I won a survival bag of supplies

First Aid class got a lot more interesting when a group of classmates held a search and rescue demonstration. I won a survival bag of supplies at the end of the class. The team brought out a search and rescue dog so we could learn what to do if you are lost in the woods. The first step is to prepare well. Pack food and water, pack a compass and learn how to use it and include a first aid kit (just in case).

Otherwise, here are some of the suggestions they made for if you get lost in the woods.

1. Stop walking.
2. Take stock of your assets. Do you have water, food and shelter? What do you have with you?
3. Try your cell phone.
4. Three fires is the signal for help. If you can light them safely, do so.

The team gave us a great incentive to pay close attention. A backpack and a survival bag of goodies were given away at the end of the presentation. The items contained in the bag are suggestive of what should be packed in a survival bag. It is a representative sampling of necessities for our area in East Tennessee. My suggestion is to use the examples as a starting point. The needs for each bag will vary by person and by climate. Park rangers, sporting good stores, outfitters and hiking clubs are more good sources of information. I've included links to reputable sources below.

Items in the survival bag included:

Turkey jerky
Book on recognizing edible plants
First aid kit
Compass
MRE
Sharpie marker
Poncho
Plastic bags
Protein bar
Flint
Fishing kit
Glow sticks
Tissues
Hand wipes
Flashlight (I use this hand crank flashlight.)
Whistle
Solar blanket
Sunscreen

Additional suggestions were:
Bug repellant
Water purification tablets
Cell phone solar charger ( I also have the American Red Cross hand crank flashlight/cell phone charger.)
Socks
Dog food and treats if trekking with a four footed friend.

The photos show you what came in the survival bag. You may be happy to know that Tomlin approved of them.

These are only some of the suggestions that were made. I'm adding a couple of links for more information. 

What should you do if you get lost in the woods? Be prepared. - Allstate
Lost in the woods? Here's what to do Off Grid News
What to do when lost in the woods. National Forest Foundation

And now some facts for all you RV’ers out there….

No matter if you are towing a 30 foot custom camper, a fully loaded 5^th wheel, a little pop-up camper or riding inside a 30 foot long Winnebago with 4 slide outs, how much to you really know about how the popularity of RVing came about?  It’s not quite as simple as hooking up a small house and towing it down the road, although that is pretty much what it is!  Some of these ‘campers’ are nicer than most people’s homes.

Motorized campers were invented in 1910.  That was the beginning of it and back then they were called ‘auto campers’.  Before auto campers came to be camping was done, believe it or not, in rail cars – talk about “king of the road”…..

With the invention of the auto camper people had the luxury of traveling when and where they wanted to go.  No more following the rails and never seeing what was beyond those tracks.  All of a sudden it was a whole new world to explore.  Families could hit the road and head to the river, the mountains or anyplace they wanted to go.

RVing back then didn’t mean satellite TV, hot and cold running water or slide-outs.  It meant riding on unpaved dirty and dusty roads and cooking dinner in a tin can by the side of that dirt road.  Oh my, no McDonalds or microwave dinners either!

Around 1930 things improved greatly for those vacation homes on wheels.  Beds were part of the camper as well as little kitchens.  Running water and electricity made trailer camping much more comfortable and fun.   

By the 1950’s a 30-foot trailer was common and comfort was king. Campers were gaining in popularity by the minute.   All of this led up to the sleek, modern campers of today.  I wonder what those folks who camped in 1910 would think about the modern and expensive campers of today. 

So the next time you jump in the luxury Winnebago or haul that 5^th wheeler down the highway, think about how your predecessors suffered without deluxe mattresses, high-end appliances,  satellite TV, internet, heat and air conditioning. 

Photo: pixabay.com/en/mobile-home-vehicle-camper-caravan-157039/

Walmart RV parking

Walmart RV parking is part of how I only spent $79 on a recent trip to Alaska. Hubby and I stayed in several locations and never felt unsafe. Almost all of the stores have security officers or cameras and they are lighted at night. We look for the cluster of other overnight RVs and pull right in - usually on the far corner of the lot. Easy, safe and free is tough to beat.

Walmart RV parking in Alaska

As per the screenshot below, company policy allows overnight parking. Some stores, like the Anchorage locations and the Turkey Creek store in Knoxville, cited local ordinances that prohibit the practice.

We also noticed an unofficial code of the road to follow when parking at Walmart. Leaving trash on the parking lot may get you yelled at by other campers. We saw this happen, so be sure to play by the rules. You don't want to be "that guy" that messes up a good thing for all of us - or upsets the neighbors.

RV parking policy

Use common sense with Walmart RV Parking. Always ask first, park second. Walmart Atlas lists stores where you can and can't park, but you still want to double check in case the information is outdated. Walk in and talk with a CSM or manager or at least call ahead. Do you really want to be awakened at 3:00 am by the jolt of a tow truck?

Remember this isn't camping, it's parking. Keep your slide-outs in, your pop-ups closed, your BBQ grills put away and your lawn chairs inside. We only stayed in one store where lawn chairs could be brought out. If in doubt, double check when you ask about staying.

Walmart doesn't let RVs and van campers park out of corporate generosity. The company lists RV travelers among their best customers. You probably need supplies anyway. Why not get them while you're here?

Most were upfront about allowing us to stay one night only. Move on when the gig is up.

Here is a video with more about Walmart RV parking or "camping"...

Why get a campervan

Why get a campervan is the first question I get asked when people find out we have one. John and I looked at everything from travel trailers to large RVs before deciding to get a campervan. Converting a Chevy Express into a van camper isn't for everyone, but it's almost become our second home and it absolutely shines on mission trips.

One of the reasons why I wanted to get a campervan was maneuverability. We chose the Chevy Express 2500 because the towing package and eight cylinder engine means it climbs the Rockies and pull a trailer without breaking a sweat. Our Chevy also fits into the average parking garage and spaces. Large RVs can be too tall, too long or both and a fifth wheel or travel trailer impossible.

One of the reasons why we decided to get a campervan was to build it for our needs, not for someone else. The van is designed to maximize space. The van camper platform overflowed with mission trip supplies and we still had a clear aisle. Storage underneath the platform has space for a wheeled cooler, gear and lots other supplies.

Is it ever affordable! A van is less expensive than an RV to own and maintain. It almost eliminates lodging. John and I just got back from a month-long mission trip to Alaska. Are you ready to hear what we spent on lodging with the camper van? It will shock you! By taking advantage of free and cheap places to stay, we spent $79 on lodging for the entire 11,000+ trip! Not bad for 30 days. And of course, we save a ton of money on meals.

After all this, are you still asking why we decided to get a campervan? Take a look at our YouTube video and get more answers.

Beginning our van camper conversion process

We picked up the Chevy Express 2500 last week. It's a basic panel work van. We are just beginning the van camper conversion process. There's nothing flashy about the van but it will be perfect for our needs. Our plan is to post photos as we go along.

Beginning the van camper conversion

The interior is an empty blank canvas. Here is the cavernous space that we will be working with.

Our first step in our process is to insulate the van. There is some debate over what type of insulation works the best. Choices are primarily between pink fiberglass or Reflectix. There isn't much difference in cost.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and peppy travel experiences

The year started out with a bang and ended on an upswing! On New Year's Eve last year, I was slammed into emergency surgery when my foot stopped working. We had to make some camper modifications to accommodate my new reality. Hubby had to drive me around until the end of May. 

Did those pesky little details stop me from traveling? Heck no! Do you want good news? Health challenges may not make you stay at home either. Travel with a disability may look different than you had planned. 

With careful planning, Hubby and I went to:

Camping and Megabus among our top blog articles in 2013

We have made our list and checked it twice! Our readers have been scoping out pop-up camper modifications, traveling on Megabus and have gone here and there. Here is a list of the top posts for 2013 on You've Been Reviewed. It's in reverse order so here, we travel!

5.  Megabus stop moves away from Nolansville Pike

This popular low cost bus line is on the move. In 2013, riders saw the stop move from Nolansville Pike to a newer location on 4th Ave. Word is, that riders seem to prefer the new stop. 

4. Two bus stops in Orlando, Florida

Our favorite bus line strikes again at #4. Want the scoop on stops in Orlando? The link above has the information that you want to read. 

3. Megabus tightens luggage restrictions

What can you bring? What stays behind? Is four suitcases, a carry-on, packages and a backpack allowed? Luggage restrictions are tighter and we have the scoop.

2. You've Been Reviewed

Is it any wonder that our reader's favorite page is our front door? Where else to go for the latest posts, most popular articles and links to all of our categories?

1. Three RV and Pop-up camper makeover sites

Spiffing up your RV or pop-up for camping season? We picked out three sites that inspire. Our favorite is about the camper modifications my husband and I made. Check this out to see what we did with the place.

A wet camping trip beats a sunny day at work

My husband and I decided to camp while attending the Hoston Annual Conference this year. Camp Adventure is directly across from the United Methodist Assembly grounds. The campsite that we booked into was on the edge of the forest. We were surrounded on three sides by tall trees. You would almost never know it but we were next to the semi-clean bath house.

Pop up camper by Palomino

The campsite was quiet, well shaded and very comfortable. It was a bargain at $20 bucks a night. Our unique experience wasn't solely the fault of the Junaluska reservations. It wasn't solely the fault of the staff, the campsite or anything to do with the Holston Annual Conference.

When it rains, it pours is a true and accurate statement. Except with us, it doesn't just pour. It almost monsoons.

This was the first time that we tried out the pop-up camper in the rain. We congratulated ourselves on the wisdom and good fortune to have a pop-up camper despite the torrential downpour. Hubby and I settled down for the night. Our daughter snuggled up in her sleeping bag and her faithful service dog lay next to her. The rain on the roof lulled us to sleep. It was idyllic...for the moment.

Photo of tent on another rainy day

A drip through the canvas woke me a few hours later. I shrugged it off and rolled over. A few minutes later, I was awakened by Hubby. Surprise! Our pop-up camper wasn't as water tight as we thought. Who knew? We probably should have (after all, it fits our life pattern).

The rain continued for a while and then let up. We headed to the confernece with the confidence that the worst was over. Our plan was to hit the laundromat after lunch.

My phone vibrated at the end of the session. It was a weather alert. We were under a flash flood warning. At about this moment the wind kicked up and the rain plummeted down. Hubby looked at me. I looked at him. We raced to our campsite as soon as the session ended.

What we saw was a mess. Virtually erverything in the camper was soaked. Our daughter was doing the best she could to put some items into the center of the pop-up. It was drier there. We laughed to keep from crying. Then we laughed some more.

Hubby and I are the couple that rolled the canoe over on our anniversary trip. Had the rain canopy on our tent fly off during our Walt Disney World vacation. And, we're also the couple that had to go back home for Hubby's wallet on one of our road trips!

Life with us is often unpredictable but never, ever boring.

The small laundry room at Camp Adventure opened about two weeks before we got there. It is $1.75 to to wash or dry and we did both. Washers and dryers are the standard family size. It took awhile to take care of the items that got wet but we did it.

When we returned to the campsite we gazed at the soaking wet firewood, the drenched picnic table and the new kiddie pool that stood in place of the fire ring. The dog huddled under the camper unrepentantly occupying the only dry spot that was left.

I couldn't help by shake my head when I saw him. My daughter saw me looking at him and laughed. That got Hubby to laughing and in a minute we were all cracked up. (Yes, cracked up instead of cracking up.)

We made our big decision at that moment. Rain and all, a wet camping trip beats a dry day at work.

That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Removing decals from our pop-up camper trailer RV

Work on the inside of the camper is going great. Hubby and I are now tackling the outside. Removing decals from our pop-up camper trailer is proving difficult. Our RV is 20 years old so the pin stripes have had plenty of time to bake into the textured surface.

Hubby first thought that the sides of the pop-up camper are made of plastic. After accidentally removing some of the paint, we found out otherwise. The walls are actually thin aluminum so the concern of melting fiberglass is eliminated. Our plans are to repaint after removing decals from our pop-up camper trailer. Getting it right will make the difference between a great repaint and a nightmare.

We have taken the following ideas from various websites that deal with pop-up campers, travel trailers and RVs. Here are the results of each:

My pop-up camper makeover project

Here are the results of my pop-up camper makeover. The ideas are easy and can work for any travel trailer. You don't have to be an expert to make the changes (a really good thing for me). My end goal was a pop-up camper makeover that would be easier for my physical limitations and that would make my family happy.

Since the project was a pop-up camper makeover, I wanted to go slightly whimsical. The result blended my wanderlust with Hubby's passion for photography.

Mission accomplished! You can see how far we've come by watching the before video. It doesn't even look like the same camper.

In the first photo,

Some Smoky Mountain campgrounds remain closed

Did you know that some Smoky Mountain campgrounds are closed? Thanks to the sequester there are not enough funds to keep all of the park operations going. I was reminded of this when looking into camping options in the Smokies. Picnic areas near some of the campgrounds are also effected.

Three closures are:

Look Rock and picnic areas
Abrams Creek is reported to be closed by WATE but the NPS website isn't reflecting the information.
Balsam Mountain (Also reported at the above link.)


Almost all of the TVA and Tennessee State Parks have campgrounds, you don't have to worry about admission fees and they are usually staffed with friendly people. Another plus is that most of the state park campgrounds offer electricity. Here is an article that I wrote on the national park alternatives a few months ago.

There are campgrounds in the Smoky Mountain National Park that are still open. Cades Cove is one of them and Elkmont is another. The best way to find information on available camping is to search the national park website at nps.gov.

Our national park campgrounds and picnic areas are treasures. Hopefully the sequester will be over soon so we can go back to enjoying all that the Smokies have to offer. Camping is a good budget summer vacation for college students and a great getaway for the family.

Planned popup camper modifications so I can camp again

Here is a video of our planned popup camper modifications. Mobility issues caused by foot drop are making life more difficult in surprising ways. The modifications will not make any travel trailer meet ADA requirements. Instead, it will make the popup camper more usable for my needs.

Getting into the travel trailer is a challenge. I really couldn't come up with a good way to do that. Anything that we do must be able to fit inside when folded. That ruled out stairs with a railing or a wide step. After a lot of consideration, I think that the step stool and walker combination is our best bet. It makes the campsite look unkempt but gets the job done. Here's the video of the planned popup camper modifications.


Walkways are tiny in any popup camper so,

Wrestling with how to adapt our pop-up camper

There are all kinds of ways to make the outside of your home look better. As my grandmother grew older, it became apparent that a ramp would make it easier for her to get in and out of the front door. The project sounded pretty straightforward but reality very different.

Instead of a simple ramp, she wanted to be able to get some fresh air while still being able to maneuver. We checked into several different plans before she decided that an elevated deck would fit the bill. A raised platform near the front door was large enough for a porch swing. It was a good choice for her but can something similar be done with our pop-up camper?

Since developing foot drop, I'm having to reevaluate how to camp. We planned to go camping for our next vacation but getting in and out of the pop-up camper is going to be hard for me. Since giving up my favorite activity isn't an option we're creating a "Plan B".

My husband is researching plans for decks and for steps. The idea is to create a set of steps or a ramp that will reduce the fall risk. Stability is as vital as it is challenging. It will be disastrous if the camper slips as I step up into it. But, the steps must also be sized so that they'll fit into the pop-up.

Being unable to find plans for this kind of modification is surprising. I can't be the first person with foot drop who enjoys camping. Right now, we're looking into building a small portable deck and ramp, building a set of steps or (my favorite) modifying a small stepladder.It's more of a camper-improvement project than one for the home.

Failure isn't an option. Our little pop-up camper has made peaceful mountain vacations possible. I'm bound and determined to create an adaptation that will make camping possible once again. We're going to chronicle the process and post updates on our progress.

Hopefully our frustration will make it possible for others who have health challenges to enjoy camping.  Keep checking back for updates and feel free to leave suggestions in the comments section.

Camping with electricity is my favorite way to camp

One of the first questions that I get from new campers is about camping with electricity. Pitching a tent on the open ground and communing with nature is what most people think camping is all about. Much of the time, that mental picture is true. However; lots of people enjoy basic comforts and will only rent sites that offer electricity (also called electrical hook-ups).

Sound surprising? Think again.

Medical necessity is one reason why people choose to rent sites that have electricity. I am not alone in dealing with asthma. The CDC numbers indicate that 1:12 people nationwide have the disease. Camping is one of my favorite activities but it can also be difficult. Changes in temperature or elevation can sent my lungs into a coughing frenzy that requires neutralizer treatments to control. Electricity is required to run the machine.

Many people can only rough it up to a point. Then we begin to miss heaters or refrigerators. Heaven forbid that our netbook or smart phone needs to be charged in the campground!

The different types of electrical hook-ups that are offered at campgrounds gets technical in a hurry. This link on  Understanding RV Electricty opens to a comprehensive (albeit technical) tutorial about campsite electricity. I'll give you a very brief rundown below.

First, a look at why you might want to go camping with electricity anyway.

Because you want to
Most of us have a phone and computer that we want to keep charged. Campers may want to listen to the big game on a radio. There are dozens of reasons for camping with electricity. The best reason may be because you want to.

Medical necessity
Not all tent or RV sites are created the same and not all have electric hook-ups. State and national parks may offer a limited number of campsites may have a small amount of electricity and are on stand-by for those who have medical needs. This amount of electricity is only enough to power a medical device or cpap but not for anything else. If you push your luck, the blown circuit breaker in the camp office will give you away every time.

A quick word. 
The following is not comprehensive and is for very general information only. If you have questions about camping with electricity, check with your camp host or campground management.

Low amperage
Commercial campgrounds (not state or national parks) usually offer 30 amp electrical outlets. You need this to run a refrigerator or charge a netbook. A 30 amp outlet is usually fine for tent camping or if you are using minimal appliances. It won't work for large RVs or to run many high-drawing appliances at the same time. Bring an adapter in case you can't plug directly into the electrical box by the campsite.

Higher amperage
Commercial campgrounds almost always offer 50 amp power. Absolutely essential for big RVs, some campers who have pop-up trailers or 5th wheels need this much electricity. If you want to run the ice maker, wash clothes and use the hair dryer at the same time, then you need the higher amperage electricity at your campsite. Plan on bringing an adapter.

Want to learn more? Here are some hot tips for cool fall break camping.

Choosing which camper project to tackle first

A friend remarked to my husband that the best we could hope for with our pop-up camper was a slight cosmetic makeover. I would like our project to be a little more comprehensive than that. A remodel may not be easy. I just keep telling Hubby that since the camper was built in the first place, then it can be remodeled. The challenge is to get him on board.

Interior of my pop-up camper

We don't know anyone who has done a camper remodel, so it's almost as if we're blazing a new trail. The photo shows that we have a lot to do. So, which project would you start with?

Curtains

Camper makeover sites are few and far between. Internet searches yielded the sites that are linked from my post on camper makeover ideas. The camper curtains that we have are a dingy beige. They're functional, but they have to go.

Flooring
New laminate will give the pop-up camper a clean fresh look, but is it really something that we want to tackle? One company has said to visit us for flooring in iowa. Visiting them from Tennessee is out of the question. Local availability, price and ease of installation will be the deciding factors.

Cabinets

This is where Hubby gets nervous. I am all about replacing the doors. Hubby isn't. We may work out a compromise where we only replace the cabinet knobs in the camper.

Camper cushions

Our cushions are faded but functional. I'm going to recover them and replace the curtains at the same time.

Hooks

There is no place near the sink to hang a towel. If we keep the sink, adding hooks around it is one of the first things that we will do. However, the sink is next to the stove. Chances are pretty high that I'll chuck the whole thing and install a bench there. We'll see.

Preparing for summer

We have to get the camper ready for summer before we do any remodeling. If the weather cooperates, I'd like to get started on that tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Visit Abrams Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains

Abrams Creek campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the quietest campgrounds in the Smokies. Campers reconnect with nature here and keep coming back. Abrams Creek campground is about 9 miles U.S. Highway 129 in a peaceful, beautiful corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Abrams Campground sign

Let me warn you that finding it can be challenging. It's far enough off of the beaten path that you may want to forget GPS and go low tech. The map on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website is your best bet for getting there.

Campers here feel that the campgound is worth the trouble. Majestic hemlock trees were once abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Now, Abrams Creek Campground is one of the few places in the Smokies that still has the tall hemlock trees.

Daniel Boone National Forest is on my to do list

Daniel Boone is a legend among legends. His name conjures up images of mountain men blazing trails through forests and of the Boonesboro settlement. The Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky is the only place that is perhaps bigger than legends of the man himself.

Sheltowee Trace marker

The forest covers 708,000 acres of land west of the Appalachian Mountains. The office in London, Kentucky is easy to find. It is on the main artery through town. To help you recognize it, I have a photo on RedGage.

My daughter and I were in the Daniel Boone National Forest when we visited Camp Wildcat near Wilderness Road. The forest is fairly accessible from Berea, Richmond and has an office in London. Each of these towns are on I-75. Highway 25 out of LaFollette follows Wilderness Road which goes through parts of the forest.

Hikers will be happy to know that there are over 600 miles of trails and roads to be explored. Daniel Boone National Forest is home
 to the The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.

One of the trailheads is in Big South Fork in Tennessee. Then the trail goes into Kentucky past Cumberland Falls, Natural Bridge, Pickett State Park and Red River Gorge. Only a few miles from the terminus in Kentucky, hikers can connect with the Jenny Wiley Trail and head into Ohio.

Daniel Boone National Forest has all of the activities that you would expect to find. Fishing is available at Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake. Plus there are plenty of other creeks and streams. A Kentucky fishing license is required.

Camping within the Daniel Boone National Forest is on my list of things to do. It looks like summer is going to be busy. I look forward to Cumberland Falls and revisiting Camp Wildcat.

Warriors Path State Park; Why we camped elsewhere

It was a beautiful sunny day when my fammily headed to Warriors Path State Park in Tennessee. The reviews were intriguing, it has a campground and we had vacation time. That sounded like a winning combination. So, we loaded up the camper and took the road trip to Warriors Path State Park.

The park was easy to find from Knoxville. We took I-40 to I-81 to at exit 59. Then we took Route 36 (N) and followed the signs through Kingsport. My family arrived at the park a short while later.

Warriors Path State Park

The first thing we did was drive around Warrior Path State Park to get a feel for the place. Although it is on a lake shore, it is more commercialized than most Tennessee state parks and wasn't what we wanted.

What we hoped to find was a quiet place where we could connect with nature. Our plans were to hike, birdwatch and camp. Warriors Path is a Tennessee park with a a lot going for it. However; it was abuzz with activity and was fairly crowded. 

Warriors Path State Park is the first state park in the country to build a Darrell's Dream Boundless Playground. All children can play here regardless of what the physical challenges might be. The playground was packed even though we were there on a Thursday afternoon in mid-May.

Warriors Path Visitor Center

Camping is what we were interested in the most at Warriors Path State Park. They have 134 campsites in all. Each one has a grill and picnic table.Water and electric hook-ups are available on 94 sites. Tent campers may be unhappy.

Roan Mountain State Park Campground is a great camping trip

Roan Mountain State Park Campground in Tennessee is one of the better state park campgrounds that we have stayed in so far. A clean, well maintained camping area is important but so is friendly staff. Roan Mountain State Park campground has the power packed combination of both.

We got there by taking I-26 to Johnson City. From there, you go through town and take the Elizabethton / Roan Mountain State Park exit onto Hwy. 67.

Roan Mountain State Park sign

From there it was just a matter of following the signs. The campground is at the base of the mountain and within an easy drive of Elizabethton and Carver's Gap.

The 87 RV sites have electric and water hook-ups. Every site has a grill and a picnic table. They are available on a first come, first served basis. My family was there during the week in late May and we had no problems finding a well shaded, quiet site on a loop.


Our nearest neighbors came in on Friday night. They were several sites away and downhill from us. Until then, we had the entire half loop to ourselves. Roan Mountain State Park campground also has tent sites. They do not have electricity but there are shared water spigots.

Roan Mountain State Park has inviting cabins with wide front porches. We may try one of those next time. Depending on which you want, you can book 

Elkmont Campground in the Smoky Mountains

Elkmont is a large campground inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hubby and I decided to check out the campground for a potential visit with the pop-up camper and were delighted at what we saw. There are 200 sites at Elkmont. Most of these looked like they can accommodate an RV, tent or motorhome. There are 22 sites for walk-up use.

The bathrooms have cold running water and flush toilets. Elkmont in the Smokies doesn't have showers but there is an outside dish sink at the comfort station. Bear precautions are in place so food must be kept properly stored and remainders must be properly disposed of. Large bear-proof trash containers are provided. Prices can change but ranged from $17-$23 per day with a 14 day limit at the time of this writing.

Elkmont campsites are relatively flat, have a fire ring and picnic table. The intriguing part of the campground is the electrical hook-ups.