What You Should Know About Summer Camping in PA

by Sr. Editor on June 27, 2008

If your idea of the perfect summer vacation involves leaving the city behind and heading into the great outdoors, you’re in luck. The Philadelphia area is home to some incredible camping opportunities. From the Poconos to areas a little closer to home, you’re soon to discover Pennsylvania is one very beautiful state in the summer.

Get Planning

Planning a camping trip in Pennsylvania or elsewhere for that matter takes a little advanced legwork. Unless you’re a skilled survivalist, it’s not necessarily wise to pack the family up, throw a few tents in the car and head out. Instead, try following these tips for planning an excursion of camping in Pennsylvania:

Pick the place and set the dates – Make sure you know where you’re going and have reservations at the campgrounds. State parks make excellent choices. French Creek, for example, features some 40 miles of hiking trails, two lakes and a national historic site. This park has several hundred camp sites, but it can get crowded during the season. The area along the Brandywine River is also home to a number of campgrounds.

Arrange for camping supplies – Trip planning for a summer outdoor excursion in the Philadelphia area should be rather deliberate. This is especially so if you intend to do some serious hiking or climbing along the way. Unless you intend to stay in a cabin or RV, you’ll need cookware, tents, sleeping bags, non-perishable foods, a cooler for perishable foods, clothing, a first aid kit, backpacks and so on. Make sure you create a list of must bring items and check them off before you head out. Half the battle in trip planning is making sure you have the right gear with you.

Get maps of the area – If hiking is on your must-do list, make sure you pick up maps of the trails from your campground. It is a little easier to get lost on 40 miles of trail than many people realize. The more familiar you are with your surroundings, the less likely you are to run into trouble.

Plan for the worst – While this generally never happens, it’s a good idea to head into the woods prepared for almost any eventuality. In your trip planning and packing, don’t forget emergency supplies, flashlights and batteries, food to stow in backpacks for a hiking adventure and even clothing for bad weather. You likely won’t need these things, but they’re good to have around just in case.

Getting back to nature in Philadelphia area is a little easier than many people realize. If it’s time to leave the city behind, camping is a great way to go. This hobby is fun, affordable and ideal for the entire family. Just don’t shortcut on your trip planning or you might find yourself longing for the comforts of home.

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