Around the Campfire
Honest stories, community notes, and the slower, less practical side of camping — the stuff worth talking about once the tent is up.
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…
Colorado’s 2026 Drought and Wildfire Season: What Campers Should Know
If you’re planning a Colorado camping trip this summer, it’s worth knowing the state is dealing with some of its most severe drought and wildfire conditions on record….
Boundary Waters Wildfire Closures: What’s Open Right Now
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota has been closed to overnight camping since mid-July due to wildfire activity, but the Forest Service has been reopening…
2026 Michigan State Park Campground Closures: What to Know Before You Book
Several Michigan state parks are running major infrastructure upgrades in 2026, and a handful of campgrounds are closed for part of the season as a result. Since Michigan…