The Camping Club

Top 25 Water Recreation Parks

Looking to cool off this camping season? Then check out these Water Recreation Parks picked specifically for those who enjoy the water! Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area-Salida, CO Burns Run West - Texoma Lake-Cartwright, OK Collier-Seminole State Park-Naples, FL Davis Lake Campground-Mississippi National Forest-MS Downstream Campground-Garrison Dam Lake-Riverdale, ND Dreher Island State Recreation Area-Prosperity, SC Fort Collins/Lakeside KOA-Ft. Collins, CO Frank Russell Recreation Area-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO Hillsborough River State Park-Thonotosassa, FL Indian Creek-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO Jessie M. Honeymen Memorial State Park-Florence, OR Lake Anna State Park-Spotsylvania, VA Lake Barkley State Resort Park-Cadiz, KY Lake Cumberland State Resort Park-Jamestown, KY Lake Lincoln State Park-Wesson, MS Millerton Lake State Recreation Area-Fresno, CA New Bern KOA- New Bern, NC R. Shaefer Heard-West Point Project-West Point, GA Ray Behrens-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO Rudds Creek Campground-John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir-Boydton, VA Staunton River State Park-Scottsburg, VA Stockton Delta KOA-Lodi, CA Tall Chief Cove-Skiatook Lake-Skiatook, OK Trace State Park-Belden, MS Willow Grove Campground-Dale Hollow Lake-Allons, TN

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Top 25 Unique Cabins

Looking for a cabin out of the ordinary? Try these unique locations, their scenic settings and architecture are sure to impress.

Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Top 25 Unique Cabins Buckhorn State Park-Necedah, WI Clarkco State Park-Quitman, MS Cypremort Point State Park-Cypremort Point, LA Fort Robinson State Park-Crawford, NE Golden Hill State Park-Barker, NY Grayson Highlands State Park-Mouth of Wilson, VA Hungry Mother State Park-Marion, VA Lake Anna State Park-Spotsylvania, VA Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA-Wilmington, NY LeFleur's Bluff State Park-Jackson, MS Douthat State Park-Millboro, VA McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park-Shasta, CA Mueller State Park-Divide, CO Nickerson State Park-Brewster, MA Otter River State Forest-Baldwinville, MA Santee State Park-Santee, SC Shawme-Crowell State Forest-Sandwich, MA Silver River State Park-Ocala, FL South Padre Island KOA-South Padre Island, TX Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park-White Springs, FL Tishomingo State Park-Tishomingo, MS Twin Mountain KOA-Twin Mountain, NH Two Rivers State Recreation Area-Waterloo, NE Umbagog Lake State Park-Cambridge, NH Wishon Cabin- Giant Sequoia National Monument-Springville,CA

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Top 25 Romantic Spots

Looking for that romantic spot to take your loved one? These popular locations will prove to be worthy for its scenic views and availability. Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Applegate Lake Recreation Area-Squaw Lakes-Siskiyou National Forest-OR Bald Nob - Franconia Notch State Park-Franconia, NH Belle Isle State Park-Lancaster, VA Caladesi Island State Park-Dunedin, FL Cumberland Falls State Resort Park-Corbin, KY Eugene T. Mahoney State Park-Ashland, NE First Landing State Park-Virginia Beach, VA Gasparilla Island State Park-Boca Grande, FL Hodges Gardens State Park-Florien, LA J.A. Skinner State Park-Hadley/South Hadley, MA Moore State Park-Paxton, MA Niagara Falls North KOA-Youngstown, NY Occoneechee State Park-Clarksville, VA Odiorne State Park-Rye, NH Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park-Dawson Springs, KY Percy Quin State Park-McComb, MS Ponca State Park-Ponca, NE Raystown Lake-Hesston, PA Redman Campground-Wasatch Cache National Forest-UT Rend Lake-Benton, IL Ridgway State Park-Ridgway, CO Rockport State Park-Peoa, UT San Antonio KOA-San Antonio, TX Sonoma Coast State Beach-Sonoma, CA Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site-Portsmouth, NH

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Top 50 Scenic Views

Experience nature first hand at these beautiful scenic locations! View a variety of different trees, plants, flowers and wildlife.

Applegate Lake Recreation Area-Squaw Lakes-Siskiyou National Forest-OR
Blue Hills Reservation-Milton, MA
Collier-Seminole State Park-Naples, FL
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park-Corbin, KY
Dead Horse Point State Park-Moab, UT
Devils Tower KOA-Devils Tower, WY
Fort Robinson State Park-Crawford, NE
Frank Russell Recreation Area-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO
Goblin Valley State Park-Green River, UT
Goosenecks State Park-Mexican Hat, UT
Highlands Hammock State Park-Sebring, FL
Hillsborough River State Park-Thonotosassa, FL
Hodges Gardens State Park-Florien, LA
Indian Creek Recreation Area-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO
J. P. Coleman State Park-Iuka, MS
James River State Park-Gladstone, VA
John W. Kyle State Park-Sardis, MS
John Wingate Weeks Historic Site-Lancaster, NH
Kiptopeke State Park-Cape Charles, VA
Kodachrome Basin State Park-Cannonville, UT
Lake Manatee State Park-Bradenton, FL
Lake Michigan Recreation Area-Huron-Manistee National Forest-MI
Landsford Canal State Park-Catawba, SC
Little Manatee River State Park-Wimauma, FL
Monadnock State Park-Jaffrey, NH
Mount Holyoke Range State Park-Amherst, MA
Mt Sugarloaf State Reservation-South Deerfield, MA
Mt. Greylock State Reservation-North Adams, Adams, Lanesborough, Cheshire, Williamstown and New Ashford, MA
Natural Bridge State Resort Park-Slade, KY
Niobrara State Park-Niobara, NE
Percy Quin State Park-McComb, MS
Petosky KOA-Petoskey, MI
Plymouth Park-John Day Lock & Dam-The Dalles, OR
Ray Behrens-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO
Raystown Lake-Hesston, PA
Royal Gorge KOA-Canon City, CO
Saddleback Butte State Park-Los Angeles, CA
Shenandoah River State Park-Bentonville, VA
Sky Meadows State Park-Delaplane, VA
Staunton River State Park-Scottsburg, VA
Summit Cannon Mountain-Franconia Notch State Park-Franconia, NH
Tall Chief Cove-Skiatook Lake-Skiatook, OK
Tillicum Beach-Siuslaw National Forest-OR
Tishomingo State Park-Tishomingo, MS
Torreya State Park-Bristol, FL
Trace State Park-Belden, MS
Twin Lakes State Park-Green Bay, VA
Westmoreland State Park-Montross, VA
Willow Grove Campground-Dale Hollow Lake-Allons, TN
Yampa River State Park-Hayden, CO

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Top 25 Park Beaches

Love to swim? These park beaches were selected for their quality sand and water and let's not forget the cleanliness of the beach itself for your optimal enjoyment. Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Top 25 Park Beaches Bear Brook State Park-Deerfield, NH Caladesi Island State Park-Dunedin, FL Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area-Burwell, NE Choctaw Lake Campground-Mississippi National Forests-MS Claytor Lake State Park-Dublin, VA Demarest Lloyd State Park-Dartmouth, MA Emmet KOA-Emmet, MI Fairy Stone State Park-Stuart, VA Fort Pierce Inlet State Park-Fort Pierce, FL Harvey Gap-Rifle, CO Holliday Lake State Park-Lynchburg, VA Lake Lincoln State Park-Wesson, MS Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area-Ogallala, NE Longwood Park-John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir-Boydton, VA Myrtle Beach State Park-Myrtle Beach, SC Nantasket Beach State Reservation-Hull, MA Naples Marco Island KOA-Naples, FL Revere Beach State Reservation-Revere, MA Rudds Creek Campground-John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir-Boydton, VA San Elijo State Beach-San Diego, CA South Sandusky Day Use-Benton, IL St. George Island State Park-St.George Island, FL Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA-Sugarloaf Key, FL Topsail Hill Preserve State Park-Santa Rosa Beach, FL Wallis Sands State Park-Rye, NH

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Wax & Lint

Great fire starters start with wax and dryer lint. Start with dryer lint, wax and small bathroom paper cups. I melt wax and fill the Dixie cups with dryer lint (full) and add the wax. Let each set until firm (sometimes I put in the freezer to speed up the process). These work everytime, and we always have spares for our camping neighbors who have a hard time lighting their campfires.

Submitted By: Daphne Michele

Top 50 Hiking Trails

For the avid hiker in you, you'll be sure to enjoy these trails for their superior terrains and impressing scenery.

Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Top 50 Hiking Trails Appalachian Trail-MA Artist Bluff-Franconia Notch State Park-Franconia, NH Black River Hike & Bike Trail-Clearwater Lake-Piedmont, MO Brighton KOA-Brighton, ONT CANADA Brooks Camp Campground-Katmai National Park & Preserve-King Salmon, AK Burnsville Lake Trail System-Burnsville, WV Cape Perpetua-Siuslaw National Forest-Yachats, OR Castle Crags State Park-Shasta, CA Chippokes Plantation State Park-Surry, VA Cumberland Falls State Resort Park-Corbin, KY Deer Creek State Park-Midway, UT Douthat State Park-Millboro, VA Fairy Stone State Park-Stuart, VA False Cape State Park-Virginia Beach, VA Fort Robinson State Park-Crawford, NE Gaylord KOA-Gaylord, MI Grayson Highlands State Park-Mouth of Wilson, VA Holliday Lake State Park-Lynchburg, VA Holmes Bend Campground-Green River Lake-Campbellsville, KY Hopkinton State Park-Hopkinton, MA Hungry Mother State Park-Marion, VA Indian Cave State Park-Shubert, NE Jordanelle Rock Cliff State Park-Heber City, UT Kiptopeke State Park-Cape Charles, VA Kodachrome Basin State Park-Cannonville, UT Koreshan State Historic Site-Estero, FL Loft Mountain Campground-Shenandoah National Park-VA Lory State Park-Denver, CO Middlesex Fells Reservation-Malden, Medford, Stoneham, Melrose, Winchester, MA Monadnock State Park-Jaffrey, NH Myakka River State Park-Sarasota, FL Natural Bridge State Resort Park-Slade, KY North Sydney/Cabot Trail KOA-New Harris, NS CANADA Oconee State Park-Mountain Rest, SC Oscar Scherer State Park-Osprey, FL Pawtuckaway State Park-Nottingham, NH Percy Quin State Park-McComb, MS Pillsbury State Park-Washington, NH Ponca State Park-Ponca, NE R. Shaefer Heard-West Point Project-West Point, GA Ray Behrens-Mark Twain Lake-Monroe City, MO Red Fleet State Park-Vernal, UT Rockport State Park-Peoa, UT Smith Mountain Lake State Park-Huddleston, VA Steinaker State Park-Vernal, UT Tishomingo State Park-Tishomingo, MS Topsail Hill Preserve State Park-Santa Rosa Beach, FL Torreya State Park-Bristol, FL Trace State Park-Belden, MS Wasatch Mountain State Park-Midway, UT

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Top 50 Fishing Spots

Get your fishing rods ready! Experience this popular activity among campers to the fullest. These locations will deliver optimal availability and fish variety while achieving impeccable water quality and conditions. Below are just a few of the wonderful locations that are available through ReserveAmerica. Be sure to check out the many other recreation opportunities throughout the site.

Applegate Lake Recreation Area-Squaw Lakes-Siskiyou National Forest-OR Bear Lake State Park-Garden City, UT Blackberry-Siuslaw National Forest-Tidewater, OR Blue Creek- Oologah Lake-Oologah, OK Bolsa Chica State Beach-Orange, CA Brooks Camp Campground-Katmai National Park & Preserve-King Salmon, AK Burns Run West - Texoma Lake-Cartwright, OK Burnsville Lake-Burnsville, WV Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area-Burwell, NE Cayo Costa State Park-Boca Grande, FL Choctaw Lake Campground-Mississippi National Forests-MS Claytor Lake State Park-Dublin, VA Davis Lake Campground-Mississippi National Forest-MS Dent Acres Campground-Dworshak Dam & Reservoir-Ahsahka, ID Downstream Campground-Garrison Dam Lake-Riverdale, ND Fort Pierce Inlet State Park-Fort Pierce, FL Gasparilla Island State Park-Boca Grande, FL Grand Isle State Park-Grand Isle, LA Greenbo Lake State Resort Park-Greenup, KY Grenada Lake-Grenada, MS Hungry Mother State Park-Marion, VA Hyrum Lake State Park-Hyrum, UT J. P. Coleman State Park-Iuka, MS John W. Kyle State Park-Sardis, MS Kentucky Lakes/Prizer Point KOA-Cadiz, KY Kiptopeke State Park-Cape Charles, VA Lake Cumberland State Resort Park-Jamestown, KY Lake Francis State Park-Pittsburgh, NH Lake Lincoln State Park-Wesson, MS Lake Manatee State Park-Bradenton, FL Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area-Ogallala, NE Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area-Ogallala, NE Lake Warren State Park-Hampton, SC Manchester KOA-Manchester, TN Mollidgewock State Park-Errol, NH New River Trail State Park-Foster Falls, VA Occoneechee State Park-Clarksville, VA Otter Creek State Park-Antimony, UT Percy Quin State Park-McComb, MS Plymouth Park-John Day Lock & Dam-The Dalles, OR Quail Creek State Park-St.George, UT Sandisfield State Forest-Sandisfield, MA Santee State Park-Santee, SC Scusset Beach State Reservation-Sandwich, MA Spinney Mountain State Park-Lake George, CO St. George Island State Park-St.George Island, FL Sugarloaf KOA-Sugarloaf, FL Trace State Park-Belden, MS Umbagog Lake State Park-Cambridge, NH Yuba Lake State Park-Levan, UT

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eGear's 10 Day Lantern

Use eGear’s 10-day Lantern for safe indoor or outdoor use. The lantern is fully equipped with a lifetime LED bulb and emergency back up lighting and is weather resistant. It’s perfect for a rugged outdoor activity. Submitted By: Ron Persall Q: Are you familiar with eGear products? If so, which products? A: No, I wasn’t familiar with their products prior to testing. Q: Do you normally use a lantern or flashlight while outdoors? A: I have several flashlights I use; two are the rechargeable variety. Q: Was the 10-day Lantern easy to store and carry? A: Yes it was. It was very easy to store and took up little room. Q: Did you find the adjustable brightness control feature to be helpful? A: Very nice feature; it helps conserve battery life. That’s very important, especially while your outdoors! Q: Did the LED bulb provide enough light? A: Yes. It was perfect. I could see quite a few feet ahead of me while lit. Q: Where did you use the lantern? A: I have used it around the house since receiving it; I also was able to use it on a recent RV trip. Q: How dark was the area that you needed lit up? A: The RV trip was moonlight only. So the lantern really came in handy when we needed to get from one side to the other. Q: Did you use the lantern during hard torrential weather? A: No. I didn’t get a chance to, but it looks like it wouldn’t give out during a thunder storm or some rain. Q: Did you hang the lantern or handheld? A: Both. It gives out enough light, that you don’t need to hold it close to you as you would other flashlights or lanterns. Q: What was the lantern’s best feature? A: This is a nice lightweight lantern. It really comes in handy when you take long hiking trips, and need to carry it in your pack. It takes up little room and doesn’t weigh much! Q: Would you recommend this lantern to other campers? A: Yes I would. Its far better than a typical flashlight. And its great for outdoor use and even if you’re electricity goes out at home. Q: What suggestions would you make to improve the lantern? A: I don’t think I can see any need to improve on what seems simple, effective and works. Q: Were the batteries easy to install? A: Yes, no problem at all. Q: Would you pay $40.00MSRP for this lantern? Why or why not? A: I think $40.00 is a good price; as with everything in these times, ones money must be used on necessary items; this is a nice lantern for its brightness, so if you really need one, this is great bang for your buck. Q: Do you feel confident using the lantern since it has a lifetime warranty? A: Yes I do. A lifetime warranty just reiterates what a great product this is. The manufacturer is obviously confident in their product.

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Easy to Make Table Cloth

Instead of having those flimsy red tablecloths, go to the fabric store and buy cloth-backed vinyl. It usually sells for about $3 a yard. Buy about 6 yards. Take it to your camp, roll out the length you need and cut. No sewing needed. Then split the other lengthwise to cover the benches. No more splinters!!! You can throw it in the washer and they last for many seasons. Some tables at the campgrounds are usually chewed up so this gives them a home-like touch.

Submitted By: Marc MacPherson

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