The Complete Hiker's Guide to Tick Behavior, Biology, and Field-Tested Protection Field Intelligence Report | Trail & Terrain Outdoor Pursuits --- You're deep in the woods, moving well, when you brush a low branch along the trail's edge. You don't think much of it. But something small, no bigger than a poppy seed, has just grabbed hold of your pant leg and started its slow, deliberate crawl toward warm skin. You won't feel it. You won't know it's there. And by the time you do, it may have be...
Camping.Tools is for Saving Memories A few days ago, I had breakfast with a mentor and friend, and he asked an important question. Why did you create the business? This is a seemingly simple question. But as I start to unravel the answer I'm learning that the answer is not so simple. The truth is that "the business" has evolved from a personal passion into something that I believe can lead to many good things. My writings here on Camping.Tools begin with my attempt to explain how things started,...
Replacing Your RV Suspension is Easy Enjoy this DIY video on how to upgrade the suspension on a 2017 Keystone Outback 240URS. I've driven this towable RV for roughly 35,000 miles. We bought it new in 2018 and have traveled as far north and as far west as possible in the continental US. About two years ago I noticed I was going through a set of back tires per year. I had hit a bump on the road and slightly bent the rear axle, which caused the back tires to camber out. Then, on my last big trip to...
Hiking Trails Near Atlanta, Great for Fall Foliage Standing Indian Campground is a popular outdoor destination in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, North Carolina. The area offers numerous hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty. Here are three hiking trails near Standing Indian Campground: Standing Indian Loop Trail Distance: Approximately 11 miles. Difficulty: Moderate. Description: The Standing Indian Loop Trail is a well-known hiking route that starts from the campground....
After leaving Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota, we decided to try to find a place to stay around Devil's Tower National Monument. It was late June 2012 and it was hot, somewhere north fo 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It turned out to be the hottest part of the entire trip. So we decided to continue west across northern Wyoming . We were approaching a large mountain range that I thought were too close to be the Rockies so I checked the map. They turned out to be...
My dad used to tell me there are two kinds of RV owners, those that have had flat and those that will. Get a TPMS for peace of mind because all RV owners should use them. Imagine towing a thirty-foot towable RV and one of the tires starts dropping pressure on a long haul trip across the southern states. When you fuel up you think it looks a little low, but you get distracted by the kids and forget to check the pressure before pulling across some already hot roads. The road you’re on is worn so t...
The Shawnee National Forest , located in the southern tip of Illinois , was our first stop on the Grand Tour to Glacier National Park . Our rule of thumb for setting our schedule was to travel for about 8 hours, camp a few days, then continue on. Most of the campsites we had booked but there were several nights where we were just winging it. If you're RV camping, I definitely recommend having reservations for every stop. If you change your mind then call around. And you won't be heartbroken when...
The Complete Hiker's Guide to Tick Behavior, Biology, and Field-Tested Protection Field Intelligence Report | Trail & Terrain Outdoor Pursuits --- You're deep in the woods, moving well, when you brush a low branch along the trail's edge. You don't think much of it. But something small, no bigger than a poppy seed, has just grabbed hold of your pant leg and started its slow, deliberate crawl toward warm skin. You won't feel it. You won't know it's there. And by the time you do, it may have be...
A Quiet Season of Opportunity March sits in the quiet space between winter and spring—when campgrounds are empty, bugs are blissfully absent, and the weather can’t quite make up its mind. For campers willing to plan ahead, it’s one of the most rewarding times to be outdoors. Fewer crowds, fresh landscapes, and a slower pace make this month ideal for intentional, low-stress adventures. Expect the Unexpected The biggest challenge of March camping is variability. One weekend feels like spring, the ...
March Break is a great time to get kids outside and enjoy early spring adventures. Shorter days and unpredictable weather make preparation key. Here are ten quick tips to keep your family safe, warm, and having fun: Layer Up – Dress kids in moisture-wicking base layers, warm mid-layers, and waterproof outer layers. Don’t forget hats, mittens, and extra socks. Warm Sleeping Gear – Use sleeping bags rated for cool temperatures and insulated pads to keep everyone cozy at night. Choose Kid-Friendly ...
Winter camping invites us into a quieter, more intimate version of the outdoors. Snow-covered landscapes reveal tracks, patterns, and moments we rarely notice in warmer months. But winter is also a demanding season for wildlife, and traveling thoughtfully helps keep both people and animals safe. Know Who’s Still Active Many animals reduce their activity during winter, but they don’t disappear. Deer, elk, foxes, and coyotes continue to forage, while smaller mammals often become more visible again...
With a friend in town it was time to explore some trails that offered great views, and a variety of trail options to choose from based on time/distance, and weather. Nestled just north of Boulder, the Corral Trailhead at Heil Valley Ranch is a standout gateway into one of the region’s most beloved trail networks for both hikers and mountain bikers. This trailhead delivers a quintessential Colorado hiking experience — a blend of shady ponderosa forests, open grassland meadows, rocky ridge lines, ...
