One of the greatest pastimes in the world is camping. Camping lets you experience all that the great outdoors has to offer and allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature. Are you interested in going camping? If so, then try some of the camping tips in the article below.

Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.

Before you head out on your long-awaited camping trip, make sure the area where you plan to camp doesn’t require a camping permit. If you happen to camp in a place that does require one and you didn’t get one, then you could be facing quite a hefty ticket or fine from a local forest ranger.

Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.

Be sure that your tent will comfortably fit everyone that you will be sharing it with to have a good trip. This will give you the room necessary for a comfortable camping trip.

When planning for your camping trip, don’t forget to pack the sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn’t mean that you don’t need protection from the sun’s burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.

Camping has the potential to be thrilling or hazardous, depending on your level of preparation. Be sure you’re always prepared before you go camping. Especially if you are camping in a new location, take the time to research the wildlife, plants, geography, and climate of the area.

Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. Always keep the bare basics with you in the kit, and make sure that you have water purification tablets in it as well. Don’t forget to pack the extra for your location, too, such as antivenom for snake bites.

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.

Bring some plastic totes or canisters with you when you go camping so you can store any food products you have opened. This will keep any critters from swarming around your campsite and it will also keep various wildlife from being attracted to whatever it is you have in there.

Keep the environment in mind when you are at your campsite. Enjoying nature is one of the main benefits of camping, so it is important to respect the Earth. Throw away all your trash, and don’t get too rowdy. You can even bring along a solar-powered device if you have one to use.

A polite thing you can do for the campers who follow you is leaving wood for them. Think about how difficult it can be to find some wood if there is none on the campsite, especially when it is dark. So, be courteous to others and leave as much wood as you can.

Make a list of the things you need for your camping trip and check each item off once you pack it. Then, make sure you bring each bag to the car. The last thing any camper wants is to reach the sight and find out they forgot something important, like matches or the food.

Waterproof matches are an essential part of any camping survival kit. Store waterproof matches in a canister that is airtight. Even normal matches can be waterproofed with nail polish or paraffin wax. An empty prescription bottle or an old film container makes great storage for your matches.

Make it a habit to leave no sign of you having camped at a location. As a camper, you’re aware of how beautiful nature really is. It’s your job to help keep it that way. Take any trash with you to dispose of properly. Before you go, circle your camping ground a second time to look for any litter you may have missed.

If you are camping with young children, make sure you plan activities for them and bring them toys to play with. You may be fine with a book on the picnic blanket, but children need more to keep them occupied. Don’t forget to keep travel games in mind, also.

Take the measures necessary to have a safe camping trip. Keep away from animals, both large and small. Squirrels, raccoons and the like can be quite dangerous, even though they are small. Everyone should know, but some are unaware, that you should never feed any bears or other wildlife when camping.

Make sure that all food brought along on a camping trip is preserved and prepared properly. If you bring food, pack them in waterproof containers and airtight re-sealable plastic bags. Insulated coolers are a great place to place food. Cooked foods should always be kept away from raw foods so they don’t become contaminated. Always wash any food surfaces, as well as your hands. Use antibacterial soap to wash and follow with sanitizer. Cook all of your food to the right temperature and get them chilled quickly.

As stated before, camping is a great experience that lets you see all of the beauty of nature. For any future campers, the tips above will certainly come in handy. They will help you enjoy your next outing into the wild and focus on the wonders of nature and its inhabitants.