[mom-from-missouri]

you will also want to get a big plastic tarp-set that down then put you tent on it--keeps the sticks from poking thru, and keeps the floor of your tent dry. check out where you will be camping to make sure they allow tents--yellowstone doesnt anylonger due to bears--we were there last year and stayed in the rv-same with the tetan mountain range. but grandcanyon did allow tents. some tent camping is seasonal--due to what animals are having their young at the time. We use a couple of big rubbermaid rainproof containers. one has the camping stuff, and the other the food-keeps it dry if it rains. we also dont use suitcases--too hard to back--everyone gets a backback or duffle bag as they can be stuffed in the vehicle easier. plus they can double up when hiking. we keep our food and clothes that we are not using in the vehicle also-keeps critters away, and the tent less crowded. take rope-you can hang dry towels, swimsuits and such just string it from tree to tree