Campgrounds Where to go, What to look for!

Family camping is only as fun as the quality of the Campground that you choose. It can be rugged to deluxe but there are several qualities that must exist in either extreme. Cleanliness, safety, amenities, location and activities are all important to consider.

We have camped in camping sites as simple as a private hookup in a guys field in Wyoming to as elaborate as multi-tiered sites at a private camping area in Branson. But we considered all of them wonderful because they represented what we were looking for at the time.

* Cleanliness - If it is primitive camping, you will be responsible for helping to keep it clean and earth friendly. You will probably have to take your trash out with you. We would recommend that if you are primitive camping, make sure your supplies create a minimal environmental footprint. When you first get to a area, it is always wise to drive through the entire facility first. Check out the spots, the type of people camping there, if the trash is picked up, lawns mowed, equipment in good repair. You can tell right away if the owners or caretakers really value you as a customer just by walking into the restroom and shower facilities.

*Safety - Is the facility in an area where you feel comfortable and safe? Is it too close to a creek if you have smaller children? Does it seem to have a lot of rowdy or loud campers? Does it have security on site? Are the tables maintained and safe? Is the fire pit safe? All things to consider before settling in for the night.

*Amenities - This is a personal choice of yours and may change with each trip you take. Do you require full bathroom facilities with showers? Do you have to have a pool? Are primitive restrooms acceptable? Do you need electric? Do you need water at your site? Do you need activities to keep your campers busy? All of these and more are available at public and private campgrounds throughout American

*Location - Did you chose this spot because of nearby special attractions? If so, are they easily accessible from the campground you have chosen? Is traffic a problem? Is parking a problem? Is the attraction so close that it could disturb your stay when you are back at camp? Is the attraction too far away that it takes all day to get there and back? Another matter of location to consider is your site location within the grounds. Don't set up near the entrance where everyone comes and goes and don't be so far away from the shower houses that it becomes a major trek just to get there. Once again, by surveying the park before you set up you can avoid any mistakes in site choice.

OK, arm yourself with a great campground directory on a nice winter night and plan your spring or summer trip.

Check out this great campground in Maine submitted by Ronald Moody

Blackwoods Campground is just off the park loop road that works around Acadia National Park. When you are camping at Blackwoods you are a short hike to the Ocean, Sandy Beaches, Thunder Holes, Otter Cliff and so much more. This campgrounds rests on the mostly flat forest floor beneath a loosely spaced forest canopy of mixed pine, balsam, hemlock, and hardwoods. Blackwoods campground open forest lets in sunlight and a cool breeze from the near bye Ocean.

The campgrounds have two main loops. There are 160 sites at loop A and 154 sites at loop B. Blackwoods also has camping sites available by reservation only. Blackwoods get may visitors every year so you need to make a reservation to insure you and your family gets a spot at Blackwoods. You can make reservation from June 15 to September 15 and this is one of the busy campgrounds in the summer months.

Blackwoods is a year around campground, in the winter months it is first come first serve. There are 50 camp sites on loop A and some of the things you can do are snowshoeing or cross country ski on the massive network of carriage roads that wind their way in and around the park. Camping at Blackwoods in the winter is free unless a ranger at the main station informs you other why’s.

Blackwoods Campgrounds is open year around, if you would like to write them there address is, Blackwoods Campgrounds, ME high way 3, Bar Harbor, ME. 04609. Blackwoods have 306 camping sites, fire rings with grate, picnic table and there facilities are toilets, water spigots, showers and make sure you call for there rule like pets, alcohol and anything else you may want to know.

If you do go camping here and end up at the north end of loop A, you’ll be close to the south Ridge hiking trail that take you to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. No matter where you end up pitching a tent you will enjoy the stay and make sure you enjoy the sunsets and sunrises.

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