Camping can be an exciting type of vacation or getaway. Read through the advice in the article that follows to find ways to really enjoy your next outing. You will find great advice!

Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. Try to avoid setting up after the sun sets.

When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.

If you are traveling with children, give them the opportunity to assist you when you get to the campground. They can carry gear, support you as you set up the tent and look for firewood. Not only will it keep them busy and out of trouble, it will be fun for them as well.

If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.

Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.

Make sure you plan out your route in advance of your trip. Look to see if there are any special places that you can stop at along the way. It will make the drive much more enjoyable and you may have a lot of fun in the process. Granted, you may need to get to your destination quickly, but if you have time, taking the scenic route is worth it.

Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping can get very messy and dirty when you bring your children. The dirt is like a magnet that draws your children into the mess. Expect them to be all shades of dirty as the day moves on. Take extra clothing with you for your children. Be sure you’re prepared!

When you go camping, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes. Walking in wooded areas, you can come across almost anything; not to mention things can fall on your feet. You may also want to take a hike. So the next time you go out camping, make sure to wear shoes that can go everywhere you want to go.

If you’re camping with your family, try finding campsites that are pet-friendly. This is a great way for you to get your animals out in the fresh air. Your kids will be happy to have your animals there with you, so it can be a great experience for all of you.

An indispensable item to pack for your camping trip is Ziploc bags. 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.

The supplies for your next camping excursion should include a couple rolls of duct tape. It is versatile at camp, just like at home. This can be used to close up any issues with your air mattress, which can save you money. You can also seal holes in sleeping bags or tents. It can be used on feet to help fight off blisters during long hikes. You can use duct tape for almost anything.

If you are camping for the first time, try to practice pitching a tent before your trip. This is a valuable camping skill to possess, especially when it can be done quickly. You don’t want to be out on your trip and not know how to put up a tent right away when the weather takes an unexpected turn.

Write down a list of all the materials you need before you go camping. This can be of particular importance if you are traveling a long distance and will be in more remote locations. Get all your things together a few days before your trip and mark them off on your list.

Use orange peels to ward off mosquito bites naturally while camping. Don’t worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Rubbing your exposed skin with the inside of the orange peel is something recommended by many camping experts. The scent from the orange peel should last for several hours resulting in a long lasting repellent.

Do not leave your sleeping bag rolled up until right before it is time for you to get some sleep. Lay it out right away so that it can loft up and give you the highest level of insulation. Do the same for any sleeping pads you have brought along.

When you are out in the wilderness with kids, have a photo of them with you. This is the perfect tool in case you can’t find them during the trip. Be sure that you have brought one for urgent situations, particularly if your camping destination is quite a ways from home.

Camping is more fun if you have good advice. Hopefully, you get a lot of that here. Have a great time on your camping adventure. If you utilize the advice in this article, your next camping adventure will be be enjoyed by all who attend.