by Adam David Seeley

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 04, 2008

America is chock-full of picturesque countryside. With the huge climatic differences in America, an individual could see a desert in the West, a jungle like atmosphere in the Pacific, and plenty of snowy landscapes throughout the country. The American government has named a few places state parks to preserve the pristine scenery while allowing tourists to stay and enjoy this beautiful country in a secure semi-controlled environment.

Depending on the location of the park amenities. However, most offer the basic amenities that we expect in the country, such as camping, boating, fishing (with the proper license), and campfires.

Camping in a state park offers an enjoyable, but somewhat secure setting to bed down for the night. With park rangers stationed around the park 24/7, it isn't difficult to find help when necessary. Parks usually sell maps in the entrance areas, which will help you stay on trail and avoid getting lost in the American wilderness. But if the unfortunate navigational accident should occur, a park ranger isn't too far away. If there is danger in your area, such as a bear on the loose or a forest fire, a park ranger will likely find you and warn you to leave the area.

Camping in backpacking country is dangerous, even for seasoned backpackers. With treacherous terrain and no officially marked trails, it isn't hard to get lost in the backcountry. If you get lost in, there is no park ranger sitting 100 yards away in his or her tower. With no ranger, there is no warning from an official. Aside from the obvious dangers of getting stranded in the wild, there are other dangers as well. Backpacking country isn't always public, someone might own that property and if you are caught there you could be in a county jail in a heartbeat. That's if the owner is friendly. Getting a map for backpacking country requires you to look online or at your local superstore.

No matter where you decide to stay (preferably the state park), there are a few basic necessities.

Water
Water is life, without it there is no living. Water collection in a state park is fairly easy. The map will mark out water collection locations. The park rangers will usually tell you if the water is safe, however, you should at the least boil the water twenty minutes or more. Always pack a little more than necessary; the extra weight will be worth it later.
Water collection in backpacking country is tricky. It is hard to tell if a local water supply is compromised (pollutants and microbes). If you

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