John Cox

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CultureMap Fort Worth

12 Texas retreats declared best places to camp in the U.S. - CultureMap Fort Worth

Hipcamp's 2026 awards recognized twelve top-rated camping destinations across Texas based on user bookings, ratings, and reviews, with Llama Land Ranch near Fort Worth earning particular acclaim for its 101-acre property featuring friendly llamas, affordable rates, and attentive owner Judy. The ranch offers mixed accommodation options (tent, RV, or combination sites) and has gained recognition for creating a peaceful, well-maintained camping experience that balances comfort with nature. Other notable award winners include The Ranch at Beulah in Elkhart, featuring yurts and activities like creek swimming, trail riding, and pizza-oven cooking for $150-$204 per night.

Permalink campingtravelrecommendationstexas

Islands

Less Than An Hour From Knoxville Is Tennessee's Stunning Lakeside Park With Swimming, Camping, And Trails

Anderson County Park on Norris Lake, just under an hour from Knoxville, offers a quieter alternative to Eastern Tennessee's major tourist destinations with 196 acres of forested shoreline, about forty campsites with hookups, and a three-bedroom rental house. The park features six miles of hiking and biking trails, swimming beaches, and boat launches for both day-use and overnight visitors, with generally positive reviews despite some reports of uneven terrain. Its limited cell service and Wi-Fi, combined with proximity to Interstate 75 and nearby attractions like Oak Ridge and downtown Knoxville, make it an accessible yet secluded destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Permalink hikingcampingstate parkstennessee

Gear Patrol

Could Airstream’s Ultralight Trailer Be Your Ultimate Summer Escape?

Airstream released the World Traveler 22RB, a smaller and lighter travel trailer designed to be more accessible to buyers than the brand's traditional models, weighing just 3,700 pounds and towable by most SUVs and crossovers. Despite its compact 22-foot length and 7.5-foot width, the trailer features luxury amenities including Scandinavian-inspired interior design, dual-pane windows with integrated screens and blackouts, a full kitchen with optional dual refrigerators, and flexible sleeping arrangements, starting at $68,300.

Permalink campingroad tripsrv

CultureMap Dallas

12 scenic Texas campsites declared best places to pitch a tent in U.S.

Bon Appétit's 2026 best new restaurants list includes two Texas establishments: Agnes and Sherman in Houston, which fuses Asian flavors with classic American diner fare and has earned accolades including a James Beard nomination, and Le Calamar in Austin, a French-Texas bistro featuring refined dishes like stuffed chicken wings and updated takes on French classics. Both restaurants opened between March 2025 and March 2026 and exemplify the magazine's celebration of establishments that challenge culinary conventions through community and creativity despite industry headwinds.

Permalink campingrestaurantstraveltexas

Food & Wine

Travel + Leisure

Islands

The Best KOA Campgrounds Around North America For Stunning Views And Exciting Attractions - Islands

A roundup piece profiling 13 KOA campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada chosen specifically for the scenery visible from the sites themselves, not just proximity to attractions—ranking spans the brand's three tiers (Journey, Holiday, Resort) to show that even basic locations can rival pricier ones. Each entry pairs the campground's on-site views (Devils Tower framed by your tent, Rockies visible from Denver West, Kachemak Bay mountains in Homer, Acadia coastline in Bar Harbor) with nearby national parks or cultural draws worth the detour. Useful as a planning reference for scenic RV/tent stops near major U.S. and Canadian landmarks, plus a quick explainer of what distinguishes KOA's tiers and its rewards program.

Permalink campingnational parksroad tripsoutdoor

www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com

www.islands.com

Between Nashville And Chattanooga Is Tennessee's Wildly Underrated State Park With Scenic Trails And Lakes

Fiery Gizzard State Park is one of three new Tennessee state parks carved out of the sprawling South Cumberland State Park between 2022 and 2025, and at roughly 7,800 acres it's the largest of the trio, inheriting the famous Fiery Gizzard Trail, waterfalls, gorges, and Grundy Lakes. The piece is a practical primer covering trail options and difficulty, rock climbing rules at Foster Falls and Denny Cove, fishing and non-motorized boating on the lakes, primitive camping costs, nearby towns like Monteagle and Tracy City, and swimming/beach access — useful for anyone planning a visit now that the old South Cumberland name and boundaries no longer apply. Worth keeping as a trip-planning reference for this lesser-known but highlight-packed replacement park.

Permalink hikingcampingunderratedtravel

expeditionportal.com

Airstream Expands Rangeline Lineup with New 21PL Touring Coach

Airstream has expanded its compact adventure-van range with the new [[Rangeline 21PL Touring Coach]], a Class B motorhome built on the [[Ram ProMaster]] chassis that adds adaptable sleeping and storage for up to four occupants. Central is an integrated power‑lift bed and modular [[Smartbench]] on an L‑track floor that converts between bunk, primary bed, lounge and cargo configurations, while removable seating and a pull‑out drawer create a garage-like load bay for bikes and gear. The split galley, exterior-facing table, skylights that improve standing room and upgraded suspension emphasize day-to-day usability. Off-grid capability combines a 3.5 kWh [[lithium‑ion battery pack]], 3,000 W inverter, 200 W roof solar and a 2.8 kW onboard generator fed from the vehicle fuel tank. Airstream positions the model as a versatile, family-friendly touring coach, priced from $173,400.

Permalink campingsolarroad tripsrv

www.islands.com

Between Knoxville And Atlanta Is An Underrated Georgia Mountain Lake With Scenic Camping And Trails

Georgia's Lake Winfield Scott gets pitched as a quiet, uncrowded alternative to Atlanta and Savannah tourism, tucked in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest near Vogel State Park. The piece covers the practical stuff worth remembering: the 18-acre CCC-built lake allows only paddle/electric boats and fishing with a license, three connecting trails (including links to the Appalachian Trail) form a 6-mile loop rated highly on AllTrails, and campsites split into north/south loops plus a 10-person cabin. It also lays out booking logistics — reservable April–August, first-come-first-served otherwise, $26-50/night, three-night minimums on holiday weekends, and roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Atlanta's airport.

Permalink hikingcampingtravelstate parks

www.wired.com

This Is Why You Should Try Ultralight Backpacking (2025)

A personal, practical case for ultralight backpacking that traces the movement's roots to Mark Jenkins' 1994 "Less is More," then lays out a working definition (10-pound base weight or less), the "Big Three" gear priorities (pack, sleep system, shelter), and a needs-versus-wants framework for cutting stuff. It argues ultralight is less about gear obsession than a mindset shift—eating separately from camp, cowboy camping, trying quilts—that ultimately makes the whole backcountry experience less burdensome and more enjoyable.

Permalink hikingcampinggeartags

www.costco.com

www.islands.com

Between Asheville And Hickory Is North Carolina's Crystal-Clear Blue Ridge Lake For Fishing And Camping

Lake James State Park in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains offers a scenic and accessible retreat featuring a 6,800-acre reservoir with clear turquoise waters ideal for fishing, swimming, and water sports. The state park provides three campground options ranging from $20–$30 per night, including a secluded peninsula accessible only by kayak, plus over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails with views of the surrounding mountains. Located about an hour from Asheville and accessible year-round with free day-use admission, the park combines outdoor recreation with convenient access to major regional airports.

Permalink campingnorth carolinastate parksoutdoor

newatlas.com

Air-beam canopy completes all-inflatable amphibious day camp

Bote, an inflatable watercraft company, has launched the Hangout Shade series—lightweight, packable inflatable canopies with UPF 50 protection that set up in under five minutes and work either standalone on land or attached to Bote's floating Hangout Dock platforms. The two sizes (Shade 7 at $669 and Shade 10 at $799) represent the company's expansion beyond paddleboards and kayaks into a broader Hangout Suite of inflatable lounging and gathering gear designed for recreational use on and off the water.

Permalink summercampinggearbeaches

www.islands.com

The Longest River Entirely In Texas Is Lined With Great Places To Camp, Fish, And Boat

The Brazos River, Texas's longest river entirely within the state, stretches 1,280 miles from northwest Texas to the Gulf and offers accessible outdoor adventures through multiple scenic sections. The most popular paddling and camping area lies between Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury, featuring calm, meandering waters, abundant fish species (largemouth bass, crappie, white bass), and numerous campgrounds ranging from primitive sites to fully equipped RV resorts. The best time to visit is March through October, with convenient access from major cities like Fort Worth and Austin, plus nearby attractions such as the historic town of Granbury and the near-ghost town of Caddo.

Permalink campingtexasriveroutdoor

www.zdnet.com

The 5 best RVs of 2022: Top motorhomes and campers

This ZDNET buyer's guide reviews five RVs across different categories and price points—from the budget-friendly Jay Feather Micro travel trailer at $20,663 to the luxury Newmar Ventana Class A motorhome at $431,709—each selected to suit specific needs like family camping, full-time living, or weekend getaways. The article explains the three motorized RV classes (A, B, and C) plus towable options, then breaks down each vehicle's key features, pros, and cons to help readers match their priorities to the right model. It also addresses common questions about RV lifespan, cost of living, depreciation, and maintenance concerns like water damage.

Permalink campingtravelrvvan life

www.outsideonline.com

How to Score the Best National Park Campsites for Summer

National Park Service campgrounds have become increasingly difficult to book, with camping visits exceeding 13 million overnight stays in 2022, so advance planning is essential. The piece details eight of the most coveted and hard-to-reserve campgrounds across the system—from Yellowstone's Slough Creek to Acadia's remote Duck Harbor—providing specific booking windows, fees, best sites, and nearby hiking or outdoor activities for each. The takeaway is practical: start reservations six months in advance through Recreation.gov on a rolling basis, or risk ending up at an RV park instead of your dream national park campsite.

Permalink summerhikingcampingnational parks

www.outsideonline.com

Highway 19E Is the Most Underrated Road Trip

Highway 19E, a 60-mile stretch of North Carolina and Tennessee backroad north of Asheville, connects eight major outdoor destinations within 25 minutes of the main road, including Mount Mitchell (the highest point east of the Mississippi), Linville Gorge, Grandfather Mountain, and sections of the Appalachian Trail known for exceptional hiking and scenery. The piece details each attraction—from strenuous mountain hikes and wilderness camping to waterfalls, mysterious Brown Mountain Lights, and world-class trout fishing—with practical information about trailheads, difficulty levels, permits, and seasonal considerations for planning a multi-stop adventure through southern Appalachia.

Permalink hikingcampingnorth carolinaroad trips

www.outdoorlife.com

Backpacking Checklist: Don’t Forget These Must-Have Items

This is a comprehensive backpacking gear checklist with product recommendations across multiple categories—shelter, sleep systems, clothing, cooking equipment, and safety gear—organized by price point and use case. The guide includes specific product picks like the Osprey Exos backpack and MSR PocketRocket stove, along with an extensive FAQ addressing common questions about weight limits, packing duration, water treatment, and what experienced backpackers actually need versus what beginners unnecessarily carry. It emphasizes that the "Big 3" items (backpack, tent, sleep system) are the heaviest components and suggests beginners should aim for 25-35 pounds total load.

Permalink hikingcampinggearsafety