Where Should You Go Camping, RVing, and OHVing?

Once you've decided camping, RVing, or OHVing is something you want to try you need to decide where to go. I strongly recommend you first experience camping and RVing at home -- in your own backyard or driveway. Spend a few nights sleeping in your RV or set up your tent in your backyard and sleep in it for a few nights. This will give you a chance to practice getting your tent or RV ready when you have an immediate recovery plan (go back inside!) if anything goes wrong. It also lets you begin to acclimate to a new sleeping environment to minimize the variables you'll face on an actual camping trip. You can try out different bedding options to see what works best and have time to pick up a better sleeping pad if the one you have isn't doing the job (or if you don't have one). If you have a tall enough tent, you might want to try sleeping on a cot instead of on the ground.  Cook a few meals in your RV or on your camp stove. After you feel comfortable you can move on to an actual camping trip.

Some generic camping destinations to choose from.   Here are a few tried and true kind of places to go camping:

    State/County/Federal Parks
    Beaches
    Deserts
    Mountains
    Lakes/streams
    Private campgrounds and resorts
    Forest Service and BLM camping areas

First outing. For your first outing I suggest you choose a campground close to home and go with someone who has some experience. That offers several advantages. It won't take long to get there so you should have plenty of set up time. You don't want to have to set up your first camp in the dark. It won't take long to get home again if something goes wrong. You should already be familiar with local facilities and shopping if you need medical or mechanical assistance or additional supplies. For comfort and convenience I would choose a developed campground rather than starting off boondocking or dry camping. Developed campgrounds typically have paved or graveled, level parking, picnic tables, fit pits, and restrooms. Many also have a small camp store where you can buy some RV supplies and basic provisions if you run short. The camp host can usually provide information about local attractions and activities and camping advice if you need it. Should you experience any mechanical breakdown or failure of RV systems you can probably call a mobile technician to come to your aid.  If you have family or friends that are already experienced campers, see if you can tag along with them for your first few outings.  Going with someone who knows what they're doing and is familiar with the area is especially helpful for maiden OHV trips.   Having someone to lead the way and set the pace can make your initiation more pleasant.  Our first dirt bike outing was based largely on hearsay and, while we found the right general area and basically had a good time, we missed out on some really great trails we could have enjoyed if we'd had someone knowledgable to lead us.

Venturing out. As you become more comfortable with your equipment and your own skills, you can venture out on more extensive trips and may even be ready to try boondocking or dry camping in a more primitive setting. The primary criteria for selecting such a destination should be your personal interests. Pick a camp ground at or near a location that appeals to you, perhaps someplace with historical or geological significance or someplace near an attraction that appeals to you and your family. If your plans include OHV activities, you'll want to pick an appropriate area where OHVs are permitted. For your first few OHV trips, it is a good idea to go with someone who already knows the area and can fill you in on the condition of trails and skill level required. Be sure to pay attention to your fellow campers: how they set up their camps, how they prep their OHVs, how they choose trails, how they ride. Watch for procedures and equipment that may improve and enhance your own experience. You can learn a lot from the "old timers". And "old timers" don't have to be grizzled veterans. A lot of teen-aged riders have been riding since before they were in kindergarten and can be the source of a lot of good riding and equipment maintenance tips and assistance. Don't discount them because of their youth. Many know exactly where they're going, what they're doing, and are very competent ride leaders and mechanics. I have 4 boys and 2 girls and even the girls were competent riders, leaders, and mechanics by the time they were in junior high. My oldest daughter went on to race Women's Desert Expert in southern California for several years, often totally on her own, setting up her own camp and doing her own maintenance and repairs on her race bike.

On your own. Eventually you'll feel confident going out on your own, picking your own campsites and choosing your own OHV trails. Make sure are properly prepared for whatever you choose to do. If you have developed your knowledge and skills as described above and taken advantage to learn from the experience of fellow campers, you should be able to organize a successful solo trip for your family. Even so, you may soon learn you miss the companionship of fellow campers. When you first choose to go out on your own, invest a little extra time checking your equipment and supplies to be sure you have everything you will need and that everything is in good condition. Make sure you know where the nearest emergency medical facilities are and the best way to get there -- just in case someone is injured or gets sick. Where practical, bring along more supplies than you think you'll need. Many people run out of water or fuel for their OHVs much sooner than they think they will, and, if you're boondocking, water and fuel will be some distance away. If your OHVs require mixed gas, make sure you bring along extra 2-stroke oil and something to measure and mix the fuel and oil. I've seen desperate riders just guess how much oil to add directly to their gas tanks, but that is a fabulously bad idea. Put in too much and you'll foul plugs. Put in too little and you'll seize your engine. Neither is very conducive to a fun ride. In my motorcycle trailer I carry an extra 1-gallon plastic gas can to mix fuel and use a device called a Ratio-Rite to measure the oil. The Ratio-Rite is a tapered, graduated cup that shows you exactly how much oil to add to various amounts of gasoline to achieve the required fuel mixture. You can buy them at motorcycle, marine, and other OHV shops. Sometimes they are available in hardware and home centers for use with chain saws and other 2-stroke equipment. Be sure you know what mixture your engine requires and avoid using anything but the designated mixture. Sometimes, in an emergency out on the trail, you may have to borrow fuel from another rider. If you have a choice, try to use fuel that is as close to your mixture as possible. In a pinch, it is better to use a richer mixture (higher oil content) than a leaner one. The richer mixture may cause your engine to blow smoke and may foul plugs, but a leaner mixture may not provide enough lubrication and the engine may seize and be permanently and expensively damaged. Fouled plugs are a nuisance and can spoil a ride, but they are cheap and easy to replace, even out on the trail (you should always carry spare plugs if you're riding a vehicle with a 2-stroke engine). Make sure you have the right spark plug wrench in your tool kit or fanny pack. It is impossible to change the spark plug on some engines without a special spark plug wrench. I had a friend whose bike fouled plugs so often that he wore a shotgun bandolier filled with spare plugs!

Where? Anywhere YOU like!