Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Planning a camping trip for your family? Whether you are planning a weekend camping trip with your loved ones or an intense solo trek, you’re going to need to know several important camping tips. This resource guide will show you the dos and don’ts of camping for this summer season. All you need to know is below, so read on to make sure you have a safe, fun experience!
Destination
This first tip may seem obvious but it is the most important factor you need to know on this list. Where you go for your outdoor excursion affects everything else that is outlined for you in this resource guide. Your desired destination influences what you bring, what you do, and what you need to know about possible dangers to protect yourself. Your desired location also affects who you bring on your trip. Young children, pets, or elderly family members may not be able to enjoy some camping spots safely because of the elevation levels, wildlife, or terrain.
Do your research on your destination to see the elevation, local wildlife, and temperature ranges — especially in mountainous regions when the cold can rapidly spike at night. If you’re not a seasoned camper, it is recommended to find campgrounds within an hour or an hour and a half from your home or the nearest city. Recreation.gov is a great nationwide resource for campgrounds. Where you and your loved ones go is everything for your next trip, so make sure it’s an awesome destination for everyone!
Packing
Everyone stresses over what to bring on their camping trips; even seasoned campers stress. As mentioned before, what you bring largely depends on where you choose to go and how long you plan on staying there.
Tents and Sleeping Bags
Tents and sleeping bags should be first on your lists. A tent camping tip for you is: pick a tent with a three-season rating, even for the summer. Most tents and sleeping bags are fit for spring, summer, and fall. Choosing a tent with a three-season rating can keep you warm at night and cool during the day. Sleeping bags also have three-season ratings and denote temperature thresholds, for you explorers camping in colder regions this summer.
If you want to drastically improve your camping game, check out our rooftop tents. Area BFE designs amazing tents that attach to the rooftop or bed of your car or truck. Their products include two-person black hard shell rooftop tents, platinum hard shell rooftop tents, softshell tents, shower tents, and awnings.
These tents are collapsable, so you can leave them attached to your vehicle while you drive. Suitable for extreme terrains, each tent has comfort features for your needs, like skylights, ladders, abundant storage, solar panel installation, and foam mattresses. Each tent comes with a one-year warranty. Explore the Area BFE website to find the best product for your rooftop tent camping needs.
Odds and Ends
Don’t forget bug spray, sunscreen, anti-itch lotion, and a mini first aid kit. These little odds and ends can make your camping trip an absolute nightmare if they’re forgotten! Lighters and firestarters are essential if your location allows you to have campfires.
Flashlights, batteries, and headlights are other small odds-and-ends that will make an easier, more enjoyable experience. These items can increase visibility and keep you safe once night falls or if you are lost.
Having a water filtration system can be a lifesaver if you are camping far from any town or city, and buying water isn’t an option for you. The Lifestraw is a very popular option for portable water filtration among adventurers.
Clothing
Having layers even in summer can’t hurt. Temperatures tend to fluctuate at night and it’s better to have comfortable clothing for multiple temperature ranges than just shorts and t-shirts. Keep in mind that cotton absorbs a lot of water, so having exclusively cotton clothing can set you up for an uncomfortably moist time. Don’t forget to wear close-toed shoes, preferably a comfortable pair of thick-soled sneakers or hiking boots. It’s hard to enjoy the great outdoors with serious blisters from choosing the wrong footwear.
Food
Finally, food is one of the most important things you can pack, especially if you do not hunt or fish. Nonperishable food items like jerky, trail mixes, and protein/breakfast bars, are excellent fuel for travelers that don’t plan on cooking or are in an area where lighting campfires or using camp stoves is not allowed. If you are in an area that allows fires and camp stoves, bring a heavy-duty cooler for your perishable food items and stainless steel cookware.
Hunting and Fishing
If you’re an avid hunter or fisher, make sure to read the rules concerning wildlife and fishing in the area that you’re planning to travel to. Some parks allow catch and release, but some parks don’t allow fishing or hunting at all. There are different hunting seasons for different game. Some animals are protected or endangered and are therefore off-limits. If you choose an area that allows hunting and fishing, bring adequate, licensed firearms and fishing tackle.
Safety
Being safe is a requirement when exploring the great outdoors. If your campsite is far away from hospital access, you need to take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and anyone else in your party.
One of the things to watch out for is wildfires. Your destination may be a drier area and may be prone to wildfires. Follow the park’s guides on safely building and monitoring your campfire. Don’t leave campfires unattended, and make sure they are properly extinguished before retiring for the night.
Be smart out in the wild! You are not the only one out there. Follow common sense and safety guides set by national park rangers. Heed all signs when it comes to wildlife. You cannot feed them, touch them, or get too close for your safety. These rules apply to animals large and small.
Feeding wild animals makes them less afraid of humans and more willing to approach them and take food from them. There’s a saying among park rangers that “a fed bear is a dead bear”, meaning wild animals that get used to being fed by humans have to be relocated or euthanized so that they don’t continue to seek food from people, putting other’s lives at risk.
You can also bring gear like bear spray, air horns, or utility knives to protect yourself if you absolutely need to. Following precautions should keep you away from dangerous situations.
Camping Mistakes to Avoid
Here are camping tips surrounding some easy-to-make mistakes for both first-time and seasoned campers:
- Not enough research on your destination: Your destination is everything and decides many of your choices. So read up and plan accordingly!
- Don’t disconnect from technology: Use digital maps and make emergency calls if you need to.
- Pick a pack that suitable for you: Ill-fitting backpacks can cause bruises and back pain, and make you miserable
- Don’t overspend on gear: If you’re not an avid camper and just want to take the family on a trip, don’t feel pressured to pick the most expensive items.
- Don’t skimp on snacks: You want to have more food than less, especially if you’re far away from civilization, and you don’t hunt or fish.
- Don’t litter: We all want to enjoy nature. Leave it the way you found it! Bring trash and waste bags to reduce your impact in the wild.
Conclusion
This resource guide is an excellent go-to for enthusiasts, family campers, and solo travelers alike. Our guide is here to help you plan the best trip for yourself or your group. For more information, check out the rest of our website or contact us directly!