Backcountry camping is one of the best ways to experience true wilderness.
We’d love to help you get started with planning trips, building your skills, and staying safe.
Just starting out on your backcountry camping journey? Get in the groove by learning about what to expect!
Going camping is an exciting experience, but for some people, it can also trigger feelings of anxiety. Fear of the unknown, uncertainty about your surroundings, and being away from your usual environment can be overwhelming. But you're not alone in feeling this way,...
Nobody ever wants to come back to their campsite to find that their gear and belongings have been stolen or damaged. It's rare, but it happens. At this point, you're probably wondering if it's worth leaving your tent unattended. People do it all the time, but you...
Thinking about getting in touch with your "outdoorsy" side? Even if you're not the biggest outdoorsman or outdoors-woman, camping can be a really great way to explore that side yourself. In fact, camping is more popular than ever before. According to Kampgrounds of...
Trip planning is a serious process, and one you shouldn’t take lightly. These resources can help.
Summer is camping season, but this year is different—especially for those of us in eastern parts of Canada and the US. It's been a very dry spring, sparking massive wildfires that continue to burn and blow smoke over a huge swath of North America and even right across...
So you're planning a camping trip... But for how long? Shorter trips are great for weekend getaways, but what if you're not sure about taking extra time off for another day or two...or three, or four? It's a hard decision to make, we know. A short trip can be just...
It can be a lot of fun to plan a camping trip, but one mistake campers often make is waiting too long to book their campsites. Given the increasing popularity of camping and the limited availability of campsites at popular destinations, booking your campsite as soon...
The weather can be unpredicatable, but we’ll show you how to be flexible no matter the time of year or the conditions.
Camping is most popular in the summer months, but you could argue that the season typically wraps up by the end of October. Does that mean camping in November is totally out of the question? In our experience, it’s never too cold to camp in November as long as you’re...
Ah, October. The air is crips, the leaves has changed, and for those of us in the Northern hemisphere, fall is in full swing. October is one of our favourite months of the year to go camping for so many reasons. If you've thought about it, but feel intimidated by...
When you plan a camping trip, you need to be prepared for all kinds of weather—including windy weather. High winds are no joke, and if you're not careful, you could end up losing or ruining your tent and other gear items that are susceptible to being blown away....
Canoe or kayak camping is a wonderful alternative to backpacking. Here’s what you need to know about traveling through waterways.
A canoe is an incredible vessel that can take you places you never thought possible. But when your journey takes you beyond the reach of the water, you'll need to know how to portage your canoe. What does it mean to "portage" a canoe? Portaging is the act of carrying...
We used to think that our 16-foot fibreglass Prospector was the best canoe for a camping trip. And it was… until it wasn’t. There are a lot of different types of canoes out there—all of which are designed for different purposes. As our canoe tripping style changed and...
We’ve had our 16-foot fibreglass Prospector for two years now. In that time, we’ve put as many as 10 cracks and holes in it. You could say that we’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out how to repair fibreglass canoes—both temporarily while we’re still out canoe...
You can camp all year round if you have the right gear to keep you warm. Learn all you need to know about camping in the coldest conditions.
You may not realize it, but it's easy to become dehydrated in colder weather than you might think. The cold, dry air actually causes you to lose water through the process of respiration. This is why it's so important to drink enough water when you go winter camping....
There are a lot of advantages to taking food winter camping. For instance, the outdoors is a natural refrigerator or freezer! Winter is also a time to chow down on hearty, warming foods that give you energy. Some tips for selecting and packing food for winter camping:...
A couple of winters ago, Ross started raving about anoraks. I, on the other hand, had no idea what he was talking about. He didn't own one after all, but he was deep into researching how to stay warm in extreme cold—and somewhere along the line, he stumbled across...
No camping trip is complete without a campfire. Learn some tips and tricks to make the most out of it.
If you've ever tried to build a campfire (or bonfire, or even just a fire in your fireplace), then you know you can't just hold a match to a log and call it a day. No—you need tinder and kindling before you can get those big logs burning. But what's the difference...
Everyone loves camping stories to listen to when sitting around the campfire. But when it comes to the scariest campfire stories, you can't go wrong with some of the most timeless classics that have been told for generations. There've been many talented authors of...
Starting a fire isn’t as easy as it looks on TV or even YouTube. I don’t know how many times Ross and I struggled to get our fires going, only to be disappointed after it goes out. We were too antsy, and we just didn't know what to use as the best kindling for fire...
You gotta stay clean out there. Here are some tips on how to freshen up yourself and your gear while out on a trip.
When you're on a camping trip, it's easy to neglect certain aspects of personal hygiene. But, washing your face is an essential part of any skincare routine, even when you're in the great outdoors. Camping can be tough on your skin, with dirt, sweat, and grime...
When it comes to camping, we all love the idea of being one with nature, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the great outdoors. But let's be honest—it isn't all sunshine and rainbows when your hair starts looking like a bird's nest after a few days in the wild. The...
Ah, the smell of a campfire. There's nothing quite like it. That is, until it's in your hair. That smoky smell might actually be coming from the particles that cling to your hair, and believe it or not, your own skin might be contributing to the smell as well. Quick...
Injuries and illnesses can happen anytime. Use these resources to be prepared for small inconveniences and more serious emergencies.
Nobody likes dealing with stomach issues, but they can feel even worse when you're not at home. One common issue campers tend face is constipation, which can be extra uncomfortable in the great outdoors. Given that camping involves a lot of manual labour and physical...
Ever hang out in your tent on a sunny day and wonder if that thin piece of material is giving you enough protection from the sun's harmful rays? Yes, it's possible for you to get sunburned while inside a tent—especially if the tent fabric is thin enough for sunlight...
There's nothing worse than constantly sniffling, sneezing, and wiping your dripping nose on a camping trip. Been there. And that's not all. Sometimes you find yourself waking up in the morning with puffy or swollen eyes, terrible congestion, and a headache. Sounds...
Whether it’s avoiding bears from visiting your campsite or creating a barrier between yourself and the mosquitos, we’ve got you covered.
Spiders? Inside your tent? NO THANKS!!! It's enough to put you off from camping altogether. Many spiders are harmless, but some species of spiders can cause serious pain and itching when their venom is injected into the skin. Spiders you'll want to steer clear of in...
Nobody wants to find a snake in their tent...let alone anywhere near their campsite! While snakes can be fascinating to observe from a distance, being surprised by one that gets too close can be a frightening (and potentially dangerous) experience. Remember, you're in...
Nothing is more annoying than a bee (or a hornet or wasp) buzzing around camp while you're trying to cook, eat, or relax. If you're brave, you'll probably try to swat them away. If you're scared, you'll probably try to run away from them. And if you're unaware, you...