16 Brutally Honest Camping Do’s and Don’ts

Today I will be talking about the camping do’s and don’ts.

Why?

Because too many people are going out in the wilderness to do whatever the hell they want and either getting themselves hurt or somebody else.

But with these do’s and don’ts, you will soon learn what you can and can not do.

If you care about having a successful trip, with everyone home safe and sound, then I know you’ll make the right decision and keep reading.

The Do’s

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Do plan your trip thoroughly

Going out in the wilderness without a care in the world is going to get you in trouble, not just with yourself but with everyone around you.

Don’t believe me?

I’ve had countless trips go sour all because I didn’t plan how much food to bring, what gear I needed (or didn’t need) and where everyone was going to sleep.

Those are just a few mistakes campers make year after year. But let me tell you this, proper planning is needed if you want the best experience ever.

Do be aware at all times. Be aware of your surrounding areas. Know what’s around the corner from your campsite and where your camping buddies are at all times.

The last thing you want is your 7 y/o nephew wandering off in the woods or your son and his friend to fall down a bank somewhere.

ALWAYS watch your stepping. One major misstep and you can sprain your ankle, or even worse, break it.

Do bring more than you think you need. Like I said, be prepared and you will have the best time of your life. You don’t know if you will get lost, if you’ll decide to stay another night or if a bear’s going to raid your food stash.

Be a clever camper and take wet-weather gear, more food than you need, more blankets and pillows, and more clothes.  Be sure to pack hiking clothes if your camping adventure sees some activity. You’ll thank me later!

Do take more than just pictures, take VIDEOS. Most people take pictures, but pictures are outdated if you ask me. A picture says 1000 words, so how much does a video say? Riddle me that.

I’m not saying take videos only because that will be silly. However, take lots of pictures and a few videos on each trip. They’re amazing to look back on later in life.

Do follow the campsite rules. Rules are in place for a reason. The saying “rules are made to be broken” doesn’t apply here guys, unless you want to end up in hospital of course.

They are there for YOUR safety and for each and everyone else staying at the campsite. If you break the rules, you may get yourself or somebody else hurt.

Do prepare yourself for the unexpected. The wilderness is an unexpected place. If you’re prepared for anything that comes your way you’ll be able to combat most if not all obstacles mother nature throws at you.

A first-aid kit is helpful and should always be taken on a camping trip, but creating a SURVIVAL kit and keeping it on you at all times is even better.

We don’t know if we will get lost or if a bear is going to attack us, however, we can definitely be ready for when it happens.

Do relax for the first day. It takes an incredibly long time to unpack and set up. The last thing you want to do is go for an explore, swim, or bike ride around the campsite.

Instead, relax in the sun and enjoy the peacefulness. Have something easy to cook so you’re not stressing out too much.

Do camp more than 2-3 days. It takes a half a day to unpack and setup then another half a day to pack everything into the car and tidy up the campsite.

That’s ONE WHOLE DAY of being busy! And when you’re pressed for time, you can’t do all the activities you had planned.

Do check the weather numerous times. Check the weather leading up to the date of your camping trip and everyday while on it. Even thunderstorms happen at the peak of summer. If you’re expecting heavy rain and wind, you need to know if your tent can withstand such conditions.

If it’s a cheap one, you’ll likely be out of luck. Low-priced tents don’t do well in the rain.

The Don’ts

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Don’t follow the status quo for the rest of your life. If you do what everyone else does, you will end up being like everyone else.

Don’t think you should go camping once a year because everyone else does. Go camping 2-3x a year. Heck, even try winter camping if you’re up for the challenge.

Without challenge, there is no progression.

Don’t leave campfires burning, ever. Period. Wildfires are deadly, scary, and a complete waste of resources for everyone trying to put it out.

And the worst part: it’s totally avoidable. If everyone put their campfire out before going to bed, these things wouldn’t happen.

Don’t pitch your tent wherever you please. Pitching your tent in a ditch to stay protected from side rain and wind might seem like a good idea now, but that can turn into a disaster when a flash flood hits during the night.

Stay away from widowmakers, ditches, low-lying valleys and rivers that may rise and wash your tent away.

Don’t be noisy neighbors. You don’t like noisy neighbors who party all night, do you? So why be “those people” as well.

Camping is better when you’re relaxing and not staying up all night partying for a hangover in a hot tent the next day!

Don’t leave your food scraps, spills and rubbish lying around. Bears will come searching for your food at night if they can smell it.

Even if you’re not in bearcountry, raccoons and other wild critters can be a nuisance. Know how to keep your food safe TODAY or face the consequences tomorrow.

Don’t make a new campsite. Please, for me and every other outdoorsman, do not make a new campsite.

There’s so many around already and it’s just easier to use what others have built.

All the work is already done for you and you gain the benefits of being in the environment WITHOUT destroying it!

Don’t take your dog unless it’s trained. An untrained dog in the wilderness is a disaster waiting to happen.

It is a nuisance to you and fellow camp goers, especially barking dogs.

When you take it hiking, it’s likely going to run off and hurt itself.

Want my honest advice? Train your dog before you even consider taking it on a camping trip.

Conclusion

Were these do’s and don’ts what you expected or did you think of something totally different?

Camping is difficult, there’s no two ways about it, but when you learn the ropes it is much easier.

When friends and family refuse to go on their first camping trip with me, I reassure them they don’t have to do anything.

Newbie campers don’t want to be scared off on their first trip so it is best to make it as fun and relaxing as possible.

Thank you for reading and I hope you have a good time in the great outdoors.

Got a question or have something to say? Leave a comment below 🙂