Nearly everyone loves to go camping! It is a great experience with nature, whether you’re with your family, spouse or by yourself. Camping can be an exciting and fun way to enjoy nature, but there are a lot of things you have to know. The article below contains tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your adventure.
Reserve your spot at a campground as soon as possible. Particularly in the summer, many people are interested in camping with their families. If you make your reservation in the winter, you are much more likely to get the best rate possible. Those savings can translate into additional family fun while on your vacation.
Try to get to the campsite well before nightfall. This allows you to get a feel for the lay of the land and gives you the opportunity to set up camp while you can still see what you are doing. In addition, it lets your children feel a little more comfortable with their surroundings because they will have time to explore.
When planning for your camping trip, don’t forget to pack sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn’t mean that you don’t need protection from the sun’s burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are several websites that will give you the weather forecast for the week. This information can help you better prepare for severe weather conditions.
If you’re new to camping, you’re going to want to arrive early at the campground. The reason for this is you will be new to the campground site and rules, and this will slow you down. You don’t want to be stuck setting up camp after dark, so just arrive a little earlier than you usually would.
When travelling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you’re near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well-fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!
Pack extra flashlights and batteries. It can get quite dark at night, away from all the city lights. A light source is very important. Bring a few spare flashlights just in case. Make sure that you pack extra batteries as well. A light source is something you do not want to find yourself without.
Make sure you have cover in case of rain. When you’re out in the woods, a rainstorm can be wet, cold and uncomfortable. Make sure you have some kind of protection against the rain, whether it be a tent, cabin or lean-to. In a pinch, you can use a garbage bag as a poncho!
An indispensable item to pack for your camping trip is a Ziploc bag. You can separate items in your gear like sunscreen and bug spray so if they puncture they do not get all over your gear. You can also use them to keep items like matches and cellphones dry if it rains.
Just because your tent is labelled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple of extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
Do not take anything that belongs in nature with you when you leave. Have fun and take pictures, but when you are loading up the car, make sure rocks, pinecones and other objects remain where they are. This is one of the unspoken rules of camping. Everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy these things.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
A great tip for anyone that is going camping is to take plenty of water. In this case, there is absolutely no such thing as too much water. Plan out how much water you will need and then try and at least double the amount just to be on the safe side.
Camping is fun but only if you plan things out properly. With any luck, this article has given you everything that you should know to make it an enjoyable and exciting time for you and your family.
