Camping Vacations:
Save Money, Have More Fun

Camping vacations are a great way to relax, see amazing places, and bond with your family and friends--while saving a lot of money.

Staying in campgrounds and spending time outdoors (instead of in expensive shops and restaurants) will be much easier on your pocketbook.

I've had many fun camping vacations with friends and loved ones that I will never forget.

Alaska

Although I've lived in Alaska most of my life, there are still many beautiful places in this vast state that I haven't seen. Over the last three years, my wife Jaimi and I have taken several exciting and memorable camping vacations to see new parts of the state.

In 2006, we went to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the entire U.S. Park system. We hiked the Bonanza Ridge trail with our friend Phil, who at 70 years old outpaces us!

The Bonanza Mine, an old abandoned copper mine, sits right near the top of the ridge.

This hike really kicked our butts! We were sore for about 5 days afterward. It was 9 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of about 4,000 feet.

This was the highest point I've ever been to in Alaska (6,000 feet). The view of the massive Root Glacier spread out below us was unbelievable.

After that, we drove to Seward and hiked up the Harding Icefield trail.

This is another strenuous hike, about 8 miles round-trip, but the views of the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield were definitely worth it.

During this week-long trip, we slept in our Expedition, staying at campgrounds the entire time.

I figure that saved us nearly $1,000. (Alaska hotels are very expensive in the summer.)

In 2007, we backpacked Kesugi Ridge with our friends Rick and Heidi. This is my favorite hiking trail in Alaska.

The view of the Alaska Range across the valley, stretching from one end of the horizon to the other, is absolutely mind-blowing.

And on a clear day, you can see Mt. McKinley from the trail--so close you feel like you could reach out and touch it!

From there, we went to Hatcher's Pass to hike the Gold Mint Trail. This was a very exciting overnight hike. The trail wound through thick brush next to a roaring river, and all we could think about was bears!

Fortunately we never saw one (our near-continuous shouting of "Hey bear!" must have scared them off).

We were rewarded for our courage with a spectacular view of a remote mountain valley.

In 2008, we drove the Denali Highway, a 135-mile-long gravel highway running through some very remote and scenic wilderness. We didn't do much hiking, since Jaimi was 5 months pregnant with our first child.

However, we did get some great pictures. That's where we shot the panoramic picture in this site's banner, and this photo of a young caribou hanging out on the road.

Minnesota

Minnesota has a special place in my heart. My parents were born and raised in the Twin Cities, and Jaimi hails from the northern town of Baudette. I spent three years living there myself.

There are thousands of great Minnesota campgrounds where you can relax, catch some fish for dinner, and fall asleep to the sound of loons on the lake.

In 2005, Jaimi, her brother Robbie, and I camped at a beautiful lakeside campground, then hiked to the highest point in Minnesota-- Eagle Mountain (2,301 ft).

It was a fairly easy day hike, with some nice views of the lakes and forests in the surrounding Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

I was surprised, however, to reach the top and find a plaque in a clearing, surrounded by trees! (In Alaska, you don't have to go very high to get above treeline.)

Yosemite National Park

One of my favorite camping vacations was going to Yosemite National Park in California with my friend Jeremy, in 2005.

Although we were only there for a few days, I will never forget the stunning beauty of that place. It is definitely on my list of places to see again.

Iconic features such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls are impressive enough in photographs, but they are overwhelming in person. And Yosemite has over 750 miles of hiking trails through some of the most beautiful wilderness anywhere.

For some excellent information about Yosemite and its campgrounds, I recommend the section on Yosemite National Park at DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com.

Venezuela

I spent three weeks in Merida, Venezuela in 2003, staying with my friend Isaac, his wife Martha, and her family.

My favorite activity was a three-day backpacking trip into the mountains. Our trek took us into the high paramo ecosystem, blanketed with exotic frailejones. These plants can grow to over 9 feet tall.

On the last day of our journey, we soaked in a natural hot springs. Now that's what I call a backpacking trip!

I highly recommend making your next vacation a camping vacation. You’ll save money and have a great time.

See you at the campground!

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