Camping is at its core about the thrill of discovery, collecting new memories, and finding out new things about yourself. For me, the best camping trips are the ones that are full of surprises.
Nature is meant to be experienced in its wild, sheer beauty. A camping vacation that starts with zero expectations and an open mind is often way more exciting, surprising, and a whole lot more fun. These are the best kinds of camping vacations.
Get lost in nature, spend the weekend bonding with your family under the stars, or take some time out and be alone with mother nature as you disconnect from the stresses of everyday life that come with technology. Simply listening to the sounds of nature and smelling the cool air can alter your entire perception of life. If you want to reconnect with the great outdoors, here are a few fantastic places that you should check out:
1. E.C. Manning Provincial Park
The E.C.Manning Provincial Park is 2 hours and 45 minutes from Kelowna in the Cascade Mountains. What sets it apart is its collection of drive-in campgrounds and fantastic walking and running trails. There are so many outdoor experiences to choose from at E.C Manning. You can take up to 6-day hikes, meaning endless adventures await in these woods. If you want to escape nature, then consider giving E.C.Manning Provincial Park a chance to impress you.
2. Herald Provincial Park
This park is situated only two hours from Kelowna, just outside of Salmon Arm. There is so much to do here. Besides the majestic Shuswap Lake, there are also beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. There are also lots of beaches and forests, which make it perfect for the adventurous explorer camper.
There are designated picnic areas, flush toilets, showers, and drinking water is provided, so all you have to do is grab your tent and go out with your family, and have an amazing time. Canoe, fish, bike, swim, ski, hike, boat. What do you like to do? If you can think about it, you can do it in Herald Provincial Park.
3. Postill Lake Lodge
Being only a 40-minute drive from Kelowna near Ellison, Postill Lake is the perfect destination for anyone who does not want to travel too far from home for that camping experience. Postill is the ideal destination for families. It has incredible pet-friendly campsites, along with hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. There are also cabins, lodges, cottages, and log cabins that you can rent for a more exotic camping experience. This way you won’t have to pack too much, and there is electricity. A get-up-and-go camping experience like this is perfect for anyone who lives in the city and wants to escape from their everyday lives for a weekend with the family. Connect with nature in a day of hiking, fishing, or mountain biking at Postill Lake Lodge, and you will remember it for a lifetime.
4. Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock State Park is a Florida State Park and one of Florida’s most famous camping sites. Its popularity arises from the beautiful palm trees that sway the beach and the beach’s numerous recreational activities. If you are a fan of these activities, you will be able to take advantage of swimming, snorkeling, kiteboarding, kayaking, etc. However, if you prefer to stay on land, there are hiking, biking, and fishing activities that await you. However, depending on where you are traveling from, please note that there are vacation rentals on the way so that you can take breaks during your journey.
5. Chain Lakes Loop
Located in Mount Baker, Chain Lakes Loop is famous for its alpine circuit that offers fantastic mountain and lake views, followed by summer wildflowers, making it an attractive destination for most tourists. It is mainly known for hikers due to its appropriate hiking nature. However, once you embark on your hiking journey, there are tons of places that you can camp and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
6. Echo Lake Resort
The one thing that stands out at the Echo Lake Resort is the clear waters of the lake. With a host of outdoor adventures for anyone willing to take them up, it is impossible to have a dull day at Echo Lake Resort. Whether you like swimming, boating, fishing, or canoeing, you can spend a relaxed day camping at this resort and collect memories for a lifetime. The whole environment is so serene and simple you can’t help but fall in love. Your accommodation options include the seven cabins available or your tent. No pets are allowed in the cabins, including cooking amenities, eating areas, a barbecue area, a private dock, and a fire pit. It is an hour and a half from Kelowna near Lumby.
7. Fintry Provincial Park
This park was founded in 1908 by Scottish settler Captain James Cameron Dun-Waters. He had a vast farm and estate. These can still be seen today, including the manor house, which still stands. You can camp, swim, boat, or fish in Fintry Provincial Park. You can also check out the boat launches, waterfalls, deep pools, Short Creek, and the diverse 2-kilometer waterfront property. There is something for everyone at Fintry Provincial Park.
How to get there
One of the beautiful things to look forward to while taking a vacation is moving around. The experience of transporting yourself from one fun place in town to another and then checking out many exciting spots in between. It is an experience you should savor. Therefore, you should prepare to enjoy every bit of your little journeys in between. One vital way of preparing for these movements to avoid collision with local authorities is to obtain an international driver’s license. An international driving permit allows you to explore the country independently without any local authorities’ problems. That is most needed when you intend to go on a vacation privately.
You can just rent a car once you get to your destination and enjoy the rest of the time, driving yourself and your company from one end of town to another or from one city to the other. This will help you have the ultimate vacation experience. You have many options available to you for movement. You could decide to join a train or take a taxi. This way, you would not have to obtain an international driving permit. If you do the driving, you should get a license to let you do so before leaving your country.
Stay safe and healthy
As you prepare for your vacation abroad, there is one more thing you need to keep in mind. You should make sure you have a medical kit with you. You will explore nature, which means you will be climbing mountains, crossing rivers, and walking in the woods, among others. It suggests lots of activities and possibly minor accidents. Your safety should be your priority. Therefore, your medical kit should be well set for eventualities. There might be an unexpected turn of events, or just minor injuries, cases of allergic reactions, or body reactions resulting from a change in environment. You should have a medical kit that can help you access quality first aid treatment. This can go a long way in saving you from unpleasant situations while enjoying your vacation.
While you are packing your medical kit, remember to add all the necessary healing herbs that might be needed. For instance, one of these that should be added to the equipment is even medical cannabis. This is necessary because of the pain you might feel from camping exercises such as hiking. You might also get hurt during the camping exercise. Therefore, you should ensure that your medical kit is all set and ready. It can be used to control severe pain, as a muscle relaxant, and to control nausea. It would help if you were careful as you do this, however. Wondering how you can access the drug? You can seek the help of a professional. Cannabis consulting firms are all over the place, and they are easily accessible, even online. So, it would help if you considered cannabis consulting. Several firms can do the consulting for you.
Final thoughts
You plan to enjoy every bit of your vacation, and you are right to plan for fun. This is why you should spend some time preparing for an incredible experience before leaving your country. Be sure to cross all your Ts and dot all your Is, pay attention to the details, do all the paperwork necessary, decide how much you need, prepare your medical kit and finally, prepare your mind to have a wonderful time.
