Camping is an inexpensive vacation choice, and has seen a surge in popularity in recent years due to the economic recession. While State and National parks are well known camping destinations, what many people don’t realize is that most National Forests also have campgrounds, and they’re often more affordable.
About National Forests
National Forests and Grasslands are managed by the Forest Service, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are areas of public land, currently spanning 193 million acres.
Locating Campgrounds
There are over 150 national forests spread across 42 states, and all of those states except Kansas have at least one that allows camping. To get started, the Forest Service website has a page that lists all of the national forests by state. Check to see if your state, or the one you want to go camping in, has one.
Once you reach the website for the National Forest you are interested in, click on the “Recreation” or “Recreational Activities” button found on the left-hand side of the page. If camping is allowed at this location, it will be listed here and give you details. Some forests will have multiple campgrounds to choose from.
Amenities and Safety
Most National Forest camping is rustic in nature, and amenities may be limited. Check the website for your chosen camping location ahead of time to see what is or isn’t available. While many campgrounds have at least some sites that are designated for RVs; electric, sewer, and water hookups are rare. Some campgrounds may not have running water at all, and you will have to bring in enough with you to cover your stay.
National Forest websites also have a section describing current conditions at the park, such as road closures or other hazardous conditions. This information isn’t always up to date though and things can change quickly, so calling the forest before heading out to your chosen campground is a good idea.
Fees and Reservations
Prices will vary depending on how scenic and desirable the area is, and what amenities are available at or near the campground. Five to fifteen dollars a night is most common, but anywhere from free up to twenty-five dollars is possible. Last month I spent a weekend camping at Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. The cost for my site was only five dollars a night.
Some campgrounds do not allow reservations, but for those that do, it can be done through the Recreation.gov website. If you would like to make your reservation online, it can be done right from the homepage. Just follow the directions given on the left-hand side of the page. After filling out all the information, hitting “Search” will bring up availability.
Alternatively, reservations can be made by phone too. There is a toll free number in the upper right-hand side of the page that you can call.
Sources
The US Forest Service: About Us
CNN.com: “In a slump, camping comes into vogue”