What do you call a campsite without a tent?
If you are a fan of camping you are not alone. The best way to maximize any camping excursion is to arm yourself with knowledge of the most useful tips and tricks. These tips could mean the difference between another boring camping trip and the experience of a lifetime.
Always locate your shelter before dark when you are camping. After night falls, it becomes harder to prepare your camp ground and set up the tent. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Try to avoid setting up after the sun sets.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don't have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing's together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.
If you're camping with your family, try finding campsites that are pet-friendly. This is a great way for you to get your animals out in the fresh air. Your kids will be happy to have your animals there with you, so it can be a great experience for all of you.
Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You definitely don't want to leave something essential behind, such as your sleeping bag or tent. Create a checklist if you feel like you are going to forget something.
If you have special drinks that you like, take them with you camping. It is easy to forget things like green tea, hot cocoa or your special blend of coffee. You can even take wine if it is a romantic camping adventure. Just don't forget to pack a corkscrew.
Figure out your new gear before you go camping. The practice does really help. No one wants to get to the campground, only to find out that they don't know how to use something or set up their own tent. Practice with your new gear before you ever set foot on the campground.
Plan several activities to do while camping. Pack such things as cards, fishing poles or even plan for a scavenger hunt. If you have kids going with you, you may want to go a little overboard with the things you take for entertainment.
Bring enough food and snack items to last you throughout the whole trip. You don't want to spend your time going to get food every meal, enjoy yourself while you are camping. Bring cereal, hot dogs, and all of your other favorite food items that will fuel you throughout your trip.
Choose your campsite carefully. The location in which you're camping can make all the difference. Do plenty of research before you make any plans. What is the weather like? Does the campsite have specific rules? How crowded will the campsite be? Poor planning can make for a miserable camping experience.
Purchase a multi-use tool to store with your camping gear. This tool should include an axe, hammer and saw. The multi-use tool will come in handy when you are searching for firewood, clearing a trail and setting up your tent. When purchasing a multi-use tool, get one of the good quality one for years of enjoyment.
Make sure you have charged flashlights for the trip. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. 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.
People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.
Be thankful for your opportunity of camping on your campsite by cleaning up more trash than you brought in. This is an excellent method of showing appreciation and being polite to other campers who will be using the site. Pick up all your mess, and pick up a few pieces of other litters that is not yours. If everyone were to follow your example, the great outdoors would be a cleaner place for all.
If you will be camping in a warm area, you may think it is not necessary to bring a nice sleeping bag. That is a huge mistake as many areas cool off considerably at night. Secondly, a sleeping bag helps to mitigate uneven or rocky ground, allowing for more comfortable sleep.
Toilet paper is one of the essential items that you need while camping. If you go camping at a location with no toilets, you will have to use the bathroom in the woods. Using leaves to clean off is not a good idea because there may be some poison ivy mixed in.
If you are thinking about going camping for the first time, you may want to try it out the easy way first. Pick up your tent, set it in your own back yard, and spend the night there. Do not go in the house for any reason. If you have fun, camping is probably for you.
Bring along multiple methods for starting a campfire when car camping. Furthermore, be sure to keep them packed in different areas so you'll have a spare on hand if one gets wet or lost. For instance, you can pack a waterproof lighter how to build a tent platform in a backpack, some matches with your cookware, and some dry kindling in your trunk.
Camping is fun but only if you plan things out properly. This article has hopefully given you some great tips for the next trip!