We all know the truth about camping: the whole endeavor is an elaborate excuse for us to eat toasted s’mores for dinner. Truthfully though, nothing says “I'm on vacation” more than biting into that first ooey gooey smoky treat, right? As far as we’re concerned, it’s all about getting you to that point, so we’re here to make it super easy. We’ve pulled together our best tips, tricks, and favorite spots to bring you the ultimate camping guide—where to go, what to bring, handy-dandy hacks, and some gourmet s’mores recipes to wow your camping companions. Put the beer on ice and string up the hammock. It’s time to engage relaxation mode! 

Cool Campgrounds (& Glampgrounds)

Sly Park

Sly Park

Located in Pollock Pines, Sly Park Campground offers get-away-from-it-all vibes without having to schlep for hours to the middle of nowhere. Picturesque and family-friendly, there’s day-use and overnight camping for tents and RVs, plenty of hiking and equestrian trails, and lots of shady tree cover. The campgrounds hug picturesque Jenkinson Lake so there’s ample swimming and boating ops, and a bevy of beaches for guilt-free lazing! 4771 Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines, eid.org/recreation/sly-park-recreation-area-spra-at-jenkinson-lake

Finnon Lake

Finnon Lake

Finnon Lake

Just outside Placerville is a quiet little campground on the Finnon Lake reservoir. Nestled deep in the forest, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous scenery and exhilarating views. Sights may include bald eagles and wild Canadian geese at sunset and sounds might include the dulcet tones of bullfrog choirs. A great, quiet spot for fishing, relaxing, and getting back to nature. 9100 Rock Creek Road, Placerville, 530-409-5515, finnonrecreationarea.com

Beals Point

Beal's Point

Beal's Point

You don’t have to get all that far-flung to get away—Beals Point at Folsom Lake is a great family-friendly campground right here in the Folsom area. It’s the perfect getaway if you’re the kind of family with a boat or who loves to swim. (In the hot Sacramento summer, there aren’t many other kinds of families!) Easy access to boat launches and swimming beaches, lots of great hiking trails, and it’s pet-friendly! Oh, and cell service is still available to prove that you’re still part of civilization. 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road, Folsom, parks.ca.gov/?page_id=10916

Coloma Resort

Coloma Resort

Coloma Resort

Coloma Resort

Whether you’re glamping it up in one of their well-appointed cabins, roving in an RV, or roughing it in a tent, Coloma Resort is THE destination for your next getaway. Located on the South Fork of the American River and surrounded by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma Resort is your go-to for hiking, fishing, biking, tubing, rafting, and more! If campground cooking isn’t your jam, no problem; Argonaut Farm to Fork Café—where you can enjoy a breakfast sandwich in your PJs on the riverfront (or take it back to your campsite)—is within walking distance. 6921 Mt. Murphy Road, Coloma, 530-621-2267, colomaresort.com

Montauk California Resort

Montauk California Resort

Montauk California Resort

Montauk California Resort is situated between the North and South Forks of the American River, adjacent to the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, and it’s the newest ultimate glampground experience. Perfect for anyone looking to get away from it all in style! Glamping sites include a queen bed, solar-powered electric outlets, solar battery-operated lighting, a private bathroom and shower, and much more. Take advantage of the location and enjoy a range of hiking and lake activities like kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as excellent bird watching and stargazing opportunities. 1117 Montauk Vista Road, Pilot Hill, 530-409-6429, montauk.camp

Indian Grinding Rock State Park Campground

Indian Grinding Rock State Park Campground

Indian Grinding Rock State Park Campground is a perfect smaller-size campground for a nice self-contained getaway. Boasting just 23 campsites, you’ll be surrounded by all the sights and sounds of nature, plus camping gives you free access to the state park proper, and the museum as well. Commune with the cultural history of the Northern Sierra Miwok by exploring the chaw’se or grinding rock, the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America, plus ceremonial roundhouse and reconstructed bark houses. 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, parks.ca.gov/?page_id=553

Inn Town Campground

Inn Town Campground

Inn Town Campground

Inn Town Campground

Inn Town Campground

If you’re less about roughing it, and more about keeping modern amenities close at hand at all times, try glamping at the aptly named Inn Town Campground in Nevada City. Located within walking distance (just over one mile) of downtown Nevada City, Inn Town’s glamping tents offer electricity, comfy mattresses and heated mattress pads, fresh bed linens, a private porch or balcony, and private outdoor seating. It’s less like a tent and more like a very fancy cabin. All smack-dab in the middle of sweet, merciful, actual civilization. We love this for you. 9 Kidder Court, Nevada City, 530-265-9900, inntowncampground.com

Sly Park large photo by Jessica Byrum. Sly Park s'mores photo by @_golfmechanic_. Finnon Lake photos by Kristie Brownell. Beals Point photos by Ann Peavey of seattlemaven.com. Top and bottom Coloma Resort photos by Jodi Hamilton and Brigette Faieta. Middle and second middle Coloma Resort photos by David Thuman. Mantauk California Resort photos by Matthew Valenzuela of Illume Multimedia. Indian Grinding Rock photos by Larry Angier. Inn Town Campground photos courtesy of Inn Town Campground. 

Handy-Dandy Hacks

Obey Your Master

Obey Your Master

Let’s not talk about the time I forgot to bring pillows on our annual camping trip. A master packing list is a camping game-changer. It’s up to you what form it takes: a printed, laminated list; a shareable family Google doc, or a file in your Notes app. But have a master list for all the must-bring, do-not-forget essentials: tent stuff, sleeping stuff, kitchen stuff, sanitary stuff, first aid stuff, etc. It’ll up your camping know-how exponentially—and restore a tiny bit of sanity to your packing regime. 

Out Damn Mosquito

Out Damn Mosquito

Here's a great hack for insect repellent: Try burning a little non-toxic fresh green foliage, damp leaf litter, and green/damp wood in your campfire. The smoke will clear those pesky mosquitos right out. 

I’m The Firestarter

I’m The Fire Starter

There’s a lot of great hacks for DIY weatherproof fire-starters but one of the simplest is cotton balls in Vaseline. Put a blob of Vaseline in a Ziplock bag, add a few cotton balls, seal the bag, and knead it quickly, and you’re all set. (Don’t knead the bag too much, you don’t need the cotton balls soaked, just smothered.) They’re weatherproof, and once they’re lit, they’ll hold a flame long enough to get your kindling started. 

Ice, Ice Baby

Ice, Ice Baby

Don’t be a rube and fill your coolers with loose ice only to pour away the water later. Do what the camping pros do. Freeze water bottles or containers instead of buying ice. Use the frozen bottles as cold packs for your food going up, and then voila: drinking water once it thaws. 

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

Do you have a camping headlamp? How about a gallon water jug or a large transparent water bottle? Wrap the headlamp around the water jug/bottle with the headlamp facing inwards and voila: It’ll glow like it’s from outer space. Instant lantern! 

Camping Hacks photos top to bottom Phoebe - stock.adobe.com; nataba - stock.adobe.com; golubovy - stock.adobe.com; Kowit - stock.adobe.com; cristi180884 - stock.adobe.com.

Make More S'mores

Make More S'mores
A few variations on the classic s’mores will make you the talk of the campfire. 

Fancy Cookie S’mores 

Swap out the standard graham cracker for your favorite fancy cookie: Milano, Petit Ecolier, Speculoos, Stroopwafels, Chips Ahoy, or even the humble Keebler Fudge Stripes. Your only limit is imagination.

Chocolate Peanut Butter S’mores

Get yourself some chocolate graham crackers, top with a large peanut butter cup, and a toasted marshmallow—and, ta-da, you’re in a special kind of peanut-butter heaven. 

Rice Krispies S’mores

Forget graham crackers. Put your toasted marshmallow and chocolate square on top of Rice Krispies Treats and get the party started right. Sticky grins in three, two, one. 

Elvis S’mores 

Wise men say only fools mess around with classic s’mores, but these TCB s’mores are a hunka hunka burnin love. Top your graham cracker with a few banana slices, some crispy pre-cooked bacon (because you came prepared for this), a spoonful of peanut butter, and a toasted marshmallow. Insert campfire karate moves.

Camping Playlist

 5 Songs for your Camping Playlist
Add these tunes to your playlist for maximum good vibes. 

“Happy Trails” by Van Halen

“Right Back to It” by Waxahatchee featuring MJ Lenderman 

“Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker 

“Cornbread & Butterbeans” by Carolina Chocolate Drops

“Kiko & The Lavender Moon” by Los Lobos 

Packing Essentials

Packing Essentials

Most of these are what I call “Dad Brain” stuff: trust me, there’s no better feeling than being the one in your group who remembers the boring stuff. 

Extra tent stakes. Like socks in the laundry, tent stakes inevitably go missing. Always have more stakes than you need. 

Rubber mallet. Perfect for pounding in the tent stakes. A hook screwed into the mallet’s handle comes in handy for pulling up the stakes when you’re packing up. 

Hardcopy maps. Getting away from it all often means (gasp) no reception. Be prepared for the inevitable untethering. 

Pen & paper. Useful for directions, makeshift signs, leaving notes, or campfire games. (Or drawing maps for everyone else who didn’t bring a map.)  

Matches or a lighter. You’d be surprised how many people don’t bring these.

Extra batteries. Better safe than sorry. 

Pocket knife. We won’t tell anyone about your Bear Grylls fanfic. 

S'mores photo © kieferpix - stock.adobe.com. Portable speaker photo © andrei310 - stock.adobe.com. Camping gear photo © Intelligent Horizons - stock.adobe.com.

by Sharon Penny