When you go camping, you probably can not order a pizza or just run a few minutes down to the store. You have to make sure that you have everything ready before you leave. To have some ideas of what to pack and what to expect on your camping trip, keep reading.

Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.

Particularly, if you have children, you need to consider what to do if you have inclement weather one day. Gather together a few supplies to have on hand in case you need to stay in your tent. Bring a board game, play doh and art supplies. Don’t let your family members touch these items until it rains so that they don’t lose their appeal.

When you purchase a new tent for camping, take it home and completely set the tent up before going on a camping trip. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.

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.

Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that’s going to need it for shelter at night. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.

Before you bring your dog along for a camping trip, get him used to the idea with a little practice run in the back yard. Pitch the tent in an already familiar area, and let him sleep or play in it for a while. Bringing a dog can really add to the fun of camping, so long as the animal has been adequately prepared for the event.

Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. It can be used as a quick patch for tents, shoes, inflatables, or can be used to secure items such as your mosquito netting.

Make sure you have a suitable water source. Even if you bring water with you, plan to need more water and know where you will be able to get more. It is a good idea to know where your water source will be before you go camping at all, but surely right after you arrive.

Know the climate of your camping area. You will want to have the proper clothing packed for the trip. Knowing how cold the nights get or how hot the days are will help you dress best. You will not want to get caught in the great outdoors with inadequate protection.

When you are camping, you should never eat anything unless you are absolutely certain of what it is. There is nothing worse than a strong case of stomach problems when you are far away from both medical attention and a toilet. It is recommended to only eat food that you bring.

Do not forget your cooking supplies. You will need pots, pans, utensils and dishes to cook on and eat with. Make sure that you double-check to be sure that you have packed these supplies before you leave the house. You do not want to get all set up and ready to cook your first meal and find that you have left your pot at home.

Don’t forget to bring first aid and survival kits. These two items can be the deciding factor in whether you have to end a trip early or care for situations as they arise. You may be able to keep an emergency from going from bad to worse.

If you have more than three people camping with you, take along more than one tent. You are going to want to have some privacy at one time or another. The additional tent will make it possible to get some “me” time while at the camp site. It also gives you additional storage to keep animals out of your supplies.

Learn how to mark the trails that you are exploring. It can be quite easy to get lost in the woods. Marking the trails that you are walking will make it easy to find your way back to camp. It can also help others find you if you get lost.

It’s a good idea to maintain hygiene when camping. Items like washcloths, sponges, bowls, biodegradable soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baking soda, floss, and clean water can help you stay clean during your trip. You can also use hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and cotton balls on non-sensitive areas. Don’t use anything with fragrances since they can attract bugs.

If you’re outside in cold weather, keep warm by wearing layered clothing. Not only, can adding more layers make you warmer, but you can easily remove layers if the temperature rises later. Multiple layer’s trap heat in between each piece, which will prevent you from losing heat. Try bringing thermal underwear, turtlenecks, sweaters, gloves, coats, and boots on your trip.

Practice tying different kinds of knots, building fires and sharpening knives before you head out for your camping adventure. Knowing how to do these essential things ahead of time will save you from having to learn them on-site. Plus, you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself during your camping trip.

You need to be fully prepared for anything when you go camping. Now that you have read the ideas in this article, you can be truly prepared to do just this. Keep in mind all that you have read both in the days leading up to your trip and while you are in the great outdoors.