Camping Books
I remember the camping books I would see my dad reading when I was younger. He was planning our out of area camping trips. The first thing that he would do was get as many camping books and maps as he could about the place we were going.
Before we left our house he would know about the history of the site, how man has changed it over the years, how the settlers found it and what tribes lived on the land. He would even know the geological issues of the area!
It was great for me as a child because as we hiked he could point out all of the sites and features and explain them. It added a depth to each trip that really stuck with me over the years as I grew up.
You don't have to go to this level if the history does not interest you as much, but there is still a lot of great camping information available to you.
There are Books and Trail Guides on places to go within a convenient driving distance that can be found at your local camping stores. You can find general information like:
- Making reservations
- Cost
- Hiking trails
- Restrictions on animals (some campsites will allow dogs for a small additional fee)
- Facilities (flush toilets, showers and for the long term campers, some even offer laundry machines)
- Local conveniences (stores, ice, etc.)
- Boat launches
- Summer programs that might be of interest
- Other nearby sites of interest you can visit
Most of these camping books and Trail Guides you find below will be helpful if you want to find information about a particular area, National Parks or particular type of adventure...
Some books I have found to be useful, as well as just good reads while you are out in the wilderness. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have...
Leaves of Grass
By Walt Whitman
This is a great book about nature, America and the human condition.
It is technically a 1,300+ line poem but reads much more like the thoughts of a traveler.
I found this book to be very inspiring.
Meditations of John Muir: Nature's Temple
Really any book by John Muir is great to take with you on a trip into nature.
He is the noted naturalist and conservationist who was responsible for the founding of our present National Park System.
This book is a collection of some of his greatest thoughts.
It is a great companion on any hike (it is pocket size) and will really enhance any outdoor experience.
Trail guides and samples of National Park information for most anywhere in the greater United States can be purchased. These are a few:
Auto Club Camp Books
The Auto Club offers a vast collection of books dedicated to camping. They are free if you are a member. They are rich with campsite information and local things to see. Like their famous tour books, every site listed is approved and like their hotels is also rated. The books also contain wide area maps locating each campsite within the state.
In addition to all of this, like their wonderful street maps they also offer Camping maps. These are large statewide maps that detail the highways, secondary roads and then detail the campsite location.
Auto Club Tour Books
The Auto Club has a book for just about any place you want to go to. They are also free if you are a member. They are packed with information about the local area and it even gives you a brief description of the view and culture. However, they are oriented toward travel to hotels. Only limited camping information in the major national and some state parks will be found in this series.
Backpacking California
This book is a great way to get to know California.
It has 62 trips including parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir woods, and many other great places to see.
This book gives you information about trails, campsites, milage and it even has a cool hiking difficulty chart that is easy to read.
Top Trails Yosemite and Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is such a beautiful place and there is so much to do there it can be tough to plan a trip.
This book gives you an idea of all the "must do" hikes.
It even gives you an idea of what skill level you have to be for each one.
It also gives you maps to help you get around.
Sequoia National Park
Another magnificent place to camp and explore. there is nothing like it!
The peacefulness will astonish you.
This book gives you plenty of ideas and covers just about anything you would want to see...
Top Trails Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (one book)
More of our natural resources than you can enjoy in one trip!
This book covers 45 great sites that anyone that is planning a trip to Yellowstone or the Grand Teton National Park should take the time to see.
Glacier: A Natural History Guide
This is one of our last truly wild places, Glacier National Park.
If you want to know about this park this is the book for you.
This book covers how the park was made over a billion years ago to the animals, flora and fauna of today.
A great book that will change the way you experience this great natural resorce.
Discover the White Mountains of New Hampshire
I have been lucky enough to live on the east coast and the west coast of North America.
Although we are one country there are many differences in culture. One thing that we do have in common for sure is beautiful countryside!
This book outlines 50 different trips for you. From day hikes and backpacking trips to biking and whitewater trips. It is very versatile and a good purchase...
Camping Georgia
When I drove across the country I had the pleasure to camp in Georgia. I'll tell you Georgia has some really great camping!
This book gives you 100 places to camp or park your RV. It will tell you about fee's and what kind of hook ups they have at the site you are lookig at.
These are but a small example of what you can find. Everything from campsites that are very close to where you live to every National Park in the nation is available to you. Hiking and backpacking trails are laid out and described for you.
Go look and you will find something you will like!!