EPIC ROAD TRIP FOR BEGINNERS

Here is a step-by-step beginner's guide to connecting yourself to the great outdoors!

Step 1 - Determine Your Destination

While this first step may sound easy, you must first decide where you want to go and what activities you want to do. Identifying one campground destination or a handful for a multi-stop trip itinerary can be challenging.

If you already know where you want to go, great! Go on to the next step and make your reservations. Every campground facility has a list of amenities and activities for every desire to better match a campground to you and your family.

Step 2 - Make Your Reservations

Ready to go?   Book your stay! REMEMBER- Popular campgrounds fill up quickly during the peak season and holiday weekends. It's advisable to make your reservations as soon as possible after establishing your trip itinerary.

Beware of booking windows! --- the period of time - usually between six months and a year - that reservations open up at a campground. Book them as close to those openings as possible.

Step 3 - Getting Your Vehicle Ready

There is nothing worse than enduring vehicle issues. A successful camping road trip includes being able to avoid vehicle problems by getting everything ready in advance. Take your vehicle to your mechanic before you hit the road and have a spare tire and equipment for changing a flat (and know how to change it).

If your trip itinerary includes back roads, you may not have cell service, so be sure to have an emergency kit.

Step 4 - Loading Up the Gear

The type of camping you're doing will determine what type of gear you should bring. The expected weather conditions and planned activities will determine what to load up.

Step 5 - Pack the Right Food

Bring food to match the itinerary.

If you're spending hours in the car before reaching your campground, consider getting most of your perishable foods when you're closer to your destination. This will help keep your food fresh.

Step 6 - Just Before You Go

Check for any road closures on the way to or at the park. Double-check the weather in case you need to make any last-minute gear or travel adjustments.

Finally, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the campground. Factor in driving times, traffic delays, and stops along the way for breaks and food. Plan on arriving while there's plenty of daylight, since setting up a camp in the dark is difficult.

Step 7 - Setting Up Camp

You're finally there! It's time to settle in and unload the car. One of the first things you'll want to do is find out where the bathrooms, water and electric supply are and if there are any other amenities you may need, like a dump station.

Now go out and have fun!