Camping in DallasFort Worth Travel Campgrounds
There are currently many more car-campers than wilderness campers in the United States. Some people are simply unaware of the options, and know little or nothing about camping in the wilds. Car-camping at campgrounds has received much publicity over the years, and it’s what most people think of as camping.
Many people who use campgrounds are not especially interested in wilderness-related activities. Campgrounds are frequented by travelers, vacationers, and others in search of relaxation. These places are popular in part because they’re convenient to use, inexpensive, and offer a taste of outdoor living. For some people that’s enough.
Others have a strong interest in the natural world, and the best campgrounds for these people are usually the more remote ones found in a number of public parks and forests. This kind of campground sometimes offers a bit of the flavor of camping in the backcountry, especially when the sites are spaced well apart.
Facilities in such campgrounds tend to be limited, which makes them less attractive to owners of large recreational vehicles, with some locations inaccessible to these vehicles. A higher percentage of the campers staying there are likely to be involved in wilderness-oriented activities, especially if the park is one which doesn’t allow other primitive camping.
Camping at campgrounds has some disadvantages, of course. Most problematic to some of us is the relative lack of privacy and quiet, which is commonly if not universally the case. At the same time, many people do appreciate the sense of security of a campground, along with the availability of conveniences, and also the fact that one’s car is nearby if needed.
At all except the most primitive campgrounds you’ll have access to bathrooms and showers, public phones, and sometimes a store. Assistance will be available in the event of a problem or emergency. There’s certainly no reason why you can’t use a campground as a base camp for day trips into the wilderness if you want to do things that way.
There are times when it makes good sense to spend a night at a campground at the beginning of a wilderness trip, especially if you’ve spent the day driving or traveling, and arrive at the park at sundown or after dark. When this happens it’s usually much more convenient to sleep at the campground, assuming space is available, and to begin your wilderness adventure the next day.
Upon entering any campground you’re normally assigned a site and can set up your tent right away, which shouldn’t pose a problem even after dark (car lights can be used, if necessary). In contrast, entering the wilderness at night and trying to find a suitable campsite in the dark can be a rather difficult and time-consuming process. It’s not much fun if you’re already tired from travel, and definitely not recommended for beginners.
For the most complete listing of public and private campgrounds throughout the country, consult one of the comprehensive campground guides, which are available at most large bookstores and outdoor supply stores. For more information about campgrounds in state parks, look in Part II of this book under Information About State Park Campgrounds, in the Camping Resources section for each state.
