My Camping and Hiking Tips

If you are looking for some desperately needed outdoor motivation, then you have come to the right place. Sometimes it can be difficult to get outside to the fresh air. You have responsibilities, whether it be school, work, family, or anything else of the sort. It can be hard to break free and take some time to enjoy the outdoors. In this article, you will be treated to 10 Inspirational Camping and Hiking Quotes and Photos. They are meant to remind you of the joy you can experience outdoors and what awaits you, so let’s get started.

1. The Lofoten Islands of Norway – a Scenic Getaway

“Away is a place where it’s not about the money you spend. It’s about the moments you share.” -Anonymous

Some places are quite far and hard to reach. The place in the photo above, the Lofoten Islands in Norway, is not easy to get to. But once you are there, the beauty astounds. You are treated to wonders you would have never dreamed of before. The calm sets in and the sunny days absorb you. The water glitters and the breeze cools your face. It is a magical wonder.

2. Nanga Parbat, Massive Mountains Reach to the Heavens

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery. Air, mountains, tree, people. I thought: this is what it is to be happy.” -Sylvia Plath

Imagine waking up in the morning to that view. Woah! Those are some big mountains. You see Nanga Parbat here, the ninth tallest mountain in the world. It is quite the site to behold. A mountain like that took a long time to form and you get to see it here today in all its splendor.

3. A Weekend Hike, the Short Retreat You Need

“There is no Wi-fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.” -Anonymous

When you hike with friends, you are bound to bond with one another. Even better yet, you do not have to travel to the mountains of Pakistan or the isles of Norway to experience nature’s elegance. In fact, there is probably one in your own backyard. It just takes a bit of looking. You desperately need it. In a previous article, I wrote about the mental health benefits of hiking. If you go hiking, the gains will be immense, improving your mood, physical fitness, and creativity.

4. Glamping, Modern Amenities and Rustic Beauty

“My camping days are over, but I might consider glamping.” -Christine Feehan

Camping does not always have to equate to “roughing it.” In fact, you can splurge a bit and still enjoy the scenery around you. I have done it before. Sometimes I want the beauty of nature with indoor lighting. You know what I am saying? When you go glamping, you get both hotel level amenities and the nascence of nature right before your eyes.

5. French Valley, Chile – You Will Find Some Great Peaks

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.” -John Muir

You need this. If you are overstimulated from your morning coffee, camping can take the edge off. If work is stressing you out with an unfathomable amount of responsibilities, a good weekend hike will put life in perspective. If the big city is not what you thought it would be, the outdoors will give you the time to slow down and reflect. You need this.

6. Real Solitude, Only Found in Nature

“Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.” -Lorraine Anderson

The outdoors symbolizes refuge. You can slow down and take life bit by bit. You cannot really get that in the typical 9 to 5 job. In nature, you can learn about flora and fauna that abound around you. The rustle of the tree leaves calm your senses, enabling you to take each step one at a time. When you see yourself looking up at the sky, you can really enjoy yourself.

7. The High Sierras in Yosemite, a Home for Freedom

“The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom.” -Theodore Roosevelt

The first president to establish the National Parks, Theodore Roosevelt spent a lot of time outdoors, appreciating and wandering the world. It gave him time to reflect. Compared to that of the big city, the outdoors has very little people. The numbers just drop. You can be by yourself and think, becoming a hermit-philosopher of the sorts.

8. An Opportunity for You and Your Significant Other to Bond

“If you can survive camping with someone, you should marry them on the way home.” -Yvonne Prinz

This is definitely true. Compared to what we have today, camping can be rough if you are just not used to it. When you camp with your significant other and you both have a good time, then that is a very reassuring sign. If you can camp with ease through the rough outdoors, then you two have got something special.

9. Lugina e Valbones, Tropoje, Full of Spectacular Mountains

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” -John Muir

I really like John Muir. He was the world’s first environmentalist. He understood that dirt fertilizes the soul. It gives it character. It may make things a bit dirty and grungy, but that is the point. You cover yourself in dirt or only a small bit to realize it is not all so bad. In fact, you are better for it. You find out more about yourself. You realize that the dirt is a metaphor for life. It slings mud at you, but you keep moving forward despite what comes at you.

10. Sunset Camping, a Very Refreshing Experience

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in order.” -John Burroughs

Take a deep breath. Now breathe out slowly. You need it. A good breath makes you remember that you are alive. When you are outdoors, you have a lot more of these moments. The stimuli fall away and you can focus on the moment at hand. You are not thinking about the past or future, but only the here and now. You step back from whatever troubles your mind to reflect and reassess your life.

Are You Ready to Feed Your Wild Side?

I am glad to say I wrote this article. I hope it inspired you. We saw some excellent quotes and moving pictures that were bound to urge you to think a bit outside your comfort zone. With that in mind, this article will only have worked if you take action though. I recommend that you check out All Trails to find a good outdoor adventure near you. If there is a trail near you, All Trails will be sure to have it. Are you ready to feed your wild side?

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed anything, do not hesitate to comment below and please share the article. Thank you so much and I hope you make it a great day!

1. Relieve Stress

All of us have something else on our minds right now, whether it be work, school, or relationships. The tendency of these things is to drive us up the wall. Work forces us to answer to person we don’t necessarily like and confront the idiocy of customers. School forces us to learn lessons and material that does not always coincide with the way the world works. Relationships, whether they are family or friends, are not automatically reciprocal; it can be a burden at times to deal with them.

A hike, though, draws your focus away from that. You take in the sounds of birds, the ruffle of leaves, and the slow trickle of a stream. A breeze comes by that fills you with relief. Only the moment matters on a hike. Work, school, and relationships fade away. All that you worry about is moving down the path.

2. Nature Will Humble You

Nature humbles you. The plants and animals before you are ancient. They existed long before you came on the scene and will continue to exist after you are gone. Life existed for millions of years and Earth for even longer. Humans have only been around for a fraction of the time. Trees, such as redwoods, tower over you, causing you to gasp in awe of their majesty. Over the course of millions of years, trees developed and evolved such that to make them suitable to their environment. That is persistence.

On a hike, you come to realize that you are part of something bigger than yourself. Frankly, that is beautiful. You do not have to worry about a giant ego in the woods. Compared to the size of the trees and animals around you, you’re small. While initially, it seems disheartening, it is a relief to know. Now all you need to focus on is getting to where you need to go.

3. Warm Your Spirit

There is something refreshing about a hike. It feels good to be moving forward. With problems at home and elsewhere, you’re not always doing so, but on a hike you are certain of it. Walking is one of the simplest things a person can do. No matter your size, weight, or gender, you can always make progress by walking. Through this straightforward exercise, you realize that life is not about the rat race, but what it takes to get to where you want to go.

4. Introspection

All of the prophets of the major religions ventured into nature at some point. Why? Because of the introspection generated. In today’s constant attention grabbing world, there is nearly no introspection. It is something to be prized and cherished.

Self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools to grow yourself and you can do that on a hike. You are only focused on walking on a hike. Doing so puts your mind at ease. On top of that, you will have insights when you take a step back. You start to see things from a broader perspective.

5. Beauty finds You in Nature

Second to last, beauty is an excellent reason to go hiking right now. The size of trees is astonishing; they go from the size of a pine cone to something you cannot even wrap your arms around. The feel of their bark is something to touch. It can be furry and hard, all at the same time. Bird chirps are magical to put your ear to. They dance through your ears for you to behold their notes and rhythm.

6. Mortality

Finally, this is one extra reason to go hiking. You are going to pass from this Earth one day. Whether you are burned, cremated, or tossed, you will return to the Earth. Do you really want to spend most of your time behind a desk when you can discover yourself and the world outside?

The Pacific Northwest is one of America’s greatest natural corridors. You will find plenty of scenery for you to explore. When you think you have seen it all, you are blown away yet again. The special place I am about to talk about is no exception. Without further ado, I give you 10 Inspirational Crater Lake National Park Images and Facts. You are sure to want to load up the car and head there right away.

Let’s get started.

1. Crater Lake is the Deepest Lake in the US

Reaching a depth of 1,943 ft (592 m), Crater Lake goes down far. That’s really deep. For comparison, Lake Tahoe comes just behind Crater Lake at 1,645 ft (501 m). Not only is it incredibly deep, but it is also quite clear. You can see 100 ft (30 m) into the water. That’s really nice. It makes you appreciate how clear waters can and should be.

2. A Volcano Formed Crater Lake

Forming half a million years ago, Mount Mazama erupted about 7,700 years ago and collapsed in on itself to create the caldera you see today. The caldera eventually filled with water to create the lake you see here today.

Much of the geology you see in the surrounding area formed from the Volcanic eruption. It is estimated it took around 720 years to form Crater Lake to its present level.

3. Keep a Lookout for the Old Man of the Lake

Image Credit: Markgorzynski

A full size tree stump floats around the lake, bobbing up and down since its first appearance in 1902. Scientists cannot form a consensus on the explanation for its appearance. One explanation is the unique climate of the area slows down the rate of decomposition. It is an ancient hemlock tree.

The tree is playing a never ending game of Marco Polo, but you know it will never find its friends… (I know it’s a bad joke :)).

4. No Streams Flow into or Out of the Caldera

This still blows my mind. For a body of water as large as Crater Lake, you would expect there to be some flow. Not so says Crater Lake. All the water for the lake comes from rainfall and snow melt, supplying the lake 8 months out of the year and keeping the color a pristine deep blue.

Because there is no in and out flow, the lake is subject to abrupt changes. If there is a sequence of extremely dry years, then the lake level drops. Most of the time though, that does not happen.

It has the purest waters in North America.

5. Wizard Island is the Top of a Cinder Cone Volcano

Trees on the island are up to 800 years old. You can get to the island by boat tour. If you want to go fishing, you can go just right off of the island. There’s also no limit on the catch since the fish, Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon, are both not native. Nothing beats crystal clear freshwater fish. It sounds delicious doesn’t it?

The island is named Wizard Island because of its resemblance to a sorcerer’s hat. Watch out for Gandalf and Saruman duking it out on the island over the fate of Middle Earth.

6. Watch Out for the Pirates on the Phantom Ship

Standing at up to 170 ft (52 m) above the water, the towers of the Phantom Ship are the remaining section of a fissure formed from lava. Woah! That’s cool.

7. Mysterious Deaths Plague the National Park

From the phantom flyer to the vanishing photographer to the skeleton crew, spooky stories shroud the history of this world renowned national park.

In the months after WWII ended, a pilot crash landed in the park. In 1970, a ranger went looking for his remains, finding a skull and alerting others to the site. When it comes to the second story of the vanishing photographer, a teen went on an extended vacation to the park and ended up lost. Finally, the skeleton crew story tells the harrowing tale of another downed plane in the park. You can read their stories by clicking on the link below.

No matter what happens, remember to stay safe and stay on the trail.

8. The Klamath People Revered this Place

Long before white settlers came to the area, the Klamath people called Crater Lake their home. Time and time again, they used the area for vision quests and spiritual journeys. According to their oral tradition, the Klamath people witnessed the explosion of Mount Mazama 7,000 years ago. The sky god Skell and the god of the underworld Llao fought a mighty battle here on Earth and destroyed Mount Mazama in the process.

Before Europeans arrived, the Klamath people would conduct vision quests and rights of passage in which they would perform dangerous tasks like scaling a mountain or rock climbing here.

9. A Childhood Dream Created this National Park

William Gladstone Steel heard of this place when he was only a child in 1870 and promised himself he would visit it one day. His dream came to fruition when he came face to face with this park in 1885. He was so stunned he vowed to protect it, helping to protect the place as a national park in 1902.

Never stop listening to your inner child. Follow your heart and you will live your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

10. There is a Pumice Desert Here

Image Credit: Jeff, PJ and Taiki

Believe it or not, but Oregon is not 100% green. I know right? In fact, some plants cannot even grow here. When the volcano erupted 7,000 years ago, mountains of ash exploded all over the countryside and blanketed everything. Some spots got more than others. Pumice Desert was one of those areas. Today it now has over 50 feet of ash. Because of its poisonous qualities, the pumice desert prevents all plant live except for the hardiest to live there now.

You can see the power of Mount Mazama to this day.

Are You Looking to Go Hiking?

You should be all set to go. If you are anything like me after writing this piece, then you undoubtedly want to head to Crater Lake after reading this article. It should inspire you to get out more.

If you are going to hit the trail anytime soon (and you are bound to do so in this park), then you are going to need some boots. One of my previous articles, The Best Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Boots of 2019, are sure to help you out. (Two points: these types of articles are updated on an annual basis and they feature women’s equivalents :)). If you want the best of the best, this article has it. Check it out.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed anything, do not hesitate to comment below and please share the article. Thank you so much and I hope you make it a great day!

The fresh air smells beautiful today. Compared to the air flow in the office, it is a step up. You breathe easily now. It is therapeutic to your lungs. The tree branches sway in the wind and the sun warms up your face. It is a good day. The flowers smell like lavender. Without further ado, I give you 5 Reasons to Go to Your City’s Local Park.

Believe it or not, but you don’t always have to go to a national or state park to get your taste of nature. You can take just a short drive down the street. You can taste nature right in your backyard. For one reason or another, people avoid the outdoors. They don’t have the time or will to do so. This article gives you the reasons otherwise.

Let’s get started.

1. You Need More Nature in Your Life

Nature is therapeutic. In an air stagnant room, toxins build up. Before modern life, people spent much of their time outdoors. The sun shone down on their faces and brought them real joy. Most people spend their days in a car or indoors.

According to the EPA in fact, the average American spends 93% of their life indoors. If that number were a week in other words, then most Americans only spend about half a day each week outside. Ouch. That’s quite low. Some people are much higher than the average. It is time to get outside and feel the dirt underneath your finger nails.

If there is one thing for certain, nature makes you kinder, happier, and healthier. If you look out at an open plain or hang out in some redwoods for a bit, then you calm down and breathe easier. A grin creeps onto your face and then lips start to open to make a smile. It is like nature is hugging you and you cannot help but light up.

After your stroll in the park, you are sure to feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready for what comes next.

2. A Walk in the Park is a Shorter Hike

Hikes can last a long time. Most hikes I go on last anywhere from two to six hours. They can take up a good chunk of my day. This is what most people think of when they think of a hike. They conjure up images of trekking through the wilderness on a dirt trail for many hours on end. You have to bring food, water, a backpack, and boots. It can take some planning.

I can’t say the same about a walk in the park. It won’t take more than thirty minutes. If you cannot make the time for a hike, you can make the time for your park much more easily. You have a much easier time on a stroll through the park. A trail can be dirt or often times a sidewalk on nearly flat ground. It is light on your feet and not too difficult a journey.

A hike can be a lot. A walk in the park can be done on a whim with little to no planning. You can go one right now.

3. Nature Boosts Your Creativity

When your brain is ‘on nature,’ then your mind expands. It sees a whole other world. Dopamine levels rise. You feel the fresh air kiss your face. Your anxiety falls. Life feels better.

If you are reading this article on your smartphone or laptop, then this piece is probably not the only written work competing for your attention. There are dozens at your beck and call. You can close the tab and look elsewhere with a few key strokes and I won’t be any the wiser. You are, in other words, overwhelmed with options. It is constant consumption.

On a stroll in the park, how do you consume nature? Well, you really can’t. All the trees, shrubs, bushes, and roses ask of you is to just be with them. You don’t have to strive for anything in particular.
You coexist together.

You relax and your mind can work. Without the constant stimulation, problems can be seen in a whole other light. Your mind works on in the background. Nature restores your attention span.

4. You Will See a Whole Other Side of Your Community

We all too often get caught in a loop of friends, family, school, and work over and over again. You rush from one thing to another and then years slip by before you know it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there is so much more to life than just that. There are people around you who are in a similar loop, who are trying to make a difference in their community, who are coaching kids, who are teaching college students, and who are campaigning. You need to see more.

You get a different perspective in your park. You slow down for a bit and think and see the world from a different angle. Maybe some people are practicing Tai Chi, walking with their significant other, playing fetch with their dog, or reading a novel to enjoy their time.

You can meet people and learn about what they’re doing. Indoors you confine yourself to a bubble and see the world in only one dimension. The same cannot be said of a park.

5. It’s Important to Smell the Roses

We can get caught up in our routines. Time flies by. Twenty turns into thirty. Thirty turns forty. Forty transforms into fifty. Fifty hits sixty-five. Pretty soon the world has passed us by and so too has time. It’s over before we know it and we soon realize we haven’t enjoyed ourselves as much as we would have liked.

You need to smell the roses from time to time. Life will pass you by before you know it. You can take the idiom literally or figuratively. What are the roses you want to smell?

If You Enjoy the Park, Then You’ll Love a Hike

I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did writing it. You should make the time this week to go see your nearest park. There is bound to be some new part of the world you haven’t seen before in your community.

If you enjoyed this article and want to level up to a hike, then you are sure to need some boots. Fortunately for you though, my previous article, The Best Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Boots of 2019, has you covered. (I update these types of articles on an annual basis and they come in women’s models :)). You are sure to find the boots you are looking for. You are sure to make some memorable adventures with them.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed anything, do not hesitate to comment below and please share the article. Thank you so much and I hope you make it a great day!

The open road, the rolling hills beckon to you. As you pass the farm, cows wave to you, well not wave, but let out deep, resounding ‘Moos’ to let others know of your journey. As the hours wear on and you get further and further into your trip, you reflect on life and breathe a sigh of relief. You are sure glad you spotted this article, How to Save on a Road Trip: a Tips and Advice Guide. Patting yourself on the back, you smile with a sense of a job well done.

Let’s get started.

Planning – It’s the Key to a Good Time

People who think ahead are better off. That is just a fact. You need to ask yourself some key questions.

Where are you going? Is it just going to be national parks? Or are you going to see museums? People? Concerts? You need to plan out your itinerary and what you want to see. Where are you staying? It might seem fine the first few nights to sleep inside your car, but it will get old after a week or so.

How much do you want to pay? Not all trips are equal in length or cost. Some of us, well, have more to fork out than others to the toll man. Others among us are beach bums who can couch surf for days.

When you write down and take in the whole of your trip on a single piece of paper, you get a better grasp of what awaits you. It will not take everything into account. The unexpected often becomes a surprise, but you can anticipate a good deal of what you will encounter. The trip becomes something that was not spur of the moment, but planned with careful anticipation and fore thought.

Visualize your journey and write it all down. You can then better manage the trip ahead.

Bring Your Own Food and Skip the Starbucks Latte

If you go to a Starbucks seven days a week, those $4 lattes are going to add up. If you want the free WiFi, then just grab an empty latte out of the trash when no one is looking, plop it on your table, and fire up your laptop to start web surfing. I have done this before. Well maybe I did not reach into the trash (but bought once and came back with the same mug again and again). You get the idea though. You only get one trip to Starbucks.

Otherwise, bring your own food along with you. McDonalds, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Taco Bell, and Jack-in-the-Box might seem convenient, but their cost is an inconvenience to your wallet and your health. You save time and energy by eating out, but multiple trips to a fast food place add up fast.

When you choose to eat the food you bring along with you, you also eat better, healthier that is. A lot of Americans go out to eat every single day and it reflects in the poor health throughout the country.

Be different and prepare your own food. You just might find out you like to cook.

Speeding Might Save You Time, But There is More to the Equation

On a road trip, time is one of your biggest expenses. It might save you big to speed, but it won’t. Hear me out.

Police know the tricks of the trade on the road. When my friend and I traveled to Yosemite together, I thought it was smart to start speeding to get us there quicker. Little did I know there was a CHP officer hanging out underneath the overpass. It cost me $500 because I clocked in at 81 MPH. Do not be like me. Slow down and appreciate the journey. A vacation is an opportunity to reflect, not get stressed out.

When you speed, you lose money from all the extra gas you are burning. Stick your car in cruise control and you will save money.

Avoid tolls with a special button on the Google Maps’ app. If you go on Google Maps and plan your route, there is a button which allows you to toggle on ‘avoid tolls.’ Click that button. The route might seem a little longer, but you will save $5 here and there. The tolls add up over time and, well, take a toll on your wallet (that was a joke :)). No one wants that.

If you have more money to spend, then you can also get a ‘fast track’ pass to stick on the dashboard of your car. It does cost a bit to get, but you save money if you travel through tolls often.

My Top 5 Tips for You to Save Big

1. Prepare Your Car for the Rigors of the Journey.

When you are packing on hundreds, maybe even thousands of miles onto your car, the engine will take notice. Halfway through your journey, if you are not careful, your car will be huffing and puffing and then suddenly break down on you. Uh oh! Then you will be left to call your car insurance company for a tow.

Check the tires beforehand. Put in some fresh oil. And when you are about to fuel up the night before your journey, pour in some carburetor cleaner fluid beforehand. You want your car to be in tip-top shape for the journey ahead.

2. Alternative and ‘Freeish’ Lodging is a Real Possibility.

Did you know you can sleep in Walmart parking lots for free in your car? Well it might not be the best because it is Walmart after all and it can seem sketchy to sleep in your car at a Walmart parking lot, but it is a real possibility if you are in a pinch and need a place to sleep at night.

You can couch surf. This would be a good opportunity to reunite with friends and spend a night or two at their place. Be sure to download the ‘couch surfing’ app. I have not yet tried it out, but it is free and lets you travel like a local. Just be sure to repay your hosts with a gift or two. It goes a long way. You never know when you might need their help again. It is the courteous thing to do.

In a previous article, I wrote about how to find campsites for free throughout the US and Canada. It is a real thing and let’s be real here for a moment. Camping and backpacking fees can really add up over time, especially at the most visited parks. Learn how and reduce your ‘free’ lodging costs.

3. If You Need to Refuel, Pull off Where a Lot of Stations Are.

More gas stations in a small vicinity means more competition and lower prices for you. As a result, your wallet takes less of a beating. You can also get your gas in more, let’s say, less expensive places. If you are in a rural area, you are bound to pay less for gas. If you are in San Francisco, the gas prices can get pretty high.

4. Factor in All Costs Beforehand, so You Can Plan Ahead.

If you can attach a hard dollar amount to what your trip will cost instead of spit balling it, you can reduce your stress. You can lay out what you need to do beforehand from working extra to get more bread in the bank to living more modestly.

Your future self will pat you on the back.

5. Get More Done in Less Time. But How?

It might be tempting to see ten national parks in ten days, running and racing from one park to another and yelling at the kids to keep it down and screaming at your spouse for directions. If you read this past sentence like me, then you were probably stressed by the end. No one wants that.

It is better instead to hit two or at most three national parks in those same ten days. Why? You might ask. Because not only will you spend less on gas traveling to and fro, but you also will get to explore those parks in greater depth. You can get a greater feel for the place.

Do You Want to Save Money on Food?

Like I said earlier in the article, you should not be eating out a lot on the road if you want to save money. When you bring your own food, you not only eat healthier, but you also save more money. If you want your bacon to be fresh, then I suggest you check out one of my previous articles, The Best Ice Coolers for Camping in 2019. (Do not fret if it is 2025 and this article still reads 2019; I update the “best of” articles on an annual basis :)). Invest in a cooler and you will save big in the long haul!

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed anything, do not hesitate to comment below and please share the article. Thank you so much and I hope you make it a great day!

The sun shines down on you. There is not a cloud in the sky. In the woodland clearing on top of the hill, you see “God’s fingers.” In other words, you see the sun’s rays. It is a magical day. Birds chirp. Leaves rustle. Branches crunch underneath your feet. If you want to make full use of your outdoor experience, then it helps to have The Best Portable Solar Panels for Camping in 2018. When you have the top of the line, you make the adventure a lot more enjoyable.

Before we get started though, you may want to check out my article on The 7 Principles to Leave No Trace in Printable Form. Since I know you care about the environment (you’re reading an article on solar panels for crying out loud!), you may want to refresh yourself on leave no trace ethics. Our planet needs all the help it can get. You can make a difference. Click on the link below to learn more.

Anyway, let’s get started!

Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panels

If you want to charge your phone, tablet, GPS, camera, or portable device for under $100, then this is the way to do it. You can strap one of these on your backpack during your day hike and the sun will charge it right on up. It is ultra lightweight, portable, and weather resistant. Did I mention that it is durable? It can withstand the elements quite well.

If you are planning a backpacking trip through the sunny wilderness, then this is something seriously worth considering. You can charge up your phone for those spectacular wilderness shots in no time flat. With your USB cord, you can directly charge up your device. You do not even need a battery. You just hook it right on up.

On these solar panels, you can find two ports, a USB port and a 12V port. If you need to charge two devices at the same time, the Nomad 7 will split the difference between the two. Be aware that you are reducing the amount of charge when you use it this way.

On Amazon, it does only rank at 3.9 stars, but it comes in at under $100. That is a solid deal. It will easily charge up a small device, but do not expect it to take on a laptop or a car battery. When opened up, the Nomad 7 is about the size of an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper. Do not let its size deter you though. It packs a punch. It really is quite portable. You will barely notice the extra weight difference as it hangs effortlessly off your pack.

Renogy 100W Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Renogy is an excellent brand. In fact, they are part of a lot of the solar panels you see on this list. They run a litter higher in price than some of the other products you see here, but they deliver high quality solar panels. If you are looking for the gymnast in portable solar panels, then this is the one for you. You can attach it right on top of your RV camper or the side of your car and it will start charging a battery in no time flat.

Compared to regular solar panels, it weighs 70% less. It only weighs 4 lbs. You really get a lightweight solar panel, taking the load off of your backpack. You might think that this solar panel loses durability as a result. That is not the case. It is made of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) material, which means for a higher corrosion resistance and a wider temperature range, as opposed to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material, which is less comprehensive. In short, you get higher performance.

Where regular solar panels cannot reach, this flexible solar panel steps into the mix. It can flex up to 248 degrees without any problems. If you are looking for a runway model, then this is the solar panel you want to bring to the show. This bad boy is thin baby. At only a tenth of an inch tall, this solar panel looks like a line when you see it from the side. Compared to its rigid counterparts, it is barely noticeable.

On Amazon, it has 4.5 stars out of 25 reviews. While there are not too many reviews for this product, the brand has a solid reputation. With more and more people buying this solar panel, you can expect only the highest quality.

Acopower 120W Portable Solar Panels Suitcase

In this handy dandy suitcase, you can charge up your devices in no time flat. Unlike the other suitcases here, this one is a lot lighter. You get the flexible paneling and the hard suitcase all wrapped into one. If you are new to portable solar, then this is a splendid way to go. You get a lightweight product at only 8 lbs and an assortment of accessories: a suitcase, 10A charge controller, removable MC4 connector cables, alligator clamps cables, and user manual.

While this product may be more expensive than the other models here, you get the highest conversion energy in the world at 25%. If you want to charge your laptop, phone, and camera, this bad boy will have no problem charging all three right on up.

It also has a lot of flexibility. You can charge your gear with these panels facing the direction of the sun or you can sling it on your backpack and connect it to a battery pack.

Another important factor to consider is the customer service. You get a high quality response rate from this brand. If you run into trouble, they have your back. In my opinion, customer service for an expensive product matters. You need it when looking at solar panels. These bad boys are not cheap. You want to make sure you are doing everything right.

On Amazon, it averages 4.5 stars out of 37 reviews. While the number of reviews may not be the highest, it is not insignificant. As time goes on, the number of reviews will only increase.

Nature’s Generator, 1800W Solar/Wind Powered Generator

Now we are starting to get into the big boys. This puppy is expensive, but well worth the money. On a single charge, you produce 720 watt hours. In this package, the two main components are a solar panel and battery. The wind turbine does not come with it.

Be aware that this set up is heavy. The generator weighs in at 90 lbs and the solar panel weighs 28 lbs. I definitely do not recommend that you bring it with you on a backpacking trip. It will just be too much to carry. If you are camping, then this is an excellent set up to have. With the wheels on both of them, you do not have to worry about carrying it on your back. It is really a necessity for the weight.

In an emergency situation, you do not need gas at all to run this guy, making it perfect for the post apocalyptic world. You can also sink this setup with your phone, monitoring the charge level of this battery from a distance.

On Amazon right now, it has 5 stars, but only 1 review. I do not know about you, but that is not reassuring. I looked at a similar product though, the GXNGPT Solar Powered Generator, Platinum System on Google. It is also from Nature’s Generator, but comes with three panels and two generators. It has 4.3 stars and 30 reviews, so you can trust the generator and solar panel you see above.

Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel Bundle Kit

Now this is a solid solar panel for RV and van campers. You can really trust this brand. With over 900 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, this is worth a serious look. For a full charge from this panel, you get 400W to use as you please. If you are looking to get a start in solar, then this puppy is worth your money. The brand proves itself again and again to be reputable, providing a high quality product to its customers. The panels are solidly built and reliable.

From some of the reviews I read, the customers spoke again and again to Reongy’s high quality customer service. If you get a dud, they drop ship to you. If you want to know how to set everything up, they have informational how to videos. You can really trust this brand to deliver.

If you are a college student like me, the cost is a deterrent. It is definitely out of my price range. Otherwise, you get a lot of bang for your buck. It also is a bit hefty at almost 20 lbs, but you are probably going to throw it on top of your car or camper or RV, so weight is not too much of an issue. I definitely would not recommend you go backpacking with it.

When you choose this solar panels, you get grid independence. In three hours on a fully sunny day, you can charge a 50Ah battery to 50%. That is quite fast, providing you with the energy you need in no time flat.

Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panels

This girl is much like her brother the Nomad 7 Plus I mentioned at the beginning, but longer. You can easily charge up your USB devices faster than the Nomad 7 Plus, but at a bit higher price. It comes with an extra panel unlike its less expensive brother. It is durable and reliable, soaking up sun on a mountain side or in the middle of a desert.

At only 2.5 lbs, you will hardly notice its weight. If you are backpacker looking to step up your game, then it is worth your consideration. You get a lightweight, portable solar panel that can really hold up to the elements. At a sizing of 13 x 1 x 8.5 inches, it is a bit larger than a piece of paper, albeit a bit heavier. When you connect a battery up to this puppy, you can charge your devices day or night. If you want mobility and to charge everything, you can find that in this.

It comes with two ports, a USB port and 12v port. While it does charge faster than its less expensive counterparts, it does not charge too fast.

If you look at the construction of this set of panels compared to the other ones here, you have added protection. It really is designed for deep wilderness adventurers. The velcro on the outside protects it from the elements and the plastic screening allows you to charge your devices with no worries.

On Amazon, it ranks at 4.3 stars out of 123 customer reviews, so you know you can trust this product.

Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase

If you want to look official, then you need a briefcase. One of these will work splendid if you are camping or heading off the grid sometime soon. It features a rigid, anodized aluminum, and tempered glass construction. In other words, you get a high quality construction designed to protect your solar. Your panels are protected very well. If you have some testosterone fueled teenagers, they have to really set their mind to breaking it. In short, these panels hold their own. You get longevity with these panels.

At 25 lbs, it is heavy to carry around, weighing about as much as one medium sized plate at the gym. At the same time though, it is not too heavy. And with that extra weight, you get a faster charge on all your devices. It pairs well with the GoalZero Yeti battery, charging up the battery in no time flat. For a lithium 1000 station battery, these solar panels charge it up in about 10 to 20 hours, making it quite a short time. That is what it really is designed for, to pair with one of GoalZero’s batteries. It works best with one of GoalZero’s associated products.

On Amazon, it averages 4.4 stars out of 71 reviews, so you can sleep well at night knowing that it is well liked among your fellow consumers. For some of the reviewers, the GoalZero seemed a bit expensive compared to other options on the market, but it was still well favored. People like it.

SUAOKI 60W Portable Foldable Solar Charger and Panels

As a competitor to the backpack solar of GoalZero, suaoki is worth noting. Its comparison is probably the GoalZero Nomad 20, but a lot longer and with more panels at 65 inches. You get a lot more charge on this puppy than the GoalZero Nomad 20 and a lot more length, making it a bit clumsy to fit on a backpacking backpack. It will probably slap the back of your legs if you throw this on a backpack fully extended. You can prevent it from slapping your legs if you only extend it partially. If you are just camping, then this is worth serious consideration.

You get up to a 20% conversion which is incredible for the price. The product also includes a 10 in 1 connector (mac books excluded), so you can charge up your device with no problem with the connection. It only adds to the appeal of this foldable solar charger.

It includes two outlets, a USB port and a 18V DC outlet, so you can charge most of your devices with no problems. Another interesting part about this solar panel is that it comes in a briefcase. You get a lot of flexibility that way. It weighs in at 4.5 lbs, making it heavier than its GoalZero Nomad 20 counterparts, but it is still pretty light. It will do just fine on a backpacking trip.

On Amazon, it averages 4.5 stars out of 30 reviews. While there are not as many reviews as some of the other products listed here, it is past the critical 25 review threshold, so you know you can take the reviews with serious consideration. In this solar panel, you get high quality for an excellent price.

Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase with Controller

With corrosion resistant aluminum stand and heavy-duty latches and handles, this solar panel set up is durable to say the least. You get high quality for a fair price. Compared to GoalZero’s suitcase, you get a worthy opponent. For an RV or van camper, this work well. For a backpacker, I do not recommend it because of its weight. You do not want to be lugging this Great Dane along with you at almost 30 lbs. It is too heavy to carry for long distances.

Also, Renogy is a very good brand. As I said before, they have excellent customer service, responding to each one of your needs. If you need help, they respond fast to the emails and calls you send them. If you need help to set up your solar panels, they have informational videos to guide you through the process. I cannot recommend this brand more. They deliver a quality product and excellent customer service.

Behind the solar panels, you can find a controller that provides you with operating data to let you know the progress on your charge, giving you all you need to know.

It also has excellent reviews, averaging 4.5 stars out of 416 customer testimonials. That is a lot of reviews. Some complain about the dim led controller, but it is an overstated concern. You are not supposed to stare at it to know everything all the time. You look to it when you need to. Overall, the reviewers rate it as a product well worth their money. You get an incredible product for the price it is at.

BougeRV 100W Flexible Solar Panels

This is a worthy alternative to the other flexible solar panels I listed earlier in this article. For its solar cells, you will not find a better energy conversion rate, clocking in at 23% to 25%. For solar, that is incredible. To get that high a level is excellent for you. It means you can charge up your electronics quite fast.

At 5.73 lbs, it is a bit heavy for its weight class, but it is barely noticeable at such a level. You can attach it to your car or backpack without any issues and charge your devices right on up. It is water resistant, semi-flexible, and durable. The designers of this product have also eliminated 85% of cell failure rates, meaning that this solar panel will last you a long time compared to other ones on the market.

It is less expensive than its competitive counterparts, the Renogy, making it worth a serious look. Unlike its competitor, it did not state the maximum degrees to which it can bend, but it does not really make sense to bend it to a very high degree. Both are high quality solar panels.

On Amazon, it averages 4.3 stars out of 29 reviews, putting it at fewer stars than the Renogy but not by much. From what I read of the reviews, the customers were happy.

Are You Going to Get Outside this Week?

Well, you should be all set to go. You have selected one of the solar panels from this list and are seriously considering them. It is now time to test it out. Below this paragraph, you can find a link to AllTrails.com. It is my go to site for finding a trail near me. If you want to live the life you deserve, then it starts with a hike outdoors. It will be an excellent opportunity to test out that brand new solar panel. So what do you say? Are you going to get outside this week? You will become a better person because of it.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed anything, do not hesitate to comment below and please share the article. Thank you so much and I hope you make it a great day!

Camping alone is an experience unlike camping with friends. You will experience solitude, beauty, and introspection all at once. Although, it is not without its own set of challenges. You will have to rely more on yourself. If something goes wrong, it is on you to address the problem.

All in all though, it is a deeply rewarding experience. You will learn about yourself, wildlife, and the natural world. You will develop self-help skills and master yourself. Read on to learn all you need to know about camping alone; the hazards, skills, and knowledge needed will be discussed in this article.

Benefits and Risks to Camping Alone

Most people do not go camping alone. It is simply not that common for people to do. Others prefer to go with friends or family, but there are many benefits to taking time for yourself in the seclusion of nature.

• Self-reliance, because you are out by yourself. You will have to fend yourself. For this reason, camping alone fosters this important trait. In so doing, you will grow stronger and more sure of yourself by camping alone.
• Inner peace and quiet, by going alone, you will have no one else there to bother you. It will provide you with much-needed ear relief from the hustle and bustle of our modern world. It is very therapeutic.
• Introspection, one of the most overlooked activities today is introspection. By traveling alone, you give yourself the opportunity for growth. You can find traits such as humility, confidence, and empathy all within yourself. A strong character is found within.
• Limit testing, on top of all that, camping alone is a great way to test your mental and physical limits. These limits will grow by camping alone. Sounds will echo that may just unsettle you. That is okay. It is part of the experience. If you are hiking a lot, it will stress your body. Your feet will grow weary, but they will get stronger. Your body and mind will strengthen.

In addition to the benefits of camping alone, there are also risks involved.

• No one is there to help you. If something goes wrong, like you get sick, or you injure yourself, it is on you. You will have to get help or carry yourself out. It is the greatest risk of camping alone.
• Wildlife, just like any experience in nature, you will never be fully alone. In the wilderness, you share the outdoors with rabbits, squirrels, deer, mountain lions, bears, and raccoon. Primarily, you will have to worry about them eating your food, but there is also the possibility for confrontation.

When camping alone, you need to consider the positive and negative aspects of the experience. Before anything else, you need to minimize downside and then look to the positive aspects of the experience. Stay safe and then everything else will follow.

Fear

I am not going to lie. Camping alone is a scary experience. Everything is put on your shoulders. If you hear a sound, that noise could come towards you. If the weather worsens, that is going to affect you. If anything goes wrong, then that is on you. You cannot go running to someone else for help.

Because of this, camping alone can be quite a frightening experience. As such, you will never be completely free of it. Fear will always be present and acting to holding you back. Fortunately though, there is a solution. It is called managing it.

Firstly, the greatest way to manage fear is through learning. Everything comes from a point of origin. For this reason, you can learn about it. Consequently, you then take away its power. If you are worried about injury and being stuck alone, you can get a satellite phone. If you are fearful of bears, bring bear mace. If you are worried about getting lost, then bring a GPS or learn how to use a map and compass. Fears only exist because you do not fully understand the issue at hand.

On top of that, you can always “act out” your most of your fears when it comes to hiking. Now what do I mean by that? If you worry about injury, lay out the steps that you would take to fix that injury. If you fear catching an illness, write out the steps and medicine you would need to alleviate it. If you worry about getting lost, then get lost and try to find your way back.

Fear is not insurmountable. It is something that your mind tells you to think. To recap, you can manage fear by learning and acting it out. Just remember, someone else had your exact same fear and overcame it.

Important Skills

Because you are camping alone, you need to learn a number of skills that you could otherwise let slide if you were camping with a group.

• Map and compass, this has become less of a used skill with the invention of GPS, but it is still important to have. It lets you locate yourself on a to map and can be used to plot a route to follow.
• River crossing, one of the most common terrain features you will encounter is a river. They can be treacherous. If you are not careful, a river will sweep you off your feet and into the rocks below. As such, never cross barefoot or without a stick to steady yourself. River rocks can be quite slippery.
• Tent set up, before going out into the wild, know how to set up your tent. You should be comfortable doing it. Nothing is worse than getting to camp site and then spending hours on set up of your tent.
• Start a camp fire, when it is cold outside, a camp fire is a great way to warm your soul. Start by clearing the area and then gather tinder and wood. Use flint and steel or a lighter. Remember to never leave an open fire burning.
• Cooking, when out in nature, cooking outside is much different from cooking indoors Your resources are limited, your appetite is increased, and your meals are simplified. Be sure to practice at home with basic recipes to get the hang of what it will be like to camp cook alone.
• Water purification, when you are out in nature, water is critical to having a good trip. If you do not have water, then you are as good as toast. To get plenty of water, there are a number of options available to you. You can filter from a stream, bring your own (which is heavy), boil it, or use iodine tablets. All of them are great options available to you.

Skills are worth their weight in gold. If you can master these skills and more, then you are that much more prepared to handle yourself in the wild.

Taking Safety Measures

Camping alone is a lot different from camping with others. When camping with friends or family, you can always count on them for support if something happens. This is not so for camping alone. As such, the three biggest potential risks you have to worry about are as follows:

1. Illness, this is one common occurrence when camping alone. One day you are hiking and you return to camp with the sniffles. It is no big deal as you have had it before. The next day is a bit worse. You wake with a fever and stomach cramps. Uh-oh. This is just one possibility, but you can prepare for it.You can greatly reduce the chance of catching a cold by first being healthy. This involves the most basic element of eating good nutritious food and getting plenty of deep sleep. After that, there are natural health remedies such as tea, ginger, and turmeric that you can employ to keep you healthy. Otherwise, there are plenty of medicines available to you.
2. Injury, this is the second biggest problem confronting solo adventurers. One day you are returning to camp from a long day of hiking. It has been a tiresome day. You are a little careless, so you trip on a rock, twisting your ankle. A great trek just turned into a nightmare.Fortunately though, there are ways to plan for such events. Bring a first aid kit with you and learn how to care for basic injuries like bruises and cuts. You can also learn how to address a fracture, sprain, skin disease, weather ailments, or open wound by researching online. There are plenty of resources available to you.
3. Wildlife, the third largest challenge you will face when camping alone is wildlife. More than likely, you will be dealing with small animals like squirrels, deer, and raccoon. They will want your food, which will just be a matter of keeping it out of their reach.The bigger problem, though, will be bears and mountain lions. If you do see a mountain lion, hold your ground and do not run away. Slowly walk away while facing them. Act intimidating if they approach. The same goes for bears. It will vary though if it is a black or brown bear. In general, use common sense.

In addition to the biggest risks you will encounter when in the wild, you need to do these two important things to stay safe.

1. Leave your itinerary with two people. If you are camping alone, this is a MUST. No matter how good you are, you need to leave your information with someone who has your back. Most hikers and campers who died in the wild did so because they failed to leave their information with someone. Take the bit of extra time to leave your itinerary.
2. Be conscientious. It is different being outside than in nature. Leave your iPod at home because you have to listen. Even though it appears mostly silent, nature has a lot to say and show you. When you are walking, mentally picture where your next step will be. In short, be aware.

Great! Now that you know all the biggest dangers for camping alone and understand what you need to do. You are now ready for the next step.

Preparing to Camp

Further, there are a number of steps you need to take as a solo camper to prepare for your adventure.

1. Research the area you are traveling to. Before anything else, you need to know about the place you are going. By researching the area, you can get a permit and make any special arrangements needed for that particular place. That way you can learn about the scenery, any hazards, rules, regulations, and the like. On top of that, be sure to get a map of the area. It will help you navigate it.
2. Be aware of the weather. If there is one thing that happens more frequently than not, it is weather changes. One moment it is sunny out and the next it is pouring rain out with a blistering breeze. Find out the predicted weather online so you can pack appropriately.
3. Create a checklist. A checklist is one thing that will save you a lot of headache down the road. I do not know about you, but my memory is not the greatest thing in the world, so, if I need to remember something important, I write it down. It is no different when it comes to preparing for a camping trip. Write down what you need weeks in advance to properly prepare. It will serve as a reminder for all that you need to do and get.

Last Words

Congratulations! You now all you need to know about camping by yourself. You will experience profound introspection in the silence of nature and witness majestic scenery. It will be a wondrous experience. Just remember to stay safe. Have fun. And leave no trace.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or think I missed something, please comment below and I will reply appropriately and quickly. Thank you for reading.

In Northern California, you can find a splendid refuge from the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area, a sanctuary to let your mind wander and rest. Feel the redwoods sway and dance in the wind. In this article, you will be treated to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Camping and Campgrounds Guide. Composed of two separate parts, the Fall Creek unit and the main Henry Cowell State Park, this park affords visitors the opportunity to experience soothing trees and watch smooth streams trickle on by.

Located just a few miles or so north of the main park, the Fall Creek unit is composed of second growth redwoods and was the home of the lime industry. Companies mined lime and minerals to supply concrete to San Francisco and the surrounding area. You can find ruins inside this part of the park.

Inside the main part of the park, you can find the sand hills habitat, a place where you can find endangered plants and animals and fossils. There are ancient marine deposits here. In other words, scientists have made important discoveries about the history of life and evolution with the fossils that lie here.

In the main part of the park, you can find a wide variety of trails, streams, grasslands, scenic views, and placards to keep you busy. Anyway, let’s get started.

What Can I Experience While I am There?

The Redwoods, a Calming Presence for Many Weary Travelers

The reason most come to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is for, well, the redwoods. The trees stand like obelisks from another time, soaring and rising above you like giant NBA players. Watch out! They might just dunk on you. The tallest tree is 277 ft tall and 1,500 years old. The tree has been around since the fall of the Roman Empire! It is a testament to the longevity of redwoods. The park is home to the famous Fremont Tree. It is hollowed out on the inside, you can step right on in.

The Garden of Eden, You won’t Find any Apples Here

The Garden of Eden is a popular swimming hole off of the San Lorenzo River. You won’t find any lifeguards on duty, so be sure to keep your wits about you. It is only open during the Summer. If the day is hot and you need to cool yourself off, then you will be sure to want to pack your bathing suit and towel. The Garden of Eden offers restful relaxation from the dog days of Summer. The best way to reach the Garden of Eden is to park at the visitor center and then hike to it.

Camping – You Can Find Plenty of it Here

The main campgrounds for the park are located off Graham Hill Rd. Unfortunately, you cannot camp at the park during the Winter, only during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Your best bet to get a campsite is to reserve in advance. Reservations can be made www.reservecalifornia.com. The campsite number is 107-site.

Hiking, a Tried and True Activity

Throughout the park, you can find numerous trails to keep your mind occupied. They will be sure to let your mind rest and relax. When you are in the presence of something as old as the redwoods, you have a tendency to focus on the bigger picture and see things in perspective. With these trails, keep in mind that whether they are open or not depends on the time of year and weather. Otherwise, the key trails are listed below.

Short trails: redwood grove loop trail (from the visitor center, 0.8 miles), meadow river loop (from the main entrance, 1 mile), observation deck (from the campground at Powdermill Fire Road, 1 mile)

Moderate hikes: observation deck (from the visitor center, 5 miles), cathedral redwoods (from the visitor center, 4 miles), Cowell Highlights loop (from the visitor center, 5.9 miles), kiln ruins loop (from south end Fall Creek unit, 3 miles), Campground to Redwood Grove Loop (from the campground, 5 miles)

Longer hikes: Big Ben (from Fall Creek, 7.5 miles), Four Crossings (from the campground at Powdermill Fire Road, 5 miles)

Roaring Camp Railroad – Not Affiliated with the State Parks, but an Option to Consider

Have you ever wanted to ride a historical train? Roaring Camp Railroad has got you covered. Located nearby to the visitor center, you can learn about 1880s steam locomotives and 1920s beach trains. Instead of hiking through the redwoods, do you want to sit and move through them without lifting a finger? This option is splendid for the train nerd or someone who wants to take an easy break. Visit www.roaringcamp.com for more information.

Events Are a Sure Way for You to Experience this Park in a Fantastic Manner

Ranger events run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can take part in first day hikes, bird walks, pine needle basket making workshop, photo hike for beginners, sand hills fossils talk, full moon nights, Ohlone Day, the mountain parks foundation lobster feed fundraiser, and much, much more. The park offers plenty of events to keep you busy.

Mountain Biking will let You Experience Nature in a Faster Way

The park offers plenty of trails for you to saddle up onto your bike and ride away, but only on particular portions of the park.

Horseback Riding Lets You Become an Ancient Traveler

Explore as did Lewis and Clark did on horseback. In particular sections of the park, you can saddle up and ride away off into the sunset. Horses are not allowed on the Redwood Grove Trail, River Trail, Ox Trail, and Pipeline Road south of Rincon Fire Road.

A Map of the Park to Understand Where Everything Is

It is one thing to read about a place. It is entirely something else to get a map. You can grasp everything there is to know about the park with this interactive map. It will be sure to help you understand where everything is.