Consider a camping trip to celebrate the Civil War Sesquicentennial

As the multi-cannon salutes fire up to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the first shots fired on Apr. 12, 1861 – I know, it’s easier to say that than “sesquicentennial” once, let alone ten times fast – it’s tempting to start putting together some itineraries that cluster around some of the major sites.

Because so much of the lodging is already sold out or will go quickly as more events get under way, folks with some flexibility in timing or mobility may be able to more easily get in to visit the battlefields and check out the festivities. The key is to plan ahead, work around the bigger brouhahas and be able to let go of some things if the crowds are too cumbersome.

Another option is to wait until after the party is over. Many of the special exhibits will still be up, and there will still be a festive air lingering around the places. In addition, many of the sites offer re-enactments year-round or at specific times that don’t coincide with the anniversary, so you can still catch cool activities later this year or early next.

A foggy morning at Antietam.

One of the most impressive kick-offs is in Gettysburg, not surprisingly, the weekend of Apr. 29-30. Nearby Fairfield, Pa., and other parts of Pennsylvania will follow suit. In Virginia, activities and events – including several important battle re-enactments – have been planned throughout the year across the state, including a huge celebration at Manassas National Battlefield park July 21.

And, of course, just because some of the sites, such as Antietam in Maryland, aren’t planning anything special doesn’t mean it’s not worth stopping by to commemorate in your own way. It also means that these places might be a little less crowded some days, especially during the week, but don’t count on it too much – a lot of Civil War buffs are planning to tour all of the major battlefields anyway.

Don’t forget that the Civil War was waged out West, too, in places such as Arizona and New Mexico. Swing by the Glorieta Battlefield near Pecos or Fort Stanton in New Mexico. Picacho Peak State Park (5520 Picacho Peak Road, Picacho, Ariz., 520-466-3183) is closed in the hot summer months, but does battle re-enactments in March and is a great place to visit in the cooler seasons, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site (3203 S. Old Fort Bowie Road, Bowie, Ariz.; 520-847-2500 showcases the fort established as a result of the battle between the Union and the Chiricahua Apache.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.