What To Take On Your First Camping Trip

There is nothing more uncomfortable than sitting in your tent for two days while rain pounds your tent and the wind keeps laying it down on top of you. Right after a storm could be just as bad with rain-soaked campsites and mud. Remember, there are no laundry facilities at the campground.

It’s incredibly important to brush up on your camping safety before heading out for your first camping trip. If you’re a light sleeper like me, earplugs will be a game-changer.Campgrounds can be noisy, particularly if you have disrespectful neighbors(see Tip #58 for more on campground etiquette). I recommend sizing up when choosing a tent.When driving to your campsite, you don’t need to worry as much about the added weight. Although, my 3-personBig Agnes Copper Spur tentweighs less than 4 pounds. Wipedown with baby wipes in my tent for privacy right before changing clothes for the day or night. If you’ll be camping for longer than 2 nights, invest in a hard-sided cooler.

It might seem excessive but even for an overnight trip, it’s safest to carry a 3-litre hydration bladder and also bring one or two bottles. If you are camping as a couple then I highly recommend looking into double sleeping bags and 2-person sleeping mats to go with them. If you’re camping off-grid somewhere with no facilities, also consider how and when you’re going to dispose of your waste responsibly, and bring extra trash bags for packing it out. For a complete Camp Kitchen checklist and buyer’s guide with advice on how to choose the best outdoor camping kitchen gear visit our Camp Kitchen Buyer’s Guide. Ensure you have a camping stove that suits your cooking needs.

Make sure you have a credit card, some cash, and your id when you leave. Your emergency contact numbers are probably already stored in your cell phone so you should be good in case something happens along the way. We always suggest bring a first-aid kit with you in case an injury or accident takes place.

Clothing For Your First Camping Trip

You are going to quickly see that you will use water for a lot of things from; drinking, cleaning and even cooking. The same goes for water as for food, bring more than you think you will need. You never know when you may get stuck due to weather, road closures, or injury. To prepare for the unexpected when camping,always pack extra food and water. Always check the weather forecast before you leave for your camping trip.If you see thunderstorms or high winds in the forecast, it might make sense to reschedule your camping trip.

Families camping with kids should remember to plan ahead when it comes to their snacks and entertainment. Barbecue is usually the camping food people swear by, but children won’t always eat them. Best to pre-pack individualized meals to avoid tantrums. Keep them entertained with board games, toys, and puzzles, if they’re not a big fan of trees and Mother Nature. Keep in mind which meals you plan to cook and which are perishable food. Bring ice coolers if required, but enquire if your campgrounds do provide ice for resupply.

Bring The Right Camp Kitchen Gear

You should always keep at least 25 yards away from less aggressive wildlife. For more aggressive animals like bears and mountain lions keep at least 100 yards away. For more on how to react in wildlife encounters, check out my fellow outdoor bloggerRenee Roaming’s guide on bear safety. Since most of us use our phones for navigation these days, it’s important to make sure you can navigate without cell service.

Try to find a balance between decent quality and cost. The more expensive the tent is, the more you need to worry about taking care of it. Obviously, the more complex or risky your camping trip is, the more research you should put in to try to minimise any danger aspects. Furthermore, the longer your tip is, you’ll most likely need to stock up a bit more on certain items to cater for the fact you will likely not have endless supplies. You’ve got the campervan, you have a destination in mind, and now you want to know where you can park your campervan overnight.

Seasonal Camping

Make space and comfort a priority in your choice of tents (unless you’re backpacking). Most tents fit in a car trunk, so size and weight aren’t a major concern. For family camping get a tent with a capacity rated two higher than the number of campers that will use it. So for a family of two, get a 4-person tent, for a family of four a 6-person tent, and so on. Dome tents are popular because they offer the most interior space with the least amount of material, which saves weight if you’re backpacking.

Here’s all the clothing you should remember to pack when you go travelling. Even now, with a fair amount of travelling under my belt, I find myself packing unnecessary items and forgetting the essentials. “Organize all gear in totes of various sizes, including clothes. Ditch the suitcases and use packing cubes.” —The Dyrt camper Diane N.

Essential Tips For First Time Campers

The second is the GVWR, or its weight once water and supplies are loaded. This refers to how much weight the trailer pushes onto the vehicle’s hitch. It is important that NONE of these figures is more than your truck’s towing capacity. When they first saw our new RV, they were super excited!

Is it particularly windy or rainy where you are going? These things will be a factor in deciding which kind of tent to go for. You will want to keep a clean camp, even if you are outdoors.

Check The Weather Forecast Before You Go

Do you want a heavy, bulky camp chair that maximizes comfort? Do you want a lightweight, minimalist camp chair that’s a bit less comfy, but is easy to pack? If you want a lightweight tent that could be used for backpacking too, choose theBig Agnes Copper Spur tent. For more budget-conscious campers, consider theREI Grand Hut 4 person tent. Of course, it’s a fundamental bit of kit if you’re going on a camping or hiking trip. Just try to make sure you take one that’s small and lightweight enough to justify carrying.

Essential Things To Take On A Trip

You’ll like a rain suit in case it rains, a swimsuit for a dip, and maybe a sweater or jacket for those cool evenings. New campers don’t always put enough thought into meal planning. Figure out how many meals you’ll be making for how many people, and put together some menu ideas.

If you plan to RV off grid, you may want to invest in a portable solar kit which would allow you to generate your own electricity for your basic needs. There are two items that every RV owner must have if they plan to customize their rig. You can use them to mount hooks for keys, picture frames, or small pieces of art. In order to keep your food fresh, you need to make sure there is air flowing throughout the fridge.

You can create an account and save your payment preferences, so all you have to do is add a campsite to your cart when the reservation window opens. How much you enjoy your camping experience will depend on the weather. Before booking a campsite,look into the weather by month at your campground of choice.

I was happy they had tested the waters with us and not rushed out to buy tons of things they wouldn’t need. When you’re using your generator, move it as far away from your trailer as possible. Several nice generators provide a quiet service, but most do not. If your generator is loud, check out this article on how to quiet it by up to 50%.