If you love the great outdoors, mother nature, and the smell of fresh air, nothing will please you more than a nice camping trip. But, there are some things you need to know about camping before going on your trip. This article will give you the best camping tips around.
When you go camping, find your shelter before it gets dark. Once things go dark, you will find it very hard to erect a tent, locate wood and cook a meal. This is particularly true for anyone accustomed to city living and unfamiliar with pitch dark woods. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!
Before you head out on your long-awaited camping trip, make sure the area where you plan to camp doesn't require a camping permit. If you happen to camp in a place that does require one and you didn't get one, then you could be facing quite a hefty ticket or fine from a local forest ranger.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
A bandanna or handkerchief should be brought along with you. They can serve many purposes, like potholder, blotter, hand towel or carrying bag. There are countless other uses for such items, so try your best to remember to bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you.
Take the time to get a map and to get to know the land. This will help prevent you from getting lost, and to help you figure out how to navigate around your camping grounds throughout your entire trip. This is a good idea to help save time and worry for you.
Bring bug spray. If you forget your bug spray on a camping trip, you will deeply regret it. Try a few different bug sprays ahead of time. Find something that works and doesn't irritate your skin. You also want to make sure that it isn't so greasy you'll be unwilling to sleep in it.
Get a sleeping bag that is warm enough. This is important. Even if you go camping in the summertime, nights can get very cold out in the wild. There are sleeping bags promising protection from varying cold temperatures; it is a good idea to opt for as low a temperature huge tents as you can find.
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
If you're camping where there is dangerous wildlife, double your food reserves. You should wrap up your food tightly, store it somewhere that isn't close to your tent, and avoid certain types of food altogether. This helps lower your attack risk.
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!
Bugs and mosquitoes are a common camping annoyance. You could buy a commercial repellent with chemicals, but a good natural way to keep bugs away from your body is by using an orange peel. Rub the inside of the peel on your arms and legs. This is a inexpensive, responsible way to repel annoying pests.
Pack extra flashlights and batteries when you are packing for your trip. There are going to be moments when you must clearly see certain items when it gets dark. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. When you camp with kids, having a flashlight for every child is a good idea.
Always pack a first aid kit and a survival kit. If you do this, you can easily take care of problems that may occur without having to cut your trip short. Being prepared also keeps minor emergencies from becoming major emergencies.
On your next camping trip, take along some empty prescription bottles. These can be used to store a lot of small items for a low price. One good use of them is to help keep your matches safe and dry. The matches will fit in perfectly, and they are fairly leak-proof, so you won't have to worry about the contents when it rains.
If you are going to be camping during the winter, select a sleeping bag that is mummy-shaped. This type of sleeping bag fits around your feet well, which will help keep you warm by preserving your body heat. In addition, packing this mummy-shaped bag for your trip is very easy.
Use an old shower curtain as a camping tarp. The next time you switch out your shower curtain, save the old one and you can use it when you go camping. Tarps, or old shower curtains can be used for many things. You can put it under your tent or use it to keep you dry should it rain.
Making your camping trip an outstanding one ought to be far more feasible with these tips in hand. Make sure you utilize them the next time you go camping. They will prove invaluable so that camping is a memorable experience for you.
