Camping can be both the best time you ever have, or the worst. The difference can be the weather that happens while you camp, or how well prepared you are for it. To learn how to be as prepared as you can for camping, read on into the following paragraphs.

Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!

Buy a sleeping bag which will suit the weather you will be in. Make sure that your sleeping bags in the summer are not too heavy. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You may even risk hypothermia.

Never assume that you will find enough wood to burn, because rain can change that in an instant. Bring along some dry wood and store it where it remain dry.

Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.

You need to maintain your cleanliness while camping. Good hygiene is difficult when you are camping sometimes, but you can keep yourself clean. A bottle of hand sanitizer is excellent to have so you can clean hands before eating. You can also use rubbing alcohol on areas of your body that are not sensitive. A mild biodegradable soap and a sponge can be used to take mini-baths when water resources are low.

One thing that many people forget to pack on a camping trip, and which quickly turns the trip into a nightmare is bug spray. This simple repellent will save you both annoyance and can protect your health as many types of bugs can do a great deal of damage to you quickly.

Even if you’re not going a long distance away on your camping trip, or even if you’re going into familiar territory, always stay in touch with friends, family or neighbors. Tell someone where your trip will be, and how long you’ll be gone. And if you can, check in regularly using a mobile phone.

Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.

Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.

One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don’t want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.

Especially if you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you know how to get ice. Ice melts rather fast, and you’re going to need more. Sometimes you can buy ice at the campsite, or sometimes at a store, but there are times when ice isn’t so close to where you’re camping.

A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don’t have access to first aid.

Many people associate camping with misery; bug bites, sunburns and poor food. While this can be a reality, it can also be avoided by preparing about one week ahead of time. Try to think of all the possible situations that could go wrong, and find a product to help you avoid that situation.

Keep the tent well ventilated and dry. When a tent is totally sealed, condensation may occur in the sleeping bags, floor, roof, and walls from breathing and sweating. This may cause you to awake wet. Tents sometimes have vents that are built in or windows that can be opened to prevent the build up of moisture.

Make sure you pack some basic first aid supplies into your camping equipment. The kit should contain anything that you will need in case of an accident. Be prepared by carrying headache medication, bandages and band-aids, antiseptic cream and other general first aid essentials. Accidents will happen on every trip, so it is important to take precautions in advance.

Don’t forget the sunscreen. You might not burn easily, or ever, but sunscreen is still important to prevent sun damage, especially when you are spending most of the day outdoors. Sun damage can age you rapidly and even cause cancer, so it is very important to protect your skin.

Pack an ample supply of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is very important when camping. Find a sunscreen that will provide enough protection. It would be even better to get a sunscreen that also has bug protection. Make sure that you do not put too much chemicals on your body when out in the wilderness, though.

Weather can ruin a camping trip, but there is little you can do about it. Poor planning can also ruin your camping trip, but there is a great deal that you can do about that. Keep in mind all that you have read in this article so that you can be prepared for you next trip.