You can't deny the allure of the great outdoors for many people. The best way to maximize any camping excursion is to arm yourself with knowledge of the most useful tips and tricks. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with the tips that follow, your next trip can be the best one yet.
Be prepared to get dirty. Being prepared for this will make sure you don't stress too much when it occurs. Enjoy hanging out in the wilderness and don't worry too much about getting messy. Things will be normal again once you are home.
Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. One of the things you will want to discuss is which state you would like to visit. The options are plenty, so do your research! It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
Make sure that you find out what sort of weather is forecast for the place that you are going to be camping at. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. Having a good idea of what the weather will be like will ensure that you pack accordingly for your trip.
Consider camping in an area that also provides you with a place to swim. A hot shower can be sorely missed. You'll feel much cleaner by swimming in cool water. Therefore, you aren't going to miss your home shower as much.
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. Bring along something lightweight and easy to carry, like a little bit of cream for your coffee or a candy bar. These things can help to keep you happy and make your trip more enjoyable.
Make sure to finish setting up camp during daylight hours. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. If you are in a tent, you need to find some flat, high ground. Getting your camp set up before dark will give you time to get to know your campsite and surrounding area. You can see how to set up your camp, which will save a good deal of frustration.
When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. 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.
A pre-made list will help you remember exactly what you need for your camping excursion. This will really be handy if you have a long hike to get to your campground. Have a list ready before your trip that you can check off, and pack at least two days before heading out.
Ensure you bring some flashlights and extra batteries whenever you go camping. You will surely find it necessary to illuminate things once night falls. If you have the proper lighting, you can prevent experiencing bad falls or wildlife encounters. It's a good idea to bring along one flashlight for each person in your camping party.
Sleeping Bag
Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. Sleeping bags made of lightweight material are optimal for warmer climates. By contrast, you should invest in a heavy sleeping bag if you plan to camp in a cold area. You might even consider a body hugging one as it helps you retain your body heat.
Orange peels are great items to reduce mosquito bites while camping. This can be used if you have forgotten your insect repellant. Just rub the inside of the peel over any exposed body parts. This should stop any frustrating, itchy mosquito bites.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. One thing to consider is whether or not there are insect nests in the space in which you want to set up. Granted, even if you are cautious, you should still protect yourself from insects using long garments to keep them off of your skin. Insect repellent will also help to keep the insects away.
Camping Trip
It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. It's likely that you'll be so worn out at dinnertime that you will only feel like snacking and not cooking. Also, these types of snacks have a long shelf life, so you can always reuse them on the next camping trip if they don't get eaten this time.
Bringing along a cell phone with a full charge isn't a bad idea while camping. You may also want to bring a couple of extra batteries in case one runs out. This is an important thing to have and you need to make sure you can use it if you need.
Having a roll of grey duct tape is a good idea when camping. Tents are pretty strong, but they can suffer tears. A little duct tape can means you can still sleep dry through a rainy night.
Camping is something that is truly enjoyable. But to plan the best camping trip, you should do some research first. Keep the guidance from the above article close at hand, and you will be ready to pitch your tent in no time.