With so many National and State parks around the country, it is hard to find the perfect park in which to go camping. Traditional campgrounds, even when in park settings offering cabins, can be easily forgotten, and even the most beautiful parks may be wonderful to visit but not very great to camp in.

When you are planning on camping in a park setting and have most of your camping equipment ready to go, it is best to choose a park that is memorable and will offer you some of the best sceneries in the country.

If you do find one of these fabulous campsites then you should plan ahead to make sure that there is room for you to stay. Many of the most popular campsites get booked up to capacity well ahead of time, so be sure to make a reservation.

The best camping parks usually come equipped with a restroom, built-in grills or a fire pit, and beautiful views, so they are typically packed especially during the summer season.

Some of the best parks in the North America are as follows:

• Marble Canyon – Arizona
• Allagash Wilderness – Maine
• Flat Tops – Colorado
• High Point – New Jersey
• Wood-Tikchik – Alaska
• Apua Point – Hawaii

These are just a few of the many beautiful parks in North America. There are even more if you are willing to travel a little further into Europe. There are many campsites located throughout France and the English countryside.

They can be booked through camping packages, and some even offer a night of camping, along with a night at a world class Bed & Breakfast. Just as in North America, Europe offers your traditional budget-friendly parks, moderate or mid-priced camping parks, and luxury parks.

Whether you are planning to camp in North America, the world famous campsites of the French Riviera, the Swiss Alps, or Italy, along with so many others, you can enjoy yourself while enjoying some of the most eye-popping scenery in the world.

To find some of these amazing campsites you should check with a local travel agent or do some searching of your own throughout the Internet which can direct you to some beautiful park campsites.

When traveling long distances to go camping, you still need to be prepared with everything from a sturdy backpack to quality footwear.

This is especially important, even if you are camping in North America, because you just don’t know when you are going to be able to get to the nearest store. Be prepared for your camping trip and you will have a wonderful time.

Coleman is most likely one of the most famous name in the camping and outdoors business, from coolers, lanterns and flashlights, water heaters, sleeping bags, stoves, backpacks, and certainly, the ever dependable Coleman tents. It has over thirty years of skill and goes on to use its extensive experience to guarantee continuous development of its products and the lasting happiness of the costumers. When it comes to camping gears and equipments, Coleman is one of the foremost makers and without a doubt a name which campers rely on for many generations.

There are many available designs and styles for your camping needs. Tent designs and models are in family, dome, cabin, beach, kids, and even for your favorite pet. These are made of quality materials so that you have a comfortable camping experience come rain, snow, and wind. Your tent’s fabric provides a very thin wall which separates you from the elements outside and its quality will spell the difference between an enjoyable outdoor adventure and a wet and sodden weekend. They are manufactured to last for many camping seasons and are tested in natural conditions. You will not have to visit your sporting goods store every camping season to buy a new tent. You will enjoy many an outdoor adventure with these tents.

Two other tents you should also consider are Vango tents and Khyam tents. Even though not as popular as their equivalent, these offer the same quality products. Khyam tents are famous for their easy pitch and take down feature, perfect for camping newbies and on the move outdoor adventure. On the other hand, Vango Tents are recognized for their reliable tents which can endure the most intense conditions.

Camping and other outdoor activities require definite specifications because you will be exposed to nature’s elements which, more often than not, are unpredictable. Even though brand name can guarantee quality and reliability, make sure that the tent you have your eyes on suits your needs and not just because of the brand name that goes with it.

Anyways, there is one more thing you need to consider when camping and that is, responsible camping. Camping gear manufacturers such as Coleman have joined Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to advocate responsible camping. The campaign is intended to the delight and stewardship of the outdoors through volunteerism, education, and ethical manners.

To continually benefit from the experience of the outdoors, we must be responsible individuals by respecting camp site rules and

regulations, using biodegradable materials when camping or even when you are not camping, and being aware of our obligations to the surroundings. Select the right tent and the best camping equipment that fit your needs and do your part in saving our natural heritage so that others will also have the chance to savor it.

As Mr. Lloyd F. Nelson worked in the Puget Sound Navel Shipyard during the early 1900s, he might never have dreamt he was going to be an inventor. After working in the shipyard, Nelson went to stake his claim on some of the land where newly oil reserves were opening up.

To make it there, an Indian lent him a pack made of willow sticks and stretched sealskin. He thought there had to be something more comfortable after lugging the hindrance for days. After buying canvas, powerful sewing machine and fashioning a wooden frame with canvas jacket cushions (for padding and ventilation), Nelson constructed the first “camping backpack”—thereby reinventing hiking and trekking as a pleasurable sport. Ever heard of “Trapper Nelson”?

Today, the camping backpack has come a long way. With synthetic fibers, flexible frames and ergonomic designs, the backpack is far more comfortable, more hard-wearing, versatile and sex-friendly.

For sure you’ll want to start with the latter first. Sex-friendly is to say that backpacks are designed to either fit the shape of a man or a woman. The backpacks made for camping today keep the sex of the individual in mind. With higher or lower hip straps, wider or closer shoulder straps and various curvy styles, the right fit is easily found.

Versatility is necessary if you want to use the pack more than once or twice a year. A versatile camping backpack will allow your weekend trekking to your full-on two-three week haul. A versatile pack, moreover, comes with cushions, adjustable shoulder straps and hip belts, but above all, provides easy access.

For example, a top loading camping backpack is not as versatile as a pack with side and/or bottom zipper admittance. Before you slap down the Visa, make sure that your camping pack has plenty of compression straps and meshy or stretchy side pouches: sunglasses, canteens, hydration packs, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, hiking poles or sticks, Swiss Army knife, TP, compass, towels, flashlight (torch), binoculars, sunscreen and bug repellent should all be effortlessly accessible.

A hiking backpack should be lightweight and durable — words even respected by NASA! At any rate, durability in a camping backpack equals big-toothed (water resistant) zippers, siliconed nylon near the compression panels and underside of the pack. Try the camping pack at the camping outdoor store before you leave. Pack it as full as you can, zip it up and down and throw it around. If the store managers allow this, you can probably trust the pack is second to none.

The camping backpack should be as comfortable as Mr. Nelson intended. Long hauls with bloody blisters and festering wounds (around insects and mosquitoes) are no walk in the park. Make sure to try the backpack (fully loaded: camp stoves, tent, and the whole caboodle) before making any purchases. Have the camping or outdoor shop clerks help you properly fit the pack until it’s beyond a shadow of a doubt oh-so comfortable.

Be organic – read more about heirloom organic seeds.

On the field there’s only so much you can do to care for your sleeping bag. Just remember to keep it clean and try to keep it away from anything wet including wet and dirty clothes when you’re backpacking.

At home you can do a lot more to maintain your sleeping bag so that it can last a little bit longer. These tips cover how to wash, dry, store and repair your sleeping bag in the proper way.

Washing and Drying

- Keep your sleeping bags clean by washing it frequently but only when it is necessary. Washing too much can break down the properties of both down and synthetic fills.

- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions manual and use mild soap. You can hand wash or wash in the gentle cycle of a washing machine. If your sleeping bags are too large, bring them to a launderette and use a larger machine but never dry-clean a sleeping bag.

- When using the tumble dryer, use the lowest setting . Put a tennis ball into the machine to prevent the down from clumping. The ball will help dissipate the clumps.

- When wet, handle with extreme care. Do not dry on a clothesline. Find some place to that can support the weight of the bag so that the delicate baffles do not tear. Hanging it on the dryer is a common practice.

Storing

- Store your sleeping bag in a large cotton storage sack. Make sure the bag sit loosely in the sack. Avoid putting the bag in a stuff bag for long periods of storage because compressing it too much will reduce its loft.

- Don’t store the sleeping bag in a plastic sack as the moisture will be trapped and hence provide a suitable breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria. Only store your bag when it is completely dry.

Repair

- Tears need to be repaired immediately especially the ones on the shell and lining.

- For temporary repairs use a duct tape or Gaffa tape. Instead on cutting the tape in a square, cut it in a circle so that it doesn’t snag the fabric.

- Permanent repairs can be made with a nylon repair tape or patches that are sold in most outdoor stores.

- You can also ask a professional company that can do repair jobs for tears, separating seams and zip problems. There are quite a few of these companies around and they might even throw you a discount if you ask nicely.

Tents have been here and there for thousands of years, being the basic home of nomadic people especially of the {natives of the Middle East and Northern Africa. The American Indians have also another adaptation of this kind of shelter in the form of the teepee. A tent is basically just a textile or any other the same fabric wrapped over a set of poles or fastened to a rope. This is the simple design which has now evolved to become more stylish and to meet the needs of present campers.

The plain design of the Bedouin tent nowadays comes in many styles and designs. You can select from dome tents, tunnel tents, A-frame tents among others. You can acquire a wonderful selection of Coleman tents which have further exceeded the simple comforts of their regular equivalent.

Being your shelter during camp, a tent should be made of high quality materials to be able to withstand the unpredictable weather conditions. The thin fabric of your tent is the only thing that separates you from the elements outside. Waterproof fabric is very important since you will either have a fun weekend in the outdoors even if it suddenly starts raining or you can be all wet and very miserable indeed.

Rain resistance of the fabric can be done by using common treatments such as coating of polyurethane or infusing with silicone. It is also important that the seams are made water resistant since stitching can result to minute holes in the fabric and this can be done by applying water sealant. The poles and stakes should also be sturdy and resilient so that they can hold out even in the harshest weather.

Contemporary tents such as Khyam tents are tested out in the natural weather conditions to ensure that they function properly. So when going to the outdoors shop, have a list of criteria of what you need your camp shelter to be. Similar to when you are selecting your dream house, you have to keep everything in mind – security, reasonable price, durability, and other personal concerns.

Contemporary tents have gone a long way from the conventional design of the nomadic people to address the rising needs of today’s campers. But it still goes back to the simple necessity of a place to sleep after a hard but fun day outside.

Manufacturing companies, including those which make Vango tents, certainly knew this and so they produced the various brands and designs fit for your individual needs, even your pet can now experience the same comfort. Ask the land manager in your district for a nice camping location, arrange your outdoor adventure, decide what you need for the excursion, go to the neighboring sporting goods store, and start your preparations. This will be a wonderful camping adventure!

Spending part of your North Carolina vacation at Carowinds campgrounds will not only have you happy you did but your family will know you are the best thing ever!

If you have kids under five years of age don’t think that there is nothing for them to do, there is the Amusement center where the kids can take a train ride with Dora-the-Explorer’s Azul or fly, dive and swirl with Danny-Phantom. Paws are the name of the experience for the little ones with the full-size Nickelodeon characters everywhere in the theme park.

With kids from six – twelve everyone can keep them excited by either seeing many of the live concerts that go on throughout the theme park all day or visit Nickelodeon Central where there are more than 20 rides for their peer group. They can even visit Scooby Doo’s Haunted-Mansion! Everyone will love the free fall into 20 acres of excitement in the water park. You will discover fun rides that they will enjoy – including one that takes you 320 feet up in the sky! Enjoy the “wild-mouse” roller coaster that will show the kids a real thrill or the Scream-Weaver – Gondolas which twirl in a horizontal position and lifts into the vertical position, skyrocketing riders into upside-down orbit. With all these and many more options for the kids they will be occupied from the time you walk in until you finally get them to depart at the close of the day!

For teenagers between twelve – 18 the excitement never ends. They can ride the Nighthawk, the flying rollar-coaster and highest one in the theme park or the Rip-Roaring-Rapids with the white water raging rafting you can experience in a six person watercraft (and get really, really wet). Of course there are the bumper cars that are a priority of many kids. Now imagine them on the Thunder Road which is a forward and backward roller-coaster. They may need to plunge down a forty-five foot waterfall to the pool of water below (an excellent opportunity to cool off on a steamy day.) There are so many attractions and rides for everyone that they may want you to come back with them the next day!

As grandparents you may think that you are supposed to sit back and watch the kids have fun…WRONG! Get out there with them, talk them into riding on the Xtreme-SkyFlyer with you and discover the excitement of skydiving as everyone is lifted 153 feet in the air and then yank the ripcord for a fifty foot free fall at sixty miles-per-hour. (you must be extraordinarily brave for this one and it does require an additional charge.)

If that isn’t adequate for you then go to the Drop Zone where you will discover a 56 mph one-hundred ft. free fall. Probably don’t want a full stomach just before you do this, could get messy!

The Hurler is the wooden coaster that reaches fifty mph with stomach-twisting dips and turns.

This is just the start of the excitement that awaits you and your family in Piedmont on your North Carolina vacation!

There is a 25 acre Carowinds campground with almost two-hundred campsites, and 15 cabins for rent for those that want to camp nearby. For reservations call 704-587-9116 or 1-800-888-4386 ext. 2116

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Take I-77 to SC exit #90 at the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The Theme Park is about 15 minutes south of Uptown Charlotte and 15 minutes north of Rock Hill, SC.

CALL AHEAD

Hours and operating days vary, so before planning a visit, it’s a wise idea to call Carowinds Information Center at: 704-588-2600 in North Carolina; 803-548-5300 in South Carolina; or toll-free 800-888-4386. The Information Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and during park operating hours.

At the beginning of my love interest with hiking and camping I used to pack my down bag loose into the backpack or even tie it on the outside.

It took me 3 trips before I started using stuff sacks to store my sleeping bag.

These cylindrical shaped nylon, usually waterproof, enclosures protect your bag from unnecessary wear and tear and also from the rain.

Material

Most stuff sacks are made of newer fabrics like coated polyester and ultralight silicone-impregnated nylon.

While the material itself is waterproof, the drawstring closure in most stuff sacks is not so be careful about getting it into water and if you tie your sleeping bag to the outside of your backpack, make sure you at least cover the drawstring closure with a waterproof material to protect against rain. A plastic bag will do in most cases.

Newer stuff sacks like the eVac Dry Sack from Sea To Summit don’t use drawstring closures but instead you roll the sack down and then close the buckle.

This accomplishes two things. First, when you roll the sack down air is pushed out of the base so water can’t get in.

Second, it allows you to save both space and weight. The weight saving though is not such a big deal. You only save a little bit of weight but the space saving is much appreciated.

The lightest stuff sacks are made of silicone-impregnated nylon parachute cloth. It can be as light as 0.5 oz or even less.

GoLite employs this type of material and they made an improvement to the drawstring closure by adding a collar instead of just a drawstring and flap configuration.

Outdoor Research on the other hand uses a good waterproof fabric called Hydroseal.

This fabric is tough and can handle rough use but still limp enough to mold itself to the contents of the sack. This sack bag is available in the drawstring-flap configuration as well as roll closure secured with Velcro bindings.

Compression and Size

Most stuff sack suppliers have some sort of compression model with straps, laces or double drawstrings that reduces the volume by up to half. You can also stuff in your down jacket or windbreaker together with the sleeping bag into the sack. Make sure that yours is big enough for you to easily put in whatever you intend to put in.

Don’t get a small stuff sack just because you think it would save you space because in most cases you’ll just have unused, wasted space in your backpack as a result.

Another problem is that even if you can cram your sleeping bag and other stuff into the sack when you’re at home, doing so in less than ideal conditions on an empty stomach with the cold wind biting at you can turn it into a monstrous task.

Get one that’s big enough to take its load with extra room to spare, leaving it soft, malleable and easy to stuff. I use Outdoor Research Hydroseal DryComp Sacks but I’m thinking of getting the eVac Dry Sack from Sea to Summit for myself.

nyone can recognizeKeen Footwear by their toes. Keen Shoe’s have a signature large, upturned bumper to give the brand identity style, and comfort. Keen shoes began in 2003 with hybrid performance shoes that adapt to the rocky terrain or city streets.

Among all of the Keen sandals, the Newport H2 has become the most popular. Made to perform in severe conditions, the Men’s Newport H2 has a razor-sipped out sole and 3mm lugs to provide superb traction. The sandal becomes a legendary crossover. The synthetic uppers withstand the beatings of saltwater and dirt. The sandals also give comfort and style. With the synthetic straps and siped carbon rubber out sole, makes it easy to move across land or water in style!

There are a variety of Keen Sandals. There are superb water sports sandals that can be worn to the bar or a restaurant later the same night. Everyone of the water sport sandals machine washable and have been treated with antimicrobial technology to prevent odor. All of Keen Sandals provide rugged, sporty nice looks, and are extremely functional. The sandals are very fashionable, and provide superior foot protection than many other sandal brands. These sandals feel and look like a shoe. Keen can also offer you commuter bike sandals. These sandals are all-terrain and can handle rough passages, while cushioning your feet.

Keen footwear are packed of many features. They have hand-sculpted lasts that are not found in any competing sandals. They also use anatomic foot beds that are the most comfortable in a sandal. All of the leather is waterproof Another stunning feature is there is anti-odor linings and foot bed. This is great especially because the sandals can be employed effortlessly in the water.

The sandals also have super-traction bottoms and a patented front cap. This covering keeps the sand out and eliminates stubbed toes The shoes have unsurpassed arch support and durable, gripping soles. They lace with an elastic rig that closes easily and securely. Best of all, water runs right out of them and they become dry very quickly. One can finally be at ease, without having to worry about wet footwear!

Keen sandals are fashionable for every age. They put on like a shoe, feel just like a shoe, but still let the cool breeze through from the warm weather to remind they are still a sandal! Find Keen footwear styles at a local retailer, or go online for a larger selection of colors and styles.