I don’t know about you but I’ve always thought pop-up campers were a little, er, ugly. Of course I’m no RV enthusiast but the idea of a pop-up camper is mildly appealing - it is, after all, sorta halfway between a tent and a RV. The Opera is a new pop-up camper design that’s turning heads in Europe and is scheduled to begin production in 2010. Even the logo is pretty sweet if you ask me

As you might have guessed the Opera takes its name from its design inspiration, the Sydney Opera house. The arched canvas cover keeps the sun and rain off the wine cabinet and espresso bar inside (no kidding). The post I read mentions that this pop-up camper will be targeted to the high end of the market so don’t expect to get one of these on the cheap anytime soon. Let’s just hope other manufacturers get the hint and start giving camping enthusiasts more stylish choices!

Congratulations to our September content contest winners, SCguide1 and Mountain Rest Cabins. SCguide1 is a two time winner and he’s already out in front for October. Mountain Rest Cabins snuck into second place with just 4 photo uploads last month - and they were of their own property - how great is that? As you can see it’s easy to get your $25 REI gift card - just add your reviews and photos and you just might win this month! Read details here.

In other site news, we launched the a Google map showing the locations (exact and approximate) of thousands of  campgrounds across the US. We still need your help zeroing in on exact locations for many campgrounds - hit up the white pin points and let us know where they belong.

We just added a new feature to Tripleblaze last week that we’re super stoked to share with everyone: campground and trailhead maps. Select campground and trail pages include a map showing the vicinity and an icon to mark the campground or trailhead. You can even click the “Directions” link (indicated with the blue arrow above) to get driving directions from your house. We already have maps and coordinates for nearly 700 trails but we need your help to fill in the rest!

Trail and campground listings that have not been located yet have a small link in a yellow box just above the trail/campground title that says “Help us locate this trail/campground.” Click the link and you’ll see a Google Map with an approximate location. Zoom around until you find the right spot and click the map to add a marker. Submit the location and you’re done!

Once we get more coordinates we’ll post a US map showing all the hiking trails and campgrounds and we’ll even add features to help you find trails close to campgrounds and vice versa. Questions? Hit us up via email: info@tripleblaze.com.

On the road to Clingman’s Dome in GSMNP.

If you’ve ever camped in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) you know there aren’t showers at park campgrounds - but have you ever wondered why? Is this an idea no one has considered before? The Chattanooga Times Free Press has some answers.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and it’s still the most visited of all the National Parks (9.3 million visitors in 2006 alone!). Despite offering primative (by some standards) camping facilities, it can still be tough to snag a campsite in summer. So are hot showers being withheld to keep the crowds down?

It turns out the real reason has to do with cost and environmental concerns. Park managers want to keep fees low (GSMNP is still one of the few large National Parks that doesn’t charge a gate fee) and building showers would add to the cost of campsite rentals. Then there’s also the issue of what to do with all that extra wastewater in such a beautiful and natural area. Unfortunately GSMNP already has the distinction of being one of the most polluted parks in the NP system due to all the vehicles driving through each year and adding more pollution isn’t good for anyone.

The cool thing is that many of the facilities and campgrounds are just as they were nearly 75 years ago when the park was first designated and visitors get to experience a little history along with the nature beauty. Like someone once said: you don’t mess with a good thing!

The Outdoor Federation recently released the results of its survey on camping participation in the US and there are some pretty interesting trends to talk about. The big number that everyone is focusing on is the annual increase in camping in 2008 over 2007: 7.4% in the US. That’s a pretty good jump and the authors (along with sponsor Coleman) think this may be a reflection on the economy.

The report found that 33.7 million Americans went camping in 2008 and each camper spent an average of 14 days in the great outdoors. That seems a little high to me but I guess there are some really dedicated camping enthusiasts who are bringing the average up for everyone else.

What areas of the country boast the most campers? According to the report the Pacific region (CA, OR, and WA) had the most campers followed by the Southeast (GA, NC, SC, FL, VA, WV, and MD). From what I could tell the report didn’t adjust for population numbers so this could be a little skewed toward high population states like California. Even so, the Pacific coast boasts some of the best weather and most scenic locales making it a great place to camp.

The most popular activities to participate in while camping are hiking and swimming (no surprise here). And RV campers are more likely to choose public campgrounds than tent campers (also no big surprise).

You can read more details about the report here.

I saw this video on CNN.com last week and it reminded me of a Yogi Bear cartoon:

Of course this was a real bear and I’m not sure the campers were treating it with the fear and respect they should have. Is it really worth risking your life over some food in a cooler? Next time, let the bear take the food and keep as far away from him as possible!

We love new camping gadgets as much as the next person but sometimes manufacturers take things a little too far. Case in point: the Coleman Quickbed with built-in MP3 speakers. I personally have no problem with the integrated battery powered pump (who wants to blow up such a huge air mattress?) but MP3 speakers cross the line. And these aren’t just over-sized headphones we’re talking about either - these babies include a built in amplifier which we assume is powered by the same batteries used in the QuickPump. With that extra power you can certainly annoy your camping neighbors all night long!

According to Coleman this air mattress supports up to 600 pounds which is almost as ridiculous as the MP3 speakers themselves. I suppose two 300-pound campers might want to use this mattress but I’m thinking they may have a hard time fitting on the same mattress and in the same tent in the first place

The queen sized version will set you back less than $60 on Amazon.com which is about the same price you’d pay for a decent self-inflating Therm-A-Rest air matress. Of course the Therm-A-Rest is only wide enough for one and is less than 2 inches thick inflated but it also doesn’t weigh 14.4 pounds like the Coleman Quickbed.

What’s next? A camping stove with a built-in internet browser? A tent with a digital thermostat? We’ll keep you posted…

Via GadgetGrid.

There’s been a lot of talk here and on other websites about the cost effectiveness of camping in a slow economy but the fact is that camping still requires gassing up the family truckster and hitting the road. In Eugene, OR, however, the local parks department has a better idea: open up city parks to campers!

For just 5 bucks per person, residents were allowed to pitch tents in Sladden Park this month and were provided meals, recreation, and entertainment. I imagine some urban campers didn’t even need to get in the car at all to go on this camping trip!

Activities organized by the parks department included tree climbing, African drumming, and even rafting on the Willamette River. The final city park camp out will take place this weekend, August 22 at Peterson Park Barn. Hopefully we’ll see this concept popping up elsewhere around the country in the next year or so…

Over on Examiner.com Jay Werth shares his tips for pooping outdoors - a must read for anyone planning on a “primitive” camping trip this summer. To be honest I’ve camped in very few places that didn’t at least have a vault-style toilet with the exception of backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. Even then, many shelters along the trail have privys for hikers’ convenience.

Anyway, the #1 tip offered by Mr. Werth seems to be to poop as far away from streams and lakes as possible. Werth also mentions a good tip for setting up a simple folding toilet seat and talks about strategies for burying waste.

In some highly trafficked and desert areas like the Grand Canyon, hikers and campers are required to pack toilet paper out with them to protect the environment. A friend told me a story about hiking in the Grand Canyon with an inexperienced backpacker who misunderstood and carried her toilet paper and waste out with her. Needless to say her backpack was a little smelly on the way up

For some the question of pooping outdoors may be keeping them from giving camping a try but it’s really not rocket science. Just keep the basics in mind and the rest will come naturally!

Check out our tips for saving space in your bag when packing toilet paper.

Photo courtesy Feather Down Farm Days.

Here’s yet another new camping trend: farm camping. While farm camping is a pretty far cry from glamping, it’s certainly something that more and more families may consider as gardening and urban farming trends continue to sweep the US. Campers stay in rustic, furnished “tent cottages” that feature a stove, bedroom(s), and in some cases, even flush toilets (though most do not have electricity). Depending on the farm and location, campers may find themselves collecting eggs from the chicken coop, milking cows, or harvesting fruits and vegetables.

Die hard campers may not view farm camping the same as a trip to the local state park but it’s similar in many ways. Camping is all about simplicity and farm camping allows families to reconnect with common activities from simpler times. For many of us, camping isn’t about a tent or sleeping bag - it’s about being outdoors and spending time with the family. Farm camping certainly makes that possible.

The idea for farm camping got started in the UK but there are already a few farm camps set up here in the US from Iowa to New York state. A four-night stay for a family starts around $800 and includes fresh linens and firewood. While that may be a little pricier than a typical camping trip it’s a steal when you consider the price of a stay at a ranch or hotel. Besides, the experience of milking your own cow is priceless!

Via Springwise.

I recently had a chance to try out the Princeton Tec FUEL headlamp and I have to say… headlamps have come a long way since the old days. I remember winning a headlamp in Boy Scouts in the ’80s and back then it was pretty uncool to strap what looked like a car headlight to your head unless you were exploring a cave. Of course I was a cool kid so I only used my headlamp for spelunking trips Anyway, all of Princeton Tec’s headlamps have a cool factor that their bulkier predecessors didn’t have plus the FUEL is much more than a headlamp.

Princeton Tec Fuel

The Princeton Tec FUEL light retails for $19.95 to $24.95. It comes in three colors – pink, grey and green. According to Princeton Tec, the FUEL weighs 78g, emits 35 lumens of brightness and can last up to 160 hours on three AAA batteries. The light has three brightness settings and a strobe setting, allowing the light to be used for general outdoor hiking, reading in your tent, or as a beacon in case you want to attract attention in an emergency.

The three ultra-bright LEDs give off plenty of light. The most noticeable feature is the wide field of view or what Princeton calls “Focused Wide Beams.” The light uses three bright LED bulbs to send a beam in front of you and a beam to your left and right. Unlike a light with a single bulb pointed in one direction and a reflector that diffuses the light, the FUEL’s three LED bulbs produce a wide swath of bright light that fills your peripheral vision. As a result, I didn’t feel like I was walking down a tunnel.

You can easily adjust the direction of the light by rotating the base up or down. The head strap seems comfortable and is easy to adjust. Most importantly, the strap kept the light in place while walking. I didn’t try running with it, but I suspect it would stay put even while jogging.

Aside from the basic functionality of the FUEL, the one feature that really makes the FUEL more than a headlamp is the fact that you can easily remove the light from the elastic head strap and attach it to any 1″ webbing.

I was able to attach the light to the sternum strap of my backpack and illuminate the trail in front of me without wearing the FUEL on my head. I also attached the FUEL to some gear with Molle webbing, which kept the light out of the way but immediately accessible when needed. With its long battery life, compact shape, excellent wide illumination and overall versatility the FUEL light is a great addition to your kit. I anticipate using it in place of a regular handheld flashlight. Overall, I give the light two thumbs up!

I gotta admit it: I’m a big fan of flip-flops. They’re super convenient, take up very little space when packing, and are generally pretty comfortable. For these very reasons I probably wear them many times when I shouldn’t, like when walking in the woods or to formal occasions. Anyway, this spring I got myself a pair of Teva Elixer 5 flip-flops and they really improve on the advantages of the classic flip-flop while adding some impressive outdoorsy features.

I’m a form follows function kinda guy so I’ll start by talking about the features you’ll find on the Elixer 5 flip flops. The soles truly feel like they came right off a trail running shoe and provide great traction even in wet conditions. Speaking of wet conditions, you know how your foot slips off most flip-flops when you try to walk with them in the rain or across dewey grass? Not an issue with the Elixer 5s - the foot bed is extra grippy and comfortable. Teva knows how to design wet footwear and it shows.

I’ve been wearing my Elixer 5 flip flops on frequent hikes in the local nature preserve and I’ve found that sticks and rocks aren’t even noticeable underfoot. The toe area is also curled up slightly which is great at protecting toes from stubs and sticks on the trail. The uppers on these flops are constructed from suede and neoprene, making them feel solid and dependable - I’m sure I’ll be wearing these for years to come. The foot bed (or topsole in industry terms) is treated with Microban to control foot odor - too bad I can’t just douse my feet in the stuff

In terms of style, you won’t find a better, more outdoorsy looking flip flop. The suede leather almost gives these a sandal look and I’m almost tempted to wear my Elixer 5s to church this summer. These flip flops look so good I actually feel guilty for having such ugly feet - maybe a pedicure is in order

If you love flip flops but are looking for a more solid footwear choice for the campground or the river, do yourself a favor and pick up a pair of Teva Elixer 5s. Just don’t email me when your boss says you can’t wear them to work.

Okay, so I’m not sure how official this is since I couldn’t find anything about it on the Google but according to a press release I read, the North Face is promoting National Camping Month in June with free events and sweepstakes. The idea is to encourage and inspire Americans to get outdoors and camping is a certainly great way to immerse oneself in nature. Plus camping also requires finding and purchasing the right gear which seems to be right up North Face’s alley . Just looking for a place to camp? Check out our campground reviews.

Excerpts from the press release:

To kick off National Camping Month, The North Face and Travelocity are presenting the Explore Moab sweepstakes, which gives people a chance to win a grand prize trip for two to Moab, Utah, including airfare, lodging, meals, and guided hikes and tours, as well as a $2,000 The North Face gift card. Ten Runner-Up prizes include coveted national park passes and The North Face gift cards. Details are available at www.thenorthface.com. In addition, those who enter Explore Moab in June 2009 will receive free shipping for online orders of $125 or more at www.thenorthface.com.

“We are dedicated to fueling passion for the outdoors and encouraging appreciation of outdoor activities among individuals of all ages and abilities,” said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North Face. “The North Face sends expeditions to the world’s highest peaks and most remote locations, but the goal of National Camping Month is to get people outside anywhere - a summer-long backpacking adventure, a week-long camping trip, a one-night campground outing, or simply a backyard tent.”

“This is a great opportunity to teach others about the importance of respecting nature and proper outdoor ethics while having a great time,” said Carpenter. “Programs like National Camping Month are vital for life-long outdoor commitment and enjoyment.”

As if US National Parks weren’t already one of the best outdoor recreation values around, this summer the Department of the Interior is waiving entry fees at 147 parks one weekend each month. The idea is to boost local tourism and economies near the National Parks which are already preparing for a busy season as travelers look to spend less this year.

Of the National Parks that charge entry fees, prices range from $3 to $25 at popular destinations like the Grand Canyon. Each National Park I’ve visited has been worth every penny of the entrance fee so even if you can’t make it one of the free weekends this summer, know that you’re getting a tremendous value. The dates for free entry are as follows:

• June 20-21
• July 18-19
• August 15-16

Fees for things like campsites, concessions, rentals, etc. will still be charged during fee free weekends - only entry fees to parks will be waived. Where will you go on your free weekend?

The Nevada Division of State Parks is holding two family camping programs at state parks this summer where families will learn basic outdoor skills. Registration is open through June 3 but just 5 families will be selected for each program which will include hiking, fishing, and “great food.” No word on whether there is any cost to the program but since it’s so limited I’m guessing it will be free to participants (though don’t quote me on that). Trips will take place June 27-28 at Washoe Lake State Park and July 18-19 at Fort Churchill State Park. More details here.

This definitely sounds like a great program for introducing families to camping and the great outdoors, though it’s a shame that participation is so limited. Either way, it does seem to be a good way to get people thinking about state parks and gearing up for a camping adventure this summer! Let us know if your family gets selected - we’d love to hear how it goes…

It seems like there have been a number of stories about lost or stranded hikers in the past month and I suppose as the weather warms up we’ll be seeing even more. Springtime, in particular, can be more dangerous than other times of the year for a few reasons:

• Weather changes quickly in the spring. I find it funny that almost everyone, no matter where they live, thinks their area has the craziest weather in the country. Yep, in the springtime you may have a hot day followed by a cool one or a sunny day followed by thunderstorms or even snow showers. That’s spring - the weather is changing.
• For many of us who skip camping and hiking trips in the cold winter months our outdoor skills tend to be dulled a little while after living indoors. The same goes for physical stamina as well - spring may not be the best time to attempt that summit you couldn’t quite reach at the end of last summer due to exhaustion. Get a few moderate hikes under your belt before you attempt the tough stuff this year.
• Trails and campgrounds may still be wet even if it hasn’t rained in days. Snow melt and general spring sogginess can happen well into June so be prepared.

That last tip is particularly applicable to the group of friends who found themselves stranded in a flooded Beegam Gorge near Platina, CA. After the guys realized they were stuck they did all the right things and a helicopter found them just one day after they failed to return from their trip.

My favorite part of the story comes at the end when the helicopter pilot offers the group a choice: be airlifted to safety but leave their dog behind OR take a GPS to help them navigate out of the gorge themselves. The dog’s owner decides they’ll take their chances with the GPS (bravo!) but in the end they are able to give the dog a sedative so he too can take the helicopter ride out.

Now that’s a happy ending

Ok, so it’s not actually camping - KOA prefers to call it “kamping” which is fine by me because I don’t usually associate KOA with the great outdoors. In any event, this weekend only kampers who pay for a site Friday, May 8 will get to kamp for free Saturday, May 9. It’s all part of the Kamp & Care Weekend fundraising event to help kids with cancer at KOA Care Camps (or should it be Kare Kamps?). More details below and at KOA.com where you can make your reservation for this weekend.

Join us for KOA’s special Come Kamp & Care With Us Weekend, May 8 & 9, 2009. Pay for Friday, May 8 and kamp Saturday May 9 at the same kampground for FREE! KOA’s Come Kamp & Care With Us Weekend has become a favorite way for many families to kick off their summer camping season.

For the sixth year, kampgrounds will be collecting donations and holding fundraising events to benefit KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, the official charity of the KOA Owners Association. This network of 35 specialized summer camps gives children with cancer, and their siblings, a chance to experience the joys of camping while continuing their treatments.

Last year, KOA kampers contributed to a record $250,000 in KOA donations for this truly special charity. To find out more about KOA Care Camps, or to make a donation, go to www.koacarecamps.com.
Make your reservations today!

1. View the full list of participating KOA Kampgrounds.
2. Click on the kampground where you’d like to stay, and make your reservations!

Don’t wait! There is a limited supply of kampsites and kabins available for this very special weekend. Remember stay and pay for Friday, May 8 and kamp Saturday, May 9 for free!

Camping yurt in Colorado. From Wikipedia.

Want to camp old-school like an ancient nomadic Asian herdsman? Consider staying in a yurt for your next camping trip. The Everett, WA HeraldNet posted an article that explains what yurt camping is about and offers details on a new “yurt village” in River Meadows County Park. Some of the yurts in the park are big - 20 feet across (or 300+ square feet) - and are permanently installed at the campground.

Yurts seem to be gaining popularity within the US and abroad, particularly out west where permanent, rugged camping structures allow campers to get outdoors all year long. Yurts are strong enough to withstand serious snow and wind loads, are insulated to keep campers warm in winter, and are a low impact alternative to sites where campers constantly erect and tear down their own tents.

It’s hard to imagine nomads setting up and taking down their yurts more than once or twice a year because the structures are generally quite substantial. Modern camping tents are probably more akin to the Native American tipi (or tepee) consisting of poles and a canvas shell that is lightweight and can be moved each night if necessary.

Yurt camping can be a fun alternative to staying in tents or cabins this summer (or even winter!). Check your local state park website to see where you can experience the yurt.

We’re always looking for new camping experiences to share and the Denver Zoo has a cool one for families: Bunk with the Beasts CampOUTS. For $65 kids can spend the night at the zoo and enjoy campfire stories, a picnic dinner, and of course, tours of the zoo. Guests spend the night under the stars in provided “safari tents” on the zoo grounds. Everything is included from food to tents - all kids need to bring is a sleeping bag!

CamOUTS will take place select Thursday - Sunday nights at the Denver zoo this summer. Check out the website for more details on this unique camping experience.

Photo from Time Out Dubai.

Quick - what do you think of when you hear about Dubai? Ridiculously large sky scrapers? Luxury shopping and resorts? Oil? Better add camping to the list because according to Time Out Dubai there are some amazing opportunities for desert camping just outside the city.

Desert camping outside Dubai sounds pretty awesome to me: spots where there is no light or noise pollution and no tire tracks (probably because they were erased by the wind the night before). There is plenty to see as well: sand monitor lizards, sand cats, and desert gazelle (if you’re lucky). Driving and hiking are some of the more popular pastimes for desert campers.

However, this warning from the article makes me think desert camping in the UAE may not be for everyone:

You should never journey into the desert without another vehicle – or another two if you’re going into Liwa. You must also be a competent desert driver and equipped with GPS. Be sure to check all fluid levels, tyres and the weather forecast before setting out.

It’s not really clear why you need multiple vehicles - breakdowns? hijackers? Clearly the tip on checking fluid levels and weather conditions is a good one for any type of desert camping or hiking excursion.

Finally, I want to share a camping tip this article reminded me of about staking a tent in the sand. While I was in the Air Force we often set up large canvas tents (called GP Mediums) in the sandy soil in Colorado and Florida and my NCOs taught me this trick: instead of pushing tent stakes straight into the sand, angle the stakes AWAY from the tent at a 45 degree angle. Of course this seems counterintuitive but it turns out the friction (or suction as some claimed) is what keeps your stakes secure from lateral movements caused by wind. A vertical tent stake will quickly be rocked back and forth until the hole is enlarged and releases your tent stake.

Now you’re ready to pitch your tent in the desert outside Dubai!