Beginner Camping Tips
Even the most seasoned of campers was once a beginner. Let's face it, we all
have to learn some time, so we've put together these beginner camping tips,
with the new camper in mind, hoping that this will help them come up the
learning curve a little faster. Maybe this information will help you to avoid some
painful experiences, and better enjoy your first few camping trips to the great
outdoors.
Beginner Camping Tips - Make, Use, and Maintain a Camping Checklist
By making and using a camping checklist you have at least given some
thought to your trip and done a little bit of upfront planning. By using the list you
will be much less apt to forget something critical to your trip. Take the list along
with you and add to it as you think of things that you wished you had brought.
This way your list gets better with each trip, and it makes it that much easier to
plan and go on the next one. To help you get started, we've included the
camping checklist that we often use when going tent camping.
Beginner Camping Tips on Camping Gear
If you have bought a new tent, lantern, cook stove, or some other gear its a
good idea to try these out prior to your camping trip. There is nothing worse
than trying to set up a new tent for the first time when its starting to get dark.
This is also true for trailers or tent trailers. Become familiar with their set up
prior to your trip, and get some experience backing them up, so that you
don't have a tough time when you get to the campground.
Set Up Camp Before Dark
Arrive at your campsite early enough the first day so that you have plenty of
daylight to get your tent and other equipment set up. This will get you off to
a good start so that you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Be aware that it
gets dark much earlier when you are deep in the forest.
Plan Your Meals Before the Trip
Plan your meals before you leave
on the trip. This way you'll know
what food to buy, and what you'll
need in order to prepare it. Try to
avoid getting stuck stopping at a
convenience store, far from the
city, where items are limited
and often very expensive.
Bring the Right Clothing
When packing your clothes make
sure that you have enough clothing
in case someone falls into the lake
and gets all wet or something else
unexpected happens. Be sure and bring a swim suit and towels if swimming
is in your plans. Make sure to have some sweat shirts, light coats, and rain
gear in case it gets cold and wet. Pack enough, but don't overdo it.
Remember you are probably space limited on what you can fit in your car,
and to some extent you are roughing it so you probably won't need near as
much stuff as normal.
Beginner Camping Tips - Is Your Tent Big Enough?
There is nothing worse than having your family all packed in to your tent like
a can of sardines. Just because you are roughing it doesn't mean you can't
enjoy a little bit of comfort. If you're tent is large enough and you even splurge
for some air mattresses you can be sleeping nice and comfortable. We have
a 9' x 15' dome tent that fits our family of four very comfortably. What I like best
about having a bigger tent is that it gives you room to walk around the beds,
and still have space to stack clothes or luggage. Even though this is a pretty
large tent it folds down to a small size and hardly takes up any space, so
unless you are backpacking, I'd recommend going with a larger tent just to be
on the safe side.
Make Your First Trip Close to Home
I would recommend going to a campsite pretty close to home (within 1-2 hours)
for your first trip. That way if anything too terribly wrong happens, then you can
just drive home. Its always good to get some recommendations on places to go
from some of your friends that are experienced campers. They'll probably know
some good places to go for your first camping trip.
Beginner Camping Tips on Flashlights
Make sure and take flashlights and check their batteries prior to the trip to make
sure that they are good and strong. Flashlights will be helpful if you are chang-
ing in a dark tent or if you have to get up in the middle of the night and go to
the bathroom. We don't want you stumbling around through the woods in the
dark do we? Lanterns are also very handy, especially if you want to light up
your campsite and play some games around the picnic table. These now come
with small screw-on propane tanks that are inexpensive and very easy to use.
Check on Fire Restrictions or Burn Bans
Check ahead of time and make sure that there are not any fire restrictions or
burn bans at your campground. If you are looking forward to a good old camp-
fire (and what camper is not?) than you could be greatly disappointed.
However, if a campfire is a go, then make sure that you bring some firewood,
and some kindling or newspaper along to burn. Some parks have firewood
available for sale, but not all do, and most parks won't allow you to pick up
twigs and branches off the ground to burn.
Check Weather Conditions Prior to Your Trip
If severe weather is predicted for your camping area, and you can schedule
your trip another time, then do it. There is nothing worse than being confined
to your tent or slopping around in the mud for a few days.
Beginner Camping Tips on Park Rules
Remember to obey all park rules and be courteous to other campers. Sound
carries much further in the forest, so keep your voice down, especially at night.
At the end of your stay, leave your campsite clean and ready for the next
camper.
Make Note of Your Favorite Campsites at the Campground
Once you've been to a campground that you like and scouted around some,
make note of the campsites that you like the best. This way you'll remember
these for future trips, and if you can reserve a particular site, you'll know which
ones you're most interested in.
We love to camp, and we hope that your family will also find it fun. Hopefully,
some of the beginner camping tips that we have shared will make your trips
more enjoyable. Have a safe trip!
have to learn some time, so we've put together these beginner camping tips,
with the new camper in mind, hoping that this will help them come up the
learning curve a little faster. Maybe this information will help you to avoid some
painful experiences, and better enjoy your first few camping trips to the great
outdoors.
Beginner Camping Tips - Make, Use, and Maintain a Camping Checklist
By making and using a camping checklist you have at least given some
thought to your trip and done a little bit of upfront planning. By using the list you
will be much less apt to forget something critical to your trip. Take the list along
with you and add to it as you think of things that you wished you had brought.
This way your list gets better with each trip, and it makes it that much easier to
plan and go on the next one. To help you get started, we've included the
camping checklist that we often use when going tent camping.
Beginner Camping Tips on Camping Gear
If you have bought a new tent, lantern, cook stove, or some other gear its a
good idea to try these out prior to your camping trip. There is nothing worse
than trying to set up a new tent for the first time when its starting to get dark.
This is also true for trailers or tent trailers. Become familiar with their set up
prior to your trip, and get some experience backing them up, so that you
don't have a tough time when you get to the campground.
Set Up Camp Before Dark
Arrive at your campsite early enough the first day so that you have plenty of
daylight to get your tent and other equipment set up. This will get you off to
a good start so that you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Be aware that it
gets dark much earlier when you are deep in the forest.
Plan Your Meals Before the Trip
Plan your meals before you leave
on the trip. This way you'll know
what food to buy, and what you'll
need in order to prepare it. Try to
avoid getting stuck stopping at a
convenience store, far from the
city, where items are limited
and often very expensive.
Bring the Right Clothing
When packing your clothes make
sure that you have enough clothing
in case someone falls into the lake
and gets all wet or something else
unexpected happens. Be sure and bring a swim suit and towels if swimming
is in your plans. Make sure to have some sweat shirts, light coats, and rain
gear in case it gets cold and wet. Pack enough, but don't overdo it.
Remember you are probably space limited on what you can fit in your car,
and to some extent you are roughing it so you probably won't need near as
much stuff as normal.
Beginner Camping Tips - Is Your Tent Big Enough?
There is nothing worse than having your family all packed in to your tent like
a can of sardines. Just because you are roughing it doesn't mean you can't
enjoy a little bit of comfort. If you're tent is large enough and you even splurge
for some air mattresses you can be sleeping nice and comfortable. We have
a 9' x 15' dome tent that fits our family of four very comfortably. What I like best
about having a bigger tent is that it gives you room to walk around the beds,
and still have space to stack clothes or luggage. Even though this is a pretty
large tent it folds down to a small size and hardly takes up any space, so
unless you are backpacking, I'd recommend going with a larger tent just to be
on the safe side.
Make Your First Trip Close to Home
I would recommend going to a campsite pretty close to home (within 1-2 hours)
for your first trip. That way if anything too terribly wrong happens, then you can
just drive home. Its always good to get some recommendations on places to go
from some of your friends that are experienced campers. They'll probably know
some good places to go for your first camping trip.
Beginner Camping Tips on Flashlights
Make sure and take flashlights and check their batteries prior to the trip to make
sure that they are good and strong. Flashlights will be helpful if you are chang-
ing in a dark tent or if you have to get up in the middle of the night and go to
the bathroom. We don't want you stumbling around through the woods in the
dark do we? Lanterns are also very handy, especially if you want to light up
your campsite and play some games around the picnic table. These now come
with small screw-on propane tanks that are inexpensive and very easy to use.
Check on Fire Restrictions or Burn Bans
Check ahead of time and make sure that there are not any fire restrictions or
burn bans at your campground. If you are looking forward to a good old camp-
fire (and what camper is not?) than you could be greatly disappointed.
However, if a campfire is a go, then make sure that you bring some firewood,
and some kindling or newspaper along to burn. Some parks have firewood
available for sale, but not all do, and most parks won't allow you to pick up
twigs and branches off the ground to burn.
Check Weather Conditions Prior to Your Trip
If severe weather is predicted for your camping area, and you can schedule
your trip another time, then do it. There is nothing worse than being confined
to your tent or slopping around in the mud for a few days.
Beginner Camping Tips on Park Rules
Remember to obey all park rules and be courteous to other campers. Sound
carries much further in the forest, so keep your voice down, especially at night.
At the end of your stay, leave your campsite clean and ready for the next
camper.
Make Note of Your Favorite Campsites at the Campground
Once you've been to a campground that you like and scouted around some,
make note of the campsites that you like the best. This way you'll remember
these for future trips, and if you can reserve a particular site, you'll know which
ones you're most interested in.
We love to camp, and we hope that your family will also find it fun. Hopefully,
some of the beginner camping tips that we have shared will make your trips
more enjoyable. Have a safe trip!
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