Can you touch the sides of a tent?
Something as seemingly simple as camping might seem as though little planning is necessary. This is not the case. The better planning you do, the more fun you can have. The tips below will help you in finding the best plan for your next camping trip so you are prepared for anything.
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don't have to bunk with the adults.
Before you head out on your long-awaited camping trip, make sure the area where you plan to camp doesn't require a camping permit. If you happen to camp in a place that does require one and you didn't get one, then you could be facing quite a hefty ticket or fine from a local forest ranger.
Keep in mind that everything and everyone that goes camping is going to get quite dirty. As long as you are prepared for getting dirty, you will not feel so stressed out when it happens. Then, you can be as messy as you want, without worry of getting dirty. You can get cleaned up when you return home.
Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.
Try using dryer lint to help you start your campfire. Start collecting the lint from your dryer's filter about a month before you go on your trip. Simply hang a plastic bag near the dryer and stash the lint in the bag as it collects. Your kindling will be easily accessible when you are leaving for your destination.
At night, create "bear bags." Tie a rope around the bags with your food and your trash. Then, find a tree and toss bags over a branch, raising until they are at least seven or eight feet off the ground. Tie the rope around the tree so it is secure. This way, bears and other animals will not be able to get into your food and trash during the night.
Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.
Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Nonperishable food is favorable while you will be camping. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. Use proper food preparation techniques and make sure you are well-read regarding the precautions you should take.
Make sure you have a suitable water source. Even if you bring water with you, plan to need more water and know where you will be able to get more. It is a good idea to know where your water source will be before you go camping at all, but surely right after glamping rental you arrive.
Be prepared if you get lost on a camping trip. You should know how to use a map, compass, and GPS device before leaving for your trip. You should also keep these on your person during your trip. If you stray too far from your campsite, these items can help you get back quickly and safely.
If camping with children, place each set of their clothing in a zippered plastic bag or a tied plastic grocery bag. By sorting and packing their clothes in this manner, each morning your child can grab a package and have an entire outfit of clothing for the day. When it is time to go to bed at night, each child can stuff the soiled clothing back into the plastic bag and place it back into their suitcase and not soil unworn clothing.
Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.
A great tool to take whenever you go camping is duct tape. Duct tape is a very versatile tool that can be used from anything to mend broken tent poles, to patching up tent holes, all the way to serving as a band aide if you get a cut.
If you decide to leave your campsite to participate in activities like fishing or hiking, be sure you know how to get back. Many people become lost when doing these things and it could be hard for you to be found; remember, most cell phones do not work in these areas.
Before you load up the gear and drive toward your next camping trip, be wise and research different camping locations for the one which best suits your needs. As an example, if you are a greenhorn camper, then you will probably want to choose a site that is near civilization. Nothing is worse than arriving at your dream location and finding out that they have no space available, so be sure to make a reservation.
Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light-colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check your body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
Make sure you secure all sources of food at night when you go to sleep. There are many animals that can frequent campgrounds at night and scavenge your food, especially when left open and unattended for hours. You don't want to wake up to your food scattered everywhere, and you left with a shortage.
No matter where you pitch your tent or park your camper, camping should be a relaxing, refreshing way to unwind and take life a little more slowly. Armed with the tips and ideas presented in this article, you can make your next camping trip a successful, stress-free outdoor adventure.