Camping 8 - The Manual

How to tie the double fisherman’s knot (it’s not just for rock climbing)

Climbers have trusted the double fisherman's knot for generations and is a valuable knot to knot around camp, too. It's secure, low profile, and easy to tie.

Outdoors

Gear up at the best locally owned outdoor stores in the U.S.

Looking to upgrade your gear? Buy local. Here are the best outdoor gear shops with top selections and the most expert staff to answer all your questions.

Outdoors

This new Patagonia jacket is the first GORE-TEX jacket to feature 100% recycled, pfc-free GORE-TEX fabrics

It's not surprising that Patagonia was an early adopter and collaborator on technological advancements in ensuring that you not only get a great quality jacket, but that it doesn't cost the earth.

Outdoors

To avoid a bear attack, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed a road

A recent incident involving a bear encounter has prompted park officials to close the Rich Mountain Road to all Great Smoky Mountain travelers.

Outdoors

Winnebago reveals new compact campervan with dinette, rear wet bath, and serious off-grid features

The iconic RV maker is upping the ante for vanlifers with its most connected, most tech-forward Solis model yet: The Solis Pocket 36B.

Outdoors

How well does your home state rank for adventure? Study reveals the best and worst states

Family Vacation Guide has conducted a comprehensive analysis and ranked all 50 states in America based on their adventure offerings. Where should you go next?

Outdoors

How to wash and care for your sleeping bag so you can use it season after season

With everything you go through on your hike, your sleeping bag can quickly become a tapestry of past trips. This doesn't just affect the look and smell either.

Outdoors

Why you should visit the Everglades (and our top tips for a memorable adventure)

The Everglades is filled with beauty and wildlife, and is one of the most iconic places to visit in Florida.

Outdoors

Pack your multiday backpack for comfort with our guide

This is how to pack your overnight backpack to avoid back pain and keep important items close at hand and save yourself hassle when you arrive at camp.

Outdoors

7 wild edible plants every outdoor enthusiast should know about

One of the most exciting aspects of being out in nature is the the opportunity to forage for edible plants. Here are some of our favorites that grow in the U.S.

Outdoors

2 popular national parks want your opinion about proposed fee increases and reservation changes

Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park officials are now calling for public comment on proposals aimed at addressing discrepancies with camp amenities.

Outdoors

Airstream partners with REI (again) on the bigger, better, ultra-rugged Basecamp 20X travel trailer

The flagship 20X model maintains all the same features as its predecessors, but with the most aggressive, adventure-ready chops of any Basecamp model yet.

Outdoors

You know you should avoid poison ivy, but stay away from these 5 plants, too

While poison ivy is notorious for its irritating effects, there are several other plants that can cause similar reactions. Avoid these 5 plants like the plague.

Outdoors

How to tie the alpine butterfly for a secure midline knot

The queen of knots is a useful multipurpose knot that you can pull out in a whole range of situations when you need a mid-rope loop.

Outdoors

Learn to tie a highwayman’s hitch in under a minute

The highwayman's hitch is commonly tied incorrectly, which stops it from binding on itself. Here's how to tie it properly.

A sign on a trail in front of some rocks, that reads 'This is Grizzly Bear Country'

Outdoors

Video: Scared camper narrates his encounter with a mama bear and her cubs

This hiker manages to stay calm and keep his head in the face of one of the most terrifying experiences many hikers face: a family of bears on the trail.

Outdoors

What is REI Co-Op? Everything you need to know about REI’s in-house gear brand

REI Co-Op's self-branded line is proof that gear outdoor gear can be high-quality, well-designed, good-looking, and affordable.

Camping looking out his tent door in a sleeping bag

Outdoors

Get the right sleeping bag for your camping trips with this guide

Get the right sleeping bag for a comfortable night under the stars with our buying guide.

A sheet bend tied between a black rope and a red rope.

Outdoors

Add the sheet bend to your knot repertoire for summer camping

A sheet bend attaches two ropes of different diameters and has various outdoor applications.

Outdoors

The best one-person tents for your camping home away from home

These are the best one-person tents to use on solo adventures outdoor. No need to pack more than necessary when out in the wild.

Outdoors

Car campers, overlanders, and vanlifers: Why you need a portable composting toilet

If installing a traditional toilet in your rig isn't an option and public restrooms aren't your thing, a portable composting toilet is the answer.

Outdoors

Getting a backcountry permit for Grand Canyon National Park just got a whole lot easier

The month-long wait to obtain a backcountry permit for Grand Canyon National Park will soon be over as the park takes its reservation system online for 2024.

A grizzly bear stands in a woodland clearing.

Outdoors

This video shows just how fast a bear attack can happen

This cameraman set up his tripod to capture the moment this grizzly bear was released into the wild, but ended up capturing so much more.

A man collects water from a river by the light of a headlamp.

Outdoors

Hydration is vital for summer adventures: How to safely collect water on the trail

Unless you weigh yourself down with gallons of water, you will have to refill on the trail. Here's how to do so safely.

Outdoors

How to treat scorpion stings: 4 essential things you should do

While scorpions are intriguing creatures, some species can pose a threat to humans or pets. Here’s what you should do if you are ever stung by one.

Outdoors

Zion National Park: Our guide to exploring Utah’s incredible outdoors

Utah is a wonderland of gorgeous vistas, remote wilderness, and abundant outdoor sports. See what the Greater Zion region of this beautiful state has to offer.

Outdoors

Our top camping tips for hot weather (because heat waves are insane this summer)

Summer is camping season, but sleeping in a tent in hot weather can be unbearable. Follow these tips for cool camping comfort.

Outdoors

Learn to tie the trucker’s hitch knot in under 5 minutes

The trucker's hitch knot is one of the best ways to get a tight line for setting up hammock ridgelines or making a running line for washing lines in camp.

The view from an MSR tent looking out over camping chairs and a lake.

Outdoors

Build your perfect camping sleep system to stay dry and cool

The right camping sleep system will keep you warm and protected year-round, without you needing to carry everything you own. Let's build your perfect sleeping system!

Outdoors

Review: Take home life off-grid with the BioLite Solar Generator 1500 Kit

The BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and SolarPanel 100 combine to give you huge reserves of power to take into the backcountry. Here's what I thought of it.

Outdoors

This new website is like Airbnb for RV enthusiasts and campers (and it’ll plan trips for you with A.I.)

One new company wants to help travelers plan their next great car and RV camping trips using smart, AI-powered search technology.

Outdoors

Want to take photos of bears? A wildlife photographer reveals the do’s and don’ts to follow so no one gets hurt

Photographer Karen Blue shares her first-hand experiences with wildlife, offering tips and tricks.

Outdoors

Where will the next U.S. national park be?

Looking at the candidates for the next National Park, coming soon to the U.S.A.

Outdoors

This is the easiest way to tie a bowline knot

A knot that can be fully loaded and always come untied, learn to tie the king of knots.

Deals

This Coleman 8-person tent is almost $100 off, and selling fast

Pack up the family and some savings with this deal on a Coleman Montana 8-person dome tent.

Outdoors

Report: These are the best stargazing spots in the U.S.

From cloud cover, solitude, and accommodation availability and price, here are the top 5 stargazing locations in America, according to HomeToGo.

Outdoors

A new study says these are the 10 best states for a family camping trip

Camping with your family takes a ton of preparation, but the Family Vacation Guide took out all the guesswork by analyzing 8 traits that affect your camping experience.

Outdoors

Insta360 X3 action camera review: Is it worth it?

This is the bottom line. The Insta360 X3 was easy to set up. The app is intuitive and easy to use. Using the camera and reviewing footage trailside was a breeze.

Outdoors

Tick safety 101: How to safely remove ticks (and avoid them in the first place)

Going out for a hike and worried about ticks? Here are some tips on how to avoid ticks while hiking.

Outdoors

The worst camping mistakes we’ve made (so that you don’t have to)

They say that experience is the best teacher, and I have had my fair share of camping experiences. My list of camping fails is extensive, stretching back to my teenage years when I wasn't ready to listen to the advice of the grizzled old camper around the campfire.

Outdoors