The Journal
Destinations to consider, gear we actually trust, checklists worth saving, and a few honest sounds and stories from the community.
How to Pick the Right Camping Cooler
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. If you’ve already read our picks for the best rotomolded coolers, you know rotomolded is the gold standard for ice retention. But rotomolded isn’t always the right call — it’s heavy, […]
The Rise of the “Radius Run”: Skipping the Big Vacation for Camping Close to Home
Campspot data shows travelers mapping a 4-hour radius from home and building trips around gear they already own. Here is how to plan one.
Why September Might Be the Best Month to Camp This Year
KOA and Campspot data both point the same direction: September camping means fewer crowds, easier bookings, and better weather than the peak of summer.
Why We Support the National Park Foundation
Every trip we write about here depends on something a lot of campers never think about: the parks actually being there, maintained, and open. That does not happen…
National Park Week Moved to August This Year — Here’s What’s Still Happening
If you think of National Park Week as an April tradition, this year is different — and if you missed the announcement, there is still a window to…
Mount Rainier’s Sunrise Area and White River Campground Are Closed — Here’s the Latest
If Mount Rainier is anywhere on your radar for the next few weeks, there is a real closure worth knowing about before you plan around it. A wildfire…
Bringing Your Dog Glamping: What to Know Before You Book
More people are bringing their dogs on trips instead of leaving them behind, and glamping turns out to be one of the best ways to do it. You…
National Park Week 2026: Free Entrance Day and What to Expect August 22-30
National Park Week 2026 runs August 22-30, and it comes with something worth planning around: a fee-free entrance day on August 25, the National Park Service anniversary. If…
Rocky Mountain National Park Closes Timber Creek Campground for the Rest of 2026
Rocky Mountain National Park closed Timber Creek Campground at noon on August 10, 2026, and it will stay closed for the rest of the 2026 season. If you…