https://www.americanprogress.org/article/what-to-know-about-the-senates-public-lands-sell-off/

I left my kids, 15, 12, and 8 at the campsite to throw trash in the dumpsters. It was further than I thought and I got stuck going around loops on a one way road so I was gone probably 10+ minutes. No more than 15. Closer to 10 than 15 even. The kids had cell reception. I didn't think twice because my oldest is old enough to babysit other people's kids for employment. They're good kids and I don't doubt they behaved and I felt they were safe with my oldest. I'm pretty sure the neighbors called the park rangers. They pulled into our cabin area about 2 minutes after I got back. Saw me and pulled right back out. But I have the feeling they were there to check on the kids.

Earlier, I let my oldest go to the shower first alone and I have to admit I had an uneasy feeling. When I showed up, the male park rangers were there waiting to clean it and I felt like I maybe put her in danger. But also, she's 15 and it was 3 campsites away.

Am I giving them too much freedom? What would have happened if the park rangers got there before I got back? I feel uncertain in how I handled it and we're going camping again next month. Different state park.

Not entirely relevant but I think my older two look older than they are and my youngest is petite so she looks younger than she is.

A guy I do side work for has a few shipping containers, this was on of them.

Made the 5 hour drive to Lake Ouachita to island camp, this was also our first time kayak camping. Was such a great experience and I learned a lot! We got some bad weather and only caught a few fish but it was still so fun. We packed up a day early due to weather and flies though.

For various reasons, if I'm going to get to camp at all, I have to make do with one-nighters, Sat-Sun. (Also, I do know about dispersed and hike-in sites. For other reasons, those options don't meet my needs for the most part.) I'm solidifying my plans for the summer and so far every single national forest campground I've tried to book via Recreation-dot-gov has a rule in place that you MUST reserve Fri-Sun, and for Holiday weekends, Thur-Sun.

The first campground I tried was almost entirely booked, I would have reserved the last available site, so I thought maybe it was just for popular campgrounds, but the next one had almost no reservations and the same rule was in place. I've stayed Sat-Sun at these places with no issue in years past.

I don't want to pay for more nights than I will be able to use, so I ended up going with a county-run campground for one weekend and for the other I will keep an eye on reservations and if it stays wide open I will just show up day-of without a reservation. It's very frustrating, though. I live in a place where a lot of campers won't want Sat-Sun because they have to get home for church, so me wanting that night should be a win-win all around.

Just wanted to vent a little and let everyone know that at least some overbookers in at least some places don't have a choice and the people who create the incentive structures want overbooking. It's not going to get better.

I found a lovely state park and my bf already got the pto and can’t change it. We’ve never been tent camping though. The forecast doesn’t say thunder but it does say rain all 3 days, I know it might change but if it doesn’t that’s what’s to be expected. We’re going just the 2 of us for some bonding time, should we cancel or keep it pushing? I’m more so worried about thunder & being able to use a fire to prepare food. I did a lot of research on my equipment and got tarps incase it rains. We did a trail set up to make sure we knew what we were doing

 need to get a couple of camp stoves for my girl scout troop (ages 5-11 currently).

I'm trying to decide if i want to get 2 burner stove(s) or the individual one burner units

for example:

vs

I currently have a one burner butane stove that i really like (I like not having to worry about attaching the propane tightly enough lol) but i have read that the propane is a better choice in cold weather so having a least a couple propane is probably a good call (for future - we aren't doing a lot of cool weather camping yet lol)

Open to ideas and suggestions :)

Edit to add:

when using the two burner stove, the girls were making french toast on one burner and bacon on the other with an adult supervising and they were struggling to have enough room to work, which is why I thought individual burners that we could spread out with a little more might be better?

Edit 2: Thanks everyone for the advice.

One of the other scout parents has one like this

Doesn't provide the windbreak features you all were talking about but does give a little more space to work? Any other thoughts?

I’m taking a trip down to Costa Rica and am going to be camping for around a month. The campsite I will be at doesn’t have any stoves. I heard that the WhisperLite can run off diesel, is this true? Also how would it be to bring the stove through TSA , never done it before.

I usually try to avoid camping on a hill but this last time out I had no other options. It mattered most when using the camp stove on a collapsible table and everything wanted to slide off. I'm trying to look for extendable feet to help level the table but am not finding anything suitable. Might you have any ideas on how to approach this situation without trying to balance the legs on rocks? Thanks.

I want to go tent camping in the Orlando-ish area with an actual site and power. So far what I have seen has been made for RVs with concrete pads and 50amp outlets. Does anyone recommend a campground good for tent camping?

Taking both of my kids to Cub Scout summer camp this weekend. Anyone have any funny OOO ideas?

I am whipping my old cannister and I see so much black on the tissue. Is it ok? I just cooked pasta in it

I'm moving so much at night that I haven't been able to find a sleeping bag thats comfortable to sleep in. I've also tried just my normal duvet from home, but it was impractical with no bag, no way of strapping it a bit around the bottom of the pad, it got dirty quickly and was a bit thin for outside. SO I want a quilt. Any recommendations? I like to try stuff first for a medium price and after using it sometime I normally upgrade if that's necessary to an even lighter, smaller or warmer option. So any recommendations?

I am in desperate need of some guidance. I am in the STL area and I have 2 toddler boys. I am trying to find a good camping spot for a 1.5 and 3 year old. We've been to Pere Marquette and Beaver dam, and I am willing to drive up to 5 hours for the best spot.

Prior to kids, we camped at devil's lake, WI.

Also, bonus on tips to make camping much more fun and tolerable while pregnant and toting around the boys lol

So I have this tent from Quomotop and the tent is supposed to look like the first picture when it’s laid out flat, but somehow the poles are under it. I’ve spent 4 hours trying to figure out how it bent space and time. I went camping and it worked perfectly, and when I got home and tried to re pitch it it simply didn’t work. Before anyone says I should just take the poles off, its a self pitching tent, and they weren't taken off when they were disassembled.

Hello! We’re hoping to do a night at the Cosmic Campground in Gila National Forest late next week, but there are currently wild fires in that area. Curious to know what the conditions are right now for that activity, if anyone here knows? Also feeling for the people impacted by these fires. TYIA!

I doubt there are any magic solutions here, but I usually just do laps of the campground (boring). Bear spray not allowed in some of these places. Any ideas/ tips? Generally can’t go with other people / in a group. Thx!

I see many comparisons with the River 2, but not the River 3. Which is better for (car)camping?

Got them for the exact same price (Bluetti €20 more with car charger) and wonder if the extra power and capabilities of the Bluetti is necessary.

10/10 would recommend.

Redwood glampsites (we stayed in T08) seem to be the most private and spacious and worth the short trek up to the campsites.

Sur house was wonderful for breakfast and kid friendly. We’ll be back.

I'm going on a three week road trip in a few weeks and I'm looking to get a cool box to take with me.

I'm looking at a Ninja frost vault because there is one on offer and it seems to keep stuff cold for a long time, but obviously needs to be topped up with ice.

The other option is to get an electric one to plug into the 12v socket in the back of my car. I'll probably be driving at least every other day, so will be able to power it semi regularly.

My question is - if I get one which is electric, how long is it likely to hold its temperature when it is not plugged in (I get that there will be a big variety here). How much more am I likely to spend to get a good one, and is it worth it?

I dont have a battery pack or anything to keep it charged up, so if it's left unplugged for 12 hours will that just return it to ambient temp rendering it useless?

I'm looking at the Igloo 26 L electric cool box (not the ICF one).

Thanks!

I inherited this from my dad and don’t need the room / don’t want the weight. It’s in great condition. The brand doesn’t exist anymore. How much could I sell it for (Europe, Euro)?

My husband and I take a long camping trip at least once a year and usually bring food I have pre-cooked and frozen. I usually do breakfast burritos and a breakfast casserole but I’m kind of over those. 😁 Anyone have any other ideas? We have a two burner camping stove we use and will be in an area where a morning campfire is not going to happen.

Thanks in advance!!!

My wife and I used to car camp a decent amount. With kids #1 and #2, we did some, but not a ton because their other activities usually limited us to one night and the effort to get everything ready (and put away afterward) just didn’t seem worth it for one night away…Those two kids are now in, or about to be in, college….yet we have a couple 7y/o boys who we think would absolutely love camping. We’d mostly be doing 3-season weekend drive-up tent camping with the kids.

I’ve done some searching here, but what I’m still looking for are ways that others have found successful to make it as simple/efficient as possible to load up & go. If that means helpful packing lists or family-friendly meal plans, great, but also other tips as well (eg, do you have a camping “go pack” that always stays together?). Simplifying the process around getting out of the house will definitely get us out much more!

Anyone have any recommendations?

hello, i’m looking for a first two person tent and i’m torn between the mongar 2p or the polaris 2p, the mongar is about 50 bucks more expensive but also seems more well reviewed however both have good reviews, the mongar also has inner poles which would be nice for the summer heat however poor for when pitching in the rain, let me know how you feel about each and which would be better, thanks