My husband and I are going to a concert in Asheville in two weeks and are looking to camp the night before and then hotel the night of. Is there recommended spot that is shaded and not bumper to bumper with other campers? We will be coming in from KY :)

Thanks in advance.

Spent a few days and nights road tripping, camping, and fishing with my friend and his son. We started in Hamilton, MT then made our way to Philipsburg, and out Rock Creek up to Missoula. The route is equal parts dirt road and pavement, with tons of dispersed camping along the way.

What do you do when dogs are off leash and come into your camp ground? How do you handle it? We have a dog that isn't good with other dogs and is usually tethered so he can't cause too much chaos 😅

I just got the trailmade 2 tent and the Kelty cosmo 20 down sleeping bag. I have an REI flash 55 backpack, toaks 750 ml pot and long handle spoon and klymit static v. I plan on grabbing a pocket rocket for my stove. Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I should get? I am doing some car camping and will be trying backpacking this year.

Hey everyone,

I recently pulled out an old Coleman tent that belonged to my Dad, it’s probably about 40 years old. Some of my best childhood memories are of camping in this tent with him, and now I’d love to share that experience with my son.

The good news is the tent itself is still in great shape after all these years. The challenge is… I don’t have the instructions, and I think I might be missing a few parts. I tried setting it up today but couldn’t quite figure it out.

I’ll attach some photos so you can see what I’m working with. I’d really appreciate any help with:

Identifying the exact model

Tips on how to set it up (if you recognize it)

Guidance on what parts might be missing or how to improvise replacements

I know it’s a long shot, but if anyone has experience with vintage Coleman tents, I’d be so grateful for any advice. Even if I can’t get it working again, it’s been fun trying to relive these memories, but it would be amazing to actually camp in it again with my son.

Thanks in advance!

Next week we are going beach camping in one of the Greek islands. But since the beach camping site is also for families (not nudits camping), my GF 23, hesitates to be topless while on camp site.

My opinion is that she should be topless even if there are kids there, because it's not like we booked to be there with the families, but we are going as a couple to have some couple time there and visit the island of course. You know, live and let live. We do our own thing, others will do theirs, and is not as we gonna be nude or something, only that she wont have any bikini tops and bras and be topless while on beach and on our tent.

So what do you think?

Should she be topless or not?

I’ve done one other AMA about this topic half way through the trip, so I’ll answer a few of the frequently asked questions here, with a build parts list below (since that's usually what the questions surround).

Are you working/how can you afford this: My now Fiancé (we got engaged in Denali on the trip!) and I do some freelance, with anything not being covered by that coming out of savings. We are aggressive savers that planned this trip for a while. As it stands, each month came out to around $3k-$4k, depending on excursions, etc. 

How’s the 4Runner: Toyota is incredible. A few oil changes and a small $200 repair (self-inflicted), otherwise really no issues. MPG has been just under 14 for the entire trip… not great but I’ve talked to people who get worse. Yes, the V6 is sluggish, but it’s never left us stranded so I don’t mind.

What’s your power setup: As we both freelanced occasionally, we wanted to make sure power was never an issue. We have about 2.5kwh with Jackery batteries powered by a solar panel and a DC-DC inverter. The solar panel kept the batteries charged up 90% of the time, we really only used the inverter on heavy Starlink use days. A big help was our Renogy ShadowFlux panel, it's worked really well in the shade. While recently camping on the east coast (cloudy weather in tree covered camp grounds), the panel did a great job keeping us topped off. The easy hour or so to install the panel makes this a no-brainer for any build.

What’s the bathroom/shower situation: We have a WaterPort pressurized water storage for showers, but we honestly use it more for dishes. Most showers were taken at Planet Fitness and campsites. For the bathroom, mostly campsites or stores/coffee shops/visitors centers, but we do have some doodie bags that work in a pinch.

**part list**

Lift - 3 inch Old Man Emu.

Wheels - 285/70/r17 BFGoodrich KO2.

Rock Sliders - CBI Overland Bolt-on.

Roof Rack - Prinsy full length no drill.

Water storage on Roof - WaterPort Weekender.

Tent - 4x4 Colorado Alto Mini.

Roof Mounted Solar - Renogy 200w ShadowFlux Anti-Shading panel.

Extra solar - Two 100w Jackery Folding Panels.

Battery - Jackery 1000 Plus w/ Expansion.

Front Bumper - CBI Covert Bumper.

Winch - Badland Apex 1200.

Propane - Flame King 5lb.

Roof Rack Light Bar - 42" Auxbeam LED Light Bar.

Covert Bumper Light Bar - 32" LASFIT Amber Light Bar.

Ditch Lights - Auxbeam 3" 80w Pod Cube.

Switch Panel - Auxbeam 8 Gang.

Swing Arm - Wilco Solo High Clearance.

Fridge - Dometic CFX 35.

Folding Bikes - Brompton A-Line.

Diesel Heater - Vevor 5kwh.

Ordinarily my dad and I go camping Labor Day weekend and Indigenous Peoples' weekend, but he is minding the dogs so I am going it alone. Up in the northern Berkshires. The state redid the footing of almost all the campsites to this gravel/crushed stone combo and let me tell you it is not suitable for driving tent pegs. Great for accessibility (wheels, canes, walkers) just not so much for getting the tent nice and taut, even with some hammering.

Just going to be a casual weekend of exploring the area, fishing, hiking, and ignoring work emails.

Last trip, we were sitting by the fire when suddenly every insect, bird, and frog just stopped. No wind, no noise, nothing. For a good minute it felt like the forest was holding its breath.

I wondered if anyone had any experience with the Paria Thermodown sleeping bag (not quilt) series (e.g. 0º) to compare with the REI Magma 15º? My sister bought a Magma 15 recently with the sale on, and it's the comfiest sleeping bag I've ever experienced. Honestly felt like dying and being escorted to heaven (but maybe I was just sleepy and needed a nap, who's to say). Anyone who's tried the Thermodown 0, was it a similarly dreamy experience? There's about a 4-8 oz difference between the Thermodown and Magma (depending on which shape Magma and which rating Thermodown), which feels pretty negligible given they're both 2-3 lbs. On sale, the Magma is $300 (usually $400) and the Thermodown is $180. So it's a big difference in cost. And in the stuff sack the Thermodown 0 is somehow smaller than the Magma 15. So if the Thermodown is as insanely comfortable as the Magma, then that's an easy choice. I'd love to hear if anyone's tried both!

I'm here on Long Island in New York. I've never camped, and neither has my wife. We have two little girls, 3 and 8. We're trying to get it going. If it was me alone, I'd start hopping on road trips to wherever and make do out of the back of my 4runner. I'm the type that can stare at a mountain/lake/fire pit for hours with a cup of coffee/beer. My wife is into the concept, but her only condition - for now - is that she needs access to plumbing. I have added pressure on finding the right kind of spot since I only have my 8-year-old every other weekend during the school year (not including holidays, etc).

I've been reading along and learning much from this and other subs. Truly helpful stuff. I've been trying to look through the Reserve America app, and just recently came across HipCamp (I also see another thread from tonight where people have very strong opinions about this app).

I'm infinitely jealous of those who live pretty much ANYWHERE ELSE in the country, where dispersed camping sites seem to be easily within reach. I see NY has a ton of campgrounds, but pictures I've seen all seem to show very crowded areas. I'm not trying to "camp" 20 feet away from a $300,000 RV. I'm nervous to book a campsite, get the family there some 80-100 miles (3-4 hours in horrendous NY traffic) away, only to find a crowded field of campgrounds. I was recommended Beaver Pond, North-South Lake, Little Pond, and Bear Spring but I haven't been able to scope them out well enough.

I just bought a Marmot Halo 4p on sale. Expecting it might be a little tight for our family to start, but I have limited budget, I'm starting from zero, and didn't want to skimp on quality. I also expect to be setting up by myself on the inevitable solo trips I end up taking.

TL;DR - help a Long Islander turn his family with two girls under 10 into a family that camps with some good campgrounds that have plumbing, will help kickstart my girls' appreciation for the outdoors, but won't be an RV parking lot.

visiting canyonlands mid September have no camping res, just want to park for the night. I see dispersed camping but van wont make it to many also 1st come so most likely will fill beforei arrive. just want to park to sleep, think maybe just do that in the park somewhere. do they patrol at night?

Help me solve this debate. I'm trying to figure out if we're getting firewood for our camp or wood for our campfire.

We live in Colorado and disperse camp 90% of the time.

Hello everybody - I've been looking at eskies/coolers online to buy, in preparation for a 4-day camp at a bush doof in December (Australia's scorching hot Summertime) and have been trying to consider how to retain the ice in the esky/cooler & keep it cool for as many days as possible.

I'm already planning on prechilling and pre packing everything into whatever esky I end up purchasing. I'd also seen a hack where somebody put one of those aluminum car shades inside/outside of the esky to prolong the cooling/keep it more protected, anybody tested that one?

I saw a post about how store-bought eggs in Australia are washed & tend to go bad a lot faster if not refrigerated - this may be a silly question, but does anybody know if using direct chicken eggs will change that, as I don't believe they're washed? -- I would also appreciate any other advice on good things to bring to make while camping in the summer, that aren't at too high of a risk of going bad too quick, thanks!

Just spent Sunday thru Wednesday tent camping at Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario, Wisconsin. First time camping up in the Driftless Area for both of us, and we had a lovely time!

We booked site 101, the closest cart-in site to the shower building and the parking lot, about a month in advance. Most of the tent sites were still open while we were there. The fee was $18/day, plus a $15/day fee for out-of-state residents. They also require a parking sticker for $16/day, or $50/year. We ended up buying the yearly pass since the price difference was negligible for a 3-day trip.

The site was very quiet, shady, and flat. Most of the time, it felt like we were the only people around. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the wooded campground - raccoons, squirrels, woodchucks, and lots of birds - and fortunately the spiders and mosquitos mostly left us alone.

Some highlights from the trip: hiking up Mt. Pisgah, hiking above the Kickapoo River, stopping by the visitor center for the Sparta-Elroy State Trail (the oldest rail trail in the US), sharing the road with horses and buggies, cheese stores 😍

Hi I just bought a Klymit Static V at a Sierra store and I believe it’s missing a cap on the valve!?? Is there a way I can buy a new one? I can’t find one anywhere!!

Will one last longer than the other? Does one make a stronger fire? 🔥

Had this tent for about 4-5 years, only this summer did I pull it out and now have this issue. And yes it is everywhere, all over the tent and in every seam. I’m wondering if it’s salvageable and how exactly to clean it if it can be? Thanks

I'm planning a short solo camping trip in October after a very long hiatus from this activity. One of the motives for doing this is to get away from the internet, video games, and phone use in general. How do you guys handle things like the craving to doomscroll? I don't want to end up watching YouTube the whole time.

I was going to go as far as to get a tape walkman so that even my music choices would not require internet, but I might hold off on that and try to go without music entirely. I really only want to enjoy nature.

Naturally, I'm going to have the phone for emergencies/letting people know I'm alive. But I don't want to use it mindlessly.

Edit: I appreciate the advice. For those saying "just stay out of service or leave the phone at home," I'm camping alone for the first time in many years and feel like it would be foolish for me to deliberately cut myself off from 911 help if I really needed it. But I'll definitely bring a book and some paper maps. The disposable camera idea is great too, since it gets around needing the phone to take photo.

I’m reading some conflicting info on these two. Supposedly the Hubba Hubba has better ventilation because it has more mesh in its inner tent, but the Elixir has better rain fly vents.

I’ll be using this it in Scotland and Scandinavia so I want the best possible ventilation while waiting out heavy rain or storms, when the rain fly will be fully zipped. I’ve gotten kinda claustrophobic in the past in those conditions, not necessarily from lack of space but just the humidity and lack of airflow.

Any experiences or recommendations, maybe for a non MSR model? Some reviews only talk about ventilation with the rainfly off but that seems completely irrelevant.

Have a 2 week trip to Utah coming up in October. Will be around Moab and southern Utah (Mexican Hat) area mostly. Very experienced camper, but have never camped in a desert climate before (I’m from N.C.). Any desert/utah-specific camping gear or tips you could offer? I’m also planning on bringing my dog so if there’s anything dog-related you could share that would be awesome too! (Picture is the dog in question in WV!)

Good morning

Do you know any groups that organize bivouac hikes regularly in France? I would like to join a group to go hiking and bivouac

Thank you for your help