Weekend Camping

Most camping trips take place on weekends because most of us have to work for a living and don't often have time off during the week.   I like to have everything ready so I can get away on Friday night as soon as I get home from work so I don't waste part of my valuable weekend time just packing up and getting there.  That means advance planning and preparation.  Make sure your RV or tent and all equipment is in good repair.   Fresh water tanks or jugs and fuel need to be topped off, holding tanks empty.  If you're using an RV, turn on the fridge a day or two before departure so it starts off nice and cold.  re-cool all items that will go into an ice chest or an RV fridge.  When possible, you might try to take an extra day off to get a head start on the weekend.  You may find traffic lighter and may encounter less congestion or competition for camp sites.

Obviously you won't be the only ones visiting your favorite spots on any given weekend so make your reservations early and plan for traffic and congestion.  Without reservations you may be turned away and have to drive a lot farther than you planned to find a place to stay.  The earlier you can get away, the less traffic you'll usually encounter and the better chance you'll have of finding a nice selection of camp sites when you arrive.  Late arrival may mean you may be stuck next to a high traffic area or a smelly restroom or a long way from useful facilities, none of which contributes to a restful and enjoyable weekend.  Or, if you didn't have reservations, you may have to keep driving for many more miles and many more hours before you find a place to stay.  If you're going boondocking, getting there early helps ensure you will have the best choice of spots.  We often went on on Tuesday before Thanksgiving to stake out our Desert Rat site for our annual Turkey In The Dirt.

When it comes to departure time, you will have to decide whether it is better to get away a little early to avoid traffic on the way home or squeeze in a little more time with your activities.  Giving up that last hour in camp or hanging around until traffic thins out may cut two or three hours off your return driving time.   Often you can enjoy more time in camp and still get home about the same time by avoiding traveling during rush hour.   Or even hang around an extra day and really beat the traffic if you can!

Weekend destinations should be fairly close to home.  You can't afford to spend more than a few hours driving in each direction.   The less time you spend on the road, the more time you can spend camping and relaxing.   It is a good idea to develop a list and explore nearby camping opportunities so you have alternatives if weather, road construction, or traffic accidents impede access to your preferred sites.  You don't have to go that far to "get away from it all" if you plan it right.

TGIF!