Don’t overlook these fundamental camping tips when preparing for your trip! Whether you’re a beginner camper, or haven’t been out in a while, you’ll need these core steps when planning your trip.
This post is about fundamental camping steps you don’t want to overlook.
Camping is so much fun! It doesn’t matter if you’re doing backcountry, car camping, RV, or choosing to stay in a cabin. You can adjust your needs, preferences, and tastes to whichever style suites you best. For the sake of this article, we will use car camping as our example, since it is after all, tips for beginners. We also find car camping to be a reliable form of camping for beginners since you can go solo, bring your dog, friends, family, and kids! There are also great resources and access points for designated campsites that can easily be reached by a car! Always be sure to check the details, but many maintained campsites usually do not require a high clearance vehicle.
Camping is so fun and easy, let’s begin with some crucial steps to consider when planning your trip!
Step 1: Plan Your Camping Trip
Define the Purpose
Who do you want to invite on your trip? Are you going alone? Will you bring a dog or any pets along?
What are your goals for your camp trip? Do you wish to find a secluded peaceful area to spend some time? Or do you want to visit a fun lake where your can go fishing or engage to water sports?
Where do you want to go? Set your goals and taper your expectations. Do you want to visit the desert, forest, beach, a lake, or a State Park?
Why do you want to camp? Do you want to spend time to clear your mind with nature? Do you want to go swimming? Are you wanting to experience your favorite hobbies in nature; journaling, music, hiking, swimming, exploring, photography, birding, rock collecting, stargazing, or drawing?
When will you go, and for how long? What time of year, what season do you want to visit? Summer months will typically be the busiest camping season. Autumn is another great option because as temperatures cool, you can witness the leaves change.
Set your Goals
Do you want to go swimming? Choose an area with creek access, or camp near a lake. If you plan on fishing, make sure you have your license and choose an adequate spot.
Are you going hiking? Decide on your trail and look into other trailhead options in case you want to switch your plans when you get there.
You don’t have to have a definite plan, but its nice to research ideas so you have options and know the activities for your area. Some of the best trips we’ve had came with lots of planning and we ultimately decided on only one trail and other miscellaneous activities. Keep your schedule free and open. Sometimes your camp host will know of “secret spots” you can visit as well. Ask around and check in with park rangers to see if they recommend any areas. They know the area best.
Check the Weather
This one is a big one! Don’t get caught off guard by underestimating the cold weather at night, or not considering the warmer day temperatures.
Book Your Camping Trip
Make sure to book your reservation as soon as you are able. Some campsites are so popular, they need to be booked 6 months in advance! Decide on your length of stay. Of course, our recommendation is to stay as long as possible!
Please note: Camping on public land is generally allowed, but not to exceed 14 days at a time.
We use www.recreation.gov for all of our bookings. We use both the website and app versions for the phone and highly recommend their website. It’s easy to book and search for campsites. All you need to do is create a log in.
Be sure to check with your specific state or area for bookings. For instance, to book in a California State Park, you will need to visit www.reservecalifornia.com.
Additional Important Topics to Consider for Camping Trips
Know your Destination
Estimate and plan your travel route. This one is important because you will need to travel to and from your campsite. Are there family members or pets that need entertainment or activities during the road trip? Make sure to incorporate planning the driving part of your trip to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Firewood
Did you know you are encouraged to seek firewood once you arrive at your campsite? Some designated campsites will have firewood for sale onsite. Additionally, you are likely to find firewood within the nearby town, or gas stations.
It’s not encouraged to move firewood over long distances. This poses the threat of transporting invasive species. Here is a great resource that includes a firewood map!
Water Sources
Another important item to consider is your campsite’s local water source. Of course, you’ll be bringing in your own water, but see if there is a freshwater source near or within your campsite when you need to refill. It’s also fun to fill up fresh clean water from a credible natural spring and bring back home with you to drink later! Nothing beats enjoying fresh mountain spring water that you harvested yourself in your very own home! Reward yourself with the taste of fresh mountain water to remind you of your fun, exciting, and healing camping expedition!
Leave No Trace
Consider outdoor etiquette. It is our duty, as good humans, to preserve and protect nature. Make sure you leave your campsite in the same or better condition than how you found it. This means packing away any garbage or litter you come across and disposing of it properly in recycling and garbage bins. We want to keep our natural areas as litter-free and clean as possible. Explore the 7 principles of Leave No Trace Ethics so that you may prepare properly to use and enjoy your natural areas.
Safety
No matter where you are, we always want you to stay safe! Know your area and make sure you have access to items you may need. Get familiar with the emergency services in the vicinity of your campsite. How remote will you be? Will you have cellular service? How far is the nearest hospital or urgent care from your location?
The National Park Service provides a comprehensive guide for camping.
Phew! Now that you’ve done the leg work and have the background information you need, let’s get to the next part!
Step 2: Prepare Your Gear
Let’s jump right into one of the most fun parts! Packing for your camping trip! Here is a list of our baseline fundamentals we recommend for every beginner.
For your base camp:
- Tent
- tarp for laying the footprint beneath your tent
- include a small dust pan and broom so you can sweep your tent if little bits of dirt, rocks, or leaves get tracked in
- Sleeping pad, mattress, or cot
- make sure you have batteries if using an electric pump to inflate your mattress, or bring a manual pump
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- ensure your sleeping bag is warm enough to keep you warm throughout the coldest part of the night. Most sleeping bags will include the temperature at which they will keep you warm
- Lights
- headlamps, flashlights, lanterns, solar lights
- Camp chairs
- Hammock
- easy to set up and makes another comfy spot to chill at in your camp. You can also include a small blanket or pillow to make it extra cozy
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen, bug spray
- Go through and make sure you know how to use all the items in your kit, and ensure that it is properly stocked
- Phone/electronics charger
- extra batteries if needed
For your camp kitchen:
- Cooler/Ice chest
- Storage bin for dry food
- use a storage bin that latches on the side so small critters don’t lift the lid and steal your food
- Camp stove or small portable cooking device
- Kitchen Utensils
- multi tool, knife, cutting board, cups, plates, cutlery
- Foldable Table
- many designated campgrounds will provide a table, but a small portable folding table is nice have
- Food
- Trash bags
- Fire starters, kindle, matches, lighter (if you’re using your campfire for marshmallows or additional cooking)
Items for staying clean:
- Soap
- hand soap, hand sanitizer, and body soap if your campground has showers
- baby wipes if you don’t have camp showers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, chapstick
- Towel
- Change of clothes and outfits
- Extra toilet paper
- Your campsite should have a vault bathroom, but it never hurts to carry extra toilet paper just in case for when you’re out exploring.
Packing suggestions for exploring:
- Proper hiking boots, clothing, hats
- trekking poles, sunscreen, binoculars, camera
- Water items
- Swimsuit, flip flops, towel
- Additional water items depending on your plans; life vest, goggles, bodyboard, floating toys, rubber tubes, etc.
Additional optional items:
- Pop up canopy
- easy way to enhance your campsite and provide extra shade cover
- Floor mat
- a nice outdoor mat or blanket you can put down to sit down or lay on
- Extra lighting
- String lights or solar lights to hang up
- French Press
- For coffee lovers. The most satisfying cup of coffee I’ve ever enjoyed was camping in the forest.
- Books, cards, or games
Of course, we are providing suggestions for the basic items we use to make our trip fun and comfortable. Depending on the length of your stay, you may or may not want to include some of these items. You can of course, experiment and bring along other things you may enjoy and make your stay more comfy.
We do recommend on keeping your packing list limited and simple. The fewer items you pack, the less time it will take to set up and clean up your camp. Many people find “hacks” online, such as Dollar Tree camping hacks. We actually don’t really recommend making trips to the store and just choosing random items that sound fun because this can just increase clutter in your inventory and throughout your campsite.
After your first go at camping, you’ll be able to assess quickly what you did or didn’t need to bring for next time. Camping is a very personal experience based on individual preferences, so be sure to include things that you like rather than something you may see suggested online.
Step 3: Plan Your Meals
Camping meals can be as simple or as fancy as you want to make them! The best way is to plan your main meals first and then your snacks and additional beverages around that.
If you’re planning on making full meals, make sure to prep as much as you can while you’re at home. Chop vegetables ahead of time and store them in containers.
Easy solutions for breakfast include eggs, bread, jam, jellies, peanut butter, bacon, sausage, and pre-prepped hash browns or potatoes.
Lunch can be as simple as sandwiches or something portable and pre-made for when you’re out exploring.
Dinner will taste delicious no matter what it is, especially if you’re grilling or cooking over the campfire. You can get really fancy here and be your very own camp chef. You can bring do a stir fry with a side of precooked rice, noodles and vegetables, or grill up cuts of meat. Another simple solution are hotdogs or fancier dinner sausages. Camp pizzas are always fun! Freshly husked corn wrapped in aluminum over a campfire grill is one of our go-to favorites! There are tons of camping recipe suggestions online.
Don’t skimp on the snacks, bring anything from chips, nuts, crackers, or our all time favorite… fresh fruit!
And most important of all, don’t forget those marshmallows for the s’mores session you’ll be having each night. Mix up the chocolate and try out Recess or Kit Kat s’mores.
Step 4: Have Fun and Stay Safe
Always take it easy when camping. Keep it as stress free as possible. Never rush when you’re out there reconnecting with nature. The outdoors isn’t going anywhere and will be here waiting for you whenever you visit at whatever time you arrive.
We hope you’ve been able to glean some ideas from this article today, and can begin your brainstorming your strategy for your next camping trip. Until next time, happy camping!