Exploring the Great Outdoors

Do you love the great outdoors as I do? Do you love to get away from your everyday life of noise and stress? Leave it all behind and find a peaceful spot in the beautiful world God created for us. You say you don’t know where to go? Here are some of our favorite places and links to sites that will give you a jump start on the process.

Congaree National Park, Hopkins, South Carolina:
This is a year round camp ground featuring back country camping, bluff top campsites and scenic hiking trails. Congaree National Park is the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent! This park is an animal and plant sanctuary and is also a research site for scientists. The best way to see this park is by canoe, but there are many walking trails.

Camping is primitive style with no facilities. Obtain a free camping permit and list of regulations at the Visitor Center. Activities at this park include camping, hiking, canoeing, and picnicking. A trip to the park should be on your “Must See and Do” list!!!

Congaree National Park

Photo and logo from the National Parks Service web site.

Zion National Park:
In 2009, this grand park will celebrate 100 years as a sanctuary. What a great time to visit this incredibly beautiful park. There are three campgrounds in Zion National Park. South and Watchman Campgrounds are in Zion Canyon, while Lava Point Campground is on Kolob Terrace, about a 1-hour drive from Zion Canyon. South and Watchman Campgrounds are a part of the park that lies in the desert, so there will be some temperature extremes to plan for in your camp site. Summer months are a very busy time and reservations are needed if you want to be sure and have a spot. There are fees involved so be sure to check the web site before you go for all information.

Zion National Park

Photo and logo from the National Parks Service web site.

Blue Ridge Parkway:
If you have not had an opportunity to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, make it a point to do so this year. The scenery is breathtaking! There are 9 camping areas in this park and the charge is $16 for all campgrounds. The National Parks Service reports that the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit in the National Parks system. The drive along the Parkway is spectacular any time of year, but spring and fall are particularly gorgeous. Spring hosts a bevy of wild flowers in every direction and the fall colors literally make the mountain sides appear to be ablaze. This is a gorgeous wilderness area whether you want to camp and stay awhile or just drive and enjoy the scenery.
Blue Ridge Parkway

Crater Lake, Crater Lake, Oregon

This has to be the most beautiful park you could ever want to visit!!! A part of our National Parks system, Crater Lake , “boasts a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past.” (NPS website) Located in the Cascade Mountain Range, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Many of the campsites in Crater Lake Park are on a reservation basis. To reserve your spot call 1-888- 774-2728. Fees are $10.00 for a 7 day car pass. Camp site fees may vary.

Photo from the National Parks Service website.

These are four of our favorite wilderness areas, but there are many more in this beautiful country. Pick one you would like to visit. There are, no doubt, some in your state and perhaps, not too far away. Below are some resources to help you locate a National park or other camping area. We have also included a links for tips for packing list and camping with kids. Now get out there and camp!!!

The National Parks Service - http://www.nps.gov/

The Camping Club – campsite locations, reservations, camping tips, and packing lists http://www.thecampingclub.com/

National Wildlife Federation – camping tips and backyard camp out fun http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/campingtips.cfm#list