Have you thought about how much you spend on lodging and food for an average family trip?  When camping, you can always bring a cooler and cooking stove to cook your meals instead of going out to eat; this will save a substantial amount of money.  Federal and state parks have very affordable fees that will be much more affordable than hotel expenses.  Many parks also offer many free activities such as tours, hikes, and fishing.  Your family will be easily entertained with all of the activities and wildlife to watch.  Saving money on food and overnight stays will give you more flexibility to participate in the activities of your choice along the way.  There are many interesting towns with an abundance of activities along the roads of Texas. 

   Camping in Texas will give you a very scenic and diverse landscape offering a wide variety of camping experiences.  Starting from one side of the state and driving to the other side, stopping along the way, you will have a wide variety of thing to see and do.  You can experience many exciting landscapes driving from the piney woods of East Texas to the hills of Central Texas, and finishing your trip in the Mountains of Big Bend National Park in West Texas.  Make sure you stop in many of the interesting towns along the way to see what they have to offer.  Your family will have many opportunities for outdoor activities as well as great scenery along the way.

   Experiencing the many different landscapes and enjoying the many different outdoor activities will be a fun and exciting trip for your family.  You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and rest easy knowing and you didn’t have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the trip.  Why not take an adventure and get away from the TV, video games, and phones to discover a whole new exciting world?  Through the camping tent and camping supplies in the trunk and lets go!

   The most important item for preparation is a good camping supply list.  Make sure you consider every aspect of your trip and make a list of supplies for each area.  Consider supplies for cooking meals (don’t forget the cleanup), tent and sleeping bag, first aid supplies, hiking supplies, and supplies for any activities you have planed.  Once you have made the list, start gathering the camping equipment you need for each category–marking off the supplies as you pack them.  Repeat this process for each category until you finish your master list; then, review your list and make sure you didn’t miss anything.

   There are a lot of camping supplies you could pack for comfort, but there is a basic list you should always keep in mind.  The first things you should always pack are a first aid kit, flashlight, and weather radio for emergencies. Your camping tent and sleeping bag are the second most essential pieces of equipment for your trip.  These aren’t only for comfort, they will protect you from extreme weather conditions should you encounter them.  Beyond your shelter, you should consider taking a camping stove, cooking utensils, and cooler if you plan to cook any meals.  You might also consider a cooking table, camping chairs, and a lantern for comfort and convenience—while nonessential, they do make life in the great outdoors a little more comfortable.  This small list of basic camping gear will get you started and decrease the chances that something gets left behind.

     Avoid being the guy who has to drive to the store for forgotten items by making sure you are prepared before you leave.  Always ensure you have all the basic camping equipment then check your supplemental equipment.  With the proper camping equipment your camping trip will be a pleasant experience that your family will not soon forget.
 

Many events can take place while hiking and camping such as a broken ankle, snake bite or heart attack.  You should be prepared for such events by having basic first aid skills and supplies.  I also suggest bringing a book on first aid as a supplemental source of information in case you encounter a situation you have not encountered.  You should also be familiar with the location of any ranger facilities or medical treatment facilities in case you are in need of their services.  I suggest doing a search of the area before you leave and familiarize yourself with a route to the nearest emergency facility. 

Weather is also responsible for many deaths each year and could have been prevented with a little forward thinking and possibly a weather radio.  Be aware of where the location of ranger stations are at all times and make sure you have a plan for hazardous weather.  When planning possible escape routes you should be conscious of areas where water can rise and obstruct your passage.  Also you should be familiar with how to handle any weather situation that you might find yourself and have a plan.

A little forward thinking and preparation can save your life, so take the time and learn these basic skills.  Bring a weather radio and know where the nearest shelters and emergency facilities are located.  With a little preparation involved and the proper camping gear, you can rest easy knowing you are prepared for the situations you might encounter.  Be safe and enjoy the outdoors!

It’s easy to take for granted or not think about how quickly a camping trip can get out of hand with a heavy rain or thunderstorm.  Make sure you have a quality camping tent and rain suit before you go on your trip so you don’t end up soaked.  Secondly, if you are camping near a river you should have a planned route to evacuate if the river rises rapidly. Rivers can rise rapidly and surprise you if you don’t pay attention to the water level.  You might even take the precaution of not camping near the water so your chances of having problem are reduced.

Cold weather is another weather condition many campers take for granted.  I recommend that you bring propane camping heaters if you know the weather is going to be cold.  If you aren’t able to start a fire you still have a heat source.  I also recommend bringing extra clothing than you think you will need.  You never know when it will get colder than predicted or you might get wet, so bring a change of warm clothes.  Hypothermia can set in quickly, so don’t take any chances.

You should always check the weather before proceeding on your next trip and be prepare with the appropriate camping equipment.  Make sure you bring propane camping heaters and extra clothing in case you encounter either of these conditions.  Having the appropriate camping equipment can easily make your trip much more enjoyable and shelter you from the elements.  The Boy Scouts were definitely right when they came up with the motto “Be Prepared.”

I do want to remind you that you get the quality that you pay for, so remember that the cheapest tent you can find might leave you wet and miserable on your camping trip. I recommend Coleman Tents and Eureka Tents for their quality and affordability. Both offer family camping tents and backpacking tents in many styles and different price ranges. Even their discounted camping tents will be sufficient and give you the longevity you expect out of a tent while not leaving you soaked to the bone. Some of the larger family tents they offer are the Eureka Pine Lodge, Eureka Copper Canyon, and the Coleman Sundome. You might even be able to find some of these tents in camping tent packages if you are starting from scratch. These are complete packages that have all the camping equipment you will need for your next trip. Both brands offer quality tents at affordable prices in any variation of camping tent you might need. They will all leave you warm, dry, and happy on your next trip and you will still have enough money left over for any activities you might want to participate in.

You don’t have to be an expert to pick a camping tent, but you do need a quality brand that will protect you from the elements. Any of the tents I listed above will serve your family well and provide years of service with proper care. Next time you look for a camping tent, leave the cheapest one on the shelf and check out Coleman and Eureka tents and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Planning a family camping trip can be a little more work than throwing your family camping tent, a couple of sleeping bags, and a cooler in the car. There are some other things that would make the trip more enjoyable for the new camper. Most people find that it would be nice to have something soft to sleep on, something to sit on, light to see at night, and a stove to be able to cook. Your experience can be as comfortable is you would like it to be depending on how much camping equipment you would like to purchase and how much you would like to load and bring with you. Obviously you will want to provide more comfort for longer trips or larger groups. Don’t start to get worried, I will gladly explain some options.

A basic camping tent package would consist of a family camping tent, sleeping bags, an air mattress, and an electric lantern for the tent. This would be a rather basic camping package, but would get you started for a low price. You might consider adding sleeping pads or twin air mattresses for the kids to have something soft to sleep on. Some other options you might add to the tent package are a gas lantern, cooking stove, cooking table, screened enclosure, and camping chairs. These would all add comfort to the trip, but do add additional cost, weight, and take up room. Additional items can also be added on at another date once you have more experience and know what you might like to bring with you on your next trip.

The average person has no camping knowledge, so the camping supply store can be quite confusing trying to figure out what they need. It can be difficult to choose from all the different brands and options available when you had no idea what you needed in the first place. All of the options available to you can be mind boggling and stressful when you just want to get what you need and go. Wouldn’t it be nice if stores had packages that have everything you need so you could grab-n-go?  Well, some have assembled affordable name brand packages so that can purchase the package without stress or worries. The packages have everything you need to get started in name brand products so you don’t have to worry about quality and longevity.

By having these basic camping tent packages put together for you there are no worries about trying to figure out what mix of equipment is right for you. With the confusion out of the way you can concentrate on planning where you will be camping and finding out what activities are offered. Camping gear packages provide a convenient and affordable option for the busier family to save time and get on the road to the great outdoors.

When was the last time you visited a theme park with your family?  Chances are, you bought very expensive advanced tickets online (if you were lucky).  When at last the ticket window was reached, you probably staggered in disbelief and clutched at your chest when the attendant presented you with your total.  At the end of the day, you survey the damages: countless bottles of water–$$$, lunch for four–$$$$, souvenirs they’ve wanted for their whole lives–$$$$.  Once at home, your tired children dream of the marvels of the day while you and your better half dream of a cheaper, yet no less entertaining, form of relaxation.

Are you ready to go camping yet? There are also many activities to entertain you while you are camping. Many state parks provide nature trails with lots of interesting rocks, animal tracks, and the occasional animal sighting.  Some parks offer horseback riding, rock climbing, playgrounds, swimming, canoeing, and fishing.  Some even offer concerts under the stars or social gatherings.  To get a list of planned events or activities, check out your state’s parks and wildlife department site or the National Forest Service website.

 For the price of one theme park trip you can purchase all the equipment you need (which will last you years) and pay for the whole trip. You don’t have to buy top of the line camping equipment for a successful trip. The basic things you will need are a family camping tent, camping coolers, sleeping bags, camping lanterns, and camping mattresses. You can buy a Coleman camping stove, but you can also cook over a fire. 

A family camping trip should be much more relaxing and easier on the pocketbook. Your children might even learn something while exploring the nature trails or taking a park tour. Next time you plan a family trip consider the more relaxing and enjoyable alternative of camping.

Dome tents are by far the most popular and easy to find today. Dome tents are typically held up by two poles crossed in the form of an X bent to reach and attach to all four corners on the ground. These tents allow for more head room than most styles, but do slope inward on the sides. Dome tents are great for windy conditions because of their frame strength and are also great for repelling snow. A great example of a dome tent is the Coleman Sundome tent.

Cabin tents are larger tents that have a more complex frame and have walls that are vertical allowing for more space. Cabin tents are intended for car camping or when weight is not an issue. They are great for larger families or extended camping trips where more space would be nice. They are heavier because of the extra fabric and more difficult to assemble, but are great when space is needed. An example of a popular cabin tent is the Eureka Copper Canyon.

A-frame tents are also a very popular design and are frequently used by Boy Scouts. A-frame tents consist of two poles on each end in the shape of a A held together by a ridge pole. These tents don’t have much head space because of the severe slope of the walls, but they do save a lot of weight and space when packed up. These are typically used for backpacking tents where space and weight is important. These tents are not as wind resistant, but are great for mild weather camping. A great example of a popular A-frame tent is the Eureka Timberline.

I personally recommend Coleman tents and Eureka tents if you are on a budget and looking for discountcamping tents. Both Coleman tents and Eureka tents offer all the styles I mentioned for a family camping tent. They offer large family camping tents such as the Eureka Pine Lodge tent, Eureka Copper Canyon, and the Coleman Sundome. If you are looking for a little lighter weight, and more flexible family camping tent you might consider the Eureka Timberline.

Choosing family camping tents might be quite confusing for some people. There are so many brands and styles to choose from that that your average consumer might seem a little overwhelmed. I personally recommend getting an idea of what you are looking for before you go shopping. There are several steps to take to help narrow it down before you start looking.

First, decide how many people you typically plan to camp with. Family camping tents come in a variety of sizes, so get an idea what how many people you plan to sleep in the tent to determine the size. If you aren’t a backpacker, I recommend a little larger than the number of people you plan to sleep to allow for an extra sleeper or camping gear.

Secondly decide what your primary use of the camping tent will be. Do you plan on backpacking, having long stays, or camping in bad weather? These factors determine wether you need a light weight tent, four season tent, or a larger cabin tent.

Keep in mind that the more specialized tent you get the more the price of the camping tent will be. I personally recommend Coleman tents and Eureka tents if you are on a budget and looking for discount camping tents. Both Coleman tents and Eureka tents offer all the styles and sizes you will need for a family camping tent. They offer large Coleman Sundome. If you are looking for a little lighter weight, and more flexible family camping tent you might consider the Eureka Timberline.

Once you have considered all these facts and choose the style and size, you should be able to easily choose from family camping tents or backpacking tents. Going to the camping supply store armed with this information will make the experience much more pleasant.