Tips That Will Make Your Next Camping Trip More Enjoyable

Are you thinking about packing everything up and going for a trip in the wilderness? Whether you want to go for an overnight adventure or plan to stay a week, you must plan. The information contained in this article will help you have a fun and relaxing trip.

Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you take a sub-zero bag camping in the middle of summer, you will probably sweat all night, or even overheat. On the other hand, bringing a light-weight bag in the middle of winter could cause you to wake up freezing. You might even contract hypothermia.

TIP! Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy.

Pick out your sleeping bag which is appropriate for the season. You are going to roast all night long in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for cold weather that you camp with during summer. On the other hand, if you pack a lighter summer bag during cold weather camping, you may feel like you are freezing to death. You could even develop hypothermia.

Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. This will make everyone feel invested. Try to keep a small list, as there is such an abundance of spots to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. This can get people engaged and ready to go camping.

TIP! Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Talk about which state to go to.

When purchasing a brand new tent, set it up completely at home before you take it camping. This helps you learn to put up your tent. This will also eliminate the frustration associated with setting up your tent.

Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. This will prevent you from having a tent with missing pieces and then you can set it up properly. In addition, it will eradicate a portion of the frustration often associated with erecting a new tent.

TIP! Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. This helps you learn to put up your tent and make sure there aren’t missing pieces.

Take a first aid class, especially if children are camping with you.Make sure you do your research.

Before leaving on a camping trip, check the forecast for your destination. There are dozens of websites that can tell you about local climates. Armed with the forecast, you can prepare yourself with appropriate clothing and camping gear.

TIP! Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are websites available to provide information about the typical weather of the area for the time of your planned trip.

Camping Trip

It’s important to talk with you kids about the dangers of camping. Use the Internet to teach them about things like poison ivy and the like, and ensure that they will approach nature with respect and caution.

TIP! Teach your kids about camping safety before you bring them camping. 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.

Check out your medical insurance before leaving. You may need another policy when you are traveling on your camping trip. This is especially important if your camping trip takes you to another country. Be sure that you prepare yourself in case there is an injury or illness.

Is this the first time you are camping? Practice pitching the tent that you purchase to gain experience and avoid stress. This will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, for a more enjoyable trip when you understand your tent. This will help you quickly pitch a tent before darkness falls at your campsite.

TIP! Are you just starting with camping and want to know what to do to make it enjoyable? Spend time practicing pitching a tent prior to leaving for your trip. If you have successfully done it at home, pitching it at your campsite will be easier.

These items can make your spirits!

You need to make sure you have everything you need when you go camping. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Write a list of all the items you need and make sure to cross them off of the list once you pack them. Some useful items are items to create a fire, your tent, tarp, a sleeping bag, water (and lots of it), soap, food that is already prepared, and a utility knife.

TIP! Make sure you bring the right things when you go camping. Even just a few missing items can turn your trip into a disaster.

After you have eaten the orange, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.

Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. Pitching your tent on bumpy, rocky ground or on a slope won’t make for a very comfortable night’s sleep. Always put down a tarp in order to stop water from getting into your tent.

TIP! Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable.

Purchase some pillows that are made for camping. Regular bed pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. They also absorb moisture out of the air and can mildew fast. Camping pillows are covered with a coating that keeps moisture out to improve your comfort level.

Be sure to avoid draining your flashlight’s batteries on your camping trip. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. To make sure your batteries don’t get drained, put the batteries in backwards. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.

TIP! Don’t let your flashlight batteries get drained inadvertently. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight.

You don’t want to forget something important like your sleeping bag or tent.

Know the area that you’re setting up your camp in. Try to steer clear of wasp nests or other pest havens. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. Insect repellent is a life saver.

TIP! Keep an eye out on your camping area. Always avoid camping near a bee’s nest or insect breeding grounds.

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

Bring a good utility knife when you camp. These types of knives are the key to success when you need tools at a campsite. Carry an extra one in your bags in the event that your main one gets lost.

TIP! You should always bring a spare utility knife when camping. One of the most useful camp items is a utility knife, so pack an extra one just in case one gets lost.

If Fido is coming with your on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. There are campers who fear dogs. You must show respect the needs of others when you camp. Also, dogs can damage things around your campsite, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.

Always make sure your mobile phone battery is fully charged. The best thing to do is bring some backup batteries. A cell phone will be your best friend in the event of an emergency, so keep it charged and available.

TIP! Try to keep your cell phone completely charged. You might want to bring an extra battery as well just in case your original runs low.

Duct tape is a handy item to bring with you on your camping gear. It is nearly as convenient for repairs while camping as it is around the house. It can be used to repair holes in air mattress should it get a hole. It can also seal rips in tarps, sleeping bag, or the tent. You can even use it to help prevent blisters on your feet before long hikes so that you don’t get blisters. You can use it to bandage up injuries.

Camping is something that can relax you, or you may find yourself enduring a trip that isn’t so great. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do. If you prepare yourself for the wide variety of situations you may encounter, you are more likely to have fun and enjoy yourself in the woods.

TIP! Camping can either be a beautifully relaxing journey, or it can be a virtual nightmare. The type of experience you’ll have depends on the type of preparation you do.

Be conscious of where you have decided to set up. You need to avoid erecting your camping site close to wasp’s nest or other insect breeding grounds. If you are by plants or flowers, try wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect yourself from insects. You should also have insect repellant along.

Take along some duct tape on your camping trip. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. Duct tape can seal up your tent and keep you dry, especially when the weather is not cooperating with you like you thought it would.

TIP! Having a roll of grey duct tape is a good idea when camping. Tents are usually more durable than they used to be, but they can still get torn.

One great suggestion for any camping trip is to pack a spare utility knife. Utility knives are among the most versatile pieces of equipment in a camper’s arsenal so bring along at least one.

Learn how to use a compass and read a map before your trip. Even if you know what your campsite is like, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. To steer clear of calamities, learning the right way to use such lifesaving tools is key.

TIP! Master a map and a compass before heading out for your trip. Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you could still get lost because many areas look the same.

Even if you are familiar with your intended campsite, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. You can avoid potential tragedy by learning how to use these great lifesaving tools.

When you’re getting a survival kit together for camping, it’s recommended to bring waterproof matches. Store them inside an airtight container. Regular matches can be dipped in nail polish or paraffin to make them waterproof. You can use an old 35mm film canister to store them. A medicine bottle also works as a viable storage container.

TIP! Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Store them in a container that is both airtight and watertight.

Waterproof matches are an essential addition to your camping survival kit. Store them in a container that is airtight. You can make your own matches waterproof ones simply by dipping each one into substances like nail polish or paraffin. You can make a caddy for them in a 35mm film container or a small plastic medicine bottle made out of plastic.

Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. If your tent kit did not contain a tube of sealant, it can be found at most sporting stores. This will keep any critters and/or rainwater from getting inside your tent.

TIP! Make sure to seal the seams in your tent when you are setting it up. If sealant was not included in your tent, visit your local sporting goods store to purchase some.

It might silly, but always make sure you take toilet paper on a camping trip. If your campsite lacks toilet facilities, you’ll need to go in the woods. It is best not to use something from nature to clean yourself, as some plants are poisonous; stay on the safe side and take some toilet paper.

Once you are finished camping, be sure your campsite is left clean. Be sure to pack large plastic bags for clearing away trash. Pack up any food that may remain and remove it from the campsite. The thing to keep in mind as you prepare to go home is that the only sign of your stay in the woods should be your own footprints.

TIP! Leave your campsite clean when you leave it. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse.

Keep your food safe when you’re out in the wild camping. Make sure to pack your food stays dry and safe by using airtight containers. Store your food that requires refrigeration in an insulated cooler.Cooked foods should always be kept away from raw in order to prevent cross-contamination. Make sure your hands are clean by washing them or using hand sanitizer. Cook foods to the right temperature and get them chilled quickly.

Follow proper safety procedures when camping. This includes avoiding interaction with any wildlife. Small animals such as squirrels and possums can prove more menacing than their diminutive sizes suggest. Bears should never be fed in the wild under any circumstances.

TIP! While camping, do everything you can to be safe and cautious. This means you need to avoid large and small wildlife.

Make sure that your tent remains dry and properly ventilated. When you sleep in a tent that is completely sealed, condensation may occur in the sleeping bags, floor, roof, and walls from breathing and sweating. This can cause you to wake up soaking wet. Tents typically have some openings in them to ensure that may be opened slightly to keep moisture accumulations at bay.

If you are camping along a stream or river, always set up your bathroom area downstream. This ensures that water flowing through your camp remains uncontaminated by your additions. The location should be well away from both the water and your campsite.

TIP! If you have set up camp near a river, do not use the bathroom upstream from your site. This will ensure you won’t contaminate the body of water near your campsite.

Hopefully, reading these ideas has made you well prepared for planning your trip. Whether you are planning an overnight trip or a week long adventure, many of the same items are required. Start planning today for your next trip to fully appreciate all of the research you’ve done.

You always need to have your shelter set up before it gets dark. If night is already falling, there may not be enough time to get things built before dark. Even if you don’t have a tent, setting up a natural shelter is easier before the sun goes down.

TIP! Always set your shelter up while there’s still light. If its sundown, it might be too late for you to finish your shelter before dark.