Tips For A Successful (and Fun!) Camping Trip

Camping is something that you can really have a truly fun time doing. You can be close to nature or connect with your inner self. You can hike and build your very own campfire from scratch. There is a lot to consider when you want to go camping, and these are a few tips than will help you have a great experience.

Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is especially important to those who are not accustomed to the darkness associated with the great outdoors. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.

TIP! When camping, get your shelter squared away before nightfall. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible.

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, a flare gun and water purifying tablets. This kit may just be what helps you alive if you get lost and these items are indispensable for longer than planned. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your camp.

Never assume that you will find enough wood to burn, because rain can change that in an instant. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.

TIP! Never assume that you will find enough wood to burn, because rain can change that in an instant. It’s always prudent to bring wood that you have gathered beforehand, and to store it in a location where it will stay dry.

These things can help to keep you happy and make your spirits!

Dryer lint makes surprisingly good kindling for starting campfires. Start collecting the lint from your dryer’s filter about a month before you go on your trip. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.

TIP! You can easily start a campfire with lint from the dryer. Around four weeks prior to camping, start keeping the lint that you clean from your dryer filter.

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.

Don’t wait until nightfall to start your camp site. If you have an RV, find a secure place to park. When using a tent, choose a dry flat location. If you don’t do this, you could find yourself in a precarious and unsafe area after dark. This will also let you avoid the frustration of doing it when it’s not at easy to see what you are doing.

TIP! Your camp should be set up before nightfall. Find a safe place to park if you’re in an RV.

Try to get your camp is set up by nightfall. If you’re driving an RV, find a secure place to park. When pitching a tent, choose a dry flat location. Doing so before nightfall will save you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

Pillows are a good item to bring to maximize your level of comfort while camping. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. Standard pillows will take in moisture and could mold or mildew. Camping pillows use a coating to lock moisture out to improve your comfort level.

TIP! Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. Regular bed pillows can become damp if the weather is wet or humid.

If you are a camping novice, stay close to home. You may find that your gear isn’t up to par, or if you have problems with your equipment. You might realize you do not have enough clothes or food. A variety of issues could arise if you don’t know what to expect, so do not go too far for your first camp trip.

Ensure that you have everything you need before you go out camping. It is very inconvenient to forget to bring essential items like your sleeping bag or tent. Check and double check your packing list and make certain that every item has been included.

TIP! Pack your camping supplies in advance of your trip. It would be horrible to forget something important like the tent or camp mat.

If your dog will be joining you on your camping trip, don’t forget his leash. Many people are scared of dogs. You should respect the needs of others when camping. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, so be sure to keep control of them at all times.

Kids love camping, but you need to plan out activities for them to do on the trip. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. They may not know what it’s like to fish or do things in nature. Teach them about these activities prior to leaving.

TIP! Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest.

Take a few things to entertain yourself and your family.

When you go camping for the first few times, be sure that your camp is close to where you live. Things may go wrong and you may have to abort your trip early if things don’t go your way. Also, you can easily get home if you don’t have enough food or clothing. A variety of issues could arise if you don’t know what to expect, so being close to home can prevent you from feeling stranded and stuck.

TIP! If you are a novice at camping, don’t stray far from home. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help.

Write down a list of all the materials you need before embarking on your trip. This is doubly important for campgrounds are far away.

Are you a first time camper who has just bought your very first sleeping tent? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. This will assure you can effectively pitch your tent and have everything you need to do so. Practicing how to pitch a tent will also ensure you can quickly set up your tent when you arrive at your campsite.

TIP! Do you know how to pitch a tent? Give your tent a test run before you set out to pitch it in your first camp site in the wild. This will allow you take an inventory of all the necessary equipment needed to set up the tent.

Plan your camping trip. Make sure you have plenty of clean clothes to wear every day.Pack clothing items appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are considered essential gear for any camping trip.

Make sure that your sleeping bag is appropriate for where and when you are camping. If the weather is warm, you want a lightweight bag. If frigid temperatures will be present, choose a sub-zero rated bag. If you are going in cold weather, you will want a sleeping bag that hugs your body.

TIP! Your sleeping bag should be able to accommodate a variety of camping conditions. Use a lightweight sleeping bag for hot weather and a heavy sleeping bag for cold weather.

Keep pictures of your children on you if they are camping with you.This picture could be used to help find them if they were to get separated from you while on your trip. Always bring an emergency photo, especially when a good distance from the home.

Never let your kids roam out of your sight. Cars often travel through campsites, and little kids are prone to getting lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.

TIP! Always watch your kids closely. There is quite a bit of traffic at campsites, and young kids can wander around in the woods, often getting lost.

These grab-and-go snacks are great for taking on a hike or as a snack after a long day when you don’t feel like cooking. These snacks should preserve for a good while, eliminating the worry of spoilage.

Reading a map and using a compass are two things that should be done before heading out for a camping trip. Even if you’ve been to your campsite before, getting lost one time can still happen since many areas will looks the same. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.

TIP! Make sure you know how to read both a map and a compass. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost.

Cell Phone

When you’re setting up a tent it’s important to seal every seam. A handy tube is available at many sporting good stores to help you do this. This helps to keep animals, insects and rainwater out so you stay comfortable.

TIP! When setting up the tent, know how to seal every seam. You can purchase tubes of sealant at a sporting goods store, or your tent may have included some.

You should leave your car or basecamp without a cell phone that’s fully charged. You may also want to bring a spare battery for your cell phone in case one runs out. A cell phone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn’t going to die.

It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If you don’t happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. Wiping yourself with leaves is an uncomfortable task, especially in areas where poison ivy is common, so toilet paper is a must-have item.

TIP! It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If you take care of business in the woods, toilet paper is imperative to have.

Now that you know what to do, you should have a great camping trip. Make sure that you remember the ideas featured in this article for your next camping vacation. This will help you have the most pleasurable camping trip that you can.

Remember to choose a sleeping bag that is suitable for the season you are camping in. During summer, lighter bags are the rule, allowing you to maintain your cool. Winter, on the other hand, requires a heavier sleeping bag that is rated for low temperatures.

TIP! Always make sure that your sleeping bag is light enough or heavy enough for the season you will be using it in. During the summer, you will want to choose a light sleeping bag.