With Daylight Savings Time behind us and the first official day of Spring right around the corner, these events signal longer and warmer days, marking the beginning of the spring camping season.
Get ready for your spring camping adventure with information below on booking your campsite, prepping camping gear, and making the best of outdoor springtime activities, including hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and biking.
Tips on Booking Your Campsite
Popular campgrounds book up quickly, often months in advance. If you’re planning a camping trip during spring break or a holiday weekend, you may have some trouble securing the site that you prefer. This is why knowing booking windows is so important.
The booking window is the period of time that you can make advance reservations at a campground. For some parks, the booking window begins only six months in advance, while at other places it can be as long as a year out. Find out what the booking window is at your desired campground and set up a calendar reminder to make the reservation once you’re eligible.
For last-minute reservations, it helps to be flexible with your schedule, location, or camping type. Finally, you can also check websites regularly for released campsites in case of a cancellation, or you can try your luck with a walk-up site.
Learn More: Helpful Booking Tips
Get Out Your Camping Gear
One thing to keep in mind about spring camping is that you probably won’t have sunshine-filled skies the entire trip. In most locations across the country, campers may experience rain, chilly temperatures, and possibly hail or snow, especially in early spring. You’ll need camping gear that keeps you safe and comfortable in the wide range of potential springtime elements.
Get your gear out in advance of your trip. Make sure it’s intact and undamaged, and air it out if necessary. Review what you have, make sure it’s sufficient for your spring camping needs, and supplement supplies and gear as needed. Tent campers should have rain flys and sleeping bags should be rated for low temperatures. All campers should plan on bringing waterproof clothing and shoes along with ways to easily warm up foods and liquids.
Learn More: 10 Must-Bring Camping Essentials
A Great Spot to Test Out Your Camping Gear: Chapman State Park, Pennsylvania
This sizable park comes alive in the spring and is adjacent to Allegheny National Forest. Chapman is an oasis of wilderness and recreational facilities and has over 40 campsites open year-round.
Spring Hiking
Green shoots burst through the thawing ground, buds form on branch tips, and clumps of flowers mottle the greening landscape – what better way to take in the hallmarks of spring than hiking amidst it all? Spring hikers should dress in layers, so you can put on or stow away clothes in your pack as the temperature rises and drops. Always check the weather before your trip. If there’s any chance of precipitation, bring a quality waterproof rain jacket and waterproof hiking boots. Also, look into trail conditions before you go since some routes, especially at higher elevations, may have snow or ice on the ground.
Learn More: Great Hikes to Get in This Spring
An Ideal Park for Spring Hikes: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Kentucky
Hikes through this state forest and adjacent wildlife management lands have some of the best spring wildflower spots the state has to offer.
Spring Kayaking and Canoeing
Warming spring days beckon kayakers and canoers to rivers, lakes, and bays around the country. The thrill of dipping paddles into the water and breathing in the spring breeze is a welcome respite after months of cold that prevented paddlers from taking to the waterways.
But while the air may be warming rapidly, it does not mean that water temperatures are rising at the same rate. Springtime kayakers and canoers need to keep this in mind and dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. The assumption here, of course, is that you may end up in the water. In the interest of safety, all paddlers should anticipate falling in, even the most advanced athletes. So dress warmly and have the right safety equipment with you at all times to make the most of your springtime kayaking and canoeing trip.
Recommended: Campgrounds with Kayaks and Boat Rentals
Kayak & Camp Here This Spring: Caballo Lake State Park, New Mexico
Caballo Lake makes for great kayaking and canoeing from spring through fall, with nearly 60 campsites laid out along the scenic New Mexico landscape near the water’s edge.
Spring Mountain Biking
Many mountain bikers are forced to take a break from their favorite pastime during the winter, with icy air blasting their faces as they ride down a mountain being understandably too much to bear. For those planning a springtime trip after months of biking abstinence, there are a few things to do to comfortably transition back into the saddle.
First, in the interest of safety, inspect your tires, brakes, shifting cables, suspension, bolts, and bearings – or get your bike tuned up. Second, do some cross-training to avoid injury. Finally, check that your accessories are in good shape, especially your helmet.
Recommended: Cool Mountain Bike Trails
A Park with Superb Spring Biking Trail: Ponderosa State Park, Idaho
Bike on the wide single-tracked trails in this state park as you float beneath and alongside the majestic ponderosa pines, while possibly catching glimpses of the abundant wildlife like moose, bald eagles, or deer. There are over 170 campsites available.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.