Whether you sleep in a tent, an RV or under the stars, taking a camping trip is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Getting away from it all can be rejuvenating and fun with just a little know-how. Here are a number of tips for enhancing and improving your next camping trip.

If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.

Make sure that you know how to set up your tent before going on your trip. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. A little practice can eliminate the frustration of setting up a new piece of camping equipment.

Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don’t want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.

If you think you’ll miss the luxuries of home, bring along a liitle something. Your favorite candy bar or some prepackaged creamers for your morning coffee are light and simple to bring along. Small luxuries can make things more enjoyable!

Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. The typical pillows will become sticky in hot and humid climates. Your average pillow will also become moldy from the excessive moisture in the outdoor air. Camping pillows are covered with a special coating that keeps moisture at bay.

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.

When traveling to your camping destination, plan on stopping and having a meal when you’re near the campground, but before you actually arrive. Being well fed before arriving will ease frustrations if the campground is full, or if it takes longer to get your gear set up. Use this break to discuss your plans and to remind everyone of how to remain safe!

Bring bug spray. If you forget your bug spray on a camping trip, you will deeply regret it. Try a few different bug sprays ahead of time. Find something that works and doesn’t irritate your skin. You also want to make sure that it isn’t so greasy you’ll be unwilling to sleep in it.

When taking children camping, you must make sure they understand camping hazards. Show them pictures of plants that are poisonous so they know not to touch them.

If you are not a seasoned camper, stay close to home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. Maybe you will find you have not brought enough food, clothing or other necessities. Many problems may arise for a new camper, so camping close to where you live can help 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.

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.

Camping is hard work, but it’s also very much fun. Once you figure out what you’re doing, the rewards are numerous. You get to experience nature and the outdoors; picnics are always fun, and you get a chance to sleep under the stars. Nothing beats some of the experiences you can have camping.

Remember the Boy Scout motto – be prepared! While it is vital to come up with a plan, sometimes things happen that were not in your plans. Anything can change without warning, such as the weather, your environment, or your physical condition. Try not to take unnecessary risks that can yield injury or illness.

Bugs can be a major problem with camping; they can cause disease, get into your food, and just be a nuisance. Take the proper measures to keep them away. This includes not putting on perfume or cologne, lighting citronella candles, avoiding swamp lands, and covering your skin, so they are not attracted to your scent.

Bring along a survival kit and a first-aid kit. These can be useful for any situation and can extend your trip. Being prepared also keeps minor emergencies from becoming major emergencies.

On your next camping trip, take along some empty prescription bottles. These can be used to store a lot of small items for a low price. One good use of them is to help keep your matches safe and dry. The matches will fit in perfectly, and they are fairly leak-proof, so you won’t have to worry about the contents when it rains.

No matter where you pitch your tent or park your camper, camping should be a relaxing, refreshing way to unwind and take life a little more slowly. Armed with the tips and ideas presented in this article, you can make your next camping trip a successful, stress-free outdoor adventure.