Become A Camping Expert: Tips For The Outdoor Enthusiast

Camping is a truly fun time for almost anyone. You can be close to nature or connect with your inner self. You can hike nature trails and roast marshmallows over an open fire. There are various things to think about and do before you leave to go camping, and these are a few tips than will help you have a great experience.

Try to fit swimming into your schedule in some way. While camping, you might really miss the luxury of showering. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.

TIP! Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. When camping, you may find you miss your home shower.

It is important to keep in mind the fact that getting dirty is inevitable. Enjoy the wilderness and allow yourself to let loose and be messy. Things will go to back to normal again once you are home.

A surprising tip you may not know about is that the lint from your dryer also doubles as great kindling for your camp fire. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. To make it easy to collect dryer lint, simply hang a bag next to the dryer and fill with your lint. This technique allows you to grab your kindling and go the day of your trip.

TIP! You can easily start campfires using dryer lint as a starter material. Collect some lint from your clothes dryer to bring with you.

Bring a survival kit with you can carry on your person at all times. Survival kits must include water purification tablets, a survival knife, a first aid kit, flare gun and waterproof matches. This kit may just be what helps you alive if you get lost and these items are indispensable for longer than planned. Remember to carry it with you go when you’re away from your camp.

It is vital that you take a first-aid kit with you anytime that you go camping. This emergency kit changes depending on the place you go camping, but you have to be certain it has the basic tools. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.

TIP! Always prepare an emergency kit when camping, whether you are going by yourself or with others. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping.

Camping is a great time but it can be dangerous if you’re prepared or not. Only go camping once you have prepared yourself for it.

To make your camping trip more enjoyable, bring along something luxurious. Make it something easy to transport like your favorite coffee sweetener or candy. These items can make your trip as pleasurable as possible.

TIP! If you are going to tough it out, you can still bring along a little bit of luxury item to add comfort to your camping trip. Your favorite candy bar or some prepackaged creamers for your morning coffee are light and simple to bring along.

Dryer lint can make great kindling for starting campfires. Collect the lint from your clothes dryer and store it in a bag a few weeks before you go camping to prepare for this. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag right next to the dryer to make collecting easier. This is a good way to have kindling ready when you’re ready.

Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. When traveling in an RV, locate a safe parking area. Find a flat, dry piece of ground if you’re pitching a tent. It is much easier to do these things during the day, and you can become familiar with the area. This can help you see what you are doing and prevent frustration.

TIP! It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. Quickly locate a good parking place if you’ve brought along an RV.

Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a good thing to have prepared for any camping trip. Take precautions for wildlife too, and take precautions for them.

Duct tape is the cure-all for many mishaps in camping. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.

TIP! Pack a roll of duct tape with the rest of your supplies; this sticky wonder can help in a variety of circumstances. It works quickly in a pinch for tent holes, inflatables with leaks, shoes with worn soles, securing the tent to its pole, sealing up your mosquito netting and many, many more things.

Duct tape is the cure-all for many problems on camping trips. It works quickly for inflatable leaks, inflatables with leaks, worn soles on shoes, sealing mosquito nets, securing tent poles, and so much more.

Ensure that you pack everything that you will need before leaving for a camping trip. You don’t need to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent. Make a comprehensive checklist of all of the items you will need on your camping trip and double check items in your bags and car against the list to ensure that you do not forget anything.

TIP! Bring everything that you will need before starting out on your camping trip. You would be pretty irritated if it turned out that you left your sleeping bag or tent back at home.

There may be spiders or bears near you that could pose a threat to your safety. Every camping trip has its dangers.

Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. It is easy to go online together and look at pictures of poison ivy and other hazardous plants so they will know what not to touch as they explore the great outdoors.

TIP! Be sure and give children a thorough explanation of what camping is all about and entails, before hauling them off on a potentially dangerous adventure. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.

Kids like camping, but you need to plan out activities for them to do on the trip. They probably aren’t used to fishing and pitching a tent. Teach them how to perform these things ahead of time to ensure a great trip.

If a pet accompanies you to the campground, do not just let him or her run free. There are campers who do not like dogs. It is essential to respect the feelings of your fellow campers. Also, dogs can damage your campsite or another person’s campsite if they’re not watched carefully.

TIP! Protect your canine companion on the trip by keeping him leashed and under careful supervision. Some people are afraid of dogs.

If a pet accompanies you to the campground, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Many folks are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. You should respect your fellow campers while at the site. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.

Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. Tape can be used to seal holes in your sleeping mattress. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. If you are going on a long hike, you can put it on the sensitive parts of your feet for blister prevention. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.

TIP! One smart thing to bring along camping is duct tape. It is nearly as useful while camping as it is around the house.

When you find your camping spot, pitch your tent wherever you can find flat and soft ground. Choosing a sloped or rocky site will make your stay quite uncomfortable. Always put down a tarp first to prevent any water damage to the tent.

It’s very important that you bring the proper items on your camping trip. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. Lists help people know what they need before they go. Some must have items include a tent, sleeping bags, a couple of tarps, food and water, a knife and fire starting supplies.

TIP! You must take the appropriate items with you when camping. Even letting one particular item slip your mind can devastate your trip.

Make it a point to properly prepare your flashlight when you have charged flashlights for your trip. It is not uncommon to accidentally switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bags. Keep your flashlight in backwards.This prevents accidental switch nudges so that they will ensure it is ready for use when needed.

When it comes to camping, it is important to be prepared. No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are not a part of your original plan. Weather is truly unpredictable at times, so prepare yourself for the worse. You must always exercise great care, avoid risk and consider your actions always.

TIP! Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! Often times, even the best plans go awry. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition.

You should never leave your car or basecamp with a cell phone that’s fully charged. You may also want to bring an extra battery as well just in case one runs out. Your phone is the most important equipment you have in an emergency.

Find soft, flat ground for your tent and make sure to stick your flag in that soil before the other guy! Choosing a rocky or sloped spot will result in you feeling discomfort when you have to spend time in the tent. A tarp underneath your tent is handy as it can help keep water from entering.

TIP! When you show up to go camping, pitch your tent wherever you can find flat and soft ground. If you select a bumpy or slanted area, you will have an uncomfortable experience in your tent.

One easy tip that you have to build your shelter before nighttime. It is very hard to put up a tent after dark. You need to make a fire or a sufficient number of flashlights. It is best to do this while the sun is still out so that you are all set whenever it gets dark.

Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. This way they won’t activate if the switch is nudged and will stay fresh till you need them.

TIP! Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It is very common for flashlights to be turned on inadvertently when going through camping supplies or while being stored.

Always pack a roll of duct tape along when you camp.

An orange peel can help to avoid insect bites. Don’t worry if you forget the bug spray. You can simply rub the inside of the orange peel on any exposed skin. This can help for many hours.

TIP! An orange may prevent you from getting mosquito bites when you’re on your camping trip. Don’t worry if you forgot mosquito repellant.

Seal all the seams when pitching your tent’s seams.You may find a tube at many sporting good stores if the tent did not come with any. This will stop critters from getting inside.

Trail mix and jerky are great snacks for a camping trip. After a busy day of hiking or other strenuous outdoor activities, you may be too tired to deal with campsite cooking. These snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense, making them a quick and easy source of nourishment. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.

TIP! Plan some to take some extra snacks on your camping trip such as trail mix or beef jerky. You may find yourself too tired to prepare food and these nutritious snacks could be very satisfying.

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 toilets at your campsite, you are going to have to go in the woods. Leaves can be dangerous alternatives to toilet paper, as you will want to use toilet paper to wipe.

Camping can be one of the most relaxing weekends of your life, or it can quickly turn into the trip from hell. How you prepare for your camping trip will make or break your weekend. If you prepare for different scenarios, you’re more likely to have an enjoyable trip.

TIP! Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. Preparation is what makes the difference between the two experiences.

Choose a sleeping bag for the season. For instance, in the summertime, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. When it’s cold, it’s a good idea to get a thicker bag so you’re not too cold.

Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. While most camping equipment is durable, they can tear or break easily. Duct tape will allow you to make some minor repairs and sleep comfortably if this happens to you.

TIP! Always keep some duct tape with you when you’re out camping. Although modern tents are more durable than older ones, you still may tear your tent.

Dress in multiple layers when you go camping.Weather in the outdoors can change on a dime. A cold morning can turn into a very hot and humid afternoon. The evenings can then turn back to cold. You’ll need to have layers of clothes so it’s easy to adjust to the weather as it changes throughout the day.

Make sure you know how to read both a map and a compass. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.

TIP! Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Although you may be familiar with the area where you are camping, you can still get lost when you arrive because many areas can look similar.

Take water purification tablets when you go camping.These tablets are great in case you ever run out of water into potable drinking water. Try the tablets at home first so you know how they will taste. It would be bad taste.

Try not to set up your tent near the bathroom for obvious reasons. Such campers think that situating their tent in such an area will be convenient, but they soon realize the error of their ways. While you can use the bathroom area for lighting, it also is an attraction point for a lot of people. When you camp by the bathrooms, it isn’t as convenient as you think.

TIP! Don’t assume that camping close to the bathroom facilities is a good idea. While this may appear a wise idea, it does not take long to discover otherwise.

Stay away from brush and wood as well as thick or deep brush.Always look through your things to make sure a snake has made it home.

Safety procedures should be acknowledged when you’re out camping. This means you need to avoid large and small wildlife. Even small animals can present a danger. If you encounter a bear, resist the urge to feed them.

TIP! Follow proper safety procedures when camping. This means you need to avoid large and small wildlife.

You always need to have your shelter set up before it starts to get dark. If you aren’t using a tent, it is much easier to set up a shelter in the daylight.

You should have a method for purifying your water on hand when you camp, including a few purifying tablets. Even when you believe you have brought sufficient supplies, or expect to simply boil collected water, you may find that more is required. At home, make sure you try the tablets out to be sure you know what the water tastes like. Don’t get dehydrated because you dislike the taste.

TIP! Always pack some form of water purification tabs. Even if you think you’ve brought enough water or you plan to boil water that you collect, you could easily exhaust your supply or run short on time.

Getting the most out of your camping experience should be easier now that you have these great ideas. Keep them close by when you plan your next adventure. They can help you remember what you need and make it the most wonderful camping trip you have ever gone on.

Although reading and listening music are fun activities to engage in during a camping trip, you should not forget to also enjoy and appreciate the wilderness itself. Look at the starry sky, or take a walk and view nature. This is very relaxing.

TIP! Bring music and a book if you like, but do not neglect to take in the scenery too. Try to relax by looking at the stars or walking on the trails on a moonlit night.