Camping Trip and Travel Information

Posts Tagged ‘lighthouse’

The United States is by far the greatest camping destination in the world. Each region of the country offers unique and special camping experiences to the camper and RVer. This is a country of great diversity of people, cultures and geography.

From ’sea to shining sea’ as the song goes and everything in between. The center of the country, known as the Heartland, is filled with spectacular scenery from undulating fields of grain, to endless inland prairies, farms growing everything imaginable, and urban centers, like Chicago, filled with all sorts of attractions. Head west to the heart-stopping splendor of the Rocky Mountains, the vast open sky of the deserts of the southwest, the red rocks that provide a show of ever-changing color with each subtle shift of the sun, then on to the Pacific for sun, surf and Hollywood. Or you could go south, into the coastal marshes of the Carolinas, the Mississippi delta highlighted by a trip to swamps and 200 year old plantation homes. Head even further south toward the sawgrass islands of the Florida Everglades or the laid-back conch republic of Key West and the Florida Keys.

Want a taste of salt water taffy, brisk breezes against a powder blue sky? The take a drive along our Northeasern seashores. From the rocky crag filled “downeast” Maine coastline filled with quaint towns and real working lobstering villages, to the sweet sun-kissed “Jersey” shore, or the island off Delaware where wild mustangs still run free protected in a national seashore.

Head to the Northwest coasts of Washington and Oregon for a nature lovers paradise. The Oregon Coast is filled with sand dunes the size of mountains and miles of sweatshirt friendly beaches. The Washington coast is filled temperate rain forests so green and lush that it look s like something from a Dr Suess book and offers miles of kayaking around the islands of Puget Sound.

Looking for something more cosmopolitan? There is great camping around our major cities – head to New York for a taste of Broadway and food from around the world. Looking for a little glitz and glamour how about Las Vegas? There are even RV Resort right off the strip so you won’t miss a minute of the action and nearby there is great hiking and climbing in red rocks. Or hope a helicopter trip to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. San Francisco is a great day trip from some of the most compelling camping country in the US, here the towering Redwoods meet the ocean and don’t miss the fun and always funky fisherman’s wharf and for a 60’s throwback make you way to Haight-Ashbury. In the heart of dixie New Orleans is still the belle of the old south ball. Here you can enjoy everything from gentile southern charm in uptown or take a walk on the wild side with a quick trip to Bourbon street. (Don’t forget to make a quick stop at Cafe Du Monde for cafe au lait and beignets). Texas boast some great towns – one not-to-miss up-and-comer is nestled in the Texas Hill country – Austin with a great indie music scene and (in my mind) the most beautiful scenery and surroundings in all of Texas hill country.

Whether you are planning a weeks worth of wanderings or finalizing plans for your great full-time RV escape or anything in between – this is a country filled with sight, sounds and people to make your camping and RV travel special.

There is something for everyone around every corner of the road. Get out and explore this great country.

Pick your interests and plan your trip around them. Love lighthouses, plan a lighthouse camping tour, can’t get enough 4-h country fair kitsch plan your RV adventure through the heartland during fair and festival time.

Just north of San Francisco, California, you will find the Point Reyes National Seashore. The national seashore is a great place to find beauty and adventure. If you love to combine outdoor adventure with the chance to learn about history and nature, the Point Reyes and Inverness Ridge Area of California is a place you should visit on your next trip to the west coast.

Point Reyes National Seashore has a few very popular back-country camping spots. The camping sites at the national seashore are hike or boat-in only, so if you are looking for a car or RV campsite you will have to find one outside the national seashore.

The National Seashore also has great opportunities for nature and birdwatching. You can see the gray whales, especially during their migration from January to April. You can see the seals from the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock. The park also has great birdwatching. Near the Pierce Point Ranch there is a large preserve which is home to over 400 tule elk. These elk are often visible from the parking lot; the best time of year to see the elk is late July through November.

Point Reyes National Park has many trails, historic structures and visitor centers that provide great exhibits on the history, ecology and geology in the area. The Bear Valley Visitor Center at the entrance of the park has many ecological and historical exhibits. If you only have a few hours for your visit Bear Valley Visitor Center, this is a good spot to learn about the park.

The Bear Valley Visitor Center also provides access to a few short, but fascinating trails. You can walk to Kule Loklo, a replica of a Coast Miwok Indian village, by taking a short path from the visitor center. Woodpecker Trail, also near the visitor center, has interpretive signs about plants and animals that can be found on the trail. Earthquake Trail is a paved trail near the visitor center. This trail explores the San Andreas Fault Zone and has interpretive signs about the local geology.

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is located about 45 minutes into the park. Drive into the park and stop at the Point Reyes Lighthouse visitor center, where you can view the lighthouse from an observation deck. If you would like to walk down the path to the lighthouse, you will have to visit between Thursday and Monday and then descend the 308 stairs. You can learn about the history of dairy ranching with the interpretive signs and historic structures at the Pierce Point Ranch. The Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach has a great marine exhibit.

In addition to camping, nature and history, Point Reyes also has many opportunities for hiking, biking and horse riding. The park has 150 miles of trails. There are also great beaches and tide pools for exploring along the California coast. You can hike to Mt. Wittenberg from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, a 1300 ft climb that puts you at the highest point in the park.

The Point Reyes National Seashore has many volunteer opportunities, from habitat restoration and repairing trails to educating visitors about wildlife. Or, if you want to escape from nature for a bit, all of the excitement of San Francisco can be found a little over 30 miles away from the Point Reyes National Seashore. You are also situated near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a great place to experience the coast of California. You can participate in some back-country camping, hiking and kayaking. After you have had your fill of recreation, wildlife viewing and history you can drive down to San Francisco where you can enjoy all that this fabulous California city has to offer.