Going Camping? Read These Top Tips First!

Is there a camping in your future?Are you prepared to handle any curve balls while you may encounter on your trip? While many aspects of camping are simple, it still takes a little bit of preparation and skill. Keep reading to learn some top camping tips.

Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Discuss which state you wish to visit. There are many different places, so it can be hard to choose. If it makes things simpler, list your personal preferences and then have the family choose from them.

TIP! Let everyone know they have a say in the campsite and should help pick a favorite spot. Talk about the state you wish to see.

Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the weather. You are going to roast all night long in a sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. If you are going to bring a light bag in the winter, you can spend your night shivering if it’s cold outside. You might even subject yourself to hypothermia.

During a camping trip, try to go swimming at some point. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower. By taking a dip in a pool, lake or river, you will have fun and feel clean and refreshed at the same time!

TIP! Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. A hot shower can be sorely missed.

You might imagine that nature has an inexhaustible supply of firewood, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s smart to bring extra wood and make sure it stays in a dry area.

A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. A bandana is very versatile and can be used as a blotter, potholder, mini-bag and more. Make this multi-use item a standard addition to your camping supplies.

TIP! Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. Not only can it keep the hair out of your eyes, it can also be a sack to carry things, a towel to dry your hands or a potholder to grab your coffee pot from the fire.

Dryer lint can make great kindling to start your campfires with. Collect the lint from your dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Hang a grocery bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. This is a good way to have kindling and leave when you’re ready.

If you are interested in camping alone or with friends, make sure you have prepared an emergency kit. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. Having extras like anti-venom is a good defense for certain kinds of wildlife.

TIP! An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. This kit must include the basics for the event of an emergency.

When you get through eating an orange, save all of your peels and rub them around your body to use as a natural insect repellent.

Camp needs to be set up before night begins. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. If you are camping in a tent, look for a dry and flat area of ground. Getting your camp set up before dark will give you time to get to know your campsite and surrounding area. You will be able to see due to the sunlight and you will have an easier time.

TIP! Try to ensure your camp is set up before night falls. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV.

Make sure that your camp site is complete before it gets dark. If you are traveling in an RV, find a safe parking spot. If you have a tent, you need to find some flat, flat ground. Doing so before nightfall will save you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. There may be spiders or bears near you that could pose a threat. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.

TIP! Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. There may be spiders or bears that could pose a threat to your safety.

Buy yourself some camping pillows instead of using your trip. Regular house pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid. They also take moisture out of the air and can mildew quickly. Pillows made specifically for camping have a coating on them that keeps these things from happening.

Kids love camping, but you need to plan out activities for them to do on the trip. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. They probably aren’t used to fishing or campfires. Take the time to teach them these skills before the trip, especially if they don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors.

TIP! Your children will love to join you on your camping trip, but be sure to plan some fun activities for them. Your kids may start to get bored when you are out in the woods.

Talk to your children and friends about the dangers of camping before embarking on your journey. It is simple to check out the Internet for photos of dangerous plants they know what to avoid in the wild.

For your first trip camping, avoid straying too far from home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Maybe you’ll run low on food or not have enough clothing with you. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.

TIP! Try to find a campsite that is closer to your house for your convenience when on your first trip. If you have any equipment issues, it is better and easier to cut your trip short when you do not have so far to travel.

It is really critical to make sure that you go camping. Forgetting a few simple items could result in disaster.

Make sure you pack plenty of camping-friendly food. Make sure to bring food that won’t go bad while you are on your trip. Remember, food poisoning could quickly put an end to your camping adventure. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of preparation with your food.

TIP! Take care to pack sufficient, non-perishable foods. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip.

An orange may just be the natural answer to repelling mosquitoes when you’re on your camping trip. This is an especially useful tip to remember if you have forgotten your insect repellant. This can keep mosquitoes at bay for long periods of time.

Take a leash with you if you plan to bring your dog camping. Some people fear dogs. You should keep that in mind while you are on your camping trip. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.

TIP! Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. There are campers who do not like dogs.

These snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. These items can be stored for quite a while, so there’s no wasting involved if they aren’t eaten.

You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. It has a myriad of uses for campers, just as it does for homeowners. It can be utilized to fix a torn air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. It can also work as a bandage.

TIP! Rolls of duct tape can be useful to take along on any camping trips you have planned in the future. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite.

Cell Phone

When you reach your campsite, pitch your tent on the softest, most level ground you can locate. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.

TIP! Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Make sure to put a tarp down so that water cannot penetrate your tent.

You should never leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case one runs out. Your phone is the most important equipment you have so make sure it doesn’t die on you.

Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Flashlights will come in very handy when it is dark. Adequate light can help you avoid falling in the dark, or encountering wildlife. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.

TIP! Don’t forget to bring back-ups of things like batteries and flashlights. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site.

Always bring both a first aid kit and a survival kit. These two things will make the difference between ending a trip early and taking care of many situations quickly and easily. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious from becoming deadly and earn yourself enough time to get the injured person.

Before setting out on your camping adventure, plan for what you will wear. This way you’ll have enough clean clothing for your trip. Pack clothes that will allow you to dress properly for whatever weather is expected in the area where you will be camping. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.

TIP! Decide what clothing you will need before you make your trip. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip.

Camping can be a very relaxing weekend in your life or it can be a hellish trip. The difference between each experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you are. If you plan and prepare for various situations, you’ll be able to better enjoy your trip.

Take along a current picture of any kids you have camping with you. If you lose them during your trip, that picture can help you immensely. Be sure to have a photo for an emergency, even more so if you’re camping far away from your home.

TIP! If you are camping with children, keep a picture of them handy. In case you get separated, having the pictures on your person will help you find them quickly.

A simple camping tip everyone should know is to build shelter when it is still light. It is very hard to put up a tent whenever it is dark. You need to make a fire or create a fire. It will obviously be much easier to do this while the sun hasn’t gone down yet.

Seal all the seams when pitching your tent. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This will allow you to keep wild animals and bad weather from getting into your tent.

TIP! Seal the seams on your tent when you’re putting it up. You can buy a tube at most sporting goods stores if your tent did not come with any.

It may sound silly to be reminded of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If there are no restrooms in your area, you will need to go outdoors in the woods. Leaves can be dangerous alternatives to toilet paper, as you will want to use toilet paper to wipe.

Food poisoning is important to avoid when going on a camping trip. Any food that is not canned, preserved, or vacuum sealed is at risk of spoiling or causing food poisoning. Take a lot of ice for keeping food cold and pull out drain plugs so you don’t soak the food.

TIP! Remember to pack foods that don’t spoil to avoid food poisoning. Preserve the food by vacuum sealing or canning it to prevent food poisoning on long camping trips.

How do you plan to cook your food when you go camping? Cooking over a campfire sounds appealing, but can’t be done with out the right tools.

Stick with food safety when you camp. Make sure your food stays dry and safe by using airtight bags and waterproof containers. Put your food in an insulated cooler. Do not place cooked and raw foods in the same area. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Make sure cooked foods reach the correct temperature and make sure perishable foods are kept chilled.

TIP! Maintain food safety on your camping trip. Foods should be packed in airtight and waterproof containers.

If you’re ready to head to the wildnerness to camp but haven’t ventured outside of your home in the past, this is a fast way to find out whether or not camping is for you. Pitch a tent in your yard and spend the entire night out there. Do not let yourself go in the house for anything! If you find this to be an enjoyable experience, you’ll like camping!

When taking an extended camping trip, be sure to bring along some form of entertainment. Also, you can bring books or music to read or put on near a lake or fire.

TIP! If you plan on camping more than a couple days, bring along some entertainment. Of course, if you bring too many electronics, you may defeat the purpose of the trip, but there is nothing better than sitting beside a lake reading, or listening to music beside a camp fire at night.

You need proper restraints to keep them from getting into skirmishes with other animals. You might also need a leash. Be certain that their licensing and vaccinations are up-to-date too. Don’t forget basics like food, water and the serving bowls to dish it up with. You have to clean up after them and properly dispose of their waste.

Pocket lint is an essential for camping. Lint is quite an effective fire starter. Lint makes the flame brighter than it would be with twigs. With some lint, a fire pit, and a spark, you’ll soon have yourself a cozy campfire.

TIP! Bring pocket or dryer lint when you camp. Although it may seem like an unlikely item to pack, it can be one of the best tools you can bring for quickly starting your campsite fire.

You could suffer from complications that you had not anticipate. You may need an extra precautions that you didn’t consider.

If you are camping with your pet, be sure to pack all of the necessary supplies. Restraints are necessary in case other animals appear. Leashes can also come in handy. Be sure all of their licensing and vaccinations are up-to-date too. Food, water and clean bowls are important to have with you. You must clean up after them and properly dispose of their waste.

TIP! When bringing your pet along on a camping trip, make sure that you have everything they will need. For example, you will want to bring a chain to tie them up, as chasing wild animals can be very tempting.

After reading this short article, you should now be aware of the fact that there are a few things that you need to consider before embarking on a camping adventure. Camping trips need not be complicated, but, as you can see, there are some basic tips that can really help. Put the information you read above to use so that you can have the best time possible.

It is important to know fire safety precautions. Know how to create and maintain a secure fire ring. Buckets of water should be kept on hand to use in the event that the fire grows larger than planned. Do not leave fire burning unattended, and move quickly to maintain control if embers start to fly.

TIP! When you are camping, be extremely diligent about fire safety. You should learn to create a fire ring that is safe and secure.