Friday, October 26, 2012

Camping Close to NYC

Living in one of the most populated metropolitan areas of the world doesn't seem like it would lend well to a solid camping trip... Think again!

There are multiple campground options that are within an hour drive (without factoring in traffic) from The Big Apple that will help quench the desire to be one with nature. How to choose a site can be tricky. Here are a few key points to look for before you book:

1) Do they have running water and bathrooms on site?
- I prefer camping like a city boy. I'm not hiking up a mountain with my food on my back, I'm relaxing in the woods and camping out of the trunk of my car- I NEED A WORKING TOILET.

2) Are they open during the dates you desire?
- Many campsites have "seasons" when they are open. If you try and head out to one during the off season, you may have a disappointing drive back to civilization (or an even worse time at a crappy motel).

3) Does the campground have a curfew/quiet-time?
- This can ruin a good camping trip. Once, I overlooked the rules and regulations, and when we pulled up, the park ranger said "lights out is at 10pm, boys!"

4) Do they allow alcoholic beverages?
- Camping just isn't the same without cold beer. Nuff said!

5) Check the weather reports?
- *self-explanatory.

Now that you have found a site, its time to rally the troops. Go into Google Drive and create a spreadsheet. After sharing the sheet with the people attending, write down EVERYTHING you will need on the trip. Here is a helpful camping list- http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/travel/planning/camping-packing-checklist-00000000000229/index.html. You wont need everything on this list, so use your own judgement. Everyone will input what they will bring until the list is full. You can even isolate a small section of the document for costs and divide that between all campers.

This method is designed to get a camping trip together in two days or less. Please leave comments below or additions that you think I left out.  

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