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.

"Glamping" in Yellowstone

Regardless of whether you call it fancy camping, dandy camping, or "glamping," some people like all the comforts of home when they go out of doors. Far and Away Adventures offers such outings in Yellowstone.

Of potential interest:
Glamping Offers a Softer Side of Camping in the Great Outdoors

For the Love of Teardrop Trailers

I fell in love with teardrop trailers the first time I saw one. And I've begun a subtle campaign so that, when my wife and I retire, it won't be a hard sell to buy one. In Yahoo Travel, Lena Katz gives some love to two of my favorite teardrop supports and sellers: Little Guy and So-Cal Teardrops (what's up in Upland?).

If you're unfamiliar with teardrops, be sure to check them out. They're much more interesting than larger, ungainly, more heavily polluting RVs.

Five Reasons to Dislike Camping

Annie Swingen dislikes camping. Here's why:

• Bad directions
• Bad weather
• Body odor
• Wild animals
• The cost of camping equipment

Seems to me that each of those objections could be easily addressed—um, wear deoderant and don't buy expensive gear?—but your mileage might vary.

It's OK, Annie. Don't go camping. Not everyone needs to.

But we do.