Whether you know it or not, camping is a great way to get in touch with yourself. It is also a way to have a relaxing time away from the stresses of everyday life. There are some things you need to keep in mind though, so here are a few tips to make your camping trip work out great.

A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.

Find where you will camp before sunset. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is especially true if you are an urbanite whose sight is not used to the pitch dark. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.

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.

When going camping, make sure that you bring the right sleeping bag with you. Some sleeping bags will not keep you warm when the temperature dips below 40 degrees, while others will have you sweating all night long because they are too hot. The label on the bag usually will tell you what kinds of temperatures are appropriate for each sleeping bag.

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.

If you are traveling with children, consider staying at a campground that is specifically designated for families. Campers in these areas know what to expect and will not have an issue if you have a cranky toddler or your children want to run around, scream and play. You will probably be more relaxed as a result and have a better time.

When going camping, try to buy non-perishable items to eat. There are no refrigerators in the wild, so everything you bring has to be kept in good order. You can certainly bring a cooler to put food in, but the cooler will be added bulk on your trip. Therefore, make an effort to bring more non-perishable foods than perishable.

Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn’t going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.

Collect more wood than you think you are going ot need. Unless you go camping every day, you probably don’t have an accurate idea of what “enough wood” actually looks like. You can always leave the extra wood in a pile as a gift for anyone that uses the campsite after you.

Be prepared for colder weather than expected when choosing a sleeping bag to bring on your camping trip. Always choose a sleeping bag rated for a temperature range just below what you’re expecting, even in the summertime. Also, sleeping bags made with synthetic fibers will dry out faster if it rains unexpectedly, but natural fiber sleeping bags will be lighter to carry.

Bring a first aid kit. Camping is fun. It can also be a bit dangerous. Always be prepared. Small scrapes and rashes can be especially common out in nature. Bring along an emergency first aid kit full of anything you might need. You’ll be happy you did if something goes wrong.

Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.

Purchase a multi-use tool to store with your camping gear. This tool should include an axe, hammer and saw. The multi-use tool will come in handy when you are searching for firewood, clearing a trail and setting up your tent. When purchasing a multi-use tool, get one of the good quality one for years of enjoyment.

If you are taking your children camping with you, don’t forget to take walkie talkies along with you. Although each of you may own a cell phone, the area where you are camping may not have adequate coverage. It is best to invest in walkie talkies that have a range of several miles. By having walkie talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) radio, you can remain in contact with all members of your family.

Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.

You can relax when you’re camping, and when you’re enjoying yourself you can get a bit more in tune with yourself. Use the tips in this article to make sure you really enjoy all there is to enjoy on your camping trip. Look for ways to make your experience one you will remember.