For Behind the Shot Part 4, we’re featuring photos and stories from Death Valley Wilderness, California, at Carney Lake Campground, Louisiana, the famous corner in Winslow, Arizona, and many more destinations. Click here to participate in the 2027 Truck Camper Magazine Calendar Contest and be considered for a Behind the Shot feature.
Doug Jensen
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
2017 RAM 3500
2017 Northern Lite 10-2EXCD Special Edition
Camera Used – iPhone 13 Mini
This photo was taken while touring the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. I’m inspired by the same sense of awe that drew Teddy Roosevelt to this remarkable place.
Mark Zeisberg
Death Valley Wilderness, California
2016 Ford F-250
2001 Lance 1030
Camera Used – Canon EOS 6D
While touring Death Valley National Park for three weeks, I found a new campsite almost every night. This larger-than-usual Joshua tree offered shade from the full moon. I took many photos that night with my Canon SLR and a tripod. Bright, quiet solitude.
Jeff Rahlfs
Borrego Springs, California
2025 Chevrolet 2500
2025 Hallmark Guanella
Camera Used – iPhone 14
We reserved a spot in the San Diego desert months in advance because of its popularity during the spring desert bloom season. As it turned out, we had just missed an early bloom due to a lackluster season and arrived in time for an unusual heat wave in the 90s. We don’t have air conditioning, but years of tent camping taught us how to adapt. It sure is nice to have a truck camper now!
Fred Dodson
Beavers Bend, Oklahoma
2019 Ford F-450
2018 Northern Lite 10-2
Camera Used – iPhone
We spent New Year’s Eve in Beavers Bend, Oklahoma, because we wanted to get away from the crowds. The campground was almost empty.
Alexander Frederic
Carney Lake Campground, Louisiana
2010 RAM 2500
2025 Northstar 650SC
Camera Used – iPhone 16
This was a shakedown trip for my new camper setup close to home before heading west for the summer. The photo was taken near Bernice, Louisiana.
Saundra Schmitt
Top of the World Highway, Alaska
2010 Ram 3500 Dually
2019 Cirrus 820
Camera Used – Phone
We were leaving Alaska after a wonderful two-month adventure. On our way out, I found this awesome spot on iOverlander. It was supposed to be a perfect place to see the Northern Lights, but you cannot see them if the sun never sets. This picture was taken at 11:15 pm.
Dave Kiel
Winslow, Arizona
2017 Ford F-350
2012 Custom Phoenix Pop-Up
Camera Used – Sony A7 III
“Well, I’m a-standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowin’ down to take a look at me.”
After two and a half weeks of desert camping and boondocking, we decided we needed a break. We made an overnight stop near Winslow, Arizona, for housekeeping and restocking. We just couldn’t help ourselves from taking this shot. Winslow encourages it.
Go early in the morning since it can get crowded. It was a lot of fun in a neat town with great food.
After that, we turned north to escape the desert heat and the approaching monsoon season. It was on to White Pocket, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the San Rafael Swell, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Snowy Range in Wyoming, where we finally lost the heat.
Dennis Truby
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
2017 Cirrus 820
Camera Used – Pixel 6a
While working at a camp in Palacios, Texas, with SOWERS, we took a weekend trip to boondock on North Padre Island. We drove about 10 miles south on the sand before finding a spot for the night. It was quiet, with a full moon rising over the ocean. No one else was within at least a mile of us in either direction. I took this photo from the top of the dunes. It’s a night we’ll remember for a long time.
Spencer Lawes
Baja, Mexico
2010 Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew 4×4
2018 Four Wheel Campers Hawk
Camera Used – Apple iPhone 15
I joined an organized group tour on an eight-day Taste of Baja overlanding trip. We drove south from Mexicali to San Felipe before crossing to the Pacific coast. We camped and drove on the beaches, where this photo was taken. Along the way, we drove up a volcano, experienced part of the Baja 500 race route, toured the Guadalupe Valley wine region, and crossed back into the United States through Tecate.
Thomas Gillen
Red Cliff, Colorado
2019 Ford F-450
2005 Lance 1181
Camera Used – Unknown
We four-wheel the Holy Cross Trail every year. This spot has level campsites, a pond for kayaking, and plenty of hiking and exploring. Cold mornings often produce fog in the valley, making for a beautiful setting. It’s a great place to meet up with a group and is close to Minturn and Leadville, Colorado. There is also a lot of history in the area. Sometimes it’s sunny and warm, and other times we wake up to snow.
Click here to see all of the photos entered so far in the 2027 TCM Calendar Contest. Enter your photos in the 2027 Truck Camper Magazine Calendar Contest below!
