Campers Info Source

If you like hiking, mountaineering, or camping, Mt. Carter is exactly what you are looking for.  With beauty surrounding you everywhere and a challenging, exciting and adventure awaiting you, visiting Carter Mountain can be a very memorable experience for you and a friend or family members.  As I always say, “The Joy is in the Journey”.  The Southeast Absaroka Range in northwestern Wyoming is bordered on the north by a huge mountain that stretches for over thirty miles along the South Fork of the Shoshone River. While there are at

Carter Mountain

least thirteen unnamed summits with 300 feet of prominence along the long ridge, the entire peak (as well as the highest point) is known as Carter Mountain. Not only is Carter the largest mountain mass in the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, but its steep and pinnacled north face is one of the highest in any of the ranges of Wyoming or Montana, dropping 4,000 feet in one mile and 6,000 feet total to the river.

The name “Carter Mountain” first appeared on the Shoshone National Forest map in 1921. There are two prominent men named Carter in the early history of the area, and it is unclear for which one the peak is named. Judge William A. Carter was a guide for the 1870 Hayden Survey in the Uinta Mountains and became one of the wealthiest men in Wyoming, bringing the first herds of cattle to the Cody area and his ranch on the South Fork in 1879. Doctor Charles Carter started the Bug Ranch in the Big Horn Basin in the same year, and is also credited with bringing the first herds of cattle to the area.

Climbing Carter Mountain is a one way, Class 1 hike of about 6.5 miles with almost 4000 feet of elevation gain; allow 60-75 minutes for the drive from Meeteetse and 4-6 hours for the climb.

Back country camping is allowed in the Shoshone National Forest, provided that you follow the rules about camping away from streams and store your food properly. Water is plentiful in the numerous drainage’s on Carter Mountain, and there

Carter MT Family Dome Tent

are generally a few snowbanks that linger throughout the summer on the high ridges of the peak. You shoud always practice “Leave No Trace” ethics when hiking and camping in this area.

The Carter MT Family Dome Tent is nearly as big as Carter Mountain and serves as a great tent to relax and sleep in after returning to your base camp.  The Carter MT Family Dome Tent is a large free standing, 20′ x 10′ cabin tent with 3 rooms and 8-12 campers can sleep in this tent. The two large 7×10 sleeping rooms are connected in the middle by a 6×10 common room. The common room will work well as a storage room or for extra sleeping space when needed. There are 2 doors that enter into the common room for easy entry and exit and the large awning over the front door keeps rain from entering the main door. The Carter Mt’s full coverage rain fly defies the strongest wind when tied out properly and keeps out even the heaviest rains.

For all of the camping enthusiasts a must-see that should be on everyone’s future camping trips list is Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest Campground will allow you the privilege of seeing nature at its

KELTY Ouray 2 Expedition Tent with out Rain Fly

most awesome view.  The weather on a typical summer day at Mount Washington is approximately75 degrees dipping down to the late 40s and early 50s at the summit. The nights are even cooler. With the impending coolness of the long night and the inclement weather in store, you would be wise to bring along a tent that can stand up to this unstable climate.

Expedition tents will protect you while you are sleeping in even the coldest weather. Expedition tents are designed to be strong, sturdy, stable and reliable. Expedition tents also feature an ArcEdge Floor, which is designed to be waterproof, as there are no seams near the ground and no chance of any water seepage into the tent itself.  The The Kelty Ouray 2 Tent is an excellent expedition tent that will last for years and has the ArcEdge Floor.

You owe it to yourself to take an adventurous camping trip to Mount Washington to experience the wondrous beauty that is seen there.  Pack up and hit the road with your finest and most reliable camping gear including an expedition tent that is especially designed for this type of camping adventure.

 This is the last of a 5 part series on The 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  My focus in this part will be Voyageurs National Park.  If you are a water lover then the perfect camping destination for you is Voyageurs National Park.  Here you will have to ditch your car and take up a canoe to enjoy all that this park has to offer.  There is plenty of forest here to explore and wildlife to observe.  A true treasure for you and your camping company to set up your expedition tents and become one with the beautiful nature that will surround you.

Voyageurs National Park is located in the far reaches of northern Minnesota near International Falls.  Yes, International Falls is that small little city every news weather station in the United States refers to in the Winter as the coldest spot in the US.  So bring a jacket when you visit because it can get a little chilly at times.  The water is blue in the summer and frozen white in the winter. I suggest you also bring a camera and some binoculars

This is the 4th part in my series of the 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  My focus in this part is Whitewater State Park.  If you are looking for a place to enjoy the wildlife but avoid as many mosquitoes as possible then the Whitewater State Park is the place for you.  Here you can enjoy more than 50 different types of mammals and over 250 types of birds. You can also spot the majestic bald eagle make its rounds through the park as well as wild turkeys.  If you go in the early spring you might be able to catch a very rare sighting of the Louisiana water-thrush.

The Picturesque limestone bluffs and deep ravines make Whitewater a very popular southeastern state park.  The 2,700 acre park is an angler’s paradise with brown, brook, and rainbow trout swimming in the spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek.  If you choose to go to Whitewater State Park, bring your fishing gear and your canoe.  Catch some of those big trout and cook em on the grill.  If fishing isn’t your thing, try hiking and find that Louisiana water-thrush.

This is the 3rd in a 5 part series about the 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  My focus in this article is the Boundary Waters which is located in the Northernmost part of Minnesota.

For those that are canoe enthusiasts you will want to pack up and head to BWCAW, also known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  It’s true that there have been very few changes in the area since the glaciers melted.  Here you will find more than 1500 miles of canoe routes, 1,000 streams and lakes to explore and almost 2,200 designated campsites.

The perfect place to set up your expedition tent and go out hiking and exploring for the day, obviously canoeing is also an option and so is boating.  In an area with so much water you can also find the perfect spot to fish.  If you do choose to go camping in the boundary waters, make sure you bring plenty of mosquito repellent with Deet as one of the main ingredients.  With that much water around, the mosquitoes are huge and are known to carry off surrounding deer; Ha Ha.

 This is the 2nd in a 5 part series about the 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  In part 1, I described Taylor Falls as  the Village on the River and a camping destination that offers something for everyone.  In part 2 the Brainerd Lakes Vacation Land area is my focus.  If the name alone is not inviting enough for you and your fellow family tent campers really need to check out one of the many campgrounds that are housed there.  Crow Wing Campground is ideal for family tent campers.  Just a little over two hours north of the Twin cities, this is a 5 Star campground.  Here you will wake up in the morning to the gentle sound of dew drops as they dance on your tent.  Get a warm embrace from the morning sun and then head to the docks for bluegill fishing or take a refreshing dip in the pool.  To close the perfect day of hiking and fishing with a musical snap and crackle of your campfire.

I grew up in the Brainerd Lakes area with six brothers and sisters so I know it very well.  While Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, the Brainerd lakes area is dotted with lakes everywhere and has an unbelievable number of lakes in the area.  The fishing is outstanding and loaded with sunfish, crappies, large mouth bass, northern pike and Walleye (the Minnesota state fish).  The surrounding golf courses are plush green with towering pines and small ponds on many of the golf courses.   I have stayed at the Crow Wing Campground and it is wonderful place to take the entire family  The campground features a large heated pool, a large playground area, volleyball, badminton, and basketball courts, BANKSHOT basketball, frisbee golf, shuffleboard, and horses shoes, which are all offered at no charge to resident guests.  In addition, the guests may rent canoes, motor boats, pontoons, Funyak or a paddle boat for fun on the water.  Or you can bring your own boat and motor.

I highly recommend making Crow Wing Campground in Minnesota one of you next camping destinations.

This is the first in a 5 part series about the 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  Minnesota is one of a handful of states that is considered a camper’s paradise.  Anyone that enjoys packing up an expedition tent and hiking until they can’t hike anymore, Minnesota is the perfect place for you.  The northern end of the state of Minnesota is breathtaking; considered one of the most awe inspiring in the United States especially if you are looking at visiting in the fall.  Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes, offers many opportunities for hiking and expeditions. If you have an expedition tent you will definitely want to make sure you pack it because you will find many opportunities to pitch your expedition tent and go on an adventure of a lifetime.

This is not to say that the southern end of the state doesn’t have its fair share of camping areas as well. There are a couple state parks that offer rock climbing.  For those that are true expedition tent campers that are looking for a real thrill consider cliff diving in the St. Croix River. Here are the top 5 camping locations in the state of Minnesota, both north and south, which are ideal for anyone that loves hiking, fishing, boating and of course setting up their expedition tent.

Taylor Falls is the first of our 5 best camping destinations in Minnesota.  Taylor Fallis is known as the Village on the River and it offers something for everyone. With bike trails, camping sites, fishing and boating available what you spend your time doing will really depend on what time of year you visit. Pop into town and go on Scenic Boat Tour or if you are planning on roughing it in the winter make sure you visit the Wild Mountain Ski and Snowboard area.

In Central Minnesota’s popular lakes area, the Crosslake Recreation Area (Ronald L. Cloutier Recreation Area) has tremendous appeal to the camping enthusiast.  The campground offers access to 13 natural lakes, 13,660-acre body of water with 119 miles of scenic shoreline that provides fishing and pleasure-boating. You simply can’t find a better place to use your canoe or kayak if you have one.  The campground has 119 campsites, 74 with electric hookups. Other amenities include 2 dump stations, 2 accessible hot shower facilities, 2 boat ramps, pay phone, several playground areas, 2 swimming beaches, boat beaching, 2 picnic shelters, and mobility-impaired accessible fishing docks.  I have personally camped at the Crosslake Campgrounds in Crosslake, Minnesota and loved every minute.  Beside the services and amenities below, Cross Lake joins the Whitefish Chain of lakes. 

You can navigate your canoe from lake to lake and never finish canoeing all the lakes in an entire weekend.  The scenery is beautiful and full of ducks, geese, lots of fish, deer on the shoreline Minnesota’s famous Loon.  Take a trip to Cross Lake for your next camping adventure and bring your canoe or kayak.  You won’t regret it.

Services & Amenities Within the Facility:

• Accessible Boat Ramp
• Accessible Fishing
• Accessible Restroom
• Accessible Swimming
• Boat Launch Ramp
• Comfort Station
• Dump Station
• Flush Toilet
• Parking
• Pit Restroom
• Playground
• Potable Water
• Ranger Station
• Showers
• Swimming

When you are planning a camping trip it’s important to find the perfect destination. While using camping tents makes it possible for you to set up camp just about anywhere, you want to make sure you get the perfect spot that offers more than flat land. Here is a list of five of the greatest camping destinations in the United States.

Bridgeport, California – Mono Village

If you are looking for a camping site to set up your backpacking tents or any camping tents then Mono Village is the perfect place. Situated on the Upper Twin Lakes in the most rugged and scenic areas in all of the Eastern Sierras. It is considered a fishermen’s haven and a perfect hideaway/getaway for a family vacation. Mono Village is the perfect destination if you are looking for a place near a calm body of water that will allow you to do a little fishing (you can buy a license onsite), waterskiing, boating or kayaking. For those that are looking to get out and enjoy nature you will be pleased to know that Mono Village has some of the most incredible trails for hiking. If you prefer to just sit back and relax, you can soak up the sun by the lake or hang out at the camping tents and then head towards the lounge for a drink.

Silver Cliff Wisconsin – Kosir’s Rapid Rafts and Camping

For those that are looking for a little kayaking or rafting fun, then you will want to head up into Wisconsin and stay at Kosir’s Rapid Rafts and Camping. Make sure you get your kayak before you pack your family camping tents.  Kosir’s has been in business for more than 30 years and they are known for their white water rafting. The experience is very memorable and many that come for the first time make it a yearly get-a-way. They have a prime location on the Peshtigo River, one of the longest stretches of continuous whitewater in the Midwest.  If you plan on staying for a while you should also take advantage of the waterfalls tour and visit the Nicolet National Forest. The ideal place for those that love backpacking tents or just camping tents period.  I went down the Pueter river in the raft to the right with my brother-in-law in Colorado in 2003 and it was a blast as you can see in this picture.

Arizona Mountains

If you are using backpacking tents and you are looking for a destination where you can break in your new four wheeler then setting your sites on the Arizona Mountains is recommended. Lockett Meadow, which is located on the side of the San Francisco Peaks is considered by many to be the number one place in Arizona for camping tents. Here you will find a wide open grassy meadow that is as wide as a football field hugged by breathtaking Aspen. Here you will mingle with the wildlife, it is common for deer and elk to meander through the campground… as well as the occasional bear or skunk.

This campground is located at 7,000 feet which makes it an excellent place for hiking. It offers access to the Inner Basin and Mt. Humphreys which is the highest point in Arizona. If your camping trip is planned for the fall then visiting Lockett Meadow during the first couple of weeks in October will allow you to see the Aspen leaves change colors from the blues and greens of summer to the gold and red hues of fall. It is a spectacular site.

The Rocky Mountains

If you are looking for a top-notch place to set up your camping tents in the Rocky Mountains then consider Grand Lake and Arapaho National Forest. Just west of the Rocky Mountain National Park, it is home to the largest natural lake in Colorado. This campground has something for everyone. Whether you are looking to set up your backpacking tents and just take in nature or hit the hiking trails. There are other recreational opportunities such as fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, water skiing, rafting, and horseback riding and there are numerous ATV trails.  

The Blue Ridge Mountains

When it comes to tent camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can‘t go wrong. The Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway offers you nine different campgrounds to choose from. All nine were built many years ago and therefore do not offer any hookups, but most do have restrooms, drinking water, grills and picnic tables. Each campground has access to numerous hiking trails and fishing. The majority of the campgrounds are located at elevations of more than 2500 feet. This is important to keep in mind because it means that it will be cooler than the surrounding areas, you may want to bring a sweater… even in the summer.

Whatever your camping pleasure is the US has a perfect place for you to set up your camping tents, hit the water with your kayak or explore the rugged terrain in your four wheeler. Make sure  all your camping gear is safe and ready for your next camping trip.