WHAT TO DO
CAMPING AND RIDING
If you're ready to experience new challenges, new sights, and see things that many roads maps don't tell you about - then this type of camping is for you!
IT'S ABOUT THE RIDE
This site is about OHV Camping. OHV is Off Highway Vehicle, such as ATV's, Motorcycles and Side-by-sides.
OHV's are what you need to get away from the camp and hit the trails.
So what can you expect from the ride?
- Riding offers a wide variety of emotions.
From excitement, enjoyment, and an Adrenalin rush.
A nice and easy trail allows you to enjoy your surrounding, and enjoy a relaxing ride.
There are also opportunities to challenge yourself on the ride. For example you may have to cross a stream, or get over a log (or two).
For the less experienced people in your group these can be quite challenging and sometimes a little scary.
If your group is anything like our group, the riders with the experience are more than happy to help those that need a little encouragement or help.
My wife will ride her RZR up to the hard part and simply get out to allow me or others to get over that section.
- Riding is a great way to bring family and friends together.
You celebrate when someone accomplishes something they did not think they could do, and you help when someone gets in a little over their head.
Sharing the experience of a ghost town, old mine or just the beautiful landscape is always better with a group.
- Riding is a great way to explore.
Often there are old mining towns, waterfalls, mines, mountain passes and high lakes that are just not accessible to the standard car, and sometimes not even a 4x4 truck or jeep.
ATV's and Motorcycles allow you to get to these remote locations much faster than it would take to hike in and out.
- Riding can promote good health.
An unexpected benefit from riding, especially on motorcycles, is the number of calories you burn.
I know when I go over a rather challenging section of the trail, I am dripping in sweat from working so hard. It's great exercise.
IT'S ABOUT THE CAMPING
Back at the camp there are plenty of things you can do.
One of the challenges you might face is how to entertain a larger group.
It is not uncommon for families and friends who like to ride together, to also camp together.
When we camp we unusually have a group from 10 to 35 people.
Here are some things you can do while at camp:
- Cooking - We like to have a community kitchen area.
This is a great opportunity to really come together as a group, much like you see with the Boy Scouts.
One thing you can try is mixing up where you do the cooking.
For example cook a meal over the campfire, then on the grill, and then on a camp stove.
This can help challenge your abilities and also makes it more fun.
Before you head out you can research some great camp menu idea on sites like Pinterest and other websites (like this one).
Deserts are also a great opportunity to get everyone involved.
I don't know anyone who doesn't like a good S'more.
- Games - Games really bring people together.
We like to find and make unique games like Giant Jenga and Yard Yahtzee.
We also play a lot of card and board games.
These types of games are also useful when the weather is not very conducive for outdoor activities.
When the weather is nice, then there are also several Yard-Style games you can do.
- Practice your skills - Have you ever watched an episode of Survivor?
This is a great opportunity to challenge each other on some of your skills like making fire, building a shelter, or finding an object using a map and compass.
Geocaching is a fun way to hone your GPS skills.
How about giving everyone a piece of rope and learning new knots?
If there are new riders in the group, it is a good idea to set up a practice course.
DON'T PLAN EVERYTHING
It's really easy to create a detailed plan and menu list before you head out to the campsite. However, some of the most memorable times we have had came as a spur-of-the-moment idea. Things like allowing others to prepare one meal, or checking out a sight nearby you did not know was there. For example, when heading to a campsite, we passed a zip-line. We had a great time on the zip-line, and it was not originally planned. Listen to your kids, they come up with some great ideas.
