Camp Journal - What info do you include?

[HappyGirl]

I'm working on my own version of a camp journal, but wanted to see what details you record.  So far I've thought of the following:

Date
Campground
Camp site #
Weather
Visitors

What else would you like to remember about your experience?

[cyclone]

If I ever get organized enough to start a camping journal, it will include a list of other sites that I like if it's a place I intend to return to.  Never hurts to list the "ideal" sites for reference when booking reservations.  Someone in my camping group has a binder with a map of every cg they have been to -- great way to reference it!

[Lila]

I'm working on my own version of a camp journal, but wanted to see what details you record.  So far I've thought of the following:

Date
Campground
Camp site #
Weather
Visitors

What else would you like to remember about your experience?

I also include cost of the site, ammenities, how many miles, how long it took to get there, how much gas I used, what I forgot, what I broke, what I ran out of.  I also make notes about the coolest things we did and anything we thought was going to be fun but turned out not to be.  I basically include any information that will help me decide whether to come back or what I need to improve for the next trip.  

I also drive or walk around the campground and note on the campground map, which sites I would try to reserve if I were given a choice of sites.

My friends say I am anal....but they are quick to ask for things they need, or if I have planned our next trip yet.  We always have a blast.

[austinado16]

Such a good idea and I keep forgetting for us to do it.  Would make a very cool book of memories, especially if a couple photos were included from each trip.

[CajunCamper]

I have such good intentions and would love to be disciplined enough to keep a journal, but it just never happens. All the information that everyone has recommended would be nice to have.

CajunCamper

[wavery]

We dry camp a lot so we make note of where water spigots are around the CG (if any). We also note preferred sites. Mostly we try to take lots of pics of the sites that we like. Notes are one thing but "a pic is worth a thousand words".......and I'm too lazy to write that much... :p

[OC Campers]

We started a journal when we bought our new hybrid.  It is so neat to be able to see how many times we have camped and when.

We always include what site that we had, sites that would be nice if we visit that campground again.  Who we camped with, how we made reservations and any special things we liked about the campground.  Plus the items you listed in your post.

Jacqui

[HappyGirl]

Thanks for the ideas - love them all.  Plan to include a few photos and makes this a scrapbook combo.  Will also include the pocket for the info like preferred sites at such that would be more for our reference.

[PattieAM]

My camping journal includes mileage, gas prices, tolls, misc., food, standard amenities (pools, store, propane refill, planned activities, food service) as well as info on entry roads, level-ness of campsite, wooded or open sites and proximity to amenities, campground fees, weather too.  I also try to include nearby tourist attractions and essential shopping (ie., Walmart) and eateries.  And, if there's an RV dealership (service) I try to include that.

[sacrawf]

I keep a camper maintainance log which contains start and end mileage, miles per trip, total miles and mileage by year, and maintainance records.  That log stays in the tow vehicle glove box.

A seperate journal is kept which includes date, campsite, total number of days camped, weather, who I stayed with, new people I have met, geocaches found, fishing results, bicycle race/event results, most memorable event(s) of the trip, and a breif narrative of the camp. I record phone numbers of local businesses/restaurants and notes of things to do next time I am in the area.  The ideal campsite in the campground is recorded for future reservations, along with campground phone numbers and/or websites. This journal is kept in the camper during camping season and in my home office off-season.  I use the spiral-bound camping journal from Gander Mountain stores.  It was made by write-it-down journals unlimited, and is available online. http://www.journalsunlimited.com/store/products/212748/Camping-Journal/

Outdoors activity photos (camping/fishing/bicycling/geocaching/hiking/hunting/shooting) are kept in seperate photo albums than general family photos.

I'm working on my own version of a camp journal, but wanted to see what details you record.  So far I've thought of the following:

Date
Campground
Camp site #
Weather
Visitors

What else would you like to remember about your experience?

[maromeo]

I have been keeping a log since we got our PUP in 2002. I include the basic info (date, site #, level, hookups etc) but also the cost of the site per night and how many nights. I also have a seperate binder and keep all the campground maps and any brochures in plastic sleeves filed by state. I do find myself referring back to them whether for future campouts or to help out fellow PUP people finding a site. It is fun looking back to where we have been.

Mary Romeo

[weathertop]

Others have mentioned these, but these are the ones we refer to again and again:

• Travel time
• The site number of the ideal campsites
• Favorite things to do in the area, and what to avoid
• Restaurants nearby, and whether we liked them or not
• Possible things to try next time, that we didn't have time for on this trip

Thanks for posting this topic.  Very interesting

[Hargus]

We also keep a camp journal. Like others that have posted it includes a lot of information. We purchased ours from Terry Taylor a full time RVer and can be found on Amazon. It includes an area for reviews and rating the campground and it's amenities such as water pressure, TV and radio reception, baths, showers and such as well as an area to write personal notes.
We find it very helpful as well as nostalgic.

[Gracy]

Ours is more like a camping bible...... it includes printouts from the campground websites... directions, pictures & cost... stuff like that.  Then I make notes as to which were good spots or what spot number we stayed.  Who the camp host was etc.

[CajunCamper]

Ours is more like a camping bible...... it includes printouts from the campground websites... directions, pictures & cost... stuff like that.  Then I make notes as to which were good spots or what spot number we stayed.  Who the camp host was etc.

That sounds like the way we do it.

CajunCamper