Camping ... or Exploring Nature, up close and personal

 In this post I will highlight a few campgrounds that my family has visited in the past and of course provide you some links to get you started in planning your own camping adventure! Like the parks in our great state, the camping facilities include a variety of different camping experiences;  hike in and equestrian,  primitive campsites, tent and trailer sites with our without electric and water, as well as group sites.

And the real beauty of these camping areas is they are located from the Mountains to the Sea, from the highest peaks of the blue ridge, the gentle rolling foothills and Piedmont, and the lowlands of our coastal plains. Teaming with rich vegetation and wild life these camp sites offer a chance to get away from it all and spend time exploring some of the most beautiful natural environments in our state, up close and personal. And, one of the added benefits is that, unlike many hotels, you can take your furry family members with you on your adventure!

Mountain Camping: 

South Mountain State Park:  http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php
 Our family found this park many years ago when looking for a place to hike while visiting my grandmother who lived in Shelby, NC. tucked away in the woods this park offers some really great trails for those who dare to climb them, medium to strenuous and mostly not stroller friendly, but so worth the climb when you make it to the top and see the beautiful waterfall as your reward!
  We only spent the day here, but the park offers hike in backpack primitive sites, equestrian camping sites, family camping with showers and bathrooms, as well as some groups sites. Trout fishing and mt biking are also allowed at this little gem of a park.   If you want a rugged adventure, this is a great place to visit!

Piedmont Camping: 

Falls Lake State Park: 
 http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fala/main.php
  Holly Point was a favorite for us when the kids were growing up. On our first camping adventure we did not have a camper or a tent, we just popped open the back of our Caravan, put the screen room over the hatch and that was that!
   This campground offers, tent and trailer camping sites with or without water and electric. Well lit bath houses with warm showers are available within reasonable walking distance of most camp sites. Swimming, fishing, boating and walking trails are available for your family to gently explore.

Coastal Camping:   http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/cabe/main.php
Carolina Beach State Park: This parks name is something of a tease, because while close to the beach, in reality is it located along the banks for the Cape Fear River.  Family and Group camping sites are available at this location. Activities include hiking, fishing and boating, as well as being an easy drive to the beach and Fort Fisher this campground is a great place to go to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the coast.

How to get  the most of our your trip?  Go prepared! Go with the Flow! Go for adventure! Some things  you can do to up the educational value of your trip; have your kids create a nature journal of some of the things they see and experience, either drawing or taking pictures and creating something online, find out if the park has a visitor center to explore, stop by the library and check our some nature guides for the area you will be visiting, remember to have downtime for safe exploration .

So, there you have it, just three of the many many campgrounds you available for your enjoyment over the coming months, and years. Hook up that trailer or borrow a tent, pack your cooler, grab some firewood; don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray and head out for chance to explore nature, up close and personal! Oh, and just for the purposes of full disclosure, yes, we did allow our children to bring their handheld devices and a DVD player, but there were not allowed to use them the whole time we were there, usually only at night, day time was spent talking, swimming, walking and enjoying the environment around us.