Camping can be a great experience, but only if you plan it well. There can be a lot that you need to think about when preparing for a camping trip, and sometimes, it only takes one mistake to ruin an otherwise perfect outing.
Whether you are a long-time camping lover or somebody who is brand new to the experience as a whole, it is important to be prepared for any possible scenario. That includes packing the right gear, looking into your campsite’s local area, or even making sure you know how to set up a tent properly.
Here are some brief tips on how to properly prepare for your next weekend camping trip or family holiday in the woodlands – and some advice that you might have overlooked.
1. Choose Your Site Wisely
One of the most important aspects of camping is finding the perfect location. This does not just mean the aesthetics and travel time needed to reach it – you also have to consider the weather, how isolated the site is, and even the specific rules and amenities each site offers.
Some campgrounds will have toilets, while others will not. Some might have lakes that flood in winter, while others will have barely any shade in summer. Make sure that you understand the conditions at your chosen site, and pack according to what you will be needing or lacking most.
Common sense is one of the best tools for planning a successful camping trip. Look at what each site (and therefore each potential trip) might be like, and make an educated decision based on any information you can find, such as reviews, maps, or the campsite’s website or social media page.
2. Pack the Right Gear
The key to a good camping trip is ensuring you have everything you need on hand. This can be anything from water, food, and emergency supplies to cooking utensils and toilet paper.
However, there are some less obvious things that are almost always useful. Torches or headlamps make it easier to navigate in the dark, and bug spray or anti-itch creams can come in handy for an inevitable bug bite or rash that you get during certain times of the year.
It also does not hurt to bring emergency supplies, even if you are going to a calm campsite where injuries seem extremely unlikely. A medical kit and/or medical advice book can prevent your holiday from being cut short by an unexpected injury you do not have the means to fix or treat.
3. Consider the Weather
Camping is all about being outdoors, and sometimes that means dealing with inclement weather. This can range from a slight drizzle or rain to a full-on storm or from pleasant warmth to blazing heat that leaves you sweating outside of any shade you can find.
If you plan to go camping during a certain time of the year, make sure you research the weather patterns or projected weather conditions in that area. Even if weather forecasts are not exactly accurate, they can give you a general idea of what to expect.
Remember to bring some clothes suited to the exact opposite weather, just in case. You do not want to be caught with no waterproof coat during a summer rainstorm or in thick clothing when cold weather suddenly heats up again.
4. Set Up Your Tent Correctly
One of the most overlooked aspects of a camping trip is how to set up a tent correctly. This is especially important for first-timers, but it can also be a problem for those who have been camping for a long time if they end up switching to a brand-new tent.
While you can sometimes use common sense, instructions can vary depending on the size or type of the tent, sometimes quite severely. Always double-check that you know how to pitch a particular tent, and do not hesitate to practice setting it up and taking it down if you need to.
This also applies to any other camping gear that you need to set up on-site. It is important to know how to set up your cooking equipment, for instance, or where to find a safe spot for a campfire.
5. Have Emergency Plans
Just as you have to plan for the weather and any gear that you need, it is also important to have a few emergency plans in place if you need to abandon the trip early. This becomes especially important in much more isolated areas where you can’t simply drive a short distance to a nearby town.
Always know that you have a way to get back home – or at least somewhere where you can buy extra food or get medical help – if you have no other option. This advice is more useful for campers who like to go to very obscure and out-of-the-way camping spots, but it never hurts to plan ahead, even in the safest of campsites.
This can also be important for non-emergency reasons: perhaps somebody from your trip wants to go home early or decides they are not enjoying the trip. Having a way to get back comfortably can be much better than forcing them through a trip they are not enjoying.
6. Use Online Resources
When it comes to planning a camping trip, there is an endless amount of online resources available. This could be anything from camping stove recipe blogs to reviews of specific campsites or even just directories of camping locations worth visiting.
If you are brand new to camping, resources like this can be invaluable for getting a solid plan in place. Even experienced campers might benefit from being able to look at other people’s reviews of campsites they are considering visiting or articles on new pieces of camping equipment that could be worth buying for their next trip.
Sites like The Camping Fire are a great place to turn for all kinds of general-purpose camping information and support, no matter your level of skill or expertise. Accurate knowledge can be just as important as reliable equipment, so make sure that you are keeping up to date with everything that might be important to your future camping trip.