About

Tune in to Martha Stewart Living

2012-05-16T18:02:38Z

Monica Prelle, your About.com Camping Guide, will be going live on Martha Stewart Living Radio tomorrow morning! "Morning Living" hosts Betsy Karetnick and Brian Kelsey invited Monica to chat with them about camping. We'll be talking about camping for beginners and how to get started backcountry camping.

Tune in to Martha Stewart Living Radio on SiriusXM110 on Thursday, May 17th at 10:30 AM Eastern Time.

"Start your day the Martha way with 'Morning Living!' (and About Camping)!"

More: Gearing Up for Camping | Where to Camp | Setting Up Camp | Breaking Down Camp | After Camping

Tune in to Martha Stewart Living originally appeared on About.com Camping on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 18:02:38.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

National Parks Military Passes Offered to Active Duty Service Members

2012-05-15T18:32:29Z

Just in time for Armed Forces Day, active duty service members and their dependents have been offered a military pass to several U.S. government agencies. The pass will grant free access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other public lands around the nation in the coming years.

"Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to our service men and women who make great sacrifices and put their lives on the lines to protect our country and preserve our freedom," Secretary Salazar said in a statement. "In recognition of their contributions and service, we are putting out a welcome mat for these brave men and women and their families at America's most beautiful and storied sites."

Beginning on May 19, active duty service men and women - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves - can obtain the new military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass.

"First Lady Michelle Obama and I started the Joining Forces initiative last year as a way to honor, recognize and support our veterans and military families," said Dr. Jill Biden in a press statement. "This effort is a wonderful way to give something back, giving our military men and women and their families a chance to reconnect with their loved ones, experience the beauty of this country, and simply have a little fun."

Unfortunately the military pass is not available to veterans or retirees.

National Parks Military Passes Offered to Active Duty Service Members originally appeared on About.com Camping on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 18:32:29.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

View a Partial Solar Eclipse in the West

2012-05-13T01:01:46Z

The first solar eclipse viewable in the U.S. in the last 18 years will darken the sky before sunset on May 20, 2012. The partial solar eclipse can be seen best from California, New Mexico and Utah.

"Even though we won't have a total eclipse, the moon will be in position to block out 96 percent of the sun's light at the eclipse maximum, leaving what we call a 'ring of fire' around the disc of the moon," said Astronomer and National Park Service volunteer Dr. Tyler Nordgren.

National park rangers and astronomers from the National Park Service, local astronomy clubs and NASA will converge on several national parks with programs and hands-on eclipse activities for park visitors.

"This will be spectacular," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "There are 33 national parks positioned for a great view of the eclipse."

More: Plan a Stargazing Campout | Top 5 US National Parks to Pitch a Tent | National Park Events

Photo: A total solar eclipse is seen on July 22, 2009 in Iwojima Island, Tokyo, Japan. / Getty Images

View a Partial Solar Eclipse in the West originally appeared on About.com Camping on Sunday, May 13th, 2012 at 01:01:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

About Camping Wins Outdoor Writing Awards!

2012-05-11T17:53:25Z

The Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) awarded About Camping and Monica Prelle 2nd Place for Best Website in the annual craft awards. The 2012 OWAC Craft Awards were announced this week at the organization's spring conference in Morro Bay, California.

About Camping's Awards Include:

2nd Place Best Website - About Camping
1st Place Series of Photos - Postcards from California
1st Place Feature Photo - Hot Creek (from Postcards from California)

Each year OWAC salutes the best writing, photography, web, radio and video work by its members from the previous year. Entries are judged by prominent outdoor writers and photographers from beyond California.

About Camping Wins Outdoor Writing Awards! originally appeared on About.com Camping on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 17:53:25.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Post Camping Luxuries

2012-05-09T12:21:52Z

After a week of camping, wine tasting, hiking and beach combing in California's Central Coast, I was ready for a hot shower and electricity. I needed some recharging.

A two night stay at the Inn at Morro Bay was just what I needed (or wanted, really). I like to think I'm a dedicated camper, but I couldn't resist the luxury of this boutique hotel. My stay in Morro Bay was hosted by the Morro Bay Chamber Commerce, the Inn at Morro Bay, and the Outdoor Writers Association of California and I was happy to be a recipient of their hospitality.

My favorite post-camping luxury is a hot shower. What's your favorite luxury after a good camping trip?

Post Camping Luxuries originally appeared on About.com Camping on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 12:21:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Camping Destination: Lake Tahoe

2012-05-07T01:00:18Z

Lake Tahoe's bright blue water, sandy beaches and alpine landscape offer some of the most scenic camping in California and Nevada. Whether you are hiking, biking, boating, or just relaxing, Lake Tahoe is an ideal camping destination.

More: Lake Tahoe Campgrounds | Boating, Kayaking and Sailing Lake Tahoe | Where to Bike around Lake Tahoe

Camping Destination: Lake Tahoe originally appeared on About.com Camping on Monday, May 7th, 2012 at 01:00:18.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Camping Poll: How Do You Love to Camp?

2012-05-05T16:28:54Z

Camping Poll: How Do You Love to Camp? originally appeared on About.com Camping on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at 16:28:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Camp Under the Stars

2012-04-30T12:21:51Z

Shooting stars, the Milky Way and full moons light up the night sky. Whether you are an amateur astronomer, a first time stargazer or planning a romantic getaway, you'll love camping under the stars.

Plan your next getaway and camp under the stars! Learn about:

Meteor Showers and Shooting Stars
New Moon Phases - The Ultimate Time for Stargazing
Full Moon Calendar
Native American Names for the Full Moons

More: Plan a Stargazing Campout - Camping for Astronomers and Romantics

Image: NASA, ESA, and M. Kornmesser (ESO)

Camp Under the Stars originally appeared on About.com Camping on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 12:21:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Portable Grills and Campground Cooking

2012-04-27T12:47:11Z

With the summer season comes barbecue and grilling season. From portable propane grills and barbecues to cooking over the campfire there are a lot of ways to barbecue this summer. Check out the latest portable barbecue reviews and top camping barbecue recipes.

Portable Barbecue Reviews:

Safari Chef by CADAC This is the perfect portable grill for a camping chef. The Safari Chef is easy to setup and includes five interchangeable cooking surfaces.

Coleman Fold N Go InstaStart Grill This portable grill is small and compact. The Fold N Go burns hot, which is perfect for grilling hamburgers and hot dogs.

Top Camping Barbecue Recipes:

Dutch Oven Baked Beans A twist on the classic baked beans, this recipe is a delicious barbecue side dish.

Campfire Corn on the Cob Corn can bee cooked in the campfire or on the barbecue, either way is tasty and simple.

Blackened Chicken If you like a little spice on your barbecued chicken try this Cajun recipe.

Baby Back Ribs For camping, marinate the ribs overnight, pat them dry before applying a dry rub, and store them in a Ziploc in your cooler until you're ready to grill.

Photo: Getty Images

Portable Grills and Campground Cooking originally appeared on About.com Camping on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 12:47:11.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Volunteer (Vacation) in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness

2012-04-25T01:00:37Z

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is looking for volunteers this summer for a variety of projects. Consider this a working volunteer vacation into one of the most pristine wildernesses in the country. Projects include river and trail maintenance and clean up; if you're passionate about conservation and the outdoors, each trip sounds like a good time!

From the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation: "Volunteer work trips range from one day or weekend, to week-long adventures backpacking, rafting and camping in the backcountry. It's work, but it is in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and there will be ample time for exploring the wonderland you are working in."

Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness spans more than one million acres of wilderness along the Continental Divide. For more information on the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and volunteer opportunities, check the volunteer schedule and trip list.

More: Montana: A Top US State for Camping | Glacier: Best National Park to Pitch a Tent

Photo: Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation

Volunteer (Vacation) in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness originally appeared on About.com Camping on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 at 01:00:37.

Permalink | Comment | Email this