Recreational Camping: How it Became a 'Thing' and Some Must-See Sites to Check Out!
Every year more than 42 million Americans turn to the wilderness seeking escape from the stress of everyday life. They go camping. How did the idea of voluntarily leaving a comfortable home to sleep on hard ground under the stars and cook food over a smoky fire come about? Farm Boy Garage is sharing with you a little bit of history of recreational camping, as well as some awesome places to take your family camping this fall!
The Start of Recreational Camping
Set aside human migration and great armies on the march—activities which have taken place for thousands of years— and here's how modern day camping got its start. In 1861, the Gunnery Camp was founded in Washington, Connecticut, by Frederick Gunn, who owned a boys' school. Taking his wards on a two-week trip, they would hike to a specific wilderness area where they set up camp. Activities included hiking, fishing, and observing nature, and of course, cooking over a smoky fire. In 1874, the YWCA established its first camp in Pennsylvania, called "Sea Rest," which catered to women only. In 1885, a YMCA camp was set up in New York for true outdoor recreational enjoyment. That camp is still in operation today. Over the ensuing years, the concept of recreational camping steadily grew.
Must-See Sites
Part of the fun of camping is getting to experience the great outdoors, traveling light, and seeing new sites. So we're sharing with you a few great locations in the Midwest to check out!
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Otho, Iowa
The Des Moines River Valley is home to the sprawling Dolliver Memorial State Park. With more than 500+ acres of bluffs, flatlands, Native American mounds. It’s an explorer’s paradise. Hiking through the well-maintained historical trails are a once in a lifetime experience. If hiking isn’t your thing, bird and animal watching is plentiful right from your campsite.
Mount Rushmore National Monument
Keystone, South Dakota
Set in the dramatic landscape of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is not only an impressive historical site, but it's also a rewarding stop for campers and outdoor lovers. While you're there, walk the Presidential Trail and visit the Sculptor's Studio. Other nearby attractions include Crazy Horse Memorial and Wind Cave National Park.
Badlands National Park
South Dakota
This 244,000-acre park contains one of the richest fossil beds in the world. It also has plenty of animals roaming the plains, from prairie dogs to bison. The park has two campgrounds, including a backcountry site, which are both open year-round.
Devil's Lake State Park
Baraboo, Wisconsin
You won’t run out of nature’s beauty while camping here. The park is filled with natural wonders, such as a sandstone bridge, gorges, sandy beaches and an incredible lake for boating and fishing.
Hocking Hills State Park
Logan, Ohio
This park has it all, from caves and bridges to waterfalls and gorges. Camping options are many. You can sleep at horse ranches, in a wigwam, by the river, at an RV park or a private primitive site. There are also cabins and a modern retreat center.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Middle Brook, Missouri
This state-owned recreation area covers more than 8500 acres in Reynolds County. It also offers access to the adjoining Francois Mountains and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in the heart of the Ozarks. The river cascades through the area, creating beautiful landscapes to hike, kayak, and picnic at you won’t find elsewhere in the region.
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby, Illinois
Starved Rock State Park is one of the most popular in Illinois since it opened in the early 1900s. With premium RV and campsites, a full-service bathhouse, and large open grassy areas that house community picnics, there’s something for everyone at this park. Fishing, hiking, and boating are available for travelers inside the 18 canyons that comprise Starved Rock.
Get Away in Your Classic Muscle Car!
Every now and then, we like to get out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unplug, and just enjoy the beauty and peace that recreational camping provides. Maybe for you that means just packing up the bare essentials, hitting the road in your recently remodeled muscle car and finding a new place on the map to check out. If that's your goal, be sure your classic ride is in peak condition by having it fully restored by yours truly!
Trust the experts at Farm Boy Garage to fully restore your gorgeous muscle car back to its original/super modified glory. We run a one-stop-shop here at Farm Boy Garage, and all restoration services are done on site, meaning your car doesn't leave our garage until it's completed to your satisfaction!
Farm Boy Garage
10660 E. County Line Rd.
Des Moines, Iowa 50320
Phone: 515-528-8904
Cell: 515-333-1238
farmboygarage@icloud.com
Like us on:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
LINKEDIN
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The Start of Recreational Camping
Set aside human migration and great armies on the march—activities which have taken place for thousands of years— and here's how modern day camping got its start. In 1861, the Gunnery Camp was founded in Washington, Connecticut, by Frederick Gunn, who owned a boys' school. Taking his wards on a two-week trip, they would hike to a specific wilderness area where they set up camp. Activities included hiking, fishing, and observing nature, and of course, cooking over a smoky fire. In 1874, the YWCA established its first camp in Pennsylvania, called "Sea Rest," which catered to women only. In 1885, a YMCA camp was set up in New York for true outdoor recreational enjoyment. That camp is still in operation today. Over the ensuing years, the concept of recreational camping steadily grew.
Must-See Sites
Part of the fun of camping is getting to experience the great outdoors, traveling light, and seeing new sites. So we're sharing with you a few great locations in the Midwest to check out!
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Otho, Iowa
The Des Moines River Valley is home to the sprawling Dolliver Memorial State Park. With more than 500+ acres of bluffs, flatlands, Native American mounds. It’s an explorer’s paradise. Hiking through the well-maintained historical trails are a once in a lifetime experience. If hiking isn’t your thing, bird and animal watching is plentiful right from your campsite.
Mount Rushmore National Monument
Keystone, South Dakota
Set in the dramatic landscape of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is not only an impressive historical site, but it's also a rewarding stop for campers and outdoor lovers. While you're there, walk the Presidential Trail and visit the Sculptor's Studio. Other nearby attractions include Crazy Horse Memorial and Wind Cave National Park.
Badlands National Park
South Dakota
This 244,000-acre park contains one of the richest fossil beds in the world. It also has plenty of animals roaming the plains, from prairie dogs to bison. The park has two campgrounds, including a backcountry site, which are both open year-round.
Baraboo, Wisconsin
You won’t run out of nature’s beauty while camping here. The park is filled with natural wonders, such as a sandstone bridge, gorges, sandy beaches and an incredible lake for boating and fishing.
Logan, Ohio
This park has it all, from caves and bridges to waterfalls and gorges. Camping options are many. You can sleep at horse ranches, in a wigwam, by the river, at an RV park or a private primitive site. There are also cabins and a modern retreat center.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Middle Brook, Missouri
This state-owned recreation area covers more than 8500 acres in Reynolds County. It also offers access to the adjoining Francois Mountains and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in the heart of the Ozarks. The river cascades through the area, creating beautiful landscapes to hike, kayak, and picnic at you won’t find elsewhere in the region.
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby, Illinois
Starved Rock State Park is one of the most popular in Illinois since it opened in the early 1900s. With premium RV and campsites, a full-service bathhouse, and large open grassy areas that house community picnics, there’s something for everyone at this park. Fishing, hiking, and boating are available for travelers inside the 18 canyons that comprise Starved Rock.
Get Away in Your Classic Muscle Car!
Every now and then, we like to get out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unplug, and just enjoy the beauty and peace that recreational camping provides. Maybe for you that means just packing up the bare essentials, hitting the road in your recently remodeled muscle car and finding a new place on the map to check out. If that's your goal, be sure your classic ride is in peak condition by having it fully restored by yours truly!
Trust the experts at Farm Boy Garage to fully restore your gorgeous muscle car back to its original/super modified glory. We run a one-stop-shop here at Farm Boy Garage, and all restoration services are done on site, meaning your car doesn't leave our garage until it's completed to your satisfaction!
Are you ready to create the muscle car or classic truck of your dreams? Let us be your one-stop-shop! Visit our website to check out some of the recent projects we've completed and to learn about the vehicle restoration services we offer.
Farm Boy Garage
10660 E. County Line Rd.
Des Moines, Iowa 50320
Phone: 515-528-8904
Cell: 515-333-1238
farmboygarage@icloud.com
Like us on:
GOOGLE+
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