Our dream is to build a 1960's National Park styled campground in Montana, with that look and "feel" that made the National Parks experience so memorable for us.  It is our vision to make this available for younger generations so they can enjoy the same view of the world that lead to our love for the outdoors.  Though, there have been some improvements to services in our National Parks over the years; commercialization, privatization and focus on profits have made stays in these places a burden for many who rely on a fixed budget to provide the "Parks" experience for themselves and their families.  Anyone who has ever had to pay over eight dollars for a small bundle of tinder-dry firewood, just to watch it turn to ash in less than an hour, has a concept of what we are referring to.  We envision a campground where there is no charge for showers, the campsites are supplied with firewood and the overnight fees are affordable for all. 

Our plan is to replicate the atmosphere of the 1960's; utilizing layouts, methods of construction, paint, materials, furnishings, equipment, signs, art and fixtures of the time.  Our campground staff will be well versed in the ways of the outdoors and in educating the public. In the tradition of Park Rangers, our twenty-four hour onsite Security personnel, dressed in period Ranger attire, will see to the security and safety of our visitors while moderating the need for concern of threatening wildlife.

Our dog friendly campground design includes a modest 1275 square foot, open floor-plan Ranger Station overlooking a public picnic area, as a greeting center for our guests.  It will house our business and security offices, a first aid station and a small store for supplies and sundries.  The grounds will feature 85 campsites on 180 acres, with ten, four stall restroom structures and four modern restroom/shower facilities (built to theme).  Four, twelve unit tent-cabin rental areas with cook site/wash stations, each with its own community fire pit amphitheater, will ensure a pleasant stay for those requesting less isolated accommodations.

Though some of these things have remained similar to what they were then, and efforts have even been made to capture a retro appearance in some cases, the look and materials used to compose the modern campgrounds of our National Parks have changed.  Space "optimization" to accommodate large crowds, uniformity and ease of maintenance now largely supersede the relative seclusion and unique characteristics that once lead to an affinity for a favorite campsite.  The heavy lumber picnic tables are slowly being replaced by noisy metal ones; the fire pits once made of mortared stone are now heavy iron, and the signs have become printed plywood or stickers attached to bear boxes, in an attempt to minimize maintenance costs.

For those who have not had the opportunity to make the comparison, nothing has been lost; but for those who have lived through the transition, the bygone nostalgia was what made camping and picnicking in our National Parks the memorable experience that it was.

There was a certain magic to the National Parks of the 60's and early 70's.  The old carved wood and stamped metal signs, embellished with oil-paint in pastel tones, decorated each unique and rustically manicured campsite, bordered in rough cut wooden rails.  Rock circled fire pits wafted streams of smoke over wood-shop crafted picnic tables, stained by rain, sunlight and time.  Ample space could always be found between sites, for kids to play and explore, while smartly dressed Rangers patrolled in leisurely walks around the grounds, taking time to answer the questions of everyone they'd meet.  The tree shrouded atmosphere of each campsite held an air of seclusion where the experience of the common endeavor added strength to the bonds of family unity; with opportunities abounding in community spaces, to make new and lasting friendships or renew old ones.

A walk through the Parks would reveal wildflowers, plants and trees, accented with hand painted plaques describing what was known of their importance to the ecology of the forest.  Simple boardwalks protected sensitive areas while channeling smiling tourists toward trash cans and postings of messages from Smokey Bear warning of fire and the need to use caution.

Sometimes referred to as the healing metal, copper emits a mild current in reaction to skin acids, which helps to disrupt pain impulses communicated by the nerves. We view camping in the wild places of our world as having a similar effect, offering relief from the pains and stress of everyday life by removing the noise of society.

Our vision, of the Copper Ring Campground, is named after the copper rings we and our friends wear as a reminder of the goal we are working toward.  Each ring is handmade from recycled copper, in our own studio, and hand stamped with an individual identification number.

Each Membership in the Copper Ring Club helps us in the direction of fulfilling the dream of building the Copper Ring Campground. Every Club Member receives their own individually handmade copper ring, stamped with their lifetime membership number, which doubles as their Username, to access Copper Ring Club features on Dog Creek Trading Company websites.  Each Membership comes with a 5 year subscription to Trail2Camp Magazine; Special discounts and offers from Dog Creek Trading Post, available only to Copper Ring Club Members; Automatic entry into monthly drawings for free gifts; and a Lifetime Subscription to the Copper Ring Club Newsletter, where we will keep everyone informed of the Copper Ring Campground's progress and Club Members only benefits.
This promotion is for a limited time only, to draw attention to our new magazine.

Once the dream is realized, Members of the Copper Ring Club will receive free stays and special discount rates at exclusive deluxe campsites, reserved for Club Members!