Friday, February 8, 2008

Guam and Camping

Updated: May 22, 2018.

I wrote a post on this camping on Guam in 2008.  There was very little information about camping on Guam at that time. But this post continues to get hits because it's something people are interested in.

Since then -- 10 years ago, and how time flies -- more information has appeared about camping, so here's an update.

The good news: Camping on Guam is easy to do. But it might pay to do some additional homework.

The Guam Visitors Bureau has since published the rule on camping and it says this:


"Camping: Except for the historical parks, public parks on Guam are available for camping at any time. Gather your family and friends, pitch a tent, and get ready to enjoy the pleasure of cool evenings and sunny days. Fishing, glass containers, and loud music are prohibited to preserve the comfort of our beaches, but bring on the barbecue. For more information, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation."

That sounds fairly liberal and progressive of Guam.

How does pitch-a-tent-in-any-park works out in practice? I'm not sure. What parks have restrooms? And feel safe?

If you are off island, and want to camp on Guam, it might be worth your time to post a query on the Reddit Guam sub.

People are pretty helpful on this Reddit sub, and queries are basically anonymous. People are always seeking advice about visiting or relocating to Guam.

In you are military, you are in luck. See: Camp out at Andersen's Tarague Beach.

Other resources

Camping and surfing at Gab Gab Beach video. 

A cool drone video of campers at Tagachang Beach.

Information about Tagachang Beach


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What follows is from is from 2008 and what I wrote was boring. But I was in mood, remembering a happy time in my life ...

Among the best memories I have of growing up were the camping trips I took with my parents. We went to Hapgood, part of the Green Mountain National Forest in Peru, Vermont.

It was small campground, perhaps 20 sites as I remember it, a pond and wonderful trails. Camping was a major part of growing up, so it was with some surprise to read that attendance at national parks is in decline.

Reuters: Americans spend less time on nature activities: study.

Excerpt: "The average person in America used to go to the national parks every year. It was the iconic American family vacation.

Now, there are less people doing that," said Patricia Zaradic, a biologist with the Environmental Leadership Program, Delaware Valley, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Here’s an abstract of it at the National Academy of Sciences. After 50 years of steady increase, per capita visits to U.S. National Parks have declined since 1987.

Where do parents take their children today?

Guam has a seamless connection with the outdoors. I lived outdoors, especially when I lived in a house on the island’s south side. The beach, snorkeling, boonie stomping were very important.