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We are hoping to camp in a couple of locations in the United States of America next year (Florida and New York State).  We like our basic comforts such as clean loos and showers and we have also have a 10 year old to consider. Has anyone camped in the US before and if so do you have any top tips? 

Thank you in advance,
Debbie

I don't know whether you're intending on taking your own tent from here, or buying when you get there. American tents tend to have full SIGs (to avoid meeting any slithery wild-life), and an essential piece of additional equipment is a 'screen room' to sit 'outside', particularly in Florida (to avoid contact with the airborne wild-life).

You do really need to find out what the local wild-life is like and take advice from the locals about what to do/not do.

e.g. we camped in my brothers caravan not far from New York and saw a bear strolling through the woods not far from us. For this reason, if you are in a tent you probably need to be meticulous about storing food in a car or somewhere where the local wild-life will not be tempted to rummage - skunks are great scavengers too, and you don't really want to upset one of those either!!

Regarding 'facilities', the americans expect the highest of standards, and although we only have limited experience of camping over there, we have always found the facilities to be excellent.

Thank you for that we were umming and aahing about taking our own tent, but it doesn't have a SIG, so we'll get one out there.  I never even thought about a screen room.  I guess the best thing to do is have an online chat with a camp store in New York and Florida to see what we'll need and how much it'll be.

Thank you very much B Christie that was most helpful.

Debbie

Oh SirAntony,

I don't want to wake up next to an alligator, my husband is bad enough 

You can camp at Disneyworld, Wilderness resort has a campsite, it looked fab too.....We were there 2 years ago, staying in one of their hotels, when a hurricane (charlie) looked like hitting the area (which it did) they evacuated the campsite to the hotels, they were at our hotel for about 5-6 days and the people that we met that had been camping said the site was great...guess it depends if you want to go to Disney though...

have a fab time, sounds like a great idea but i'm in no way brave enough..the RV option would be fab though...roadtrip

We're on a very tight budget and an RV is expensive, but more to the point, I'm an incredibly bad driver.

I think we'll probably camp in the North of the USA in the Catskills and around a couple of the great lakes.  We intend to stay in several places for at least 4 nights each.  The weather will be cooler than Florida, what time of year did you go Tilly?  We'll book into motels when travelling from one place to another rather than mucking about trying to find a campsite and then pitching.  The motels are dirt cheap, about £30 for a reasonable room and pool.  I am very tempted by the Disney site because it sounds fantastic and I haven't read a bad review, it's just the heat that's stopping me from booking it immediately. 

That website is great Fudge, thank you. 

Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.  Knowledge is power!

Hi Debbie

That time was middle of august, it was hot (no hotter than it is here at the moment) and also humid,i've been at other times, April/may  is nice, still pretty hot but no where near as humid, anytime during Nov-May is good, although it can get a little chilly at night in the winter.

It's pretty hot all over the US in the summer, except maybe Alaska! It';s the humidity that makes it unbearable..ick...I lived iin Michigan for a couple of years when I was younger, some great places to camp...not that I was remotely interested in camping at the time ..My cousins often camped and they used to have to seal the food in a plastic bag then hang it on a line inbetween 2 trees sol that the naughty racoons couldn't get it...even though I think they must have gotten into it one time...so beware of the coons, much cuter than the skunks though!

Other scenic places are Maine and Vermont, lots of places in Conneticut are commutable into NY if you want to spend some time but not pay their extortionate hotel prices.

Are you going to take your own tent? have you checked out some American camping stores online? 

Are you thinking of Trek America? THey're still going and do some great camping trips and they have a family camping section, they provide everything you need but still may work out dearere than hiring a car and doing it yourself.

http://www.trekamerica.com/

Hi Debbie,

I grew up in the USA and we camped many times. I am about to try camping here for the first time. I am worried that I might be disappointed with just plopping the tent down into a field with no trees...

The best campsites are the ones located in state parks, and often they don't take reservations, its first come first serve, so best to arrive VERY early.  The other thing to remember is it gets dark earlier in the US, so don't leave it too late either or you'll be setting up in the dark!

 The campsites in the US are generally large and in the woods.  You get a map of the campsite with a designated pitch. That area is your own semi-private space amongst the trees, usually with a level spot for pitching the tent, and usually includes a wooden picnic table and sometimes a fireplace/grill area.   

try doing an internet search for the particular state you're thinking of , then include the words state park and campsite.  Good luck!

P.S. I just took my own advice and tried doing a search of New York state park campsites, and, lo and behold, there is an online booking facility, so it looks like you can plan your trip online!

My parents took a self drive tour round some areas of california and the rockies staying at 'campgrounds' which had little chalets you can rent for a fairly low sum every night, certainly ALOT more cheaply than motel rates with shared facilities as you would find in any UK campsite ( showers, washing up etc)

Perhaps something similar might help you get a 1/2 way house between safety and security and a camping experience?