Crater Lake Bear-Camper Conflicts Close Sites

The Aspen Daily News reports that camping around Crater Lake in the Maroon Bells Wilderness has been closed because of bear-camper conflicts.

The restriction keeps overnight visitors away from an area of dangerous bear activity and prevents bears from further obtaining food and garbage suspended from trees and in tents. It also provides a period of time for these bears to begin finding their natural food as berries and acorns become available downvalley, and may help keep these bears from becoming dependent on food and garbage, ultimately leading to their demise.

Texas Town Bans Public Camping

Officials in Graham, Texas, have banned camping in city parks after discovering several homeless people camping in a wooded area.

Minnesota DNR Promoting Yurts

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is also promoting yurts to attract campers to two state parks and a state recreational area in that state. The yurts, to be installed at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and Glendalough and Afton state parks, will feature woodstoves. The yurts join the camper cabins built at 27 state sites since the mid-'90s, also designed to bring more people to the parks more often. Not a bad idea for those less inclined to tent camp!

Save Money Camping

SavingsAngel offers some tips and tricks to save money by camping. Among them:

1. Camp in state or national parks—or national forests, which are often free, if rustic
2. Don't join timeshare-like RV camp associations
3. Do join loyalty programs, like that offered by KOA
4. Pack your own food
5. Borrow or rent gear rather than buying it

'Course, if you're going to go camping again, it's better to own your own gear. Regardless, interesting advice!

Unregulated Camping in Alaska

Over the holiday, residents of Talkeetna, Alaska, expressed concern about unregulated camping near Montana Creek. Issues include litter, human waste on the floodplain, and the use of ATVs and firearms.

I recommend that they install those guardrails, or police and fine actively.

Insert Pun About Yurts

Have you ever gone camping in a yurt? I have not.

Tell me about your experiences in the comments.

Of potential interest:
Parks' New Yurts Offer a Camping Experience in the Round

Opening the Adirondacks

Kudos to Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation for opening 22 new campsites in previously inaccessible parts of the Adirondacks. It's part of an effort to open additional land in the region.