Spacious Skies Campgrounds | MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

*Hikers at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views are rewarded with this view (photo: Spacious Skies Campgrounds)*

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J.– National Hiking Day – also known as “Take a Hike Day” – is just around the bend on Monday, Nov. 17, and several Spacious Skies Campgrounds have some suggestions for campers looking to get out and cover some ground.

“Whether it’s for an all-day excursion with a backpack full of food and drink or an easy saunter down the sidewalk, we encourage everyone to simply get outside and move,” said Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds. “With the motto ‘Take Your Indoors Outdoors,’ we always put hiking near the top of our lists.”

Nine Spacious Skies Campgrounds are open throughout the winter, and another six are seasonal operations. They are located in the East from Maine to Georgia and feature activities on-site as well as and nearby with activities such as skiing, hiking, off roading and more.

Winter-season campgrounds are located in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Here are some suggestions for hiking near a Spacious Skies Campground in November:

Spacious Skies French Pond, Henniker, N.H.: New Hampshire’s Spacious Skies French Pond is close to Clough State Park located on the shore of Everett Lake, a 150-acre lake created when the Piscataquog River was dammed in 1962.

Spacious Skies Country Oaks, Dorothy, N.J.: Located in the southern New Jersey countryside an hour from Philadelphia and less than 40 minutes from the famed boardwalk of Atlantic City, Spacious Skies Country Oaks recommends the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area Loop. This 6.3-mile trail is considered easy with mostly flat terrain.

Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, Luray, Va.: The nearby Shenandoah National Park has some of the best hiking in the country with more than 500 miles of trails. Pick a day hike from the list.

Spacious Skies Bear Den, Spruce Pine, N.C.: This campground is located near the Appalachian Trail. While you do not have to keep going all the way to Maine or Georgia (depending upon the direction), it is pretty cool to head out for a day hike.

Spacious Skies Hidden Creek, Marion, N.C.: Check out the trails at the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, soften called the “Grand Canyon of the East.” This area has everything, from easy flat hikes to some of most rugged terrain in the East.

Spacious Skies Sandy Run, Fayetteville, N.C.: Nestled in the Carolina Sandhills in the heart of Cumberland County, the Fayetteville campground is minutes from I-95’s exit 44. Explore the Cape Fear Botanical Garden with 80 acres of lush vegetation and a scenic river trail.

Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks, Savannah, Ga.: Just steps from Ogeechee River, this campground is minutes from the Riverside Trails in Pooler. Check out McQueen’s Island trail, six-mile hike that was once part of a historic railroad.

Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, Monterey, Tenn.: Don’t even leave the campground. Instead enjoy hiking trails leading to caves and waterfalls on-site and a natural spring-fed swimming hole and beach.

Spacious Skies Peach Haven, Gaffney, S.C.: Surrounded by rolling hills and vast farmland in South Carolina’s Upstate, this campground is close to Cowpens National Battlefield. Walk the Battlefield Trail, a 1.3-mile featuring exhibitis the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument and the Green River Road.

Members of the Spacious Skies Loyalty Program, called “Cosmic Campers” can save up to 12 percent on all RV sites, cabins and other accommodations. The annual fee to join the program is $31.90. While the Loyalty Program discount cannot be combined with other discounts, the discount with the greatest savings is rewarded, providing campers with the best possible deal on their stay.

Spacious Skies Campgrounds owns and operates 15 unique campgrounds across the Eastern United States, stretching from the scenic shores of Maine to the rolling hills of Georgia, as well as the natural beauty of Tennessee. Each location offers well-equipped RV sites, with many also featuring glamping options such as cozy yurts, charming cabins, or retro-style trailers.

Nestled near a wide range of outdoor recreation and local attractions, Spacious Skies Campgrounds are designed for adventurers and relaxation-seekers alike.

To learn more, visit www.spaciousskiescampgrounds.com.

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Spacious Skies Balsam Woods is situated near an International Dark Sky Park.

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J.– It’s not uncommon for guests of Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in the Highlands of Central Maine to observe the aurora borealis or for campers at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills in Austerlitz, N.Y. to take in the interstellar spirals of light from the stars, gas and dust of the Milky Way.

With minimal artificial lighting and sprawling acreage bordering lakes and valleys, several locations in the Spacious Skies Campgrounds collection offer an expansive window to dark skies and starry nights.

When lifelong camping enthusiast and stargazer Ali Rasmussen founded and named Spacious Skies Campgrounds four years ago, she clearly had those dark skies and starry nights on her mind.

“Camping and glamping are about being close to the world’s natural beauty, and we urge our guests not to forget that sometimes nature’s most glorious features are the skies,” said Rasmussen. “As we acquired each campground, we imagined what it would be like to sit around a campfire and observe the skies in each location. There’s something magical and rejuvenating about stargazing that reminds you that you are not alone in the universe.”

The Spacious Skies Campgrounds collection has grown to 15 campgrounds located in the Eastern U.S., from Maine in the North to Georgia in the South.

Cosmic Monthly Themes

Every month, the campgrounds feature a new monthly theme that takes inspiration from the starry night skies. Campgrounds stage guest events – such as programs by local astronomers – decorate the campground and host other space-themed activities such as movie nights and kid-friendly scavenger hunts.

Themes include “Galactic Guardians” in May, with a focus on honoring hometown “superheroes” with activities like safety workshops and superhero movies that shine a spotlight on those who inspire and protect. In June, the theme is “Critter Constellations,” with animal-themed fun. August brings “Astro Adventures,” with space-themed fun like Zodiac nights and astronomy hikes.

Best Campgrounds for Stargazing

Here are some of the best stargazing opportunities within the Spacious Skies Campgrounds collection:

Spacious Skies Balsam Woods, Abbott, Maine. Although its location is woodsy – it is named for the fragrant balsam-coated trees and shrubs that comprise the lush forests of Central Maine – the campground is situated near an International Dark Sky Park, and there are several places throughout the campground with prime night sky viewing, including occasional views of the ribbons of color of the aurora borealis. The campground’s management team of astronomy buffs often partner with local astronomers to offer star-themed guest programs.

Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, Austerlitz, N.Y. Tucked away among the Taconic and Berkshire Mountain ranges, the best place to see the amazing spirals of the Milky Way is from the campground’s Cosmic Canine Commons, a heavenly enclosed space for four-legged guests. Local astronomers help guests identify constellations and other nighttime phenomena.

Spacious Skies Walnut Grove, Alfred, Maine. Situated near the tiny town of Alfred and with easy access to the Maine shoreline, this quiet campground features several places with unimpeded views of the night skies including its Cosmic Canine Campgrounds. On especially clear nights, guests set up blankets, sip beverages and enjoy the starry nights while their pups romp in the park.

Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, Luray, Va. With easy access to Shenandoah National Park, many guests head to pullouts and parking lots along the park’s famous Skyline Drive for clear nighttime views. There are also several places throughout the campground with unimpeded views, including the yurt area and central sport court area with volleyball courts and a jumping pillow.

Spacious Skies French Pond, Henniker, N.H. This campground in Southern New Hampshire features RV sites situated around the pristine water of French Pond, and lucky campers can not only observe starry skies but sometimes see bonus stars in the reflections in the water.

Spacious Skies Hidden Creek, Marion, N.C. Situated near the Blue Ridge Mountains, campers here have expansive sky views from the shores of the campground’s massive Hidden Creek Lake.

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks, North Hudson, N.Y. This Upstate New York campground is situated right on the Schroon River, and campers here can find clear night skies from anywhere along the shoreline.

Spacious Skies Seven Maples, Hancock, N.H. Located on what was once a sprawling family farm, this picturesque campground’s best nighttime viewing is from the campground’s fishing pond.

Spacious Skies Bear Den, Spruce Pine, N.C. Situated near the Blue Ridge Mountains where light pollution is minimal, this is an especially compelling spot for stargazing. Some of the best places nearby to enjoy the night sky include the campground itself, the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, the Bear Den and Chestoa View Overlooks, the historic Orchard at Altapass, the Linville Gorge Wilderness and Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory.

Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, Monterey, Tenn. Situated on more than 100 acres with open fields, cliffs and ridge views, the campground’s clifftop overlooks provide wide, unobstructed views of the night sky. Nearby options include Bee Rock Overlook, the Highland Rim & Standing Stone State Park and Cummins Falls State Park.

Ways to Save: Members of the Spacious Skies Loyalty Program, called “Cosmic Campers” can save up to 12 percent on all RV sites, cabins and other accommodations. The annual fee to join the program is $31.90. While the Loyalty Program discount cannot be combined with other discounts, the discount with the greatest savings is rewarded, providing campers with the best possible deal on their stay.

Spacious Skies Campgrounds is a fast-growing owner and operator of RV campgrounds with RV, tent, cabin and glamping sites across 15 locations from Maine to Georgia. The company’s mission is to offer a fun, relaxing and authentic campground experience in destinations with abundant outdoor recreation and attractions. Spacious Skies Campgrounds is executing a regional growth strategy while at the same time improving amenities at all properties to provide guests with consistent and reliable accommodations, service and access to the great outdoors. For more information, visit www.spaciousskiescampgrounds.com.