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Couple Camping

Why The Travel Industry Thinks Glamping Will Save The Tourism Sector This Summer

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Bookings for camping and glamping locations all around the nation have been reaching record levels, as more people are ready to get back to some level of safe travel this summer now that more people are being vaccinated. 

Mike Bevens is an MD at glamping specialist company Canopy and Stars; a glamping business that assists travelers with all their travel needs and luxury wants. Bevens recently spoke about the increase in business that he’s endured, along with the rest of the industry. 

“We’ve had the busiest winter in terms of bookings, but there’s also been a huge increase in the number of new sites wanting to advertise. We’re up 200% on bookings from last year and have around 100 new sites coming online for this summer.”

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Derry Green is a UK resident who spoke with the local press about how he knew he had to do something to motivate his kids to leave the house with restrictions easing up this summer, however, he didn’t think his personal quarantine project would lead to a great new business opportunity.

“My kids were watching Love Island all the time, so when I got done building my back deck (my personal quarantine project) I put up a pod with a fire pit and lights, inspired by the show. Then people started asking me if they could come and stay in it so I put it on Airbnb and it sold out for two years in advance in five days,” he boasted.

Green quickly went viral on Facebook, so much so that now he has six more glamping units currently under construction that will be made available in the coming months. He personally owns four acres of woodland, so there’s plenty of room for his new business to thrive. 

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Green is not the only one who’s taking advantage of this new glamping trend. For those who are able to set up camp sites on their larger properties, renting out these spaces on Airbnb, and other rental services, have helped them immensely in terms of making an income during the past year of economic turmoil.  

“I believe in the transformative power of camping. It’s perfect for the situation we are in. Campsites can appear quickly in a way that cottages and hotels can’t, and they tend to benefit other businesses around them.”

Mojo and Kizzy Fell joined the glamping industry by necessity, after the pandemic halted all business for them last year. Originally, the two ran a successful rental business for Airsteam caravans that they would use mainly for film locations and music festivals. So when the pandemic shut down all of those activities, they needed to rethink their business model. 

“Our income just disappeared. We had to diversify, so we put five Airstreams on our 40-acre farm and called it The Wells Glamping. The caravans sold out immediately and now we have applied to increase the number to 12, hoping to be ready for bookings by the end of April. Luxurious vans that used to accommodate stars such as Will Ferrell and Kenneth Branagh will be repurposed for family holidays – and create up to 20 new jobs at the same time,” Mojo explained.

Glamping’s Rise In Popularity Could Be The Answer To Vacationing This Summer 

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Glamping and camping endeavors have increased greatly within the past year thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the fact that the virus forces all of us to stay a part, camping has given people the perfect opportunity to get out of their house and travel while remaining safe and healthy. 

James Warner Smith is the founder of Cool Camping, a glamping service that helps individuals fulfill their most luxurious camping desires. Smith claims that his company has had the busiest January and February yet in terms of new bookings, but has also noted the increase in new sites and services that are appearing throughout the nation. 

Mike Bevens is also a glamping specialist working for Canopy and Stars who discussed how bookings for his company are up by 200% when compared to the numbers last year. When more campsites appear it benefits individuals who are looking to break out of their houses and experience some new scenery.

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 Unlike hotels, AirBnB’s, and any other rented home service, camping is really all about the individual and it puts them in control of their own vacation. Glamping allows for an even more relaxing experience as it brings hotel amenities to the great outdoors. 

Dan Yates is the founder of Pitchup.com, a booking site specifically designed to show individuals the transformative power of camping and all of the luxury that can come with it. 

“Campsites can appear quickly in a way that cottages and hotels can’t. And they tend to benefit other businesses around them. It’s perfect for the pandemic situation we are in.” 

“Our income just disappeared, we had to diversify, so we put five Airstreams on our 40-acre farm and called it The Wells Glamping,” said Mojo and Kizzy Fell, a couple who before the pandemic were renting out caravans to film locations and festivals to be used. Now, the two run their own glamping business which has been booming since its launch. 

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The Fell’s claim all of the caravan glamping rentals sold out within minutes when they first launched and while they’ve been able to purchase two more to keep up with business, bookings keep on coming. 

Yate’s Pitchup business has taken on 250 additional campsites since the start of the pandemic and his team is expecting that they’ll need a lot more based on the way bookings keep increasing as time goes on. In fact, Yate’s has been compiling personal data on his businesses success as it parallels the release of multiple Covid-19 vaccines. 

“The two lines are just following each other upwards. There’s no doubt in my mind: 2021 will be the year of the pop-up campsite.”

With so many people ready to break out of their house and get back to their normal lives, glamping is providing that transition from lockdown, to normalcy, and the smores are a nice added bonus.

Big Bend National Park

Some Of The Most Scenic Places To Camp In America 

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As winter approaches for parts of the US, many are working on planning things to do to keep themselves occupied as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Taking a road tip and going camping is pretty much the safest and easiest way to travel domestically at the moment. Especially if you live in a cooler part of the country, planning a road trip to go to one of the warmer parts of the country for an extended holiday camping trip is the best way to get your mind of the current state of the world and just relax. Here are some of the most popular scenic destinations for campers in the US:

Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York: Since we’re still in the middle of fall and the weather hasn’t gotten too severe yet there’s still time to camp in one of the cooler parts of the country to really take in the fall foliage. This state reserve is less than 100 miles from the city and is known for its breathtaking autumnal landscapes and fresh mountain air. For those living in NYC, you can either drive up for the day or camp out based on how close it is.

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Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: This park is a short drive from Washington D.C. and has over 500 miles of hiking trails. The park itself is full of lush views of forests and waterfalls, which will make anyone feel as though they’re stepping right into a National Geographic documentary. There are five campgrounds available through November operating at reduced capacity. 

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida: In this park, you can have the largest barrier reef in the US right outside of your tent. Campers can easily rent snorkel gear and spend their time on the beach exploring the wide variety of nature and wildlife Fort Jefferson has to offer. While tours of the grounds are temporarily unavailable due to Covid-19, the campgrounds themselves are still operating fully. 

Big Bend National Park, Texas: This park is the go to destination for anyone with a serious urge for an adventure. Campers can go rafting, canoeing, and Kayaking along the Rio Grande or opt to hike any of the trails that go along the park’s desert, mountain, and river landscapes. At night, campers can enjoy some of the most spectacular stargazing sights they’ve likely ever seen, and with the campgrounds operating at limited capacity, there’s no worry of being too close to anyone else. 

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Big Bend National Park, Texas

Ozark National Forest, Arkansas: Arkansas in general is known for its lush countryside foliage, but it’s often overlooked by other more mainstream destinations. However, in the Ozark National Forest visitors would be shocked to see they have nine beaches and thousands of acres worth of lakes and streams to explore. There’s a number of fully-operating campgrounds in the forest and while some recreational services are closed down, there’s still plenty of options available for those looking for an adventure. 

Badlands National Park, South Dakota: The climate in Badlands is relatively self-explanatory; it can be bad. However, if you plan it out right you’ll have a gorgeous trip where you’ll see wondrous rock formations, prairies, and even some spots to look at ancient fossils. The park offers two campgrounds, Cedar Pass, which has amenities like running water and electricity, or Sage Creek, which has no running water but is known for being the more scenic spot for wildlife spotting. 

Gunnison National Forest, Colorado: This forest has over 3,000 miles worth of hiking trails and 1.6 million acres of land available to the public. You’ll be able to see the Rocky Mountains from practically any spot and with 30 campsites to choose from, any camper would be able to find the perfect spot. Some of the facilities on the grounds are temporarily closed due to Covid, however, all the necessary services are still available.

Camp Tent

Things To Keep In Mind If You’re Planning On Going Camping For The First Time

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With the Covid-19 pandemic hindering everyone’s summer plans, many are turning to alternative means of travel to itch their vacation scratch this year. Camping has become one of the most popular modes of vacation this year as it’s one of the only ways that individuals can get out of their house while remaining socially distant from others. For those of us who have never been camping before but are ready to finally try it out given the circumstances, there are some things we must avoid in order to ensure we have a fun and safe time in the wilderness. 

First and foremost, do your research, especially if this is your first time. Luckily the internet has millions of resources one could use to find the perfect spot to camp. Apps like Campspot have grown in popularity within the past few years. Campspot specifically makes it easy for users to find campsites that fit their budgets while also listing all the surrounding amenities in the area you’re planning on travelling too. The app also helps individuals with disabilities find more accessible campgrounds so they don’t have to worry about getting around complex terrains or running into any seriously dangerous wildlife. 

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For your first time camping it’s also important that you don’t choose a location that’s too far from your home. Being relatively close to your house will make you feel more secure if you’re a little nervous about your first night in the great outdoors, and you’re more likely to find private campgrounds as opposed to more open ones that are popular in National parks. 

CEO of the app Campspot, Caleb Hartung, recommends going no further than 130 miles from your home for the first time. This way you’re still distanced enough to feel like you’re in a completely new environment, but are close enough to leave if you feel so inclined. 

“I wouldn’t recommend a national park for a first-time camper.  There’s just a lot more staffing on a private campground, and these private campgrounds are also more common, meaning they’re within an hour to an hour and a half from home.”

Campot operates in 47 states and some parts of Canada, so Hartung is referring to a majority of America when he says private sites are more common. When it comes to actually preparing for your trip, don’t over-pack/over-invest in new camp gear. It’s easy to feel pressured to buy everything at a camping store when it’s your first time because you don’t know what to expect and want to be prepared for everything, but it’s just not necessary.

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Again, do your research on the area you’re planning on camping at and look up other more experienced campers testimonials of their experiences at the same sites. Listen to what they brought and read up on recommendations for the specific campsite, it’s likely if the grounds have a website they’ll have a section that tells you what you should be bringing. 

Make sure you pack a variety of clothing for your trip as well. This is yet again dependent on where you plan on camping, however, in most wilderness areas the temperatures drop heavily at night. Pack a lot of layers and also plenty of light clothing for during the day in case it gets really hot. 

Make sure you’re packing enough water and food provisions for yourself as well especially if the area you’re heading to doesn’t have a lot of convenient store establishments around. This is the part of packing that Hartung always encourages campers to over-pack on. 

To that same extent you must also over-pack on things that are meant to protect your skin. Sunscreen/SPF lotions, bug spray, and closed-toed shoes are all necessities anywhere you camp. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and to reapply it every two hours, maybe even every hour depending on how much time you’re spending in the sun. 

Do your research, read up on where you’re going and get organized. Camping can be a fun spur-of-the-moment experience, however, for your first time it’s best to be as prepared as possible.

Fathers Day

Father’s Day Gift Ideas To Get For Your Outdoorsy Dad

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If you have a father who enjoys travelling, he’s probably struggling with the thought of remaining indoors for the rest of the summer amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, since Father’s Day is coming up, now is the perfect time to get the special man in your life something that will remind him of life before the pandemic, and also that this will be over soon, and he’ll be able to hit the road soon enough!

This city map glass from the brand Uncommon Goods combines two great dad stereotypes, drinking dark liquor, and cheesy tourist gifts. The glasses are customizable for most US cities, so you can get a different one for every trip you and your dad took together, one for all the places you want to go in the future, your hometown, or all of the above!

A Fitbit Fitness Activity Tracker is a great staple gift to get for any active individual in your life, but if your dad is responsible for walking the family dog everyday, doing the food shopping, or in general just likes going for long hikes, this gift will be perfect for fathers day. The bracelet tracks how many steps you take in a day, your heart rate, sleeping patterns, and even has built-in GPS and Spotify capabilities. 

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The Jack Black Grand Tour Collection of toiletries for men is a widely popular travel grooming kit for middle-aged men (the company’s main demographic) on the go. The kit comes with deodorant, SPF moisturizer, shaving cream, face cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. 

The popular “Better Sweater” quarter-zip pullover from outdoorsy brand Patagonia is a super soft classic long-sleeve fleece that will definitely keep your dad warm during the cooler months of the year. You can wear it by itself in the fall, or under a winter coat for an extra layer of warmth. 

Polarized sunglasses in general make amazing gifts for dads. I think we all know what I mean when I say the term “dad sunglasses” so give your old man some style advice by buying him a fresh pair of polarized glasses. These will not only offer the best protection against the sun, but will also help your dad’s wardrobe upgrade a little. 

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If your dad fulfills every aspect of the man’s man dad stereotype, then this Leatherman Wave multi-tool should be a great gift for him. This sleek and portable tool packs in 16 different tool options, including a serrated knife, saw, pliers, a wrench, etc. 

Dads are also famously known for not knowing how to pack for vacation. Most don’t even have a solid overnight bag for shorter trips, so get your dad a nice new duffle bag. The gear we travel with is a part of our overall travel style as well, so by getting your dad a cool new faux leather bag, you’ll be indirectly helping upgrade his wardrobe yet again. 

Yeti has become one of the most popular cooler brands for the avid traveler/camper. The Yeti Hopper M30 Cooler is one of their more well-known products, and it has the same indestructible easy to carry chilling technology that the brand is famous for. 

Finally, no dad is complete without a solid pair of wireless headphones to listen to his music with. There are many brands of wireless headphones out there, and all are relatively credible, the kind you should get is more dependent on how much money you want to spend. The Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless headphones are very popular at the moment and retail for $300, while Apple’s original Airpod design currently retails for about half of that.

Yosemite National Park 2

Top Yosemite Campsite Locations

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Yosemite National Park is currently closed due to health and safety concerns relating to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it’s important that we all remain positive in our thinking, and manifest that this entire ordeal will be over sooner rather than later. One of the best ways to cure your quarantine boredom, and look forward to returning to a world of normalcy is to plan all the fun things you’ll be able to do once this is over. Yosemite National Park offers a ton of campground to roam around and explore, and once we’re all able to freely be outside again, the park will likely be flooded with eager campers ready to breathe the fresh air again. 

The Tuolumne Meadows Campground on the site has 304 tent and RV sites for you and your loved ones to set up home-base. This specific site is the largest campground in the park, and is located at 8,600 feet altitude right where the Tuolumne River separates into the Dana Fork and Kyell Fork, according to its website. The grounds also have a restaurant, general store, gas station, post office, school, and visitor campus all within walking distance of course. Its close proximity to the park’s many canyons, lakes, and rivers makes it one of the most popular grounds in the park. 

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Bridalveil Creek Campground is located right by Yosemite’s scenic Glacier Point lookout, and is the only campground on Glacier Point Road. From this lookout, you’ll be able to see Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls as well. If you’re the type of camper who loves to hike or take day trips, this might be the campground of choice for you, as it offers dozens of trails on the grounds. Bridalveil Creek has 110 tent or RV sites, two group sites, and three horse sites; each site has a fire pit, picnic tables, drinking water, and outdoor plumbing, there’s even food/drink lockers to protect your perishables from wildlife. 

Camp 4 is the only campground in Yosemite that only permits campers with tents to stay there. RV’s and trailers aren’t allowed on these grounds, as the terrain really can’t support vehicles of that size. This campground is known for its amazing rock climbing opportunities, and is one of the original birth places for the sport in America. Camp 4 is 11-acres large and located adjacent to Yosemite Falls. Since this is a tent-only campground, there are only 36 available spots, making it one of the most popular and in demand sites in Yosemite. 

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Wawona Campground is famously known for its scenic surroundings, as the entire site is pretty much covered in Grizzly Giant sequoia trees. This is one of the only campgrounds that’s kept open all year because of its immaculate views. There are 93 sites for tents and RV’s as well, and each site is equipped with the same amenities as Camp 4. If you’re looking for a more secluded type of experience, Wawona will likely be your best bet in Yosemite, as its large population of giant sequoias keeps campers separated from each other.

Upper Pines Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Yosemite because of how large it is. It has 238 available sites for campers in tents, RV’s and trailers. The views, as always in Yosemite, are pretty out of this world. Located within the Valley, Upper Pines is located right by Curry Village, meaning there are plenty of small town amenities available for campers to take advantage of. This campground is also open year round. 

While it may be a little tortuous to look at future vacation/camping spots while stuck inside, it’s important that we all think about the plans we want to do once all of this is over. When we plan for the future, we’re reminding ourselves that there is, in fact, going to be a future worth planning for, and while these may be dark times, it’s setting us all up for a brighter tomorrow. So where will you be heading.

Couple Camping

The Top 5 Campgrounds in New York for 2020

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New York is home not only to one of the largest cities in the world, but also some of the country’s most beautiful nature sites, as parts of Niagara Falls, the Adirondack Mountains, and world-renowned beaches can all be found within the Empire State. One of the best and most affordable ways to experience all of the natural beauty the state has to offer is by staying at one of New York’s many campgrounds, whether that means sleeping in a tent, renting an RV, or even booking a cottage or cabin. As many of the best campgrounds in the state tend to book up quickly, it’s best to make plans for a camping vacation early in the year to ensure you can stay at the campsite you prefer. To help you get a head start on your vacation plans this summer, here are the top 5 campgrounds in New York for 2020.

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5) North-South Lake Campground

Nestled deep within the Catskill Forest Preserve, North-South Lake Campground offers a total of 219 camping sites in 7 camping loops, and campers can visit two lakes with two beaches as well as picnic areas and hiking trails. A number of historical sites, such as Alligator Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and the former site of the Catskill Mountain House can be found within the park. This campground is likely to be preferred by residents of Long Island or New York City, as it is located in the southern part of the state, making the trip fairly quick compared to other campgrounds on this list.

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4) Cranberry Lake Campground

This campground is located in a secluded part of the state, in the northwest part of Adirondack Park. Though it is located far away from tourist attractions in the state, Cranberry Lake Campground offers more than fifty miles of hiking trails as well as opportunities for biking and rowing. Campers can choose from among 171 campsites, which can support both tents and RVs, and the park includes a fishing pier, an amphitheater, and a picnic area, among other amenities. Visitors can swim in the lake, though no lifeguards are on duty, and can also use power boats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. Cranberry Lake Campgrounds is suitable for a wide variety of campers, as it features hiking trails of all levels of difficulty, each with scenic views of a relatively-untouched wilderness.

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3) Hunter Lake Campground

This campground advertises itself as “a scenic campground built on family values,” and as such, it offers a number of activities that the whole family can enjoy. Located in the western Catskill Mountains, Hunter Lake Campground is home to a country store, an enclosed pavilion where kids can play ping-pong, pool, air hockey, and video games, and a sandy beach at the shore of Hunter Lake, where campers can swim and ride in boats. Each of the campsites have water and electricity, and RV sites include a sewer hookup as well. Pets are allowed at this campground, so all members of the family, including canine companions, are welcome to stay.

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2) Alger Island

Also known as Big Island, Alger Island is located on Fourth Lake within the Adirondack Park. The entire island, which is only accessible by boat, is operated as a New York State Park campground, featuring 15 sites with lean-tos all located by the island’s shore. While the selection of activities available on the island itself is fairly limited, the island is close to several nearby tourist attractions, including a museum, a golf course, and a theme park. Campers can go jet-skiing in the nearby lake and enjoy lunch at the picnic tables provided on the campsites while enjoying their view of the water. Alger Island is ideal for campers looking for a unique experience, but site availability is limited, so be sure to book your campsite well in advance.

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1) Hither Hills State Park

Long Island is home to some of the most celebrated beaches in the world, and there’s perhaps no better way to enjoy the island’s beaches than to stay at one of the campsites at Hither Hills State Park. Though the campground features an impressive 189 sites, Hither Hills is one of the most popular campgrounds in the state, so it’s best to make your reservations as early as possible. Located on the east end of the island in Montauk, Hither Hills offers sites for both tents and RVs, which offer stunning views of the dunes, beach, and ocean. Campers can take advantage of activities hosted on the expansive beach, including volleyball games, sand castle contests, and campfire jamborees, or visit the nearby Hamptons.

Travel Couple

How to Travel More Sustainably

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As the effects of climate change continue to manifest in the form of increasingly destructive extreme weather events, including the massive wildfires currently affecting Australia, people are becoming increasingly interested in how to reduce their own carbon emissions to mitigate their personal impact on the crisis. While travelling the world is a personal goal and aspiration for many of us, it unfortunately also represents one of the most serious contributors to climate change, as the carbon emissions released during travel can be substantial. Luckily, there are a number of changes that travelers can make during their trips to reduce their carbon output while still being able to visit attractive destinations.

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Although travel by airplane is the quickest and often only viable way to reach many of the world’s most popular travel destinations, it also causes substantial carbon emissions. That being said, some airlines are better than others in this regard, as airlines like United, Qantas, and KLM use sustainable aviation biofuel instead of traditional jet fuel, which is less damaging to the environment. Travelling by train generates up to ten times fewer carbon emissions than travelling by plane, and while choosing this form of travel limits your selection of destination severely, it also makes for a cheaper and generally more enjoyable mode of transport. If you’re interested in avoiding air travel for environmental reasons, it’s likely a good idea to research travel destinations near train stations, which include major cities and national or state parks. Alternatively, if you’re interested in going on a cruise, there exist a few environmentally-friendly options, including Alaskan Dream Cruises and Aqua Expeditions, which work to protect the environments of the communities they visit. If your ideal vacation involves immersing yourself in nature, you generally don’t have to travel far to do so, as the United States is home to countless parks, forests, and natural wonders. If it’s practical to do so, opt to travel within your destination via bicycle, which has no environmental impact whatsoever.

Travelers interested in minimizing their environmental impact should also take their accommodations into account. Staying at a hotel generally uses more energy and produces more carbon emissions than staying at home, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Some hotels adopt environmentally-friendly policies to reduce their impact on the local ecosystem and the global environment more broadly, making them a good choice for the environmentally-conscious. Angama Mara, a hotel in Kenya, has a zero-plastic policies, as do Edition Hotel properties, which can be found in cities around the world. Some hotels also work to restore natural areas, such as Brazil’s Pousada Literária de Paraty, which helps to sustain the local bird population by planting foliage. Alternatively, you can minimize your carbon emissions by camping, but make sure to leave your campsite in at least as good a condition as you found it.

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Lastly, it’s important to take into consideration the environmental impact of your activities at your destination with an aim to limit energy use and waste. Deciding to use reusable containers instead of disposable ones can dramatically reduce waste, as can taking shorter showers and reusing towels. According to Bee + Hive, a sustainable tourism association, tourists in a developing country use 1,800 liters of water per night, whereas a village of 700 only uses 500 liters of water per month. As roughly 2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean running water, it’s important to be mindful of your water usage, particularly when visiting developing or poor countries. One way to do so is to ask your hotel about how they approach water conservation and the steps you can take to limit waste as a guest. 

Autumn

Is Autumn the Best Time for a Camping Trip?

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Fall has officially begun, marking the end of what is widely considered to be the season for vacations and the beginning of back-to-school activities, earlier evenings, and more time spent indoors. As the leaves change colors and the temperature drops, many people, and students in particular, see this time of year as symbolizing a return to productivity and new professional endeavors. But despite the longer nights and colder temperatures, the beginning of fall may be the perfect time of year to book a campsite and set up a tent in the woods, enjoying the restorative beauty that nature has to offer.

Camping is widely regarded as an activity best enjoyed in June, July, and August, as the hot temperatures, long days, and extended break from school inspire outdoor activity. However, in many cases the experience of sitting around a campfire, hiking in the woods, and gazing up at the stars outside of a tent is best enjoyed in late September or early October. Doing so at this time of year allows for a relatively unique experience, and while the change in weather can make the experience a little more uncomfortable, the benefits of spending time outdoors later in the year more than make up for it.

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People who are interested in going camping are often looking for a chance to get away from the crowds and heavily-populated areas of their everyday lives, and one of the advantages of doing so in the fall is the fact that campgrounds are likely to be much less busy. As families shift their focus from summer vacations to schoolwork, campgrounds are more likely to be patronized by smaller groups of people, such as couples and even individual campers, making this time of year particularly attractive for adult campers looking to spend time away from children. Being in nature alongside a small number of close friends or loved ones makes for a better opportunity to bond with them and with the outdoors, which is what the best camping trips are all about.

While the thought of sleeping outdoors in the fall without the benefit of indoor heating can seem unthinkable, the right gear can mitigate the discomfort of doing so. A plethora of sleeping bags that are rated as providing sufficient warmth in the cold, even at temperatures approaching zero degrees Fahrenheit, are widely available. If you have no interest in investing in a cold-weather sleeping bag, camping gear is available to rent from a variety of outlets. Dressing appropriately by wearing multiple layers of clothing and making sure to pack sweaters, jackets, and hats is essential. Of particular concern in the fall is the possibility of rain, as wet clothing can lower body temperatures and potentially cause hypothermia, so make sure to take this possibility into account. One way of thinking about cooler weather is by considering it to be brisk and refreshing, as drinking a hot cup of coffee in the morning and enjoying the warmth of a campfire become even more invigorating.

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Autumn also offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of nature when the leaves change color and fall to the ground. The period of time when trees become more colorful and varied is relatively brief, so camping in this environment is a special experience which only occurs once per year. Additionally, when the temperature starts to drop, pests like ticks and mosquitoes are less abundant. As such, taking a walk in the woods during this time of year, given adequate preparation, can be more fun than doing so in the summer, spring, or winter. If you’re interested in photography, the colorful fall landscapes are perfect environments for Instagram. And while camping in the fall may cause you to miss out on some activities that are only possible in the summer, like swimming in lakes, other activities become available during this time of year, such as apple and pumpkin picking, harvest festivals, and Halloween-related events.

One of the benefits of camping as a vacation activity is that it requires relatively little investment of time and money, as campsites are cheap, equipment can be rented, and campgrounds can often be located within a few hours’ drive from home. A successful camping trip can be planned for a weekend, meaning you don’t have to take time off work to enjoy the experience. One thing to watch out for, though, is ensuring that the campground you plan on staying at will be open for the time you wish to stay, as most campgrounds close for the year around mid-October, with some smaller locations closing even earlier than that. Nevertheless, camping in the fall can make for an unforgettable and restorative experience, perfect for preparing oneself for the cold and long fall and winter nights to come.

Camp Tent

Should You Rent Your Gear When Camping?

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Camping is likely the cheapest type of vacation there is, as the nightly cost of staying at a campsite is marginal compared to the price of a hotel or other establishment. But buying all of the equipment necessary to set up a tent and maintain a campsite can quickly add up, particularly if you are starting from scratch. In light of this fact, a number of companies now allow their customers to rent equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, portable grills, and even entire kits. While the thought of using equipment already used by countless other people may be off-putting to some, the benefits of doing so include saving a significant amount of money and helping the environment by reducing waste. In reaction to some of the skepticism many people may have of the idea of renting camping gear, companies have developed policies designed to put their customers’ minds at ease.

While retail outlets including Outdoors Geek and REI allow customers to rent equipment, a recently launched online-only service, Arrive, ships customers equipment via FedEx, lets customers use the equipment for a set period of time, and then asks them to ship everything back. The amount of money campers can save by doing so is substantial; a backpacking kit for two, which includes a two-person tent, two backpacks, two sleeping bags, two sleeping pads, a stove, two cooking pads and two headlamps costs $262.99 to rent for three days, compared to the retail value of $1,618. This deal is especially attractive for people who don’t have room to store camping equipment in their houses or apartments, and for people who go camping relatively infrequently and thus wouldn’t get much use out of their equipment anyway.

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As another bonus, travellers can opt to have the gear shipped to their camping location rather than to their homes, making one’s trip to and from their camping destination easier and reducing the number of days customers will have to rent their equipment for, thereby reducing the price. Because Arrive offers kits, campers, particularly ones who are new to the activity, can have peace of mind knowing that the ideal equipment for their trip is provided.

Arrive offers an attractive deal for those looking to get their feet wet with camping but don’t want to break the bank.

People who have rented equipment via Arrive have praised the quality and cleanliness of the items they receive, which are neatly packaged, often in like-new condition, and modern. While kits come packaged with nearly everything campers need, customers should be advised that consumable items, like fuel for a camping stove and food, must be acquired separately. However, these items are generally cheap and easy to find at most major retail outlets. Campers should also note that the equipment does not come with instruction booklets, and as such, it’s a good idea to visit an outdoor store such as REI to see the equipment in person before committing to a rental. Arrive offers a customer service help line to field questions such as these, but as cell phone reception can be spotty at many camping locations, it’s always better to be prepared ahead of time.

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Customers should also be forewarned that Arrive will charge a fee for items that are damaged or returned late, which may add an extra layer of worry on top of a trip which is meant to be relaxing and stress-relieving. Arrive provides customers with the packaging and return label to send the items back at the end of the trip, and the cost of shipping is included in the initial price.  As long as you’re careful, however, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about damaging the equipment, which is generally designed to be taken outdoors in rough conditions. For new customers looking to make camping a more regular hobby, Arrive presents the opportunity to try out the equipment they’re interested in before committing to a purchase.

Arrive offers an attractive deal for those looking to get their feet wet with camping but don’t want to break the bank. Before deciding on Arrive as your equipment-rental-service of choice, though, it’s a good idea to consider your options. The aforementioned Outdoors Geek and REI have the advantage of owning retail locations where you can pick up and drop off equipment in person, which may be more convenient for those whose camping spots of choice are close to these stores. And as prices vary between outlets, even for the same equipment, it doesn’t hurt to do some research. Still, there’s never been a better time to rent camping equipment, as the proliferation of the internet and the rising popularity of camping as a vacation choice create an abundance of business opportunities that benefit the consumer.