Clever Camping Coordination

This past summer seemed like the summer of being outdoors. I am a HUGE fan of hiking, traveling, and roughing it. Camping is the perfect way to incorporate all three! Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like trying to figure out how to provide a meal for a company of four with only a campfire and one pot.

So can you guess where I started?

LISTS!

I made several lists, including:

1. clothing & toiletries
2. camp supplies
3. cooking supplies
4. perishable and non-perishable foods
5. recipes & meal plans

Ha! I just made a list of lists!

Anywho.

Depending on the weather and campsite accommodations, you can figure out what kind of clothes, toiletries, food, and supplies you'll need to bring along.

Most campsites will have a toilet equipped with toilet paper and running water, although right now in California water may not be available due to the drought conditions.

First things first: research the campsite! Check any advisories as they might change what you can or can't do within the campground or area you are camping in.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Is it reservable or walk-in? A lot of campsites are first come - first serve. And let me tell ya, people like to get there EARLY. You may find yourself with a car full of gear and nowhere to park it.

• Are toilets available? If the answer is no - then you have a whole new list of things to bring. Include a trowel and toilet paper (ick).

• Is there drinking water available? If not, you'll have to bring enough water for you and your party to consume, as well as wash themselves and their dishes. It is suggested that you'll need 1.5 gallons of water per human per day.

• How close is it to a grocery store? It is recommended, and even required in some areas, to purchase and use only local firewood to keep invasive pests at bay. It is also a good idea to know where you can get ice or emergency supplies.

• Are there designated fire pits? Do they have grills? Sometimes a fire pit is just a hole in the ground and you have to cook things the old fashioned way - like on a stick. 

• Are there picnic tables at the campsite? You may have to bring your own table and chairs.

• Do they provide garbage disposal? Many sites are pack-in pack-out, meaning leave no trace behind. This can be simplified down to.. yep you are going to have to haul your trash out with you too. 

• What is the weather typically like around this time of year? If it's going to be screaming hot, you're going to want to plan to be away from the campsite during the hottest time of day. Plot a course to the nearest body of water! 

• Are there any advisories (fire or otherwise)? You must be aware of fire restrictions, they may limit how you can prepare your meals. We always bring a propane stove as backup. Other things to look out for are closed or rough roads, natural habitats or migrations, and my personal favorite: What to do if you encounter a marijuana cultivation site.

Most of these questions can be answered through a little digging on the internet. The US Forest Service and U.S. National Forest Campground Guide usually have great information including campground names and locations as well as information on special places and areas designated for recreation. Check out recreation.gov as well! You can make reservations or just check out different campsites. They also have maps of campgrounds so you can choose a site that fits your needs. Some folks even post pictures so you can get a clearer idea of what to expect.   

If you are looking for a state or regional park, try this directory. Some states even have their own well organized and maintained sites with regional information (like California and Nevada).

One other idea I use to get a better picture of the area is entering the forest or campground name into Google and checking out the associated images. People LOVE to document their adventures on personal blogs so there could be some good info here. Check out these Google images associated with Humbug State Park - you can get a really good idea of the surrounding areas and campgrounds.

*Side note: be aware if the campground is RV friendly. Nothing like experiencing the great outdoors along with 20 loud and rumbling power generators. Look for tent-only sites if you like the peace and quiet.

Once you've gathered all the information you need, it's time to sharpen your pencil and get to list making!

Things to think about:

• Will you be swimming? don't forget swim gear, sunscreen, river shoes, towels, and a hang line for drying.

• Will you be heading out to the wilderness on foot or driving? Bring backpacks, water bottles, and easy to carry snacks. Oh, and MAPS! Always grab a couple brochures at the entrance of a campground or forest. These are usually loaded with relevant information and places of interest. 

• On the subject of maps - you may be headed into a fearsome no-data zone. Two ideas: (1) use this guide to download some nearby sections in your google maps app on your smartphone. (2) purchase a Gazetteer. They are SO HANDY you'll almost forgive the fact that they are SO HUGE. But seriously, they have everything you need to know in order to travel through any region, with or without phone signal.

• On a budget? Bring road trip snacks and food with you in a smaller cooler with ice. Make it easy to have a quick meal on the road instead of having to stop and spend money when you get hungry or thirsty. This will help your travel time as well!

• Will you need cash? Some campgrounds are unmanned and require a cash drop to reserve your space when you get there. It's also a good thing to have if you plan on buying firewood at the campground as well.

• Are you bringing a beloved pet? Check out any pet restrictions you may need to be aware of. Reserves usually have a no-pet policy so as not to disturb the wildlife.

• What do you have on the menu? Go through the mental motions of preparing the meal and make a list of everything you would use if you were home, then figure out what supplies will cover those needs while you are out camping.  And don't forget the wine/beer bottle opener (like I always do)!

In later posts, I will publish my all-inclusive and comprehensive lists of things to pack. Stand by for information overload!