Where is your favorite camping spot? June 2022

Something about the heat of summer makes me really miss camping. Just getting out in nature and curling up next to a warm fire on a cool evening is so much more enjoyable than staying inside all day. We have tried several different styles of camping over the years, from tent camping next to the car, getting hammocks and backpacking 20 miles through the backcountry, and most recently kayaking out to an island and setting up our own personal oasis for a weekend. Although they all use roughly the same equipment each experience feels different and has their own personalities to separate one from the other.

    Two years ago we went camping at Beavers Bend and have always talked about going back but haven't yet. Being able to set up camp directly on the lake is a surreal experience, waking up with morning fog sitting on top of the lake, trees showing off their different colors with those colors bouncing off the lake once the fog ends is just so relaxing. Plus the trails near the lake and campsites are also very well maintained and always have something to see.

I have done the Butterfield hiking trail at devil's den multiple times now and always get something new out of it. The trail is about a 17 mile loop that is meant to be done over 2 days, the length itself isn't that challenging but the ups and downs of the mountain side really pays a toll on the legs. There are many rewards along the trail that make the challenge well worth it plus the secluded feeling of setting up camp next to a stream after hiking all day. 

     This spring we rented kayaks and went to Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, there are about 200 islands on the lake that are free to camp at, it's all first come first serve. We paddled about 15 minutes from the doc and found an island that was about a half acre in size that we claimed as our own. Anytime it started to feel hot we would just get in the water and relax, if we got bored we would kayak out to other islands and explore those, maybe gather some firewood, then head back. 

    These have been 3 of my favorite experiences with camping that I would absolutely want to do again. Have you ever been camping and if so where have to go and is it something you would recommend i try, once the weather cools off of course.