Traveling to new places can be both exhilarating an unbelievably rewarding. Conversely, without proper preparation, traveling to a new country or unfamiliar place can also be a source of great anxiety and in the worst case, dangerous. A tiny incident can easily snowball into a disaster. Preparation and research will make all the difference between a mediocre trip to a great one. As well, as much as we would like to bring with us all the conceivable comforts of home, a great trip is one where you’re not bogged down by over-packing.  Freeing clutter, is freeing your mind. One of the tenets of traveling-pack light!

I’ve compiled a list of resources that we feel will help you pick your next dream destination, mitigate the unforeseen, assist in preparations and planning, find the coolest traveling gear, and most importantly, save money. Travel cheap, travel smart, and travel safe.

Many of these sites, I’ve had phenomenal experiences with. Worthy of mention are the sharing recommendations. Not only do they lessen the financial impact of traveling, they also provides fantastic opportunities to meet like minded adventurers facilitating experiences otherwise not found in guidebooks.

Tech/AppsTraveling GuidesTravel BookingAirfare & Transportation

Travel GearAccommodationsVoluntourismCamping & Backpacking

Pet FriendlyTravel InsuranceGreat Blogs

Travel Gear

Part of the preparation process that I thoroughly enjoy is the gearing up. Being a bit of a gear junkie myself, I’m always in search of the most awesome light-weight gadgets and clothing. What’s needed is always determined by destination, activity and desire. You can find anything you need at these sites:

REI Gear

Brick and mortar stores throughout the US with great membership benefits and points program. Great selection of everything you need, and even their in-house brand is high quality. Awesome return policy.

Backcountry

A huge reputable online emporium of gear. . Decent and reasonable return policy on used and unused equipment. Truly a site for the avid adventurer.

Sierra Trading Post

Tons of products at good prices. They primarily sell sports and outdoor gear, but oddly have a section for home goods as well. I’m not complaining.  After 3 months beating down mountains and eating dry food, returning to a decked out home, sounds pretty good to me.

Sim Cards: Roam for Less

As much as we try, it’s hard to completely disconnect from the grid at times. Roam4less has affordable World SIM Cards, and World phones to keep you connected when traveling the wide wide world. You can monitor usage onsite, as well as recharge when necessary. They aren’t the cheapest, but after traveling through SE Asia and Europe using their service, they are certainly the most dependable.

Accommodations

I love hostels and community sharing services. Both are fantastic opportunities to meet new people, and really be part of the vibe that makes travel so fun. For a fraction of the cost of hotels, hostels now offer clean private rooms, food, and free wifi. Although the price range of hostels have slowly begun to creep north, they are still a fraction of what you would pay at hotels. Here are some of my favorite services:

CouchSurfing

An amazing community of people all over the world willing to open their home’s to like minded travelers. Couchsurfing.com is a great way to travel on the cheap while meeting locals and making new friends. They do take safety seriously, so stay informed, but don’t be afraid to use them.

Wwoof (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)

Technically this could be considered more voluntourism then it does accommodations, as you do offer part of your day to help around the farm. In exchange though, you are provided food and accommodations. Experiences do differ depending on the host, but personally I had an amazing host that made my Italian immersion complete.

Hostel bookers

Like the name suggests, you can find customer reviewed quality hostels in thousands of destinations worldwide. A very good resource for anyone looking for budget accommodations. They have no booking fees and they take their “lowest price guarantee” quite seriously. I used them religiously while traveling through SE Asia without any hiccups.

Hotels.com

A very dependable hotel booking site. They don’t offer the cheapest results, but their customer service does make up for the price at times, making quite the difference when traveling overseas or when you’re in a pinch. I use them on occasion to supplement my choices.

Home Exchange

I haven’t used this site personally, but I really like the concept. Basically the company helps facilitate a “home swap” with other travelers. There is a monthly fee to be a member. Again, I’ve never used them personally, so I can’t honestly share any relevant experience.

Hostelling International

A membership based hostelling group with destinations worldwide. Hostels in this group do need to meet minimum standards of safety, quality and location. Not absolutely necessary, but certainly doesn’t hurt to have additional budget options especially when traveling with family.

Airfare/Transportation

This resource is certainly subjective. Wherever you may go, there is no limit on how to travel or how to get from point A to point B. Within each country, options abound. I’ve listed the main resources for macro planning.

Kayak

A meta search engine for flights, cars, hotels and even vacation packages on trips originating from the US. Great service for quick comparison shopping across multiple companies.

Momondo

Another great search engine to include when planning your travels. Use in conjunction with other search engines to increase your choices and chance to find the best price.

Skyscanner

One of the cheaper flight, cars and hotel search engines I’ve used. Results are noticeably cheaper, providing options across major carriers and budget carriers.

Vayama

An international fare specialists. Like all, travel sites, you can search for every facet of travel you need, but Vayama touts themselves as being uniquely focused on international travel. I have seen significantly cheaper fares when compared to other search engines.

Airfare Watchdog

Like the name suggests, this site monitors US airlines for changes in ticket price and deals. Be sure to sign up for their fare alerts and newsletter. You can never get enough information.

Skiplagged

This site has a very interesting business model, and really worth watching. With some clever planning and flexibility you can definitely find significantly cheaper flights. The service takes advantage of “hidden city ticketing” whereby your target destination is enroute to the final destination. Since ticket prices are based on market forces and not necessarily distance traveled, skiplagged takes this under consideration and finds the best prices. There are risks though.  So read through their policies and stay informed.

Rail Europe

Europe is best traveled by train. With tracks crisscrossing all across the continent, you’re almost certainly going to find yourself on a train more than once. With a rail pass, your life not only gets easier, but you’ll save tons of money for your beer budget. On my 4 month trip through Europe, I saved easily hundreds of dollar; and you will too!

Man in seat 61

For those who love traveling via train and ferry, this website by Mark Smith is the definitive site for all things rail. An incredible resource to find routes, ticket prices, times, and status anywhere in the world. A must for the overland traveler.

Travel Insurance

World nomads

Covers probably any destination and activity you can think of. Policies are exceptionally accommodating, allowing claims while still traveling. Company also has worldwide service for emergencies, and also covers your gear! Also did I mention the traveling community loves them? Read the fine print though. No two policies are ever the same.

Traveling Guides

Guidebooks (Lonely Planet)

Personally I use Lonely Planet. However, there are literally hundreds of guide books to choose from, and I can’t honestly say one is better than the other. Preference would be wholly dependent on your style of travel, the writing style of the guide book itself, and cost.

Reason I do like the Lonely Planet series: they have a very casual and easy to follow style of writing; they offer great suggestions for the backpacker; they include cultural expectations such as tipping etiquette; and they have individual destinations or compilations of regions in digital format. Their city guides also have detailed maps, including suggestions on modes of travels to the most far reaching places.

But as with all guidebooks take it merely as a loose framework and find your adventure outside of it.

Vayable

What better way to learn about a destination than from a friendly local? With Vayable you can request a trip from a local “Vayable insider” to cultivate an experience of a lifetime. All guides are non-commercial and range from writers, historians students to farmers, dancers and more. Best of all, you’ll make new friends in the process.

Voluntourism

Wwoof (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)

From their website: WWOOF organizations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help. WWOOF aims to provide volunteers with first-hand experience in organic and ecologically sound growing methods, to help the organic movement, and to let volunteers experience life in a rural setting or a different country. WWOOF volunteers (‘WWOOFers’) generally do not receive financial payment. The host provides food, accommodation, and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities.

http://grassrootsvolunteering.org/

Vacation Booking companies

Intrepid travels

STA travels

AirTreks

Camping Resources

Finding campgrounds

Unless you’re one of the fortunate few who already have their favorite “secret” campsite hideaway, finding the perfect campsite can be tantamount to mission impossible. Lucky for you, I’ve put together a guide “camping preparedness, along with the below resources:

National Park Service

Great site providing a broad overview of all National Parks managed by the Federal National Park Service. Regular updates on weather and park conditions are also included.

State Park Websites

Each state manages their own parks and accordingly have their own websites and policies. I’ve prepared the page, “state parks” consolidating all their websites by regions. Go here for detailed information on fees and regulations.

Campsitephotos.com

One of the biggest problems of choosing a campsite is trying to pick one based on a campsite number. Campsitephotos.com combats this problem through their huge library of actual campsite photos. Organized by park and site number, you can easily reference the precise site on campsite reservation portals. Public and RV campgrounds also included.

Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended during high season at most National and State parks, and can be made at either of these 2 sites:

Reserve America
Recreation.gov

Hiking Trails

Backpacking is quickly becoming one of the most popular styles of camping. Offering unparalleled scenic vistas and solitude, the journey is sometimes more rewarding than the destinations. Finding the perfect trail that satisfies all your objectives can be very daunting. With hundreds of crisscrossing paths throughout the US, knowing trail information in advance is worth it’s weight in gear.

Everytrail.com

Day hikes and overnight hikes galore! From national parks to city hikes, this site has it all. Great functionality including offline TOPO maps for smartphone users. You can also create and share your own hiking experience with the community.

Videowaypoint.com

This site is an awesome idea that incorporates our love for watching and sharing videos! Videos are of great quality and provide visual answers to the questions we’re all asking. Somewhat limited in their inventory of available trails, what they do offer is still top notch! I’m going to enjoy watching these guys expand their offerings.

Trails.com

A bit more commercial than the previous recommendation, this site is very sleek and provides ample information and detailed guides. You do have to sign up for a free account to view the guides.

14ers.com

Literally a ton of information, with a forum to boot. Site navigation can be a little overwhelming, but information provided is exceptionally valuable. Make sure to add this site as part of your planning repertoire.

Trailjournals.com

I like this site because It’s real people sharing real trips. Although some of the entries are not as detailed as some of the other sites, they offer a practical, and often entertaining overview on what can be expected in the wild. Every experience is beautiful and unique, and it’s spirit is captured in these personal entries.

Americanhiking.org

Dog Friendly destinations/Dog Friendly guides

Some trips by their nature are not conducive to bringing along fido. However, there are times when fido needs a vacation just as much as you do, and bringing them along becomes a requirement, not an option. Here are some links that aggregate dog friendly destinations and facilities:

Dogfriendly.com

Fantastic resource that functions better than it looks. Don’t get thrown off by the “directory” feel of the site as it offers valuable information for dog friendly hotels, dog city guides, parks, attractions and more across the US and the world.

Bringfido.com

Another awesome resource site for all-things-pets incorporated in a familiar interface. Bringfido providers an additional service where you can speak to a Pet expert who will assist in planning Rover’s ultimate getaway. Services are worldwide, with an existing community to bounce questions and ideas off of.

Hikewithyourdog.com

For the wilderness aficionado, hikewithyourdog.com compiles a list of pet friendly trails across the State and National parks in the US. The site is very bare bones, but a good place to start in your research.

Pettravel.com

Need more information? Want to do some comparison shopping? Pettravel.com, providers yet even more info to ensure your pets are happy and well cared for. They also have a Pet travel store to gear out your pup.

The post Travel Resources appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

1. Shelter
   • Tent
   • Tarps
2. Bedding
   •  Sleeping bag (check temperature rating depending on destination & season)
   • Light weight sleeping pad
   • Light weight air pillow
3. Cooking & Kitchen
   • Propane, or wood burning stove
   • Extra propane canisters
   • Water filter
   • Water receptacle
   • Coolers/ice
   • Thermos
   • Pots, Pans & cooking utensils
   • Plates, bowls & eating utensils
   • Tablecloth, tacks/clips
   • Drinking cups
   • Heavy Duty Aluminum foil
   • Paper towels/napkins
   • Trash bags
   • Eco friendly dish and hand soap
   • Coconut oil
   • Food storage containers
   • Tongs
   • Skewers & Grill Forks
   • Folding table
   • Ziplock bags
   • Seasoning/sugar/condiments
4. Clothes
   • Sturdy good traction hiking shoes
   • Water shoes/sandals
   • Convertible polyester based pants/shorts
   • Socks, extra socks
   • Synthetic polyester based T-shirts
   • Goretex lined jacket/outwear
   • Swimsuit
   • Quickdry towel
   • Compression sack for clothes
   • Underwear
   • Scarf or bandana
   • Hat
5. Personal
   • Quickdry towel
   • Biodegradable soap with case
   • Biodegradable Shampoo
   • Deodorant
   • Comb/brush
   • Toothbrush, toothpaste
   • Feminine products
   • Toilet paper
   • Portable shower
   • Medications
6. Tools & Miscellaneous
   • Sunscreen, chapstick
   • Headlamp, flashlights, Lanterns
   • Extra mantles and batteries
   • Whistle
   • Park and trail maps
   • Compass
   • Insect repellant
   • Extra Water Filters, treatment methods
   • Knife
   • axe,
   • multi-tool
   • Daypack
   • Fishing gear
   • Camp chairs
   • Sunglasses
   • Hammock
   • Rope
   • Zip Ties
   • Bungi Cords
   • Water bottles
   • Duct Tape
   • Cell phone charger or extra battery
   • Shovel
   • Gloves
   • Hand wipes
   • Sewing kit
7. First Aid Kit, allergy and prescription medications
   • Personal medications
   • Anti Allergi medications (epipen)
   • Roll bandages
   • Bandage tape
   • Antiseptic wipes
   • Cotton swabs & gauze pads
   • Tweezers
   • Safety pins
   • Sinus medications
   • Sterile compresses
   • Splinting materials
   • Emergency blankets
   • Razor blades
   • Small Mirror
   • Triangular bandages
   • Band aids
   • Antacids
   • Ipecac
   • Antibiotic Cream
   • Ibuprofen/aspirin/Tylenol
   • Eye Drops
   • Nail Clippers
   • Hydrogen peroxide
   • Iodine
   • Burn ointment
   • Twine
   • Scissors

The post Car Camping – what to bring appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Wilderness awareness/staying safe

1. Know your surroundings
   • emergency services and Ranger offices locations
   • Always have a map and compass with you
   • Know basic navigation techniques
   • Establish meeting points in case of separation or loss of bearing
2.  Food & Storage
   • Always store food properly. Use bear kegs or provided food lockers if available
   • Treat or boil water (even if says potable)
   • Throw trash away daily
   • Always keep food within arms reach
3. Preservation
   • Practice no-impact camping
   • Camp in only designated/developed areas
   • Leave no trace behind
4. Safety
   • Know your basic first aid (bind/treat a wound or break)
   • Always carry a quality knife or multi-tool, whistle, and headlamp, hat or scarf
   • Know basic fire starting techniques to start a fire
   • Know how to tie a knot
   • Stay hydrated and always carry water
   • Ensure you have sturdy good traction footwear
   • Know your limits
   • Practice self-saving techniques
5. Wildlife Awareness
   • Never let bears approach you, keep 50 yards distance minimum
   • Make loud yelling noises
   • Try to appear as large as possible
   • Never feed wildlife
   • Never surround wildlife
   • Never Run

The post What you need to know for Wilderness Survival appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

There’s a special place in my heart when it comes to the great outdoors. As John Muir once said, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity”. Camping in the wild is an opportunity to travel back in time; a chance to reconnect to an uncluttered, simpler existence. It’s an opportunity to see the earth shaking off it’s slumber, to feel the slow, deliberate embrace of the sun as it illuminates the mountains and the trees in it’s wake. No matter how often you may witness this event, no two experiences are ever alike, each one unique from the one that preceded it.

Camping is an experience worthy of exploration. Camping is not simply the act of pitching a tent; it is the immersion into nature that qualifies the activity. It is our duty as visitors to these protected lands to understand the personality and the life that hides from our gaze. To know that, although unseen, behind the trees is a the wilderness teeming with life as vibrant as the cities we come from.

With over 59 national parks and 6625 state parks in the US alone, you needn’t travel far for that kick-ass camping trip. A rewarding, budget friendly vacation can be literally a few hours away.

like any activity, to fully harness the experience, preparation is key. The difference between a weekend trip to a kick-ass life altering trip is in your readiness.

My Essential Camping Guide

Decide what type of camping: Backcountry or Car camping

Strong proponents exist for either side with great arguments for either approach. Ultimately, how you decide to camp comes down to your style and the level of comfort that you desire.

Car camping, as it’s colloquially known, is a more luxurious form of camping, allowing you to haul creature comforts such as, air mattresses, larger tents, coolers, food (always a good thing!), games and various pieces of camping furniture, while still being able to enjoy the wilderness. Generally, car camping requires very little advanced planning, survival or wilderness knowledge. Campsites are developed and pre-impacted with established fire pits and within proximity of modernized facilities that are shared amongst other campers. All that is needed to enjoy is optimism for a great time and love for the great outdoors!

Backpacking on the other hand requires a little more physicality. Gear and food is pre-determined by necessity, and limited further by bag volume and what you can carry. But what it lacks in comfort, it makes up for in experience. Backpacking generally offers the best opportunity for solitude, and immersion into the wild country. Unlike car camping, there are no facilities, established camping loops, and in some cases, camping fires are not allowed. Backpacking does require a backcountry permit and some wilderness awareness. Pre-planning is highly recommended for safety. For more information on camping in the backcountry, check out our backpacking blog.

Choose where you want to go camping

Between National and State parks, the US has 6684 protected lands worthy of visitation at one point in your life. So wherever you may be in the US, a park or campground should be accessible with minimal commuting, for a quick weekend adventure fix. Of course, this is not to say road trips can’t be part of the fun too (check out our road trip blog)!

We’ve compiled a list of National parks and State Park websites to help with your research.   Click on any of the links below for more information.

List of National parks
List of State Parks

Keep in mind, some parks are more popular than others, and depending on the season you may find yourself competing for that prime campsite. Living in California, my favorites are Yosemite and sequoia/kings canyon. And in my case the proximity doesn’t hurt either.

Best Time to go Camping

Anytime! Short of my own personal enthusiasm of camping all year long, this decision is once again a personal one, and will certainly depend on where you are, where you want to go, type of camping and activities you have planned. Regardless of where you end up, be sure to always check the weather forecast, as weather can change suddenly and radically, especially in the mountains. Some Parks also have winter closures to consider also.

Here are some resources to help you plan your perfect camping trip. I’ve attempted to provide as much detail as possible to help in your research, alternatively, you can also go directly to the National Park Service or the respective State Park websites.

National Parks

State Parks

National Weather Service

National parks Details page

For most, summer is the best time to go camping.   Accordingly it’s also the busiest time for camping. Throngs of vacationers and nature lovers alike peel off from the cities in summer months in order to reconnect with the wild. Finding the perfect campsite will be near impossible. If disappointment’s not in your summer plans, and that it’s affecting your zen, advance reservation is an absolute must.

First come, first serve or reservations

For the more adventurous, first come, first serve campgrounds can be an option. Among the protected lands the National Park Service and State systems oversee, there are always a few that are available on a first come first serve basis. But these are often taken within a matter of moments. Each park differs in their campsite availabilities policies. In most cases, during low-season, reservations are not as imperative and making spontaneous, last minute trips becomes a feasible approach. In the summer months though, I wouldn’t risk it. Successfully finding a campsite becomes a game of patience and luck, with no guarantees. Nothing skewers a camping trip like driving 5 hrs, and failing to get a campsite.

Campsite reservations sometimes have booking windows 6 to 7 months in advance. For example, if your desired camping dates are June 20^th, you would reserve on January 20th. The actual open dates for reservations will differ from park to park. For dates by park, go to our parks page

Our National Parks and State Parks page has detailed information on campsite booking windows.

Another idea is to make a hard reservation on a campsite, just as a backup, and then trying for a first come, first serve. These campgrounds sometimes offer gorgeous campsites and unparalleled isolation. If you’re lucky to find that hidden gem, be sure to let the Rangers know, so your previously reserved site can be offered to someone else. In some cases transferring the prepaid reservation is possible.

This strategy will always ensure you have a place to set up tent.   Reserve campsites here:

Reserve America
Recreation.gov

Another option is camping in the backcountry. Read our backcountry blog for more information. !

Identifying the perfect campsite

This is one of the most common questions without a clearly defined answer. What makes a perfect campsite is too subjective. A large party may need multiple adjacent sites; if it’s isolation, then the campsite on the tip of the campground loop would be ideal. Yet, whatever your criteria, a perfect site, will surely predicate the perfect trip.

Besides scouring the internet reading opinion after opinion, one resource that I think is awesome is www.campsitephotos.com. They provide photos of the sites allowing you to view it without scouting in advance or showing up blindly to disappointment. Not all parks are represented, but it does give some perspective.

From here, jot down the site number and the park and make your reservations:

Reserve America
Recreation.gov

Driving and parking

Ironically, most parks are very auto friendly. National parks especially tend to have modern facilities which include paved roads, signage and abundant parking. Driving your own vehicle to the park itself is certainly the most convenient method. However, when available, please do take advantage of the parks public transportation system. It’s easier on the environment and offers you the opportunity to do some sight seeing.

Here are some maps of the parks, detailing roads, parking and facilities:

Maps of national parks
Maps of State Parks

Fees

In most cases there will be 2 separate fees for most parks: Park entrance fees, and camping per night fees. Entrance fees and Camping fees sometimes vary depending on your party size. For instance, tent camping with a party of six can be 15 per night, whereas a larger group of 7 to 10 can be 20 per night. As well, different entrance fees vary on if you have a vehicle or not.   Go to our park page for an outline of 2015 park fees. Entrance fees are generally good for mulitple rentries within an established consecutive period. Both are pretty much unavoidable, but well worth it as it does go to preservation and maintenance of the parks.

If you happen to be a wilderness nut, annual passes are available for multi-park entrances throughout the US. For national parks and Federal Recreational Lands it is $80 annually.

For state parks, you’ll need to check the relevant websites which you can find here:

State Parks

Camping with pets

Pet policy will differ across all the National and state parks. Restrictions usually apply to the backcountry, and trails as this protects both pets and wildlife from diseases and each other. Within the campsite, leashed pets are generally allowed. This isn’t an across the board rule however, as some parks have more relaxed rules governing pets whereas others do not allow them at all. To make it even more confusing, some parks, such as those in and around Big Sur California, Federal and State jurisdications may have overlapping regulations.   The take away, do your research to avoid penalties or limiting your own activities. Our park page lists pet policies by destination.

National park page

Official park website are also generally very up front with pet policy

Things to do: Outdoor activities

At every campsite, you’ll be sure to have plenty of activities to keep you and the family busy. Camping is an opportunity to bring out your outdoor gear and go crazy! Depending on the park, activities range from easy to challenging hikes, canoeing and rafting, climbing, fishing to horseback riding, and in some cases winter sports as well. For the nature lover, there’s always photography and night astronomy. More specific activities will be dependent on where you are, and the park you decided to visit. Our Parks page lists the activities by destination.

Make your lists:

Have a good checklist for items such as food, clothing, and gear to avoid leaving something important behind. Although everything you need can be purchased for a premium at the lodge, try to avoid this extra expense and bring the items you need with you.

See our other guides to help with your camping preparations.  Feel free to add anything else essential for you trip, and print, use and distribute freely!

Wilderness Awareness – Guide To Staying Safe

Car Camping Gear – Guide to Essential Equipment

Food Guide

Now Get out there, stay safe and enjoy!

The post Camping 101 – The Essential Camping Guide appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

There are over 6000 state parks across the U.S., with differing policies, regulations and fee structures.  In order to make it a bit easier to research your ideal wilderness trek,  I’ve compiled a list of websites by US regions followed by states.   Keep in mind State Parks are not under the same jurisdiction as National Parks,  which are managed federally by the National Parks Service.

Use the interactive map to find your park, if that doesn’t work, the complete list of websites by U.S. States are listed below the map.

 U.S State Parks

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