Shenandoah Hills Campground

A Forest Setting for a Relaxing Vacation

110 Campground Lane | Madison, VA 22727
For Reservations Call: 540.948.4186

Make an RV Departure Checklist

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RV ChecklistWe’ve all heard the jokes about making sure your awning is in, your steps are up, and your spouse is on-board before driving away from the campground. There is truth in jest, however, and these things do happen. That’s why it is smart to make a departure checklist and run through it just like an airplane pilot does. We list a few items to get you thinking about what should be on your list.

 

 

Awning retracted and locked
All tires have proper air pressure
Leveling blocks securely stowed
Access doors are locked
Trailer door locked
Truck hitch secured
All lights are working
Water, propane, and fuel levels checked
Appliances turned off
Windows and blinds are secured
Cabinets are closed
No loose items around
Maps and snacks in the cab
Insurance, registration, pet health papers available
Seat and rear view mirror position check

Walk around one more time. Do you have all your chairs and BBQ equipment? Good, then you should be all set. We hope you enjoyed your stay at Shenandoah Hills Campground and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Save Your Breath With a Camping Air Pump

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air pump for campingIt can be surprising to find how many items need air when you are camping. From the smallest of the water wings to that huge blow up mattress we know you’d rather not use your breath to get them all inflated. An air pump can be pretty handy around the campsite. You will use it for the pool inflatables, bike tires, and things you haven’t even thought about when you were packing. Below, you’ll find some tips for getting the best air pump to match your needs.

They can range quite a bit according to price but the main features to look for center around the type of pump it is.

Electric Pump – These are great when you’re sure you’ll have a power source. You’ll probably need an extension cord for it as well so that you can take it to the source instead of bringing the source to the pump. 

Hand Pump – These are typically less expensive and they require more work on your part. It can be quite a job to fill a mattress with air but if you’re up to it, the hand pump is great to have around.

Battery Pump – With this you get portability and speed combined. Keep a close eye on your batteries to make sure they are fully charged and you’re good to go. These pumps are also preferable if you’re working in the rain or near standing water. 

Whichever type you bring along, the air pump will become one of your top items to bring. They are one of those tools that are really needed when they are needed and can make your camping stay that much more enjoyable. 

 

Fun Ways To Make Your Own Firestarters

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fire starterPart of the fun of camping can be the preparation, especially when you get the kids involved. There is much they can help with in making these fire starters and they will be very proud of their accomplishments each night as you use one to start your campfire.

Egg Carton and Dryer Lint – This one is easy to do and the kids can help. Get them involved in gathering dryer lint into a designated container and they can be put in charge of making sure the egg cartons don’t get thrown away after the eggs are gone. Choose the cardboard cartons instead of the Styrofoam ones. You can pack the cups of the egg carton with dryer lint and pour wax over it. Make sure some of the dryer lint is sticking up out of the wax. It will serve as a wick to get things going.

Match Candles – You’ll need heavy duty kitchen matches, wax, and toilet paper. Wrap a sheet of toilet paper around the match and dip the whole thing in melted wax. You can do a batch of them and then store them in a small container such as a pill bottle or small candy tin with a lid.

Fire Balls – These are easy as well. You’ll need cotton balls, Isopropyl alcohol, and petroleum jelly. First, you soak the cotton balls in the alcohol and squeeze them to get rid of the excess. Coat them in petroleum jelly and you’re done. You can pack these in a covered tin and they will last a long time.

You can see a step-by-step instructions at These Simple DIY Fire Starters Make Camping Easy. 

We hope all your campfires are fun and relaxing. These fire starters will help you get that fire started quickly. Then you’ll have more time to share campfire stories with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you at the campground soon. Fall camping can be some of the best camping of the whole year. Be sure to say hello if you see us around the campground. We can’t wait to meet you.

Tips for Cleaning Your Camping Gear

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clean camping gearOne of the least enjoyed phases of camping is the packing up and putting away when you get home. It’s true, though, that good cleaning and maintenance of your camping gear can make it last much longer for you and save you much on purchasing new gear when yours wears out.

Tent – This is typically your most expensive purchase and is most important because, after all, it’s where you’ll sleep. The thing to remember first is that dry is important. Even tents made of the new fabrics can mildew if put away damp. Canvas tents are notorious for it. You can clean dirt and stains with a solution of a little bit of dish soap, water, and vinegar.  If there is areas that have mildewed you can add some household bleach. Make sure it is clean and dry – completely dry – before packing it away.

Sleeping Bags – these can be washed in your household washing machine unless they are very thick or large. If that is the case, you can take them to a public laundromat and choose a large washer. Once they are washed and dry, you can fold them and pack them away with dryer sheets layered inside them. This will keep them from smelling musty for your next camping trip.

Cast Iron Cookware -most campers love their cast iron and it is great but does require some care. Cast iron can rust if not dried completely before putting it away. Don’t use soap on your cast iron, instead, just use water and a non-abrasive scrubber to clean it. Then place it on the campfire, grill, or stove top to dry the water out of it. Now coat the inside with a thin coat of oil to re-season it.

You can make the unpacking go quickly with a good system and you’ll be very glad you did when it’s time to go camping next time. You’ll be able to grab your gear and go without having to stop and spot clean problem areas.

We look forward to seeing you here at the campground and hope all your camping experiences are good ones. You can find more tips for cleaning your gear at How to Clean and Store Your Gear.

Car Racks For Camping: How To Choose The Right One

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Camping Car Roof RackYour car’s roof may be set up in several different ways. For example, it may just be a roof with no rack on it. Consequently, you may have a complete rack rather than a bare space. Finally, you could have rails but no crossbars.

A car rack for camping should not require anything extra in order to secure it to your vehicle. If a rack is present, you should still be able to get the camping car rack on without any problems. In fact, a full rack will make the job even easier than it would have been. You simply need adapters to complete the process. There are some that will work with the crossbars that you have on your roof already. Once the camping car rack is installed, you can bring many different things on your outdoor excursions with you, like kayaks, bikes, and even more gear. Installation is quick and easy and you should be able to use the tools that you already have around the house.

If you have rails on your roof, but not a full rack, you have to do a little more work. The process should still be relatively simply, however. You just need some crossbars. There are a lot of these products on the market, so if you do your research, you will be able to find high quality crossbars for your vehicle. Again, you should be able to use tools that you have around the house to put the crossbars on the car.

If your car has a bare roof, you still have a lot of different options to choose from. You do need to look around and make your choice carefully. Do not rush the process; read reviews and find something that will work well with your car. You also want a well-made product that will last a long time. After all, you want your new camping car rack to last through many of your trips to the great outdoors!

Going Camping? Here are Some Great Flashlights to Take With You

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flashlight RV night skyIf you plan on going camping, a robust flashlight is essential. Compared to flashlight models from the past, current flashlights are smaller, brighter and lighter. Thanks to advances in light-emitting diode (LED) technology flashlights have significantly improved over the last few years. The efficiency of modern batteries also plays a role in improving flashlight technology.

Choosing the right flashlight for camping is not as simple as you think. There is a wide assortment of flashlights on the market. Here are some types of flashlights that may be useful on your next camping trip.

When you want a new flashlight for your camping trips, there are three critical factors you need to consider. Light output, weight and battery type.

A flashlight can range in prices from $20 to over $200. Most are the same sizes and weights. The main difference between flashlights are the brightness levels.

For a camping trip, you need a bright flashlight. Look for a high-caliber light that uses advanced technology for the bulb, circuits, and battery. If you choose a rechargeable battery, they usually cost more.

The output of a flashlight is measured in lumens. This measurement quantifies the intensity of the light that comes from the flashlight. The common output of a flashlight can range from 20 to 3500 lumens.

For a camping trip, you need powerful lights and should consider the flashlight’s beam distance. The beam distance is usually measured in meters. Some other critical features to look for include impact resistances, runtime, and water resistance.

If you’re going camping, you need a flashlight. With all the options available on the market, you may find it difficult to choose the right one. However, when you know the various factors and possibilities, you can determine your needs and find a flashlight that fits your budget.

Quick Tips for RV Beginners

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RV TipsWhile getting an RV can make a huge difference when it comes to luxury travel and the enjoyment of your travel experiences, driving a full sized recreational vehicle is a lot different than driving a regular car or van. While there’s no denying the benefits, you will definitely want to follow a few of these tips in order to make sure you start off in the right situation.

The Power Of Renting
Many people underestimate the benefits that renting can bring to the table. While eventually you may want to buy one, there are four different classes of RVs (A, B, C, & D) and if you’re new, you don’t know which one is going to meet your needs the best. By renting different types of RVs for vacation purposes you will be able to figure out which ones work best for your specific needs before you drop massive amounts of money on buying one. The experience driving these vehicles will also be priceless.

Talk To Current RV Owners
Whether they are family, friends, or good co-workers, if you know people who have an RV ask them for some advice. If they offer to take you for a drive, or let you drive a bit for practice in a large parking lot, take them up on that. Experience driving or traveling in the RV yourself and listen to the pros and cons from people who know and people who can tell you their honest opinion.

Do Your Homework
Budget is a concern, your comfort with driving larger vehicles is a concern, and you want to take a look at all the other factors that will go into helping you decide what type of vehicle will work best for your specific needs.

If you follow these tips you will be far more likely to get off on the right foot and stay there.

What To Put On Your Camping Checklist

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Camping ChecklistA camping checklist is most helpful when it has everything you’ll need to be comfortable. You should always put together a list and go through it more than once just to make sure you’re good to go. There’s nothing worse than showing up to a campsite only to realize you need something!

Don’t forget to bring ample toilet paper and other bathroom items like toothpaste. There are going to always be things that are specific to the people that are going on the trip so make sure everyone adds what they need to the list. You don’t want to only bring items that are for you and have to run out to get some for everyone else because you forgot. Try going to the store with everyone when stocking up, if possible, and make them bring their own lists along. Take along extras of everything you can just in case.

Do you have enough clothing to last you? What about medications, have you gone to the doctor to get extras if you’re going to be going on vacation for a while? There are some things you just can’t get while you’re out camping, because they are personalized items. You need to make sure you have glasses, if those are a part of your wardrobe, and get extras of them on board too. You never know when something will break or when a disaster will happen that causes you any number of issues like losing some of your supplies.

When you put together a camping checklist, you will have a better time. It’s easy to make sure you have what you need and that you are prepared to enjoy yourself. All it takes is you following the above tips and making them work for you.

A Toaster-Oven is Handy at the Campsite

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RV small applianceToaster-Ovens are one of those appliances that are useful in a multitude of ways. Choosing one with a small profile that also offers a wide area for toast provides you with just about any type of toasting and warming you need in a jif.

You can toast morning bagels, English muffins, or regular bread. Top them with cinnamon and sugar, peanut butter and jelly, butter, and honey, or cream cheese. In the oven section you can make quick grilled cheese sandwiches, or add ham, roast beef, or your lunch meat of choice. Use it to cook up some bacon or sausage to go with the fried egg you have going.

 It’s very useful for reheating food, too. Yesterday’s fried potatoes will crisp up beautifully in the toaster-oven. You can make sweet potato fries or potato pancakes in a very short period of time. If there are any burgers or hotdogs left over they will warm right up in the oven and be ready for lunch in no time. Or put the leftover chicken in for just a few minutes and it’s ready as well.

The toaster-oven comes in handy when the grill and all your extra burners are full or when one person in your group has a special diet or doesn’t want to eat what is on the day’s menu. We hope all your meals are easy and satisfying as you’re camping with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you around the campground.