I have mentioned stargazing several times, as a great family camping activity that is interesting for adults and kids. Luckily, for those of us who are not exactly experts when it comes to astronomy, National Geographic released a new book this month that helps you find all kinds of interesting constellations and deep-space objects in the sky. The Backyard Guide to the Night Sky, written by veteran reporter Howard Schneider, walks you through everything you need to know about getting started in astronomy, from choosing the right kind of binoculars to the green flashes and zodiacal light that you can look for as the sun sets on the horizon.
10 Great Features of Pop-up Tent Trailers
There are a lot of great ways to go camping, from tents to motorhomes and everything in between. If you have a spouse that is not sold on the idea of roughing it in a tent, though, a pop-up tent trailer is a great alternative to traditional tent camping. Here are ten great reasons to consider a pop-up tent trailer for your family camping solution.
New Toys
State Parks Still Under Pressure
In December I wrote about how across the country, state parks were coming under pressure from dwindling budgets due to the recession (Across the Country, State Parks under Pressure). Six months later, we are in no better shape than we were at the start of the year, with a number of states still contemplating the closure of their state parks in order to help close budget deficits.
How to use Sierra Club Trails
Something that tends to hold us back from camping in unknown areas is the fear of the unknown. What kinds of activities are available in the area? Will there be any interesting places to explore or hike to? The Sierra Club has launched a new interactive site that seeks to answer some of these questions for you, using actual user-content that is accurate, fresh and based on the actual experiences of outdoor enthusiasts just like you.