Buck Tanner
Veteran outdoors columnist
Based in Bozeman, MT
Buck spent 38 years in green and grey before hanging up the radio. He writes the way he talked at the ranger desk — half answers, half stories about his Border collie Sadie. He once spent 17 nights in a row at the same Wyoming dispersed site and considers that a fine vacation. Buck is suspicious of glamping but will admit a four-season tent helped him after a 2019 incident he still won't fully explain.
40 published articles · most recent October 18, 2026
Articles by Buck Tanner
- Winter Camping in Louisiana: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkWinter camping in Louisiana — which parks stay open, what the wet cold really does, and honest gear and trail advice from a retired NPS ranger.
Winter Camping in Idaho: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkWhich Idaho campgrounds actually stay open in winter, what the weather really does, and the cold-weather gear that matters. Straight talk from an old ranger.
Winter Camping in Iowa: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkWinter camping in Iowa — which state parks stay open, what gear actually works in cold weather, and when to just pack up and go home.
Winter Camping in Washington D.C.: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkNo campgrounds inside D.C. itself, but Greenbelt, Prince William Forest, and nearby state parks make a real winter trip possible. Buck's plain-talk guide.
Winter Camping in California: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkA retired ranger's straight talk on winter camping in California — open sites, bad weather, gear that matters, and when to just cancel.
Pet-Friendly Camping in Michigan: Where Dogs Are Genuinely WelcomeA Michigan roundup of state parks, national forests, and lakeshores where dogs are actually welcome — with the honest rules and the spots to skip.- Winter Camping in Arkansas: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkWinter camping in Arkansas: which state parks stay open, how to handle ice storms, and the gear a 38-year ranger actually trusts in cold weather.
Winter Camping in Alabama: Open Sites, Bad Weather, Real TalkWinter camping in Alabama: which state parks and national forests stay open, what the weather really does, and gear that handles wet cold.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Michigan — Under 90 MinutesNine Michigan state rec areas and parks within 90 minutes of Detroit, ranked by an old ranger who won't send you where the buses go.
Best Months to Camp in Minnesota (And the Ones to Skip)A retired ranger's honest take on when to camp in Minnesota — the September window, the bug months to skip, and what fall nights really feel like.
Best Months to Camp in Maine (And the Ones to Skip)A Maine veteran's honest take on the best months to camp — plus the weeks you should skip unless you enjoy black flies and mud.
Best Months to Camp in Kentucky (And the Ones to Skip)A retired ranger's month-by-month take on when to camp in Kentucky, which weekends to skip, and the campgrounds worth the drive.
Best Months to Camp in Kansas (And the Ones to Skip)A Montana ranger's honest take on when to camp in Kansas — why October wins, why summer isn't worth the sweat, and which months quietly surprise you.
Best Months to Camp in Illinois (And the Ones to Skip)When to camp in Illinois: an old ranger's month-by-month take on the best weekends, the ones to skip, and where to actually go.
Best Months to Camp in Florida (And the Ones to Skip)A retired ranger's honest take on when to camp in Florida — the winter sweet spot, the shoulder months, and the ones to skip.
Best Months to Camp in Delaware (And the Ones to Skip)When to camp in Delaware: October wins, May is a close second, and July will teach you what greenhead flies are. A straight-talk month-by-month guide.
Best Months to Camp in Colorado (And the Ones to Skip)A 38-year ranger's honest take on when to camp in Colorado month by month — the best month to go, and the ones you ought to skip.
Best Months to Camp in Arizona (And the Ones to Skip)Buck's plain-spoken rundown of when to camp in Arizona — the sweet-spot months, the ones to skip, and why elevation changes everything.
Mountain Camping in Michigan: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsMichigan's high country isn't the Rockies, but the Porcupines, Keweenaw, and Ottawa National Forest deliver cool nights and real ridge camping.
Backcountry Camping in North Carolina: Permits, Routes, Bear NotesA retired ranger's plain-talk guide to NC backcountry: where permits are required, routes worth doing, and what black bears actually do here.
Backcountry Camping in Mississippi: Permits, Routes, Bear NotesA 38-year ranger's plain-talk guide to backcountry camping in Mississippi — permits, Black Creek routes, Horn Island, and the real bear situation.
Family Camping in Minnesota: Picks That Won't Drive You NutsA Montana ranger's honest picks for family camping in Minnesota — state parks that keep kids busy and parents sane, from Itasca to William O'Brien.
Lake Camping in Michigan: 10 Sites With Real Water AccessTen Michigan campgrounds where you can actually walk from your tent to the lake — Great Lakes shoreline, quiet inland waters, and a couple of rustic sleepers.
Best Campgrounds in MinnesotaA retired ranger's honest picks for Minnesota campgrounds — North Shore parks, BWCA gateways, Voyageurs, Itasca, and the quieter spots worth driving for.
Maryland Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkMaryland camping reservations decoded — federal vs state systems, which sites to fight for, and the permit rules a Park Service old-timer wishes you knew first.
Massachusetts Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkHow Massachusetts camping reservations really work — the six-month DCR window, when to use Recreation.gov, and the state park campgrounds worth booking.
Indiana Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkHow Indiana camping reservations really work — state parks, Hoosier National Forest, the Dunes, and which system books which site.
Hawaii Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkHawaii camping permits explained by a retired ranger — state parks, counties, national parks, and which system books where.
Georgia Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkHow Georgia camping reservations and permits actually work — state parks, Recreation.gov, first-come Forest Service sites, and the gotchas that cost you money.
Connecticut Camping Permits & Reservations: How They Actually WorkHow Connecticut camping reservations really work — state parks, the DEEP portal, AT shelters, and the rules that trip people up.
RV Campgrounds in Maine: Hookups, Sites, Honest ReviewsA Maine RV camping roundup from a retired ranger: full hookup parks near Acadia, state park picks, and the gotchas nobody warns you about.
When Is Camping Season in Maryland? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's honest month-by-month on camping season in Maryland, from Assateague winters to Garrett County October color.
When Is Camping Season in Massachusetts? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's month-by-month take on Massachusetts camping season, from mid-May openings to the September sweet spot most folks miss.
When Is Camping Season in Indiana? Month-by-Month RealityA month-by-month honest look at Indiana camping season, from mud-boot April to leaf-peeper October to quiet winter woods.
When Is Camping Season in Hawaii? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's month-by-month take on Hawaii's camping season — when to go, when to skip, and why elevation matters more than the calendar.
When Is Camping Season in Georgia? Month-by-Month RealityA month-by-month honest look at camping season in Georgia — when to go, when to skip, and where a 38-year Park Service vet would actually send you.
When Is Camping Season in Connecticut? Month-by-Month RealityStraight talk on Connecticut camping season: which months work, which ones bite, and the shoulder-season window most folks miss.
Maryland State Parks for Camping: The Ones Worth the DriveA retired ranger's honest take on Maryland's state park campgrounds — from Assateague's beaches to Garrett County's mountains, with the gotchas nobody tells you.
Massachusetts State Parks for Camping: The Ones Worth the DriveA 38-year ranger's take on which Massachusetts state parks are worth pitching a tent in — from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, with no fluff.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Louisiana — Under 90 MinutesStraight talk on state parks, private campgrounds, and gear picks for weekend camping within 90 minutes of New Orleans, Louisiana.