ADVICE
Planning to camp in 2021? Here's what you need to know
USA TODAY
![Camping can be a solo pursuit or a group activity. But there may not be any sites available if you wait until the last minute to reserve one. Park officials at both the federal and state level report that bookings are up for this spring and summer as the pandemic drags on.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/35d0e4ce-5966-4797-8daf-15fe6e2a6877-D3D9BFBE-441F-4DC7-9C55-913012A7B2D0.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Camping can be a solo pursuit or a group activity. But there may not be any sites available if you wait until the last minute to reserve one. Park officials at both the federal and state level report that bookings are up for this spring and summer as the pandemic drags on.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Backcountry camps are often available first-come, first serve but faculties range from limited to non-existent. But a surprising number of backcountry campsites can be reserved.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/10/USAT/2bb715e7-d8ee-477d-8265-0406e65b85be-BD2C54EC-BE7B-474D-B27F-AD3BF40CCAA1.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Backcountry camps are often available first-come, first serve but faculties range from limited to non-existent. But a surprising number of backcountry campsites can be reserved.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Many public and private campgrounds offer sites designated for tent camping. Reservations are offered at most.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/10/USAT/0575f248-da34-4e4d-b3cc-a168c2e640ee-F1AB0A63-04AB-4278-A0A4-5015CFFC6287.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Many public and private campgrounds offer sites designated for tent camping. Reservations are offered at most.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Hard-sided campers carry many creature comforts. If you’re camping with a travel trailer or RV, arrive with a reservation.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/f968b56a-86d1-4d1c-bbfe-8a771aecd62c-51FECD9F-D4F0-4A28-BA92-62F6351FB3F1.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Hard-sided campers carry many creature comforts. If you’re camping with a travel trailer or RV, arrive with a reservation.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![If you camp large make sure the site you’ve reserved is big enough to accommodate you lodging and gear.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/6187ab8a-1633-4e36-9277-8a397f893605-1693266D-7BEC-41EB-8AEB-98FA81C90E05.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
If you camp large make sure the site you’ve reserved is big enough to accommodate you lodging and gear.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![During the busy season campgrounds can take on the feel of a small city. Camping activity is expected to surge this year. State and federal recreation officials recommend reserving a campsite.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/cf128d97-96b4-4a32-bc54-ab7a6914a074-CC40E0AE-5ADB-4C1E-996E-460E1F1E8670.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
During the busy season campgrounds can take on the feel of a small city. Camping activity is expected to surge this year. State and federal recreation officials recommend reserving a campsite.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Developed campsites typically include a camping/parking area, picnic table and fire ring. Many offer electrical hookups and most can be reserved.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/2c572808-7089-4ebb-bf04-3c8f84a2fe40-EB06856D-6682-48EE-8337-BDCEB66F8817.jpeg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Developed campsites typically include a camping/parking area, picnic table and fire ring. Many offer electrical hookups and most can be reserved.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Don ’ t arrive surprised. In preview of that is expected to be a busy camping season reserving a campsite is highly recommended.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/ebfda851-a983-46a2-a083-ee4e9579f93f-F147AF3C-8A5C-4A55-847F-56EA75A6E8A2.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Don’t arrive surprised. In preview of that is expected to be a busy camping season reserving a campsite is highly recommended.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![If you camp large, make sure the site you’ve reserved is big enough to accommodate you lodging and gear.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/fc10f894-4f83-4d01-bd88-65de167d2af1-B3D8BF51-DECC-4101-AE87-E180A5058236.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
If you camp large, make sure the site you’ve reserved is big enough to accommodate you lodging and gear.
Gary Garth/Special To USA TODAY![A rustic home away from home: Mather Campground near the Grand Canyon.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/79e24112-63f9-4527-bd7e-4d3f8181ba60-AE4AF2C5-5135-4A40-B102-DA1D58256AD5.jpeg?width=495&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A rustic home away from home: Mather Campground near the Grand Canyon.
Sarah Garth/Special To USA TODAY![A few days in camp generally always produces relaxed smiles. Avoid problems by reserving your campsite.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/18949b14-a47f-4ca0-8a77-694bcd01a6e8-F79B0DCB-2E01-4E36-8644-E915D68EC47A.jpeg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A few days in camp generally always produces relaxed smiles. Avoid problems by reserving your campsite.
Jake McConnell./Special To USA TODAY![Wildlife watching is often part of camping. Reserve early, arrive with a spot secured and enjoy the scenery.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/09/USAT/92eb8e70-9964-4aea-b993-8c4b0fb6fca6-6C8D8124-CA81-4CD0-890E-38A97A82CAD5.jpeg?width=495&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Wildlife watching is often part of camping. Reserve early, arrive with a spot secured and enjoy the scenery.
Sarah Garth/Special To USA TODAY![Simmer camping is discouraged at California's Death Valley National Park due to the scorching, three-digit temperatures. But Furnace Creek campground is a popular spot during the late fall, winter and early spring.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/02/10/USAT/7204f4cb-0cc0-46e9-93ed-e096c3a59deb-CFECFFF9-7D9F-4D9D-B60F-4B1AEED376B3.jpeg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Simmer camping is discouraged at California's Death Valley National Park due to the scorching, three-digit temperatures. But Furnace Creek campground is a popular spot during the late fall, winter and early spring.
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