Off-season camping reasons?

[ScouterMom]

There's a BIG advantage to camping in the north, or upper midwest in the winter.....

NO BUGS!

There's usually more wildlife to see, too - without so many other campers around!


I learned to like winter camping on Boy Scout 'survival' campouts - we pair the boys up, and they each get a large tarp, a length of rope, and 2 'christmas trees' (leftovers from a tree place after christmas) to build a shelter with.  The boys can choose to pair up even more, if they wish - giving them additional building materials; 4 boys = 4 trees, 2 ropes and 2 tarps, etc.  they can also use what ever they can 'find'  on the ground like additional branches, leaves, etc.  

It's amazing how much heat can be generated by a couple of bodies inside one of these small shelters.  we have to warn the boys to 'vent' them to let the moisture escape, or they would get drenched!   We've had some really 'creative' shelters, too.  One boy made a hammock out of his tarp, rope & sticks!

It's been really neat to build a shelter, go to sleep in it, and wake up to find it snowing outside while you are cozy and warm inside your den!  

Laura

[TheViking]

There's a BIG advantage to camping in the north, or upper midwest in the winter.....
 
NO BUGS!
 
There's usually more wildlife to see, too - without so many other campers around!
 
 
I learned to like winter camping on Boy Scout 'survival' campouts - we pair the boys up, and they each get a large tarp, a length of rope, and 2 'christmas trees' (leftovers from a tree place after christmas) to build a shelter with. The boys can choose to pair up even more, if they wish - giving them additional building materials; 4 boys = 4 trees, 2 ropes and 2 tarps, etc. they can also use what ever they can 'find' on the ground like additional branches, leaves, etc.
 
It's amazing how much heat can be generated by a couple of bodies inside one of these small shelters. we have to warn the boys to 'vent' them to let the moisture escape, or they would get drenched! We've had some really 'creative' shelters, too. One boy made a hammock out of his tarp, rope & sticks!
 
It's been really neat to build a shelter, go to sleep in it, and wake up to find it snowing outside while you are cozy and warm inside your den!
 
Laura

Maybe in the winter there are no bugs, but Kristi and I lived in the mid-west and the summer mosquitoes are the size of fricken teradactyl's!

[TheViking]

WOW,
A picture of the Viking without a drink in his hand

 
What you can't see is the six pack rack and cooler on the back of my quad. I don't let them get too far away.

[AustinBoston]

Maybe in the winter there are no bugs, but Kristi and I lived in the mid-west and the summer mosquitoes are the size of fricken teradactyl's!

Maybe they're that small in other parts of the midwest, but not here in Minnesota!

Austin

[PattieAM]

I enjoy camping in the off season as the campgrounds are less crowded, which I find to be more relaxing.  I no longer have camping kids, so will generally camp during the week, and leave weekends to families who can't camp during the week.

Granted many places close their amenities (pools, etc.) Labor Day weekend, but, for me the 'get away' is worth the lack of amenities.

Cool weather camping is more enjoyable to me than the heat of the summer.  I'd rather grab a sweater than be dripping wet and miserable.  Critters at campgrounds are more visible when the crowds thin out - deer, etc.  I love to sit quietly sipping my coffee and watch the birds and critters foraging the area for food.  Peace and quiet - love it!

[ForestCreature]

We're closing out the local CG in 2 weeks. Fall camping is camping at it's best.  The latest I have camped is late November , it may as well have been winter, temps dove to a balmmy 12* at night. It was fun 'till my banshee froze as we sat around the campfire.
After that true winter camping hasn't happened  yet, I am still trying to convince DH to try it at one of the CGs thats oppen yr round here in MI.

[dee106]

no bugs, no crowds, no sweating, pretty colors. great friends, great campfires ,

[tlhdoc]

Here here for off season camping.  Take a look at my Webshots page

[skamper75]

no bugs, no crowds, no sweating, pretty colors. great friends, great campfires ,

yep,yep,yep,yep

[dcampbell1969]

We'll be camping with our PUPS group for a New Years trip.

[muckgram]

Steelhead fishing on and around Lake Ontario in two weeks. Should be pretty chilly in Western New York and we love it! Just have switch to a Baileys and coffee instead of cold labatts!

RG

[Funrover]

No one else there!!!!!     and I like that!

[wavery]

No one else there!!!!!     and I like that!

I'd rather go sailing :sombraro: ..........in the tropics.........where it's WARM.

There's no one there....that's for sure......but it's a heck of a lot more comfortable.........sometimes :p .

Then again..........I've never gotton motion sickness on the ice ...............BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! :frosty:  Give me the tropics.

[Funrover]

I'd rather go sailing :sombraro: ..........in the tropics.........where it's WARM.

There's no one there....that's for sure......but it's a heck of a lot more comfortable.........sometimes :p .

Then again..........I've never gotton motion sickness on the ice ...............BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! :frosty:  Give me the tropics.

LOL   I love the snow.........  What can I say I am a weird one!

[Mountaineer]

We have enjoyed snow camping in Nov. and April but Dec., Jan., and Feb., are out until wife retires.  Then we will hit warmer areas.  

Phil