Camping is a tradition many hold dear. Many people love packing it all together and heading to the woods. How did people start doing this? That is what I will try to find out. Join me as discuss the origins of recreational camping in America.

Adams, J. (2011). A Short History of Camping. In Reserveamerica.com. Reserveamerica. Retrieved from Reserveamerica website: https://www.reserveamerica.com/outdoors/a-short-history-of-camping.htm

Forest History Society . (2017). Camping in the National Forests - Forest History Society. In Forest History Society. Retrieved from https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/policy-and-law/recreation-u-s-forest-service/camping-national-forests/

Hogue, M. (2023). The first campgrounds took the city to the wilderness. In HNN. University of Richmon. Retrieved from University of Richmon website: https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/the-first-campgrounds-took-the-city-to-the-wildern

Reed, D. B. (2022, April 24). Camping Through History. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from Union-Bulletin website: https://www.union-bulletin.com/lifestyles/camping-through-history/article_b4dc0afe-a4e1-11ec-bf2d-87b72b3ee365.html

Shops 1Source, B. P. (n.d.). A Brief History of Recreational Camping and Tents in America | Bass Pro Shops. In BassPro 1 Source. BPS Direct, L.L.C. . Retrieved from BPS Direct, L.L.C. website: https://1source.basspro.com/news-tips/camping-information/4939/brief-history-recreational-camping-and-tents-america

Wenger, T. (2020). How Camping Became the Quintessential American Pastime. In Matador Network. Matador Network. Retrieved from Matador Network website: https://matadornetwork.com/read/camping-history-usa/

Woeltje, R. (2019). A Brief History of Recreational Camping in America. In The Dyrt Magazine. The Dyrt, Inc . Retrieved from The Dyrt, Inc website: https://thedyrt.com/magazine/lifestyle/the-history-of-camping-in-america/

As the nation expanded westward, some people wanted the land preserved as it was. They desired places to see nature. This led to the National Park Service. There were also historic sites that needed to be preserved. Join me as I discuss the history of the National Park Service.

References

America, Historic Towns Of. “Historic Towns of America.” Historic Towns of America, 2016, https://historictownsofamerica.com/national-historic-site. Accessed 24 July 2026.

“America’S First National Historical Park.” Journeythroughjersey.Com, Journey Through Jersey, 2017, https://www.journeythroughjersey.com/blog/americas-first-national-historical-park/. Accessed 24 July 2026.

Brulliard, Nicolas. “America’s First National Park Created to Protect Human History.” 30 Aug. 2016.

Burt, Geoffrey . “Roots of the National Historic Landmarks Program (U.S. National Park Service).” 2014.

History.com Editors. “National Park Service.” A&E Television Networks, 27 Mar. 2018.

Library of Congress. “Brief History of the National Parks.” 2015.

National Park Service. “Origin of the National Park Idea (U.S. National Park Service).” 10 Mar. 2016.

---. “Quick History of the National Park Service (U.S. National Park Service).” National Park Service, 14 May 2018.

“Salem Maritime National Historic Site - National Maritime Historical Society.” National Maritime Historical Society, 18 Apr. 2018, https://seahistory.org/museums-sites/salem-maritime-national-historic-site/. Accessed 24 July 2026.

Us. “History of the National Park Service - Castillo De San Marcos National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).” nps.

Americans are a tough breed. History has shown us that. It took us years to gain our independence. We won it through hard work and sacrifice. Join me as I discuss what lead to the American revolution

Kiger, Patrick J. “7 Events That Enraged Colonists and Led to the American Revolution.” History, 20 Aug. 2019, https://www.history.com/articles/american-revolution-causes. Accessed 17 July 2026.

NCC Staff. “On This Day, the Boston Massacre Lights the Fuse of Revolution - National Constitution Center.” National Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.Org, 5 Mar. 2023, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-the-boston-massacre-lights-the-fuse-of-revolution. Accessed 17 July 2026.

“French Alliance, French Assistance, and European Diplomacy During the American Revolution, 1778–1782.” State.Gov, 2018, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/french-alliance. Accessed 17 July 2026.

“Milestones: 1776–1783 - Office of the Historian.” History.State.Gov, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/secret-committee. Accessed 17 July 2026.

“Milestones: 1776–1783 - Office of the Historian.” History.State.Gov, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/secret-committee. Accessed 17 July 2026.

“The Acts & Laws That Led to the American Revolution.” The American Revolution | Ken Burns | PBS, 2025, https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/the-road-to-war-acts-laws-proclamations. Accessed 17 July 2026.