1) Think location.  A hotel that is located directly on the strip will end up being much higher in price than a hotel just off the strip.  Really, glamour is nice, but saving a couple of extra hundred dollars in the long run will allow you the opportunity to do some great things that had not been originally accounted for.

2) Outside of Las Vegas are some very nice deserts and mountains.  Easy to get to and very close, it is nice to take a break from the gambling and partying to get out and visit a bit of nature.  Finding a hotel that is close to the Strip but also close to all the nature reserves is a big bonus that you cannot win at the casino.

3) Las Vegas is huge, and continues to grow, so trying to visit an amusement park on the outskirts from the Strip, may tend to be a bit difficult, so try to aim to be a little farther from all the traffic if you are not just gambling and are doing other fun things.

4) When searching for a place to stay in Las Vegas, you will find that in just about any direction there will be hotels in which to stay, offering a drive of less than 10 minutes to the Strip plus there is free parking at most casinos on the Strip for when you are going to gamble.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when traveling to Las Vegas.  If you are traveling with the family, you will want to remember that Las Vegas and Nevada offer excellent hotels and casinos as well as some of the most undisturbed wildlife and nature reserves and fantastic camping in the area.

First of all, let’s define car camping?  When you can drive your vehicle right up to the camp site, that’s called car camping.  Even if you’re driving a truck it’s still called car camping.  The advantage of car camping versus primitive or base camping is that you can take anything you want with you.  If you want to take a hammock or huge grill or a stack of magazines, you can.  Load your car or truck with food, clothing, shelter, bedding, games and anything else you want to take along and get going.  It’s really that simple.

So where can you car camp?  Just about anywhere.  National and  state parks don’t allow car camping except in designated campgrounds, other than that, you can car camp virtually anywhere on public lands.  The internet is loaded with websites that can help.  Start looking at www.backcountrytoys.com/education.htm.  Our Education Center is loaded with up to date camping information.

Here are some things I take along when I car camp:  hiking gear, bird watching binoculars and field guide, a radio for music and weather updates, tent, cot, sleeping bag, grill, shovel, fire starting gear, lots of food and drink, first aid kit, a stack of reading material – this can also be used for building a fire – such as newspapers and magazines, rain gear, hammock, dogs and dog food, folding chairs and table, stove, table service and utensils….you get the idea.  I take all that I need to be comfortable.  If you don’t have these things, don’t fret, all you really need are food, shelter and common sense.

Camping is a great way to renew and strengthen relationships.  Take your spouse, your children, your siblings, your friends.  Without the distractions of television, telephone, internet and alarm clocks, you will have a wonderful time.  I’ll always remember something a dear friend of mine told me years ago, “Time spent in our great outdoors is time added to your life.”  That sounds like a good reason to go.

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.  Get Outdoors!