Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 8, 2023

No one likes staying home for the summer. Your summer holidays are the best time to get out there and explore what is happening worldwide. If you’re eager to play tourist, you should check out Gatlinburg this summer. This popular tourist destination, located in Tennessee, is well-loved by millions of tourists all over the world. Gatlinburg is a quaint little town located near the Smoky Mountains National Park. So when tourists feel like visiting this impressive Tennessee monument, they often stop by Gatlinburg. Once you arrive here, there is much to do, from attractive sites to see to delicious food that will leave your taste buds singing. Choosing the right season to visit Gatlinburg makes all the difference to your holiday, and here are some reasons why you should go in the summer: Gatlinburg Is Brimming With Activities Gatlinburg knows how to keep tourists entertained throughout the year. If you stop by in the summer, you will witness many events that will make your trip memorable. Whether you want to visit the Ober Gatlinburg, zip line at the Anakeesta, or walk across the Sky lift Park bridge, these top attractions in Gatlinburg are waiting for your arrival with comfortable accommodations. But, if you want to wind down and enjoy the open air, Gatlinburg also has a selection of live events to experience. One of these noteworthy events is the Barbecue and Bluegrass event which is held at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is roughly fifteen minutes away from Pigeon Forge, so you don’t need to book plane tickets to get there. The Barbecue and Bluegrass Festival runs from May 25th to June 10th and is a delicious combination of two Southern traditions, BBQ and live bluegrass music. While attending this event, you will feast on mouthwatering barbecue dishes such as smoked chicken, pulled pork, and brisket. After you’ve stuffed yourself to your heart’s content, you can enjoy live Bluegrass music. This genre of American roots music features close harmony and heartfelt notes, so don’t be surprised if you start swaying to the rhythm. The Best Time To Hike Take advantage of the summer and go for a hike in Gatlinburg. The Smoky Mountains National Park is a sight to be held during the warm weather. You will have a chance to smell the blooming flowers, gaze at the wildlife roaming away from the tourists, and observe the impressive trees that populate this park. Hiking is also much more manageable in the summer. If you try accessing these trails during the winter, the snow will make it hard to thread on them. The Smokies has over 800 tracks for you to try, some of which include the Abrams Falls, Porters Creek, and Big Creek trails. Abrams' Fall is one of the most notable waterfall hikes. The whole trip is about 5 miles long and is the ideal route if you’re new to hiking. Along your journey, you will encounter a 20 feet high waterfall which is soothing to look at, refreshing to feel on your skin. On the other hand, if you opt for the Porters Creek Trail, the entire route is about 4 miles long. During the first mile, you will have to use the gravel road that lines the banks of the creek as water flows in thick streams around you. As you progress, you will catch views of the old remains of the communities that settled in Porters Creek in the 1900s. These include their farmstead and their graveyard. Another mile, and you will run into the spectacular 40-foot waterfall known as the Fern Branch Falls. Before you start hiking, ensure you have all the essential items you need to make this endeavor possible. This includes the proper boots, a map, water bottles, spare clothes, and a first aid kit. The Cabins Are Affordable Cabins are by far the coziest and best option when it comes to vacation rentals. These lodgings offer far more privacy than the average hotel for half the price. Most cabins also have amenities like a jacuzzi, a home theater, and a fully stocked kitchen. So what better time to enjoy these perks than during peak summer? Additionally, if you get a cabin near the lake, you’ll hear the gentle flow of water, soft chirps of insects and smell all the flowers blooming near your accommodations. At night, you can come out for a session of stargazing and enjoy the warmth of the night air. Cabins are also far more affordable in the summer than in any other season. This is because they’re more accessible when the weather is warm, and you don’t have to pay extra to clear off the snow to make a path to walk on. Great Time For Fishing Gatlinburg is home to numerous lakes and fishing streams where you can try your luck and gauge if you’re an expert angler. In the summer, fish come to the surface early morning. While in the afternoon, they swim about in large schools, increasing the probability of you reeling one in. Fishing is therapeutic. It can help you shut off your mind and allows you to relish the cool water body beneath your boat. If you happen to visit Gatlinburg with your family, fishing proves to be the ultimate bonding experience. You will never forget the precious moment of teaching your child to hold a fishing rod, guiding them on baiting a fish, and watching the smile on their face when they emerge successful. Try visiting the Horseshoe fishing spot at Cades Cove near Upper Abrams Creek. This region is known for its rainbow trout, about an eight to twelve-inch-long fish. Although you may have slight difficulty in accessing this zone since there aren’t nearby trails that can safely take you to the Horseshoe, with a little perseverance, you can still access the water. Moreover, if you want a picturesque lake, visit the Little River at Elkmont. This is a large stream that you can access from the roadside. But, if you’re willing to work, a further two-mile hike up the creek through the Little River Trail can give you a front-seat view of both rainbow and brown trout, which are a joy to catch. Final Thoughts Spend your holidays this summer by visiting Gatlinburg. The warm Tennessee weather and hospitality of the locals will beckon you to visit. Gatlinburg is popular among tourists for the right reasons. It has exciting restaurants, breathtaking views, and hiking trails that you should explore. Furthermore, you can’t deny this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of seeing the Smokies up close. This park is Tennessee’s most significant treasure and is responsible for keeping the tourist industry alive. You can also try your hand at activities that are not usually available all year round, like fishing. Nothing beats a successful fishing expedition when you bring home a prized trout. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Gatlinburg now! 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BY  Mashum Dec 14, 2021

Living in a truck camper shell is amazing as I am a truck camper. It really bothers me if things inside my camper shell are not well organized. At the beginning of my journey, I couldn't manage the ways to keep everything in place, but over the years with my research, I have gathered creative truck cap camping ideas. If you are an ardent traveler, then it is necessary for you to have creative ways to vibe with your gear, who becomes your one and only companion on the road. I was always very fond of decorating my stuff and when I finally had the chance to have a truck and decorate it, I never stopped having creative truck cap camping ideas. I have buddies who are just like me love to adventure, or maybe I am like them, but there is one thing that makes me and my friend Mr. Truck different is the way we look after each other. Launching Winter 2022, The Klubb is a new kind of social app that is redefining wellness for the next generation of movers and shakers. Designed for high-performers, The Klubb takes the private club experience and packages it into a user-friendly social app that gets you, "Outside. Together". Join the waitlist today to be a part of the next evolution of social apps. In the meantime, check out their journal, Klubb Mag, for amazing athletic vacation destinations and outdoor activity recommendations Enough about the story of me and my life. It's just something a truck camper will relate to. In this article, I will be sharing my 7 creative truck cap camping ideas with you guys who are new to this world. Let's dive in! 7 Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas To Use In Jungle Adventures I am an adventure freak therefore the most places I visit are Jungles. I love how busy roads turn into greenery, instead of honks I hear birds of different types chirping, how a deer suddenly plays the role of a stop sign. I love everything about nature. But there are disadvantages as well when you don’t have a concrete shelter to spend your day and night underneath. You can also stay here if you like solo travel. Here are some creative truck cap camping ideas that have helped me and will help you too. 1. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- Simple Sleeping The place you are going to create for sleeping totally depends on the model of your truck. But let me tell you my Toyota Tacoma camper shell has a very comfortable sleeping spot. The sleeping place in any camping truck is easy to build. My truck has notches on the sides of the bed that let me lay down straight without bending my knees. I have placed two sheets of plywood on top of my bed, which is covered with an outdoor carpet as I am really sincere about my stuff getting damaged. 2. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- DIY Drawers As I said earlier that I like things organized, therefore to keep my tiny things secured I went with wheeled latching boxes, which you might use for under-bed storage. Apart from the sleeping platform I really needed to install sliding drawers that help me keep my clothes, jewelry, and kitchen accessories safe. It is quickly accessible as well. Add some locks to your drawers if you have something precious to secure. Other than that prevention is better than cure. 3. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- Drawing Drapes The most important thing to do is to have privacy even if it's a truck you are living in. To maintain privacy hanging drapes is as important as decorating the inside of the camper shell. Installing drapes is also a creative interior idea. Drapes do not only give you privacy, but you don't have to open them when you are inside. You can keep them open when you are out of your camper shell, as it will keep away the prying eyes that search for your belongings. 4. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- Bedding Sleeping in a truck bed is very different from sleeping on a bed in a room. In my camper shell, I have built boxes over the wheel wells, on both sides of the truck. I did it because I travel with my pooch and he is very comfortable in his own place, especially where he sleeps. Therefore I have two beds in my camper shell. My friends generally call this idea of mine a truck bed camping setups. And I am pretty good at setting up things in small spaces. The two beds leave an aisle in the middle of them to let me and my pooch swing our legs. You can also check out truck bed camping videos on Youtube. 5. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- Solar Lighting Now, who doesn't want to decorate their place with some lights? As you know lights are not only for decorating but it really helps at night, when I am camping just right outside a jungle. I let my lights rest on the dash of my truck to get all the energy from the sun rays in the morning till noon. In cloudy weather this might not work, therefore you should always have a backup plan like having a rechargeable kong headlamp. In addition to the lighting options mentioned above, custom neon signs are another camping tool option you can consider. Custom neon signs are available in a variety of colors and shapes, and you can receive them as quickly as possible. For truck camping, custom neon signs are more than just decorative and ambiance-enhancing tools; they're also incredibly practical tools, providing essential illumination. They can break up the monotony of the outdoors at night and inject personality and warmth into your camping experience. Their soft glow creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, while also fulfilling practical needs like nighttime illumination and safety guidance, making every truck camping trip more welcoming and convenient. 6. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- The Ultimate Drawer I also have this mega drawer of mine, though I have small drawers too, this big drawer takes in all the stuff I have and storage for other things. I actually don’t regret installing it. But one thing you must consider is that large drawers should have dividers. The dividers help you find things or else everything will get tangled with each other and things will be hard to find. Packing cubes are another creative interior idea that is really good for soft gear and clothing. 7. Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas- The Workplace Since I am a writer and I earn my living through it, I had to have an office in my camper shell. Ask me how? I managed. Let me break the ice. At the end of my truck, the place where the door opens is where my office is situated. I have installed a flexible wooden slab, screwing the base to the walls of the truck. Now I can easily sit on the edge of my bed, where my pooch sleeps. And pull the slab towards, place my laptop on it and voila!. It is big enough to keep my food bowl and coffee cup on it. Wrapping It All Up Here you go with all 7 Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas To Use In Jungle Adventures. All of the above ideas are applied by me in my own way. You don't have to do the exact thing I did. Rather try to outsmart these ideas by bringing more creativity to it. You can also try a DIY truck topper, and see where it gets you. All the best for the life you have ahead of you. A small message from one traveler to another. Leave a comment in the comment section and share your experience with me. I would love to read them and reply as fast as I can. 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BY  Sibashree May 19, 2025

Every time I have been to Zion National Park, adventures, stunning landscapes, and thrilling outdoor activities have made me make a promise to come back.  A summer trip to Zion National Park is always special, and 2025 is no exception. In 2024, Zion National Park had 5 million visitors, the second-highest number among the country's national parks.  Furthermore, during the Memorial Day Weekend in 2024, 92000 people visited this national park.  So, as we approach the Memorial Day Weekend in 2025 and the summer season in Zion is about to start in full swing, the park authorities have taken several measures.  Also, there are a few changes and additions in the park attractions to make your summer trip to Zion more enjoyable. Whether you're into rock climbing, exploring the breathtaking views, or hiking in Zion National Park, you can be ready for a mesmerizing experience. Also, don't forget to consider accommodations like The Riv At Zion, which provides comfort and convenience near the park's entrance.  Moreover, this season, you can explore many features and additions in the park and in this Tour and Travel Guide, we are going to talk about them.  A Summer Trip To Zion National Park: Know The Quick Facts Before Packing Your Bags Established: 1919 Area: 148,016 Acres Elevation: 1117 to 2660 Meters Standard Pass: $20-35 Pet Safety: The water of the Virgin River in the park has cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria. Cyanotoxins are very harmful to dogs and other pets. So, keep them on a leash during a summer visit to Zion National Park.  Hours Open: 24/7 (All the facilities in the park have different opening and closing hours.) Know About The Operating Hours Of Various Facilities In The Park  Have a look at the table below to know the operation hours of the facilities in the park. The data here is updated on 7th May 2025.  Park Facilities Hours Of OperationZion Canyon Visitor CenterInformation Desk8 AM to 5 PMZion Forever Park Store8 AM to 7 PMZion Canyon Wilderness DeskAllow at least 20 minutes to get a permit8 AM to 5 PMZion Human History Museum10 AM to 5 PMKolob Canyons Visitor Center8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM Furthemore, before planning your summer trip to Zion National Park, you must note that the Zion Nature Center Junior Ranger Station is closed for the season. The Kolob Canyons Wilderness Desk also remains closed.  Moreover, oversized vehicles can pass through the Zion Mountain Carmel Tunnel between 8 AM and 4:30 PM.  How To Reach Zion National Park And Where To Stay? Zion National Park is situated in southwestern Utah, and the closest airport is St. George Regional Airport, about 50 miles away.  You can rent a car or take a shuttle to the park from there.  Furthemore, you can fly into Las Vegas, Nevada, or Salt Lake City, Utah, and enjoy a scenic drive to Zion. Talking about accommodations, nearby resorts offer a blend of comfort and convenience, and they are just a short drive from the park entrance.  Do you want your stay to be more adventurous? You can give the luxury hotels and resorts a miss and choose camping or staying in cozy log cabins.  Exploring Zion National Park: Things To Do During A Summer Trip To Zion National Park The first thing you can do is hike to Angels Landing. This is my favorite route for breathtaking views. Furthermore, the Narrows will allow you to wade through the Virgin River between steep canyon walls. You can join a ranger-led hike, take a photography tour, or even try rock climbing with experienced guides.  If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider scenic drives or shuttle tours to take in the beauty of Zion without strenuous effort.  Additionally, the park has recently upgraded facilities and expanded shuttle services, making it easier to navigate its popular areas.  What's New In 2025? Your Summer Trip To Zion Will Now Be More Exciting In 2025, Zion National Park unveils several exciting updates to enhance your visit. Noteworthy upgrades include improved facilities and expanded shuttle services, making it easier to access popular park areas.  New interactive exhibits at the Zion Human History Museum offer fresh insights into the park's rich cultural and geological background, providing a more immersive experience for visitors. Additionally, the park introduces a range of events and programs like stargazing and nature workshops to engage and educate visitors.  Things You May Have To Face During A Summer Trip To Zion National Park Considering the record number of visitors to Zion National Park in 2024, you must be ready to face the following situations during your summer trip to Zion National Park in 2025.  Heavy traffic congestion in the Zion National Park, and especially in the Springdale Area Temporary and intermittent closures of the vehicle entrance station in the east and south of the park Long waiting time while boarding the shuttle from Zion Canyon and Springdale Long queues at the visitor center, trailheads, and park entrances Tips For A Successful Summer Trip To Zion National Park To maximize your enjoyment in Zion, avoid peak times by visiting on weekdays or early mornings, especially during the summer.  Spring in Zion National Park is beautiful, and the fall season also offers pleasant weather and fewer visitors, providing a more serene experience.  1. Pack The Right Gear For Your Summer Trip To Zion National Park Make sure to pack the right gear for your activities. Sturdy hiking shoes, ample water, sun protection, and layered clothing for fluctuating temperatures are essential.  If you plan to hike, the Narrows, water shoes, and a walking stick will be necessary to navigate the riverbed.  A camera is also a must to capture the park's stunning landscapes. 2. Stay Hydrated And Stay Updated About The Weather During Your Summer Trip To Zion Stay hydrated and take breaks in shaded areas to avoid heat exhaustion.  Familiarize yourself with the park's shuttle schedule and routes to streamline your travel within the park.  Keep a map handy and know your surroundings to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Lastly, check for any trail updates or weather advisories from park rangers before heading out daily.  It’s The Right Time To Plan A Summer Trip To Zion National Park With the latest upgrades and new activities, there's never been a better time to visit.  From exhilarating hikes to serene drives and educational programs, every moment in this remarkable national park will contribute to a memorable and fulfilling trip.