There is a lot of prep work that goes into planning a fun and successful camping trip! From picking a location to planning your meals and packing your gear, it can feel like there is a lot to keep track of. Once you’ve decided to take a camping trip, take it step-by-step to get things in order so you can have a relaxing and fun vacation, whether it’s an overnight trip or a week-long adventure.
EditSteps
EditChoosing a Camp Site
- Pick an official campsite if you want certain amenities, like a bathroom. Many national and local parks have areas specifically designated for campers. You’ll be able to drive your car onto the grounds and unload your belongings, and you’ll also be able to enjoy a lot of other amenities, such as restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire pits, playgrounds, and others, depending on the location.[1]
- At a campsite, you’ll be in close proximity to other people. It’s a cool way to make new friends, have a fun experience, and enjoy being outdoors.
- Almost all campsites require a reservation and a small registration fee.
- Hike to a campground to have a little bit more privacy. Many parks will have maps showing popular places to pitch a tent if you want to get out into the woods before making camp. If you choose this option, start looking for a site about halfway through your day. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying all your gear with you, so you’ll need a lightweight tent and a sturdy backpack.[2] walk of water and firewood
Away from the trail so you aren’t disturbed by other hikers
Somewhat protected spot so you aren’t buffeted by high winds}}
- Look online to see what kinds of rules you’ll need to follow. Every campground will have different rules, ranging from restrictions on alcohol or pets to specifications for how you store food and dispose of trash. Some sites won’t allow you to set up camp until a certain time and will ask you to leave by a specific hour on your checkout date. Checking these rules ahead of time will help you prepare and have a fun trip.[3]
- Keep in mind that these rules are made to help keep you and the other campers safe.
- Register and reserve your spot if your location requires it. You may need to put down a deposit weeks or months in advance, especially if you’re hoping to camp during the summer or over a holiday weekend. Once you know where you’d like to camp, pick a date, firm up how many people will be joining you, and book your spot![4]
- Almost all sites have a website through which you can make your booking. If you have unanswered questions, make a phone call before reserving your spot.
EditPlanning Meals
- Make a meal plan so you don’t under or overpack. Take into account how many people are coming and how many days you’ll be camping. If you’re camping at a campsite, will there be a grill available? If not, do you have the equipment to cook meals on your own? With just a fire and a skillet, you can make a lot of things yourself, like eggs, potatoes, hamburgers, and hotdogs.[5]
- If you’re camping with other people, spread out the responsibility by having each person bring a meal or two so you’re not the only one planning, prepping, and cooking.
- Foil-pack meals are really helpful for feeding people while camping. For example, you can put diced sausages, onions, carrots, and potatoes in a foil packet and bake it over an open fire. It’s an easy meal that doesn’t require much cleanup, and you can prep pretty much everything beforehand.
- Don’t forget about any pets you’re bringing along with you! They’ll need food and water, too.
- Focus on packing high-calorie foods if you’re backpacking in the woods. If you’re spending a lot of time hiking and won’t have access to coolers full of food, you’re not going to want to weigh down your backpack with cans, raw meat, and tons of diced fruit. Instead, opt for dehydrated meals that you can restore with water over heat. Pack trail snacks, like nuts and protein bars. Peanut butter and chocolate are great high-calorie foods that will give you a burst of energy when you need it.[6]
- You don’t have to abandon all fresh foods just because you’re backpacking. Bring a few pieces of fruit, like apples and oranges, to enjoy while you’re on the go.
- Prep whatever foods you can at home before you go camping. Diced and prepared foods will take up less space, giving you more room pack ice into your cooler. Dishes like pasta salad can be made ahead of time, as can dips or things like salsa. Cut up your fruits and vegetables beforehand so you won’t have to do it at your campsite. Make marinades ahead of time so you don’t have to bring all the individual ingredients. Put condiments into smaller containers.[7]
- As you prep, label bags and containers with which meal the food is supposed to be used for. “Snack,” “Lunch Saturday,” “Dinner Sunday,” and so on will make it easier to stay organized and ensure you don’t run out of food early.
- Pack fresh foods, like meat, fruit, and cheese, in a cooler. Plan on bringing a cooler for drinks and a cooler for food if you’ll be camping for more than 2 to 3 days. Use leak-proof containers for anything that might leak. Put the foods you’ll need last at the bottom of the cooler and the ones you’ll need first at the top.[8]
- If you’re going on a 5-day long trip and plan on having a cookout on the last night with hamburgers and steak, freeze that meat before you pack it in the cooler. It’ll stay cold for a lot longer and you’ll be reassured that the meat is still safe to consume after 5 days in the cooler.
- Use freezer packs or blocks of ice rather than ice cubes. They won’t thaw as quickly, and they take up less room. Dry ice is a great option for long trips; just be careful to not touch it with your bare hands!
- Remember to bring water or a water purifier so you can stay hydrated. If you’re staying at a campsite, there may be a water-filling station you can use to keep your bottles full. If not, or if you’ll be out in nature, consider investing in a portable water-filtration system so you can drink water from fresh sources, like streams, lakes, and ponds.[9]
- Always research ahead of time what you need to do to make sure that gathered water from fresh sources will be safe to drink. Some areas will require that you boil the water after it passes through a filtration system; others will require you to apply a chemical treatment, like iodine.
EditPacking the Right Gear
- Assemble a first-aid kit and bring along any necessary medications. Put everything into a waterproof bag and make an itemized list of what you’ve packed so it’ll be easy to find what you need. Don’t forget EpiPens if needed, and double-check that everyone in your group has their necessary medications.[10]
- Double-check your kit after each camping trip and replenish any items that have been used.
- Bring mosquito and bug repellant to protect yourself from bites. Pests like mosquitos can cause a lot of irritation, and they love being near bodies of water. Make sure to spray any areas of skin that are exposed, like ankles and wrists. You should also spray your clothes to keep the bugs away.[11]
- Leave your lotions, perfumes, and colognes at home—bugs are attracted to scented things.
- Pack a citronella candle to light at night and help ward off some insects. They might not clear away all the bugs, but they’ll minimize how many are coming around your area.
- Pack a tent, sleeping bags, and other sleep-time necessities. For your tent, you’ll need the tent, poles, stakes, and something to hammer to stakes into the ground. Each camper will need a sleeping bag or pad. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring additional blankets. If your sleeping bag doesn’t have one built in, bring along a pillow for extra comfort.[12]
- A lot of tents come with extra tarps for rain protection and a pad that provides insulation from the cold ground. If yours doesn’t have these extra features, you may want to also bring along a tarp and a floor pad, just in case you have inclement or cold weather.
- Don’t forget to bring chairs so you can sit outside of your tent, too.
- Prepare your cooking and meal-time equipment. If you are backpacking, you may just need a frying pan, spatula, bowl, mug, and other simple necessities to allow you to eat on the trail. If you’re camping at a campsite, you may need more reinforcements. Plan to bring:[13]
- Frying pan
- Pot
- French press or other coffee maker
- Roasting sticks
- Trash bags
- Plates, bowls, silverware
- Mugs
- Knife, spatula, wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Dish soap
- Sponge and dishtowel
- Paper towels
- Foil
- Storage bags/containers
- Hand sanitizer
- Remember to bring your basic camping tools. Every camper should have a flashlight, backup batteries, matches or a lighter, an ax, and a map of the surrounding area. Don’t plan to rely on your phone for a flashlight or map—if you run out of battery life and can’t recharge your phone, you’ll be out of luck. You may also want to bring along things like binoculars, sunglasses, and a camera.[14]
- You may also need to bring toilet paper and other personal items, like feminine hygiene products. Check out this article on how to go to the bathroom in the woods if you won’t have access to public restrooms.
- Collect some fun items to bring along for entertainment. Don’t forget to bring along games, books, frisbees, or other kinds of sporting equipment you might like to use while camping. It could also be really helpful to have some actives planned in case of bad weather, especially if you’re camping with kids.[15]
- You’ll be surprised at how much time you have! Camping can be a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, hike, and relax.
EditWearing Appropriate Clothes and Shoes
- Choose clothes that will be comfortable based on the weather forecast. There’s a big difference between what you’ll need to wear for a hot-weather trip versus a cold-weather trip. Look at the weather forecast to see what temperatures are predicted for your travel dates about one week ahead of time. Remember that you’ll need daytime clothes and clothes to sleep in. Depending on your planned activities, you may also need clothes for hiking, swimming, rock climbing, or other specific outings.[16]
- Focus on packing lightweight clothes that can be easily put on or taken off as the temperature changes throughout the day and night.
- For cooler temperatures, don’t forget to bring gloves and a hat, as well as an appropriate jacket.
- Opt for layers to bundle up at night and stay cool during the day. For example, wear a tank top underneath a long-sleeved shirt underneath a sweatshirt if you’re camping in cooler weather. You can remove or add layers as needed. Long johns are great to wear underneath pants for an extra layer of warmth.[17]
- Moisture-wicking clothing will be the most comfortable as it’ll help keep your skin cool and dry, even if you’re sweating.
- Bring a waterproof jacket and boots in case it rains. A rain jacket with a hood is a great investment because it’ll keep your head and hair dry, which will make you more comfortable. Avoid jackets and clothes that are made of PVC (vinyl clothing). They’ll keep you dry, but they aren’t made of a breathable material and can cause you to overheat quickly.[18]
- If you don’t want to invest in waterproof boots, you can buy a spray that goes over your current shoes to help keep moisture from seeping through.
- Wear broken-in hiking boots if you plan on hitting the trails. Always wear your boots with socks, and avoid wearing new boots, as they’ll most likely cause blisters and foot pain. Choose socks that are high enough to protect the back of your ankle from the rubbing motion that will occur when you walk. Never wear flip-flops or other flimsy shoes while hiking—they don’t provide good protection from rocks, they don’t support your feet, and they might break easily.[19]
- If you have a new pair of boots, wear them around the house every day during the week before your camping trip and take shorts walks outside. This’ll help break them in before you leave for your trip.
- Pack a pair of flip-flops if you’re planning on showering at a campsite. Flip-flops are helpful to slip on while you’re hanging out at the campsite. Wear them when you go the bathroom, to shower, or to get food or water. Putting on boots every time you wanted to move out of your tent could be exhausting![20]
- Bring traditional flip-flops or get a sturdier pair that laces around your ankles to help them stay on better.
EditSetting up Camp
- Pitch your tent and get your sleeping gear set up while it’s light out. Decide on the location for two different stations: one for your tent and one for your cooking station. Keep a safe distance between your cooking station and your tent, just to lower the chances of wildlife poking around your tent. Set up your tent according to the instructions once you’ve decided where you’d like to place it, and lay out your sleeping pads, bags, blankets, and pillows.[21]
- If you’ve never set up a tent before, it might be a good idea to take a stab at it before your trip. Most tents come with detailed instructions and aren’t very difficult to erect, so just be patient and it’ll get done in no time!
- Set up a food area that is separate from your sleeping area. Get your cooking area set up about away from your tent. Check your location’s rules to see if you need to set up a bear box or bag to hold your food. Keep all food containers closed when you’re not using them, and dispose of trash as soon as you can. If you’re backpacking, put all trash into a resealable bag so its scent doesn’t travel far.[22]
- Plan on wearing different clothes when you cook, especially if you’ll be grilling meat. Wear a jacket or top that you can leave with your food instead of taking it back to the tent. A greasy, smoky shirt that smells like hamburger might be a temptation to prowling creatures.
- Familiarize yourself with the area to find water, firewood, and the bathroom. Once you’ve put up your tent, take a walk around the campsite to figure out how far away the amenities are. If you’re backpacking, it’s really important to establish where you’ll go to the bathroom, how to get to water, and where the firewood is before the sun sets.[23]
- Once nighttime comes and you’re using a flashlight to get around, you’ll be glad to know the general direction you need to go.
- Make a fire in a safe and appropriate spot when you’re ready for it. If you’re at a campsite, there may be a specific place where you need to make your fires, like a fire pit. If you’re out in the woods, create your own fire pit that is at least away from dead grass and other vegetation. Dig down into the dirt and create a mound of dirt around the hole to act as a wall. You can also put rocks around the dirt area to enclose it and keep the fire in place.[24]
- Every fire needs tinder, kindling, and firewood. Tinder is something small, like pieces of cardboard, lint, or wood shavings. Kindling is made up of small twigs and branches. Firewood can be whole or split logs, and it always needs to be dry.
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors and settle in for a fun trip. Once you have your campsite set up, take a moment to say “hi” to anyone who is camping near you. You might make some new friends, and it’s helpful to be familiar with who is nearby in case either of you needs help at some point. It can be exhausting just setting up camp, so take a load off, have a snack, and rest for a little while before moving on to your first activity.
- If you’re camping with pets, take them around the campsite and let them smell everything. There are lots of new scents and it’ll help them calm down if they can explore a little.
EditTips
- Tell someone who isn’t coming on the trip where you will be and when you’re expecting to return. If you aren’t back when you said you’d be, they’ll know to alert the local authorities and where to start looking for you.
EditWarnings
- Never eat unidentified plants. Certain mushrooms, berries, and leaves can be harmful or deadly when ingested. Err on the side of caution.
- Never leave your food out overnight. Always pack it up or hang it up high in a tree. This will prevent your campsite from being invaded by animals searching for your food.
EditReferences
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