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Cold Weather Camping Checklist for the Midwest
Short answer: cold weather camping in the Midwest comes down to three things. Insulation under you, layers you can add and take off, and a plan for campgrounds that have turned off their water. Start with a high R value pad, pack a warm hat and dry layers, carry your own drinking water, and check ea...
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John Dent
October 20th, 2026
 
Midwest Fall Color Campgrounds: Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Arkansas
Short answer: for fall color camping in the Midwest, look at Cuivre River and Harry S Truman state parks in Missouri, Pikes Peak and Palisades-Kepler in Iowa, Starved Rock in Illinois, Fall River in Kansas, and Petit Jean, Mount Magazine and the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. One catch: late Oc...
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John Dent
October 20th, 2026
 
Midwest Panfish Guide: Fall Crappie and Bluegill Tips from State Agencies
Short answer: Fall is one of the two best times of year for crappie. Iowa DNR says crappies are most vulnerable during spring spawning and autumn, when they move back toward shallower water after a summer spent at 8 to 25 feet (Iowa DNR). Fish small minnows or 1/80 to 1/16 ounce jigs slowly over bru...
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John Dent
October 17th, 2026
 
Missouri Trout Parks Guide: Roaring River, Bennett Spring, Montauk and Maramec Spring
Short answer: Missouri has four trout parks: Roaring River, Bennett Spring and Montauk state parks, plus Maramec Spring Park near St. James. From March 1 through October 31, 2026, they are stocked daily and open for catch and keep fishing. You need a Missouri fishing permit plus a daily trout tag, t...
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John Dent
October 16th, 2026
 
Best Missouri Float Streams for Smallmouth Bass: Stream-by-Stream Guide
The short answer: For big smallmouth, float the James River or the Big Piney. For scenery and steady action, float the Current, Jacks Fork or upper Eleven Point. Closer to St. Louis, the Meramec and its Huzzah and Courtois creeks are good bets, and the Gasconade fishes well even in winter. Bring a 6...
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October 14th, 2026
 
Best Fishing Gear for Kansas Reservoirs: Lake-by-Lake Guide
The short answer: For crappie, go to Melvern, Hillsdale or Perry. For walleye, Perry is the top pick, with El Dorado and Hillsdale close behind. For wipers, try Clinton or Milford, and for catfish, Hillsdale, Perry, Cheney and Tuttle Creek. A medium spinning combo, a heavier catfish rod and a tackle...
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October 13th, 2026
 
Lake of the Ozarks Crappie Fishing Guide: Seasons, Spots and Gear
The short answer: Lake of the Ozarks crappie bite best in spring and fall. Fish creek channels in the bays early in spring, brush piles on or near points in late spring and fall, and go deeper around docks and brush in summer and winter. Small jigs from 1/32 to 1/8 ounce and live minnows are the bai...
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John Dent
October 13th, 2026
 
Best Fishing Gear for Missouri Lakes: Lake-by-Lake Guide
Short answer: For most Missouri lakes, start with a 6 ft 6 in medium spinning combo, 8 to 10 lb line, a box of soft plastics, jigs, a crankbait and a spinnerbait, plus pliers and a valid Missouri fishing permit. Add a light rod for crappie and a heavy 7 to 8 ft rod if you want catfish. Clear Ozark l...
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John Dent
October 13th, 2026
 
Missouri Float-Trip Packing List (Printable Checklist)
Short answer: For a Missouri float trip, wear a buckled life jacket and shoes that strap on. Pack sun protection, more water than you think, a roll-top dry bag for anything that has to stay dry, a small first aid kit and a trash bag, and clip it all in. Overnight floats add a compact tent, a sleepin...
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John Dent
October 11th, 2026
 
Carbon Fiber Baitcasting Combo: Midwest Bank & Lake Bass Setup
A carbon fiber baitcasting combo is a matched baitcast rod and reel — often with an IM7 carbon blank — built for Saturday bass from a Missouri park bank, farm pond, or calm cove. From Excelsior Springs we pack one adult rod for fifth-wheel weekends, not a trailer full of sticks. This guide trans...
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John Dent
September 21st, 2026
Kansas State Park Camping: Reservoirs, Prairie Wind, and a Short Drive West
Kansas State Park Camping: Reservoirs, Prairie Wind, and a Short Drive West
Kansas state park camping is a wind-and-water weekend: big reservoirs, Flint Hills grass, and wide sky, several of them closer to Kansas City than a good Ozark Friday. You need a vehicle entrance permit and a camping permit, booked through CampItKS.gov or ReserveAmerica. Bring better stakes for open...
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John Dent
September 18th, 2026
Camping in Iowa State Parks: A Midwest Weekend From Missouri
Camping in Iowa State Parks: A Midwest Weekend From Missouri
Iowa state parks make a good next-ring weekend from Missouri: glacial lakes, limestone bluffs, and short hiking loops a Friday drive away. As of the 2026 season, all regular state-park campsites are reservable online or by phone, and most open only three months before arrival, so set a booking remin...
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John Dent
September 18th, 2026
Fish a Missouri State Park Weekend Without a Trailer
Fish a Missouri State Park Weekend Without a Trailer
You can fish a Missouri state park without a trailer. Pick a loop where you can walk to water in under 15 minutes, look for a quiet cove or spillway, and bring a 7-foot combo, a small tackle box, and a chair. Add a float tube and PFD to reach weed lines, but stay off main-lake wind. Most people trea...
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John Dent
September 11th, 2026
Shoulder-Season Camp Kitchen: Cooking After Labor Day in the Midwest
Shoulder-Season Camp Kitchen: Cooking After Labor Day in the Midwest
For a shoulder-season camp kitchen, bring a two- or three-burner propane stove with a stable base and a real windscreen, fueled by 16.4 oz cylinders or a 20 lb tank. You lose about two minutes of daylight a day through September, so start water when you start the rainfly and cook one-pot meals the f...
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John Dent
September 11th, 2026
 
Lake Fishing Day Kit for Missouri & Midwest Lakes
Who it's for Bank or calm-cove anglers who want a simple rod-and-reel combo and the option to bring your own boat or kayak. Calm Midwest lakes and slow coves only. Not the right kit if You're floating Ozark current (Current, Meramec, Jacks Fork, etc.). Boats and kayaks brought for this kit stay on c...
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John Dent
September 9th, 2026
 
30-Amp RV Site Setup for Midwest Weekends
A 30-amp Midwest site is plenty for most travel trailers and many fifth-wheels—if you level first, manage loads, and pack the right cords and pads. This guide walks a practical 30-amp RV site setup the way weekend RVers actually do it at Missouri parks and private campgrounds. The goal is simple...
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John Dent
September 9th, 2026
 
Family Basecamp Weekend Kit for Midwest Trips
Who it's for Two adults plus kids (or a small group) doing a car-camping or fifth-wheel weekend at a Missouri state park or similar Midwest site. You drive up, set up once, and want a tent you can stand in, a stove that feeds everyone, and sleep gear that works when the night drops. Not the right ki...
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John Dent
September 9th, 2026
Fishing Missouri Rivers: Smallmouth, Trout, and Catfish on Moving Water
Fishing Missouri Rivers: Smallmouth, Trout, and Catfish on Moving Water
Missouri river fishing is two different fisheries. Ozark streams like the Current, Meramec, and Gasconade hold smallmouth, goggle-eye, and trout on designated ribbons, so pack light-to-medium spinning or fly gear. The big Missouri, Osage, and Mississippi are boat water for blue, flathead, and channe...
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John Dent
September 6th, 2026
Kayak Camping on Midwest Lakes and Rivers: A Practical Weekend Plan
Kayak Camping on Midwest Lakes and Rivers: A Practical Weekend Plan
For a Midwest kayak-camping weekend, pick a lake or mild river with a known take-out, a legal place to camp, and a plan to cross open water before afternoon wind builds. Pack everything in two or three dry bags, bring a compact tent and a small stove, wear the PFD, and treat any water you refill. A...
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John Dent
September 3rd, 2026
Raccoons, Mice, and Midnight Raids: How to Keep Critters Out of Camp Food
Raccoons, Mice, and Midnight Raids: How to Keep Critters Out of Camp Food
Keep raccoons and mice out of camp food by splitting camp into three zones: sleep, kitchen, and trash. Latch the cooler every time you walk away, keep wrappers and food smells out of the tent, get trash into the dumpster or locked in the vehicle before dark, and clean fish well away from camp. The r...
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John Dent
September 3rd, 2026
Camping in the Rain: How to Stay Dry When a Midwest Storm Hits Camp
Camping in the Rain: How to Stay Dry When a Midwest Storm Hits Camp
To camp through Midwest rain, pick a site with a slight crown, stake every corner and guy out the fly before the storm, pack sleep gear and electronics in dry bags before you leave home, cook under a dining fly instead of in the tent, and keep a lantern plus a headlamp within reach. A dry forecast i...
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John Dent
September 3rd, 2026
How to Make Camp Water Safe to Drink: Filters, Boiling, and What Actually Works
How to Make Camp Water Safe to Drink: Filters, Boiling, and What Actually Works
Treat creek, river, and lake water before you drink it, even when it looks clear: filter it, then boil or disinfect, because clarity does not remove Giardia. A filter bottle covers hiking bottles; cooking for four needs a gravity system or a pot boiled on the stove. Campground tap water is fine when...
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John Dent
September 1st, 2026
Fall Camping in the Midwest: How to Stay Warm When Nights Drop Fast
Fall Camping in the Midwest: How to Stay Warm When Nights Drop Fast
Yes, you can camp in the Midwest in September and October if you plan for cold nights. Nights can drop into the 40s, and into the 30s in low spots near a lake or river. Pack a real sleep system: an insulated pad, dry sleep clothes, and a 20 to 30 degree bag if the low is under 40. Labor Day does not...
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John Dent
September 1st, 2026
How to Plan a Hiking Trip with a Small Tent
How to Plan a Hiking Trip with a Small Tent
A small tent changes the trip. You stop thinking like a car camper who can bring a 10-person cabin and a roll of turf and start thinking like someone who has to carry the bedroom, kitchen, and closet on their back. That constraint is the point. A compact shelter forces better planning, and better pl...
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John Dent
August 30th, 2026
Hiking Safety on the Trail: Decisions, Hazards, and Habits That Keep You Out of Trouble
Hiking Safety on the Trail: Decisions, Hazards, and Habits That Keep You Out of Trouble
Most hiking articles start with a packing list. That is useful. We already covered the modern Ten Essentials on this site, but gear sitting in a pack does not keep you safe by itself. Safety on the trail is a series of small decisions: when to turn around, how fast to drink, whether that ridge is a...
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John Dent
August 30th, 2026
 
Good Sam Campgrounds Guide: How to Find Top-Rated RV Parks and Save on Your Next Stay
If you travel by RV or enjoy campground camping across the United States and Canada, you’ve almost certainly seen the Good Sam name. Good Sam Campgrounds form one of the largest and most recognized networks of private RV parks and campgrounds in North America. Members receive meaningful discounts...
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John Dent
August 24th, 2026
 
Essential Camping Gear Checklist: Must-Have Items for a Safe, Comfortable Outdoor Adventure (2026 Guide)
Quality camping gear transforms a basic overnight stay into a comfortable, low-stress experience—and it can make the difference between a trip you want to repeat and one you’d rather forget. Whether you’re planning a weekend car-camping trip in a Missouri state park, a family lakeside getaway...
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John Dent
August 24th, 2026
Go Boat: The Portable Electric Boat That Changes How You Camp and Fish
Go Boat: The Portable Electric Boat That Changes How You Camp and Fish
Most boats come with a long list of headaches — trailers, storage, heavy hulls, and the need for a boat ramp. The Go Boat takes a completely different approach. It is a round, inflatable, electric-powered personal watercraft that packs down small enough to fit in a car trunk or even a large backpa...
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John Dent
August 23rd, 2026
 
RV Power & Fishing: How a Better Electrical Setup Helps You Catch More Fish
Most RVers think about power only when the air conditioner struggles or the microwave trips a breaker. Serious fishing campers look at power differently. When your RV is your fishing basecamp — especially on a permanent or long-term site — reliable electricity directly affects how long you stay...
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John Dent
August 23rd, 2026
 
How to Turn Your Campsite into a Productive Fishing Hub
Most people treat camping and fishing as two separate activities. They set up camp, then drive or hike somewhere else to fish. That approach works, but it leaves a lot of opportunity on the table. When you intentionally design your campsite as a fishing basecamp, everything gets easier. You waste le...
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John Dent
August 23rd, 2026
 
The Ten Essentials for Camping & Hiking: Modern Gear That Actually Keeps You Safe
The original “Ten Essentials” list was created decades ago to help outdoor enthusiasts stay safe when things go wrong. The core idea still holds: carry the right gear so a simple problem doesn’t turn into a serious one. Today the list has been refined, but the principle remains the same. Here...
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John Dent
August 22nd, 2026
 
Mountain Camping Essentials: How to Stay Safe, Warm, and Comfortable at Higher Elevations
Camping in the mountains offers some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences — sweeping views, cooler temperatures, and a sense of remoteness that’s hard to find at lower elevations. It also comes with unique challenges. Weather can change rapidly, nights get significantly colder, wind is ofte...
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John Dent
August 20th, 2026
 
Gear That Pulls Double Duty: Multi-Functional Essentials That Make Camping Easier
Most camping gear does one job. The best pieces do two or three — and they make the whole trip smoother because of it. When space and weight matter (or when you simply don’t want to dig through a pile of single-purpose items), multi-functional gear becomes one of the smartest upgrades you can ma...
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John Dent
August 20th, 2026
 
Transform Your Campsite: Must-Have Tents, Furniture & Lighting for Comfortable Outdoor Living
A campsite doesn’t have to feel temporary or uncomfortable. With the right combination of shelter, seating, tables, and lighting, you can create a setup that feels organized, inviting, and genuinely relaxing, whether you’re spending a weekend at a Missouri state park or a longer stay farther afi...
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John Dent
August 20th, 2026
 
Camp Kitchen Setup Guide: How to Create an Efficient Outdoor Cooking Space
A good camp kitchen turns mealtime from a chore into one of the best parts of the trip. When everything has a place and you can cook without constantly searching for tools or balancing pots on uneven ground, the whole experience feels smoother. Whether you’re making simple breakfasts or cooking a...
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John Dent
August 19th, 2026
 
Camp Comfort Upgrade: How to Transform Your Campsite into a Relaxing Outdoor Living Space
A campsite doesn’t have to feel like a temporary survival zone. With a few thoughtful choices, you can create a space that feels inviting — a place where you actually want to sit, cook, talk, and relax after a day outside. Whether you’re car camping at a state park or setting up a longer base...
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John Dent
August 19th, 2026
 
Camping + Fishing: How to Plan the Perfect Lakeside Getaway
Camping + Fishing: How to Plan the Perfect Lakeside Getaway There’s something special about combining camping and fishing. You wake up a short walk from the water, brew coffee while watching the morning mist rise, and cast a line before most people have even left the house. Later, you cook your ca...
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John Dent
August 16th, 2026
 
Beach Camping Guide: How to Camp Comfortably by the Ocean
Beach camping offers a unique outdoor experience — falling asleep to the sound of waves, waking up to ocean views, and spending days right on the sand. However, camping by the water comes with its own set of challenges that regular forest or lake camping doesn’t prepare you for. Wind, sand, salt...
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John Dent
August 5th, 2026
 
Camping in Missouri State Parks: A Practical Guide for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Missouri has 93 state parks and historic sites, and entry is free. 41 of them have camping, with more than 3,500 campsites, and 39 take reservations. Reserve up to 12 months ahead at icampmo.com or 877-422-6766; same-day reservations are often available until 7 p.m. Camping is limited to 15 days in...
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John Dent
August 5th, 2026
 
How to Find the Best Campgrounds: Tips for Choosing Your Next Campsite
A good campground makes the whole weekend. A bad one, and you're up at 2 a.m. listening to the neighbor's generator. Suzie and I camp Missouri state parks most weekends, and we haul a fifth-wheel, so we've picked plenty of sites. Some winners, some not. Here's how we sort them out now. Types of Camp...
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John Dent
August 3rd, 2026
 
Hiking for Beginners: What to Pack and How to Prepare for Your First Trail
Hiking is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the outdoors, but showing up unprepared can turn a pleasant walk into a frustrating or even unsafe experience. With the right gear and a bit of planning, your first hikes can be comfortable and memorable. Choosing Your First Hike Start easy: Choose a well...
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John Dent
August 3rd, 2026
 
Beginner’s Guide to Freshwater Fishing: Gear, Tips & First-Trip Advice
Fishing is one of the most relaxing and rewarding outdoor activities. You don’t need years of experience or expensive equipment to get started. With a few basic items and some simple knowledge, you can enjoy a successful first trip on a lake, pond, or river. This guide covers the essential gear an...
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John Dent
August 3rd, 2026
 
Late Summer Camping Guide: Make the Most of August & Early Fall Trips
Late summer is one of the best times to go camping. The days are still warm, the nights are starting to cool down, crowds are thinner than peak July, and many outdoor destinations are at their most pleasant. Whether you’re planning a final summer getaway or transitioning into early fall camping, a...
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John Dent
August 2nd, 2026
 
Essential Camping Stove Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Your Trips
A good camping stove turns basic ingredients into hot meals and makes mornings much better with coffee or tea. But not every stove fits every style of camping. The best choice depends on how many people you’re cooking for, whether you’re car camping or backpacking, and what kind of fuel is easie...
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John Dent
August 2nd, 2026
 
Best Camping Gear for Beginners: Essential Checklist for Your First Trip
Camping is one of the best ways to disconnect from everyday stress and reconnect with nature. But if you’ve never been before, figuring out what gear you actually need can feel overwhelming. Buy too little and you’ll be uncomfortable. Buy too much and you’ll spend money on things you don’t u...
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John Dent
August 2nd, 2026
 
How to Choose a Family Camping Tent for Midwest State Parks
Picking a family camping tent for Midwest state parks is less about the biggest number on the box and more about the trip you take. From Excelsior Springs we run lake loops and Missouri park weekends — drive-up pads, coolers in the truck, sometimes a kids’ tent beside the fifth-wheel. This choos...
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John Dent
August 2nd, 2026

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