I love camping, so it should come as no surprise that over the years I have discovered some of the best camping tips ever.
I will mention my tip tops in this very article and let you decide if you want to use any for your next camping trip or not. In the next couple of minutes you are going to be a much better camper and/or backpacker!
Without further ado, lets get into these tips so you can finally go out into the outdoors and show all your friends how much of a bad ass you really are 🙂 Or that special girl you’ve been trying to impress for so long now (lol).
1) Plan Your Trip A Lot Better
A 5 minute plan, followed by a scurry out the door is a recipe for disaster. Plan your trips a lot better and prepare at least a week earlier, then when it comes closer to the time you will remember things you have forgotten.
2) Consider Meals With The Same Ingredients
Meals that use the same ingredients, or close to, will be your best option when cooking in the wild. This is to minimize the amount of ingredients you have to bring, ultimately making less stress on yourself.
3) The Importance Of A Checklist
I’m an avid camper and consider myself advanced, however that doesn’t mean I can remember everything to bring. I still use checklists until this day and you should too. Here’s the one I use.
Remember, you don’t need EVERYTHING on the list. Just take the things that you will need.
4) Don’t Settle For Normal Flooring
A lot of times I will finish a camping trip with sore feet (not since I started using this technique though).
This is due to the flooring of my tent being rock hard, well not exactly. Just the hard dirt ground can really start taking a toll on your feet, especially when you’re out in the field for days.
I use foam tiles for the flooring of my tent, now my feet can’t stop thanking me 🙂 🙂 This also spices up the color too, so you’re not stuck with the same old dark colors that most tents provide.
Here’s a post from alittlecampy.com explaining more about it!
5) Consider A Compression Bag
These work like a charm, and will soon become your best friend.
The more you use them the more you love them. A compression bag will compress a lot of your heavy items down so you have more room for other gear that you usually can’t fit in your bag.
6) Create Various Zones
You should create various zones for different activities, this is to ensure everything stays in the correct place, because as you may or may not know, organization is key when out in the wilderness.
Examples include: Eating, laundry, washing, first aid, etc.
7) Use Tent Rope For A Clothesline
This comes in handy in more ways than one. Tie a rope between two trees, creating a makeshift clothesline. I do this as soon as I arrive at the campsite, it’s all about being prepared people!
Hang coats, boots, shirts or other wet items when needed.
I also find that it works perfectly for over a picnic table, if a downpour passes through, just throw a tarp over the line with a couple of poles and you are going to stay completely dry.
8) Use Trash Bags
Even though the campsite probably has rubbish bins there, it will make it a lot easier if you just put the rubbish inside a trash big first and then put that in the rubbish bin when you leave or if it gets full.
9) Keeping Your Cooler Cold
Use a block of ice to put in your cooler then fill the remaining space with cubes. This will ensure the ice stays frozen for longer. Also when the water has melted, don’t make the common mistake of draining it.
The water will also help keep the goods cold, so until that isn’t cold anymore, then it’s okay to drain out.
10) Don’t Overlook Using Protective Gloves When Cooking
Things can get hot real quick. You’re just one bad move away from burning yourself badly. Eliminate this hazard and wear protective gloves when moving around hot pots and pans. Too many people are still making this silly mistake.
11) Don’t Use Non-Stick Pans
For safety reasons of course. Non-stick pans over the campfire actually release toxic chemicals. Be safe, especially with your kids around.
12) Heat Up Your Sleeping Bag
Hot days can turn into cold nights real quick. Combat this by placing some hot rocks from around the campfire into your sleeping bag to ensure you can climb into a well-insulated bag, helping you stay warm all night.
13) Take Multiple Firestarters
I use to take just one firestarter and be left scratching my head when the fire didn’t start, when the last couple of times it did. It took me a while before IÂ realized that some firestarters work better in different conditions.
14) Start Cutting Firewood Right Away
Well not right away, but I usually do it after I set up my shelter/tent. Cut enough for at least a couple of days ahead. Set them out properly. Begin with kindling, medium, then bigger logs.
Then you have more time to relax and have fun for the upcoming days instead of worrying about cutting more wood.
15) Include The Kids In Everything You Do
Not only is this going to make everything easier for you.
But explaining how you’re starting the fire, telling them what kindling is for and getting them to collect firewood is going to boost their confidence and help them learn, which is what growing up is all about.
You can do this with all outdoor activities, this will make them feel included and will stop them from wandering off as you set everything up.
16) Get The Kids A Proper Children Sleeping Bag
Adult sleeping bags are NOT designed for kids, so they will not be as comfortable in one as we are. Get your kids a proper children bag so they can actually get a better nights sleep. Heck, your kids will thank you for it!
17) Try Out A Cot
These work perfect for people that don’t like to sleep on the ground but would rather sleep above it.
I always thought they were stupid when I first seen them, but after using them a few times I actually don’t mind them anymore.
The downside of cots is that they require more room and a larger tent, but if you are going camping with your car then this shouldn’t be a problem.
18) Consider A Sleeping Mattress
These work great, however they are a little on the larger side and will only fit in a larger tent as well.
I do find that these work perfectly for kids who find it more comfortable and safe to sleep with their parents. So these are a great alternative to sleeping pads, and tend to work better in the warmer months too.
Heck, they are a lot more comfortable anyway!
19) Do A Quick Campground Audit
Before you leave, write down the campsite you visited and what your experience was like.
Make quick notes, so when you read that paper again, it will help you remember your experience. That’s what your focus should be. Was it good or was it bad?
After a few trips you will start seeing what your favorite campsites are and which ones to avoid in the future.
I find that doing this makes future trips later on so much easier, since you know which campsites you will like to visit again.
20) Choose The Correct Tent
More often than not I have chosen the wrong tent, your camping experience will be better if you choose a tent that will actually fit your current needs and NOT going to break as soon as you get out in the field.
Don’t choose a tent that will only be good for car camping if you plan on going for a backpacking trip into the wilderness.
Also, don’t choose a tent that’s only going to fit you and your friend in it when you still need somewhere to put your gear.
Fortunately I am here to help you, I have another article that will help you make the right decision.
Learn How To Find A Good Tent Here
Conclusion
I enjoy camping and I really like helping people have a better experience in the great outdoors. Because frankly, I see a lot of people have one bad experience, which in turn, stops them from camping altogether.
This shouldn’t be the case and it won’t be the case. You can’t let one bad trip stop you from going again.
Hopefully I have opened your mind to the wondrous beauty that the world has to offer. There is a lot more to life than drinking and partying, or even working nonstop.
Take a load off, go on a weekend trip, or even a 3 day trip out at your local campground with a friend or 2.
Hope this helps you make the right decision.
If it did, please let me know in the comments below what your favorite camping tip was! 🙂
Brandon,
Cool, informative post with some really useful tips. Based on my experience with camping, I certainly can say that a little planning goes a heck of a long way! It looks like you have covered pretty much everything one could think of, so thanks very much for sharing! Cheers!
I agree buddy. You can never be too prepared.
Glad you liked these tips.
-Brandon