Sleeping under the stars is fun, but you need to plan ahead to have a nice, easy trip. Use what you read in this article to have a successful camping trip.
You might think nature naturally provides all the wood you need, but the wood where you are could have already been picked clean, or it could be wet. Bringing some extra wood in a watertight wrapping is a smart idea for camping success.
You will get dirty. If you know this ahead of the actual trip, you can prepare for the inevitable and get yourself some extra supplies. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. You can always take a bath back at the house.
Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. Being prepared for this will make sure you don’t stress too much when it occurs. Enjoy the outdoors and get down and dirty. Things will be normal again once you are home.
Let everyone help choose the perfect campsite for your family. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. The options are plenty, so do your research! Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This assures there is enough sleeping and moving around room.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are a number of sites that can provide detailed information regarding what to expect weather-wise during your trip. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. Place the lint you normally throw in the trash in a plastic bag to take with you. This technique allows you to grab your kindling and go the day of your trip.
Before leaving for a trip away, attend a comprehensive first aid tutorial. Undertaking such a task is particularly important if you are going to be camping with children. If an accident occurs, you’ll need to know what you need to better the situation until you can receive medical attention. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. Find out if the local snakes are poisonous or if there may be plants or animals that you need to avoid.
Don’t wait until nightfall to set up camp. Choose a parking spot that you feel comfortable with if you are camping in an RV. Pitch your tent on land that is flat and dry. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
Take along pillows that are especially for camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.
A hankerchief is a great item to bring on your trip. They can serve many purposes, like potholder, blotter, hand towel or carrying bag. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.
If you bring a dog with you to go camping, keep it leashed up and keep an eye on it. There are those who have a fear of dogs. You should be respectful of other campers while at the site. Also, your pet could be destructive to other people’s belongings.
Try to get your camp fully set up by nightfall. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. If you are camping in a tent, look for a dry and flat area of ground. As long as it is daylight, you should not have trouble with these tasks. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
Duct tape is an imperative item to bring with you on your camping trip into the wilderness. There are multiple uses to put it to when camping, just like at home. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. If you’re planning on taking a long hike, place it on your feet to prevent blisters. You can also put it over bandages for extra protection.
When it comes to camping, expect the unexpected. Sometimes camping trips don’t follow your plan. Weather can change, situations can arise, injuries or illness can strike. To stay safe, plan ahead, do not take any risks and do not be careless.
Make sure you have all the gear you need before you leave your driveway. You do not want to forget essential items. Double check all your supplies to make sure they are accounted for and in working condition. Do this before you leave.
If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. An area that is sloped or rugged won’t make for the best place to put your tent. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.
Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. You can easily bump the power button on the flashlight while digging for things in a bag. To ensure that this does not happen to you, you can put the batteries in facing the wrong direction until you reach your destination. They will stay handy but a thoughtless push of the button will not turn the flashlight on.
Plan your first camping trip close to home. You could run into problems with your gear, or decide to cut the trip short. Novice campers sometimes don’t pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. People that are camping for the first time may have a lot of problems, so being close to home is recommended.
Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. Regular matches can be made waterproof when you dip matches in nail polish or paraffin. You can also make a caddy for them out of a 35mm film container or a medicine bottle made out of plastic.
While it may sound obvious, don’t forget to pack the toilet paper when you head out for a camping trip. If you camp in a place with no toilets, you’ll need to go in the woods. Rather than using leaves as a substitute, just bring your own toilet paper.
Have you just bought your first tent as a rookie camper? Before you head into the wilderness, take some time to learn about your tent and pitch it. Doing this will make you properly prepared when you get to camp. This lets you get it done before night falls.
Spending time in the outdoors can be more enjoyable when you’re properly prepared. Use the tips you’ve just been provided with to have a relaxing and more secure camping trip.