The Journal
Destinations to consider, gear we actually trust, checklists worth saving, and a few honest sounds and stories from the community.
Why Wyoming Is Having a Camping Moment in 2026
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. Grand Teton gets the postcards, but the real story in Wyoming this year is happening in tents and RVs — and not always where you’d expect. Why Wyoming Is Having a […]
Why Some Skiers Never Leave the Mountain: Camping and Skiing Combined
Skiing and camping seem like opposite seasons of the same hobby, but a real overlap of people do both at once — not despite winter, but because of it. Sleeping in the Parking Lot for First Tracks Car and van camping is the most common version of this. Skiers set up in modified vans, cars, […]
What Nobody Tells You Before Your First Camping Trip
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. Every camping guide assumes you already know the basics. This one doesn’t. You Need to Arrive Earlier Than You Think Setting up a tent, figuring out your site’s layout, and getting […]
How to Actually Sleep Well at a Campsite
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. Most camping advice stops at “bring a good sleeping bag.” That’s not actually why people sleep badly outside. The Real Problem Is the Ground, Not the Bag A sleeping bag’s temperature […]
Mark Your Calendar: The Next Free National Park Day Is Coming Up
Mark your calendar: September 17, 2026 is a fee-free entrance day at national parks across the country — the next one after August’s, and it’s just over a week away. What’s Actually Free September 17 lands on Constitution Day, one of the National Park Service’s designated fee-free entrance days for 2026. On this specific day, […]
E-Scooters Are Being Banned in National Parks Starting September 11
E-scooters, hoverboards, and similar devices are effectively being banned in national parks starting September 11, 2026 — prohibited by default in every park unless that specific park chooses to allow them. What’s Actually Changing The National Park Service is reclassifying e-scooters, hoverboards, Segways, electric skateboards, and similar devices into a brand-new category: “powered micromobility devices.” […]
5 Elevated Camp Dinners That Actually Feel Fancy
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. Not every camp dinner needs to be a pile of comfort food. These five actually feel like something you’d order at a restaurant, made with the same cast iron skillet you’re […]
5 Camp Cookout Classics for the Grill
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. A portable camping grill earns its spot in the car for exactly these five things. If you’re still deciding what to bring alongside it, our campsite cooking essentials covers the rest […]
5 Camp Breakfasts You Can Make in One Pan
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. Same idea as our Camping Meals — one pan, real food, nothing complicated to clean up before you’ve even had coffee. 1. Campfire Fried Eggs & Hash Uses: the cast iron […]