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Be Prepared For The 2020 Camping Season

While our country and most of the world stays put during the COVID-19 crisis, as campers we need to take this time to sit back and regroup. Whether you are a traveling camper or stationary, now is the time to re-evaluate what you need to do in order to prepare for the camping season. Dancing days will be upon us again before you know it, so now is the time to plan out what you want out of your camping experience.

Do you enjoy the thrill of traveling and want to experience new places? Or are you just looking for a second place to call home that is a bit removed from the hustle of everyday life? Either way, taking the time to map out the upcoming 2020 camping season is a good idea.

The Traveling Camper

If you fall into this category, there is a lot to think about in the upcoming weeks to ensure the safety of yourself and your family this camping season.

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Having a game plan in place on RV LIFE Trip Wizard and doing a bit of research on RV LIFE Campgrounds will ensure that you know where all of the available stops are, as well as which campgrounds and RV parks will be open and available to use.

As COVID-19 looms large, with lots of uncertainty hanging in the balance, mapping out your camping trip from beginning to end will greatly benefit a traveling camper.

Figuring out what part of the country you’d like to visit should be the first thing on the list. Some of the states are closing their borders to stop the spread of COVID-19, and for an indefinite period of time.

Planning your route will be a crucial step in making sure you have a place to actually camp at. Traveling within your own state may be a better option for the 2020 camping season. However, if you do decide to venture out of state, do your research first.

For now, spontaneity has been thrown out the window. Having a travel plan in place, complete with backup options, will greatly reduce your stress as you travel to more wide-open spaces.

How long your trip is going to be, and what campgrounds will be available and open are all vital questions that the traveling camper has to ask themselves in the upcoming camping season.

Find your campgrounds

Making a list of places to stay, and making sure they are going to be open when you are ready to hit the road should have top billing on your priorities list.

Plan out your destinations beforehand. Do some research on RV LIFE Campgrounds as to what campgrounds will be open. Everything will be different this year, and some places may not be open during April or May like they usually are.

camping season

Taking the time to make a phone call will be key in finding out. Even if it says they are open online, I’d still go the extra mile and call to get a verbal confirmation from the campground.

As things are ever-changing in the COVID-19 pandemic, hours and availability can change on a whim. Even up to a day before your trip I’d be extra cautious and make a confirmation call. Nobody wants to haul a rig for a hundred miles only to find out that they don’t have a campground to stay at. The state guidelines are constantly changing, so be prepared!

Stock up on groceries and supplies

Supplies are running low at a lot of grocery stores right now. If you need to stock your camper up a bit, I would start by gradually getting paper goods and non-perishables to be ready for your trip.

These things can be easily stored so that when you are ready to set out, you’ll be prepared. I’m not saying to hoard supplies, but buying one extra pack of paper towels or an extra bottle of dish soap, if you can find them, is not a bad idea.

Since some things are hard to find right now, they may be even harder to find once you get on the road. Already having it with you will save you time and worry so that you don’t have to make an extra stop while traveling.

Find more secluded destinations

When you are traveling this spring and summer, it’s usually because you have a specific place in mind to visit and certain things that you want to do once you get there. Whatever your travel plans are for this camping season, it will benefit you to think about what activities will be available to you in whichever region you choose to visit.

As social distancing is becoming more of everyday necessity, planning activities around this mentality is a good idea. Instead of visiting normally high traffic areas, this camping season would be a great opportunity to go the road less traveled.

Visiting places that are more secluded can really get you and your family back in touch with nature and you won’t have to worry about being too close to other travelers. A little breathing room never hurt anyone!

The Stationary Camper

For the stationary camper, this is the perfect opportunity to get some chores done that normally you wouldn’t have time for. This year I’ve taken the time to really clean up our landscaping at our camping property. I’ve also used the time off work to really disinfect our travel trailer top to bottom.

It’s always fairly tidy, and I always do a spring clean. But this year I’ve done a complete camper overhaul. All surfaces, floors, doors, doorknobs, and bunks have been completely disinfected.

If you are a stationary camper, now is a great time to get away from a busy area and get out into nature a bit. Our property is located in a small town about an hour away from where we live.

Although it’s only an hour away, sometimes it feels like a world away. It’s right on the lake, with nature and wildlife everywhere. There is plenty of room at our stationary campsite to have some room between us and our neighbors.

Catch up on chores and maintenance

As much as I hate to say it, if you are a stationary camper, now is the time for yard work! No one loves doing it, but I do love how pretty everything looks when I’m done, like this easy water pump project.

This year my chores have included weeding our newly made parking area, raking and burning mountains of leaves, and prettying up some of our landscaping around our camper. Not to mention the epic travel trailer deep clean that has been done.

Get outside in solitude

There are lots of things to do at our lake area, as we are close to a national nature reserve. This year feels like the perfect time to explore more family fun things to do that are not exactly bustling with other people.

My family and I will be dedicating more time to boating, canoeing, and kayaking this summer. No matter where your stationary camper is located, take the time to seek out activities that your family can enjoy that are more connected to nature and where the foot traffic is relatively low.

As we all learn to navigate the days of the COVID-19 outbreak, it will be a good time to reconnect with nature and with your family. Getting out hiking, biking, boating, or kayaking are really great ways to enjoy the natural world on a more one on one basis. Stay safe and happy camping!

See also: 8 Reasons Why RVing Will Flourish After COVID-19

Cover photo by Marc Guido via iRV2 Forums