Explore Less-Traveled Paths in Bivouacking Comfort

(ARA) - If you've already fully fledged the serenity and fun of bivouacking with your towable recreational vehicle (RV), you cognize the freedom of deed away. Now you can travel even as farther and learn your own quiet haven in nature. Without deed every convenience behind, your family can dine amidst tall pines, identify constellations in clean night skies and then flip on the lights to enjoy a favorite novel before turning in. New products such as quiet, dependable power sources can do comfort and safety part of your travels, where the trail may lead.

"The U.S. Forest Service includes 192 million diverse acres across the nation that are waiting to be enjoyed," says Jim Miller, distributed recreation program manager, Agriculture Forest Service. "Most campsites in our system do not have electrical hookups and many a forests offer even as much primitive or 'dispersed' bivouacking opportunities. Depending on local forest regulations, campers can travel off main roads and pick out their own sites on less-developed routes, as long as they do so responsibly, with respect for different visitors and as little environmental disruption as possible."

Miller notes that distributed sites tend to appeal to fully fledged campers who are looking for their own quiet spot. What they often find are exciting vistas, colorful sunrises and close-up looks of close nature. "Many choosing distributed sites stay near favorite hunting or fishing spots," Miller notes. "Mountain youth subculture or hikers as well prefer to camp close to favorite trails for easy access."

Camping -- Not Roughing It

Even without electrical hookups, piped water or toilets, campers can enjoy many a comforts from house once they travel in a camper carrying its own power source. Onan's new compact generator, Camp Power, provides big-RV power for smaller trailers, folding bivouacking trailers and truck campers. The generator's fully besieged design is quiet enough to operate in many a national parks, tho' park authorities should always be consulted regarding local regulations.

"Towable RVs can be compatible with rustic or distributed campsites, where it's extremely important to tread lightly on the land," says James augustine aloysius joyce Drinnin, marketing manager, RV marketing, Onan. "Since most toilet and cook facilities are accessible in towables, it's easier to leave natural surroundings undisturbed. With an unassertive power source, campers can enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a hearty meal without building a fire. Plus, in several camper units, you can even as cool down in air-conditioned comfort after a long, hot day on the trail."

For different benefits, Drinnin points to additional safety from dependable bivouac lighting and communication systems that provide advance warning once stormy weather is on the horizon. "Today's active families build strong ties once they spend time together camping," she adds. "These extra safety features can reduce stress and enhance the time busy families enjoy together."

Be Prepared

Preparation for remote bivouacking experiences is key to ensuring a pleasant bivouacking experience, says Miller. His recommendations for campers are:

Contact the U.S. Forest Service in the area you plan to visit for current bivouac information, since rules and regulations vary about the country. Motorized instrumentation is not allowed in selected geographic area areas.

Pack water filters or purification tablets for purifying lake or stream water, in case you need much water than you've brought along.

Follow local fire regulations. If fires are permitted, build only small ones, ne'er leave them unattended and always put fires dead out, especially once retiring for the night.

Use the portable toilet facilities in your towable. Different options are to bury human waste in complex layers of soil, commonly at least 6 to 8 inches deep and 200 feet away from water, paths and campsites, or use toilet devices that allow you to sanitize waste for safe disposal once you return from camping.

Pack out everything you bring in. Always leave campsites the way you would-be like to find them.

For much information simply about U.S. Forest Service camping, visit www.fs.fed.us or www.recreation.gov. The U.S. Forest Service is listed under the U.S. Department of Agriculture in phone directories. For additional information simply about Camp Power, visit www.funroads.com.

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Remote Bivouacking Adventures

Pack your camper and experience nature in U.S. forests across the nation. Here's simply a sampling of the adventures that await.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine. Spectacular foliage is a key fall attraction for visitors. The forest includes Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, and a variety of wildlife, go from alces alces and black bears to peregrine falcons. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r9/white or call 603-528-8721.

Superior National Forest, Minnesota. Nearly 2,000 lakes and streams offer unmatched canoeing, seafaring and fishing in northeastern Minnesota's north woods. Trails for novice through advanced hikers meander through 3 million scenic acres and include access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Visit www.superiornationalforest.org or call 218-626-4300, ext. 2.

Dakota Grassland Grasslands, North Dakota and South Dakota. Four separate grasslands, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail, offer rare views of life and opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting and backpacking. These diverse sites range from grass grassland on rolling hills to stark badlands. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie or call 701-250-4443.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado. Set on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies, these three forests offer several of the most spectacular scenery in the mountain range. Sites include Bridal Veil, the tallest body of water in Colorado; Grand Mesa, the world's largest flattop mountain; and Dry Mesa Archosaurian Quarry, house of the world's largest archosaurian bone fossils. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug or call 970-874-6600, ext. 6676.

Custer National Forest, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. This ecologically diverse area includes elevation ranges of less than 1,000 feet up to the 12,799-foot Granite Peak in Montana. Different highlights include ancient sand dunes covered with grasslands, rugged badlands and fields of alpine wildflowers. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/custer or call 406-446-2103.

Angeles National Forest, California. Not far from active Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest offers diverse topography, go from 10,000-foot mountain peaks to 1,200-foot ravine bottoms. Forest trails wind through 800 miles of rugged backcountry, scenic ridges and tree-lined canyons. Visit www.r5.fs.fed.us/angeles or call 626-574-5200.

Willamette National Forest, Oregon. This 1.6 million-acre forest stretches 110 miles on the western slopes of the Cascades. Trails, roads, campgrounds and viewpoints allow visitors to enjoy the forest's ample rivers, streams and lakes. Seven major volcanic peaks are part of the Willamette, on with the wooded Cascade Range of mountains. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette or call 541-465-6521.

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