Whether it's summer vacation or spring break, sometimes the best vacation option is to hit the great outdoors.
While countless others might flock to amusement parks or other destinations that require gridlock traffic and a considerable wad of cash to spend, there are a number of reasons that people tend to enjoy camping as a means of getting away.
For those who are perpetually plopped in front of computer monitors or who mostly see nature on an HDTV screen, there's definitely something to be said about experiencing it up close and in person.
And for anyone who wants to have a true bonding experience with friends or family, nothing seems to accomplish that quite like heading out in a canoe or going for a hike.
Except the only trouble is that sometimes, camping looks a whole lot more fun on a television screen than it does in person.
Whether it's dealing with the logistics of setting up a tent in the middle of the night, avoiding swarms of bees or mosquitoes, or forgetting to tie up a bear-proof food bag, only to find all snacks gone in the morning hours, sometimes the great outdoors can seem a little bit less than stellar.
Whether you're looking for tips and tricks before your next camping adventure or simply want to enjoy nature from the comfort of your own living room, here are five great camping movies to try to catch when watching satellite tv next.
1.
Without a Paddle.
Surprisingly heartwarming despite the fact it focuses on getting laughs, this is one of those films that isn't that great, but can be truly fun to watch.
With Seth Green playing a neurotic doctor, Matthew Lillard as a laid-back middle-aged guy who won't quite grow up, and the promise to find some buried treasure on a canoe trip, the whole thing sounds a bit ill-contrived.
And while hippies in tree houses and weed-growing rednecks aren't that funny, other scenes along the way make this a worthwhile camping movie to check out when channel surfing.
2.
Camp Beverly Hills.
A true classic, and a film that's likely to be on satellite TV no matter the time of year or hour.
A sassy Beverly Hills woman reeling from the information that she's soon to be divorced decides to take charge of her daughter's Wilderness Girls group, which means heading up a trip into nature.
These somewhat high maintenance youngsters aren't quite adept at the art of living off the land, but manage to pull themselves together in an attempt to win the overnight camping contest.
Heartwarming without becoming overly cheesy, and definitely "camp" in more ways than one.
3.
Friday the 13th.
If you want an excuse NOT to go camping, this is the horror film for you.
One of those 1980s cheesy classics, it might not hold a candle to the world of gore and fear in HDTV these days, but the fact remains that Camp Crystal is definitely not going to inspire viewers to take up camping--or camp counselor jobs--anytime soon.
4.
Grizzly.
Another reason to stay out of the woods, this is one of those 1970s rip-off horror films that is better for a good laugh.
Fresh on the heels of the killer sharks of "Jaws" comes a film about crazy grizzly bears who were making camping a whole lot less than fun.
The kind of film that's perfect to catch on satellite tv at three in the morning when you're looking for a good laugh.
5.
The River Wild.
With great performances from Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon alike, this is the kind of film that has self-assured moms cheering for themselves.
A strong and confident mother whose marriage has seen better days decides that a whitewater rafting trip is just what the family needs for a son's birthday.
But picking up some strangers who seem to have wrecked their canoe is only the beginning on this psychological thriller, with some truly incredible whitewater scenes.
The embodiment of the old adage that "no good deed goes unpunished.
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