Beginner’s Guides

  • Un-Campground Guide: How to stay at Old Faithful Inn without breaking the bank

    Un-Campground Guide: How to stay at Old Faithful Inn without breaking the bank

    Like I said in my Yellowstone campground guide, lodging at the park is super expensive. Our trip was for our first wedding anniversary, so we were willing to splurge, but wanted to do so within reason. Fortunately, you have great options at the Old Faithful Inn to make lodging less horrifically expensive (I won’t say Read more

  • Beginner’s Gear Guide: Coleman one-burner butane camp stove

    Beginner’s Gear Guide: Coleman one-burner butane camp stove

    I have long been an advocate of “keep it simple, stupid” when it comes to campground food. But to keep it hot-dogs-and-smores simple, you need a fire. Yet another drought year in Colorado resulted in statewide fire bans, meaning campfires were out of the question. We kept (naively) kept hoping the bans would get lifted, Read more

  • Beginner’s Campground Guide: Canyon at Yellowstone National Park

    Beginner’s Campground Guide: Canyon at Yellowstone National Park

    Between the cost of indoor lodging and the incredibly nice campground amenities, it’s a no-brainer to camp for at least part of your trip to Yellowstone. The Canyon Campground is located on the eastern side the park near lots of amenities and some of the most stunning scenery. Read more

  • Beginner’s guide to packing your car and staying organized on road trips

    Beginner’s guide to packing your car and staying organized on road trips

    Packing your car for a road trip, and then keeping it organized so you can actually find things, is a massive game of Tetris. Sometimes, things start getting messy. Your car quickly turns into that worst-case Tetris scenario where you’re running out of room and nothing really fits and you also can’t find anything you Read more

  • Beginner’s Gear Guide: Teton Sports Double Sleeping Bag

    Beginner’s Gear Guide: Teton Sports Double Sleeping Bag

    I’m not too proud to admit that I don’t like sacrificing snuggling while camping. Unzipping one sleeping bag and using it as a blanket isn’t warm enough, plus it always slides off. And what’s the point of sleeping in the cold if you can’t snuggle your significant other? I put the Teton Sports Tracker Ultralight Read more

  • Beginner’s Campground Guide: North Michigan at State Forest State Park

    Beginner’s Campground Guide: North Michigan at State Forest State Park

    North Michigan is one of five campgrounds in State Forest State Park, a hidden gem in northern Colorado near the tiny town of Walden. Michigan Lake is a great option for car camping, particularly if you don’t look for reservations early enough and don’t get into Crags (this totally didn’t happen to me). Read more