emmett travel

17 February 2009 Budget Travel 295 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

Vacation time is probably the most awaited event of the year but with the current economy we all can’t afford a lavish trip. How about camping? You can do it on a dime (so to speak) and build lasting memories in the process. Furthermore you can camp in the mountains, on a beach, or in a nature woodlands or state park.

Who would not want to finally have a break from the hectic and stressful schedule most of us have year-round? Due to the fact that vacations are usually only once per year, most of us are used to exerting serious effort and exhausting all our savings funds to make this family time as special as possible. However, camping does not need to lead to over-exertion and exhaustion.

The first big concern is, of course, choosing where to go. The choices are so enormous that looking for a good destination might be as stressful as work itself. Here are a few destination suggestions for your next camping vacation to get you started with ideas.

If you love the great outdoors and trekking mountains is your thing, then you might want to go to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Big Basin is the oldest state park in California and has been around since the year 1902. It is located just above the coastal town of Santa Cruz in Central California and is very well known to for being the home of the ancient coastal redwoods, which are among the oldest existing living things on earth. The park comprises about 18,000 acres of chaparral, mixed conifer and oak trees.

Big Basin is known for its dense forests surrounded by ferns canyons and hiking trails. The area is good for camping, backpacking, and trekking as well as bird watching. Wild animals thrive in the area and you could easily spot deer, raccoons and bob cats.

There are plenty of waterfalls in Big Basin such as Berry Creek Falls, Golden Cascade Falls, and Silver Falls among many others. The climate can be sunny and warm especially in the ridge tops or foggy and damp in the areas near the ocean. It may take a long time to reach the park, but the trip is very much worth the wait.

If beaches are your thing, whether you want to bring your family or just go bask in the sun alone, Hilton Head Island is the place to go!

This beautiful isle in South Carolina is composed of several beaches namely the Alder Lane Beach, Coligny Beach Park, Fish Haul Park, Driessen Beach Park, Burke’s Beach, Folly Field Beach Park, and Islanders Beach Park.

There are thousands of activities to do at Hilton Head. One can go watch the wild dolphins, bike all over the island, play a round of golf or a game of tennis. But if you would like to do the main activity – that is, swimming – the official swimming areas are at Islanders, Folly Field, Driessen, Coligny and Alder Beaches. Lifeguards are on duty during the beach going months. Vacationers usually come from the first of April to the end of September, the official beach season for Hilton Head Island.

If you do not like salty water but would still like to get wet, then you might want to go to a lake, and Branson, Missouri is the place to be!

Branson prides itself of having three crystal clear lakes. Table Rock Lake has great water attractions like the Showboat Branson Belle that resembles a late 1800s paddlewheel boat. There is also the Branson’s American Star, a dinner and sightseeing yacht that is perfect for both night and day cruises. If you really want to get wet, you might want to try White Water, a large outdoor water park that opens from May to September.

If camping is your game, then Ohipyle State Park can be the right destination for you!

It is located in the South Western mountains of Pennsylvania which is perfectly cool during summer and breathtaking during fall. Both hardcore and amateur campers can camp at Ohiopyle as there are provisions for both traditional and electric tents in different sites. This is a good place for animal sightings as mountain cats, white-tail deer, raccoons, and black bears live in the area.

There are many fun activities to do at Ohiopyle. There are several hiking trails that are rich in breathtaking views of flora and fauna, lined with wild flowers like triulims. There are many bike trails as well for those who do not want to travel on foot, no need to bring bicycles as they can be rented in the nearby town for just about ten dollars.

If you are more adventurous, you might want to try whitewater rafting. Rafts, kayaks, and other rafting equipment can be rented as well.

Travel for camping can really be fun if you are in a great spot that suits your ideals. So try these destinations out and have a fantastic time with your kids (and grandkids perhaps) of any age.