Northern California Camping & Backpacking Adventures

Northern california has so many opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure it's hard to find time to do it all. But if you want to get out of the rat race for a few days, enjoy peace and quiet, and forget about all your cares, then you need to plan a camping trip and just do it. You'll be glad you did!

It's finally Summer and the sun is staying in the sky longer. Time to get the camping gear dusted off and head for a favorite destination for a week-end of fun & relaxation. Should it be North to the Redwoods up around Crescent City? Or east to Shasta Lake or McCloud? How about heading a bit South to Clear Lake for a shot at catching a lunker Large Mouth Bass? Wherever it is that we end up it's sure to be a great opportunity to let the past few months of rain and snow and wind and short days slip into the depths of the past and become a memory of longing for the days of sunshine and fair weather.

Are You Ready For This?

Have you been anticipating this seasons camping and backpacking adventures? Or has it just slipped up on you all of the sudden and started you thinking about what needs to be done in preparation? If you are like most people, you have been busy with the duldrums of daily life and are in a panic to get all the spring cleaning and yard work and all that other stuff  that needs to be done out of the way so you can free up some time for a few outings of camping, backpacking or whatever. We say forget  all that other stuff and get out there! The work will still be there when you get back.

Before you get too carried away in the excitement of escaping reality for a few days, best make sure you have all the gear in order. Get out your checklist and start going through your gear. Replace any items that need replacing, add items you think might make your adventure better, and most importantly, remove any unnecessary items that just take up space in your gear boxes or backpack that you never use anyway.

If you don't have a list of essentials already jotted down on a note pad, then now is the time to get it on paper. It's no fun when you get to where you're going to find out you forgot your tent, or sleeping bag, or your cooking gear, so get it on a checklist and be sure to double check everything as you load up your gear. You'll be glad you did, because your travel time will be spent in anticipation of your adventures, instead of wondering if you remembered everything.

Now spend the time between now and your departure from the "Grind" thinking about all the fun you're going to have. Happy Camping to you!

Plan Your Camping Adventures 

Everyone Needs to take a break from the daily grind, or just get away from it all and get out of town for a couple of days once in a while. There's no better way to rejuvinate and recover from the rigors of society than to take a week-end or several days, for that matter, and head out for one of Northern California's many popular camping destinations.

Planning a camping trip in Northern California can present several challenges though, especially if you don't already have a good idea of where you are going or what activity will be the basis of your destination. One of the big challenges is due to the fact that there is so much diversity in Northern California; the type of climate, the terrain, seasonal activities like boating, fishing & hunting, available ammenities, and the list goes on. Having an idea of what you plan on doing while you are there helps make the choice a little easier. If you can narrow your destination choices down to specific areas that offer the activities in which you plan to partcipate, it is even better.

The next big challenge is to answer the question of how much of modern convenience can you do without? Although there are hundreds of campgrounds to choose from in Northern California, many of them are primitive: no running water, no electricity, and a "concrete long drop" for restroom facilities. Most of us can make due quite well under these conditions, but if you just don't want to deal with the absence of luxuries like flushing toilets, then there are also many modern campgrounds & RV Parks (usually privately owned) scattered all about the country that offer everything from electricity and running water and swimming pools, to cable television and game rooms for the kids!

If you want anything more than a tent site and a fire pit, you'll want to do some research on the area you plan to visit and make sure you don't end up someplace you don't really want to be. This could be a problem come Friday evening when most camp grounds will get filled up by late afternoon and you won't have any choice but to stay wherever you can find an empty camp site (we've all done this, and it's not very much fun).

Many campgrounds, including most of the popular State and National Parks will allow you to go on-line to make reservations days,weeks or sometimes, even months in advance. Plan your trip and do your research, then make your reservations. You will have peace of mind in knowing you won't have to worry about wheter or not you'll be camping comfortably where you planned to go, or searching in the dark for a place to spend the first night of your camping trip.

So depending on your prefferences, you could either find a nice campground right off the hi-way with all the ammenities of home, or you may opt for total seclusion without the interuption of listening to someone's portable generator till all hours of the night. It doesn't matter if you are just looking to spend a week-end camping in the outdoors with freinds and family, or planning an all out expedition into the wilderness for several days, Northern California has a diversity sure to suit any adventure you choose.