Affordable Camping Gear Blog! » camping

Joe the camper — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:43:16 +0000

GunslingerTM Corral Hunting Holster Product Review

I know I’m not the only one that finds it difficult keeping a rifle slung on one’s shoulder while maintaining one’s balance climbing over rocks and deadfalls, or crossing creeks and logs, or low crawling to that ideal vantage point. And it sure seems like the rifle picks the most inopportune time to slip, clanking against a rock and dinging the scope or stock.

It’s just always been something that as hunters we’ve had to put up with — until now. Enter the Gunslinger Corral from New Frontier Products, a simple device that attaches to any belt, from a standard pants belt to the belt on a back pack, and if you’re a suspender man and don’t have a belt, well it comes with its own.

This isn’t a gimmick, it really works. I could write a few hundred more words about it, and I will just as soon as I’m back from my Canadian Moose hunt, but watching the Gunsligner Corral video will demonstrate what a great product this is. And just in time for hunting season. Affordable hunting gear.

Firearms!!

Joe the camper — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:52:42 +0000

We now carry all of your hunting needs as well as all your camping needs. We now carry affordablehand guns, affordable rifles, affordable combination firearms, affordable revolvers, and affordable shotguns. We carry many brand names in firearms. We carry Braztech, Browning, CZ, FNH USA, Glock, H & R, Heritage, Knight, Marlin, Mossburg, Rossi, Savage Arms, Savage Rimfire, Taurus, Thompson Center, Traditions,Walther, and Winchester Guns. We can have them delivered to a local gun store in your area with in a couple days. We have over 20,000 guns in stock. We are very competitive in pricing. Give us a holler and we can suit your needs with affordable firearms to suit your hunting needs.

Folding Beach And Camping Chair.

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:27:15 +0000

When going to the beach, it’s a great idea to take a folding beach chair with you. Typically when people go to the beach, BBQ grills, volleyballs, and picnic supplies. But the one thing that someone shouldn’t forget is the beach chair.

Resting your feet in the sand while taking in the sunshine is apt to become the new great American pastime, or really the pastime of anybody who appreciates the fine art of rest and relaxation. Available for a low price, you can find a good folding beach chair at several retailers.

Camping Sites in Arizona 21

Joe the camper — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:28:06 +0000

Burnt Corral at Apache Lake
Arizonians love their desert lakes, and one the most spectacular is Apache Lake along the Apache Trail. The long, narrow body of water allows boaters access to remote desert wilderness. The Burnt Corral Campground offers aquatic sports enthusiasts the opportunity to moor their boat right at campsite, as the tents line the eastern shore of the lake. Shade from the sweltering summer sun is at a minimum, but the cool lake water is only a few feet away.
Don’t miss it: The drive up Apache Trail is one of the most scenic and breathtaking in Arizona.

Directions: Take SR 88 north from Apache Junction to reach the campsite.

More info: Tonto Basin Ranger District, 520-467-3200

Bonito
I look upward and marvel at the profile of the multi-storied structure as it embraces the clear, azure sky. Built entirely of red sandstone, the Wukoki Ruin at Wupatki seems to be on fire as the rising sun envelops more and more of the building. You don’t have to be an anthropologist to be fascinated by the ruins of ancient Indian cultures. Here at Wupatki, you can observe the remains of the Anasazi and Sinagua architecture constructed almost 900 years ago. Bonito is the closest campground to pitch a tent while exploring the ruins. It has all the amenities, such as paved roads and an auditorium for campfire programs.

Directions: Take SR 89 north from Flagstaff for 12 miles. Turn east on FR 545 to reach the campground.

More info: Peaks Ranger Station, 520-526-0866

Camping Sites in Arizona 20

Joe the camper — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:52:58 +0000

Pinery Canyon
Chiricahua National Monument
So, the Bonita Campground at the Chiricahua National Monument is full and you had your heart set on spending the weekend hiking the monument’s numerous trails? There’s an easy and beautiful solution: Pinery Canyon. It’s cool and spacious, without the crowd of RVs that populate the monument. Located in towering pines, you have a great opportunity to see wildlife after returning from a hard day of hiking. Bears are known to roam Pinery Canyon, so appropriate precautions must be taken. (For me, a visit from the local bruins adds excitement to a pristine camping experience.) You’ll find it’s not necessary to go to the monument to find superior trails. Ida Peak and Pinery Horsefall are just two of the excellent hiking opportunities.

Directions: Take SR 196 south to its junction with SR 181. Turn left on SR 186 until you see the sign for Pinery Canyon (FR 42), just outside the entrance to the monument. Take FR 42 up to the campground.

More info: Douglas Ranger District, 520-364-3468

Honeymoon

It’s not necessary to be newly married to stay at the Honeymoon Campground. But now that I think about it, maybe a honeymoon in this wooded paradise is a good idea. (The name originates from the time a ranger brought his new bride to Eagle Creek.) The real attraction here is the remote location to put up your tent and a plethora of wildlife viewing opportunities. Over several years and visits, I’ve viewed javelina, turkeys, coyotes and bobcats in the surrounding wilderness. Hiking on East Eagle Creek and Robinson Mesa trails offers entertaining diversions. Oh, a bit of advice: Be sure your bride wasn’t expecting Hawaii before you decide to honeymoon at the campground.
Directions: Head north on SR 191 from Clifton. Take FR 217 for 21 miles to reach the campground.

More info: Clifton Ranger Station, 520-687-1301

Camping Sites in Arizona 19

Joe the camper — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:08:06 +0000

Potato Patch on Mingus Mountain
Jerome
Without a doubt, ghost towning is one of the most popular activities in the state; abandoned mining camps are spread across the entire territory. Many were literal flashes-in-the-pan: A quick strike quickly played out and the residents disappeared. Where precious metals were found in larger quantities, more enduring towns were established.Jerome, on Mingus Mountain, is one the most picturesque of these mining communities. Built directly on the steep mountainsides, some of the ramshackle buildings slide a few feet down the hillside every year. Much of the town has been restored and thrives as an artist’s colony and one of the state’s top tourist attractions.
Potato Patch is the closest campground to the bustling town. It rests high on the mountain, offering tall ponderosa pines as shelter to those seeking rest after a day of shopping in old Jerome. Hiking in nearby Woodchute Wilderness is another popular pastime. It is a good place to pitch your tents, and enjoy the nite sky from your sleeping bag.

Don’t miss it: Spend an evening waiting for Elvis or Jimmy Hoffa to appear while nursing a beer in the Spirit Room (one of my favorite haunts in Jerome). Then watch the stars twinkle through the pine boughs while stretched out on the ground at Potato Patch.

Directions: Take SR 89 west out of Jerome until you see the sign for the campground.

More info: Verde Ranger District, 520-567-4121

Lynx Lake
Prescott
Striking it rich: Thoughts of wealth fill my mind as I strain for a flash of gold in the swirling muddy water and gravel of a handheld pan. Although my labors are in vain this day, there’s something hypnotic about the whirlpooling vortex. I’m outside the popular retirement community of Prescott, at the forested retreat of Lynx Lake. Golden morning sunlight streams through tall ponderosa pines lining the lake’s edges. Fishermen in boats appear silently suspended in the morning mist. While gold panning is a popular diversion, fishing is the main attraction at this destination.

Directions: Take the Walker Road turn-off about five miles outside Prescott. Follow Walker Road to the campground.

More info: Bradshaw Ranger District, 520-445-7253

Camping Sites in Arizona 18

Joe the camper — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:04:50 +0000

42. Idlewild
Chiricahua Mountains in southern Arizona
The Chiricahua Mountains are one of the most famous of the “sky islands” in southern Arizona, rising from the desert floor to elevations up to 9,600 feet. Components of the Sonoran Desert, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madres come together to create a unique combination of flora and fauna that has captivated the scientific community for decades. Every spring, the Cave Creek section comes under scrutiny as birders descend into this ecological melting pot attempting to catch a glimpse of the elegant trogon. With a spectacular red breast and green metallic feathers on its upper parts, the trogon is one of the few tropical species in the continental United States.
Other rare species also are known to inhabit the Cave Creek area. Idlewild’s close proximity to the Southwest Research Center (managed by the Museum of Natural History in New York) makes it an excellent base of operations for birdwatchers.

Directions: Take SR 80 south from Interstate 10, then turn west to Portal. From Portal, take FR 42 west for two miles to the campground.

More info: Douglas Ranger District, 520-364-3468

43. Cattail Cove State Park
Lake Havasu
On a lake where rambunctious boat parties are common, this park offers one of the quieter camping experiences. Nice views of Lake Havasu are afforded by most of the somewhat smallish campsites. But visitors come for the boating and swimming, which are easily facilitated by a boat ramp, jetty and dock. After all, with the lake adding humidity to one of the state’s hottest temperature zones, hanging around the campground is the last thing you’ll want to do. The facilities are superb, with showers, a horseshoe pit and a playground for children.

Directions: Take SR 95 south from Lake Havasu City. Turn right at the sign for the park. Campsites can be accessed from any of the boat ramps on Lake Havasu, or from the boat ramp in the park.

More info: Cattail Cove State Park, 520-855-1223

44. Cattail Cove Boat-In
Lake Havasu
My friend John is riding the wake of the boat on a pair of water skis. The cool breeze washes over me as we skim the calm waters of Lake Havasu. I’m searching the shoreline for a secluded cove in which to set up camp. Spotting a likely location, I yell back toward Bob and point. Swerving toward the shore, Bob releases the line and coasts in. The east shore of Lake Havasu is your oyster — if you have a boat and camping supplies. The 140 campsites that can be accessed only by boat are spread over 15 miles of shoreline and offer a unique camping experience. Bob and I set up camp and return to the water for more skiing. Tonight, we’ll watch the stars come out and wait for the moon while pork chops sizzle on the barbecue.

Directions: Take SR 95 south from Lake Havasu City. Turn right at the sign for the park.

More info: Cattail Cove State Park, 520-855-1223

Camping Sites in Arizona 17

Joe the camper — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:57:39 +0000

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Southern Arizona
It sometimes seems more liquid than flora: When the wind gusts, the grass ebbs and flows around my knees like the tide. Moving in, then sucking out. I watch a single gust of wind sweep across the grass like a wave in a turbulent sea. Radiating a golden luminescence in the fading sun, the rolling grasslands cascade against the distant mountains. I’m standing on dry land in the middle of an ocean at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, while obviously a place to observe a plethora of wildlife, offers a pristine camping experience in the savannahs of southern Arizona. All camping is backcountry and is permitted only at designated sites. A multitude of roads crisscross the deserted countryside, allowing travelers to find complete isolation.

Directions: Take SR 86 from Interstate 19; turn south on SR 286. Continue until you reach the sign for the refuge.

More info: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, 520-823-4251

   West Stronghold
Dragoon Mountains in southeastern Arizona
     It’s easy to see why Apache chieftain Cochise chose to hide in the Dragoon Mountains while waging his personal war on white settlers. The Dragoons are a veritable maze of granite spires, yawning crevices and abrupt precipices. Balancing rocks and boulders, the size of small houses, are sprinkled across steep hillsides. Cochise successfully evaded the U.S. Army and lived comfortably off the land while holed up in the friendly confines of the West Stronghold for years.
     When I think about it, I realize I like the Stronghold for the same reasons. I can disappear from the maddening crowds, and although I don’t exactly live off the land, I enjoy camping here. There is no organized campground, but there is an abundance of natural campsites. Hole up next to the stream, surrounded by massive sycamores and barren canyon walls. Or withdraw to the wide, rolling grasslands that seem to cascade against the mountains. In the West Stronghold, the choices are abundant.

Directions: Take Middle March Road east from SR 80 just north of Tombstone. Turn left onto FR 687 and follow the signs.

More info: Douglas Ranger District, 520-364-3468

Camping Sites in Arizona 16

Joe the camper — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:39:40 +0000

Bog Spring
Madera Canyon
Serious birdwatchers flock to southern Arizona from all over the country to add to their life-lists. Fabulous Madera Canyon is one of their most popular destinations, as the lush canyon attracts a variety of species. Watch as a vermilion flycatcher does his bat imitation in the pursuit of airborne insects. Listen as a pyrrhuloxia (also known as a gray cardinal) announces your presence with a loud alarm. Monsoon rains in late summer sometimes precede an explosion of colorful butterflies in this mountain oasis. The canyon also offers hikers many choices with over 65 miles of trails. The cool, wooded campground proffers shaded campsites and a nature trail.

Directions: Take the Madera Canyon exit east from Interstate 19. Follow the signs to the campground.

More info: Nogales Ranger District, 520-281-2296

Patagonia Lake State Park
Southern Arizona
Moderate year-round temperatures and wooded, lakeside campsites are the attractions. A swimming beach and paved boat ramp are available, and nearby Sonoita Creek Trail offers recreation for hikers. As with all state parks, the modern facilities include showers.

Don’t miss it: My favorite activity is floating around the placid waters in a rented boat — while pretending to fish.

Directions: Take SR 82 from Nogales. At milepost 12, turn west onto a paved access road until you reach the park.

More info: Patagonia Lake State Park, 520-287-6965

Hawley Lake
East of McNary
First light barely penetrates the tent fly. I roll out of my sleeping bag, crawl through the doorof my camping tent and grab my rod ‘n’ reel. I hear the faint cries of distant coyotes carried on the still morning air as I barefoot gingerly down to the shore. The smooth surface of the lake reflects the rich reds of sunrise as I rear back and send out a near-perfect cast. My fly sends out a series of small ripples when it alights on the water. A trout rises up and takes the fly almost immediately. Ah, breakfast on the hook. Where can you fish right out of your front door? You guessed it, here at Hawley Lake. The campsites are arranged around its edge, giving campers a feeling of near-isolation even when the campground is full. Gotta go; the frying pan is hot!

Directions: Take SR 260 east from McNary. Turn right on Route 473 and drive until you get to the campground.

More info: White Mountain Apache Reservation, 520-338-4385

Camping Sites in Arizona 15

Joe the camper — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:00:28 +0000

Cutthroat at Big Lake
White Mountains
There is a place where ponderosa pine and quaking aspen trees surround the azure water of a wide and gentle lake. Deer and elk come down to drink the clear water and the fish, well, they jump right into your boat. No, this place isn’t in Colorado or even Wyoming, but is high in the White Mountains of Arizona at Big Lake. And while at Big Lake, I prefer to avoid the cavalcade of RVs by camping in the “tents only” campground at Cutthroat. Facilities at Cutthroat are modern and the visitor center offers scheduled programs. For alpine camping and fishing, it is hard to beat Big Lake. (Oh, by the way. I was just kidding about the fish jumping right into your boat; you actually have to fish for them.)

Don’t miss it: My favorite activity is floating around the lake in a rented boat, while my daughter prefers renting a horse for a leisurely ride through the green aspens.

Directions: Take SR260 from Eager, turning south at the junction of SR 261. Follow the signs for Big Lake.

More info: Springerville Ranger District 520-333-4372

Picacho Peak State Park
South of Phoenix

A f ield of golden desert poppies carpets the desert floor, swirling in a slight breeze. The blue bells of desert lupine are interspersed amongst the undulating yellow cover of flowers. Pale, pink mountain mallow glisten sporadically in the washes. Saguaro cactus and green palo verde trees rise up from the bajada ahead. Towering over the entire scene, solitary and majestic, is Picacho Peak. Located on I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson, the campground offers a convenient spot for travel weary visitors to rest and enjoy a spectacular desert vista. More adventurous travelers may want to hike to the top of the peak.

Don’t miss it: The desert in springtime is an inspiring sight, and the one the best places to view it is at Picacho Peak State Park.

Directions: Look for the Picacho Peak exit on I-10 about 40 miles south of Phoenix.
More info: Picacho Peak Sate Park 520-446-3183

Lost Dutchman State Park
Superstition Mountains

The name Jacob Walz, known as the “Lost Dutchman,” is one of the most famous in Arizona lore. His mythical gold mine, buried deep in the aptly named Superstition Mountains, still fascinates treasure-seekers today. Geologists and park rangers insist there is no gold to be found in the Superstitions, but this doesn’t stop scores of professional and amateur prospectors from scouring the hillsides and draws in search of the lost mine. The campground at the base of the mountains offers a fantastic view of the legendary mountain range, as well as a perfect starting point for hikes through scenic desert vistas.

Don’t miss it: My favorite hike is the Siphon Draw Trail that climbs to the top of the mountain range, affording awe-inspiring views of the surrounding wilderness.

Directions: Take the Apache Trail (SR 88) out of Apache Junction and turn right at the sign for the park.

More info: Lost Dutchman State Park, 602-982-4485