have never camped. You may be scared of bugs or bears. I get that, I do. But anyone can enjoy camping and there are different levels for people of all backgrounds. Are you a camper or a glamper? Let's find out.

Camping and "glamping" are different and depending on the situation I am a fan of both. Here are the levels;

1. Backpacking - This is where you only bring what you can carry, hike in to a remote spot and set up a small tent. No campground, no fees, no bathrooms, no power, no running water, etc. I've never done this and don't see it in my future.

2. Boondocking - Finding a wide spot on the side of the road somewhere with no designated campground and no fees, setting up a tent or parking your RV and enjoying yourself!

3. Primitive campground - Most primitive campgrounds have a outhouse style toilet and hand pump water, that's it. Usually you have to drive on a gravel or dirt road to get there and there is no pavement for miles. There are established numbered camping spots and picnic tables at each site. There is a fee, typically around $10-$18 per night. Most of the camping I have done falls into this category. You can reserve these ahead of time online (more on that in another post).

4. Campground with services - These more established campgrounds have various amenities including pavement, hot showers, and electricity - this is bordering on glamping. There are some advantages to these campgrounds especially if you are staying for more than a couple of days and want to take a shower or have an RV and want to take advantage of the hookups. Most state parks fall into this category and typically cost $20-$30 a night. These can also be reserved ahead of time online for a small fee.

5. Resort camping (full-on glamping) - The final level of camping is the big resorts which often have Wi-Fi, cable TV hookups, pools, a schedule of activities, horseshoe pits and are generally closer to a town or city. I have never stayed at a camping resort but we are going to give it a shot this summer. The one we reserved costs $40 per night, but that varies around the country.

We have a big summer planned with camping at all the levels except backpacking. No chance I'm strapping a potty training 2 year old to my back and hiking in to a remote site with no potty. Just not going to happen. Camping is all about knowing your comfort levels!

Oh - and in 30+ years of camping throughout the northwest I have NEVER seen a bear at a campground. Honest. :)