Something as seemingly simple as camping might seem as though little planning is necessary. This is not the case. The better planning you do, the more fun you can have. The tips below will help you in finding the best plan for your next camping trip so you are prepared for anything.

Pack a few shovels if there are children with you on your trip. Kids love nothing better than digging in the dirt, and having the right accessories is crucial. If you have room, bring a bucket too. The children will happily entertain themselves in the dirt while you unpack, set up camp and do everything that you need to do.

Use separate coolers for perishables, ice and drinks. While it does not matter if the perishables and drinks go into the same one, make sure to pack your ice separately. This will keep the temperature down so that you will have ice for much longer than you would have otherwise.

Try out your tent before going camping by testing it out at home. This will allow you to get the experience needed for erecting your tent. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.

A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. For any life threatening situation, these items may be the only thing standing between you and disaster. Be sure to carry it on your person and not leave it at your campsite.

You can make tasty meals even when you are camping. You do not necessarily need to eat just franks and beans or hamburgers. Pack a box with herbs and spices, olive oil, brown sugar or whatever else you like. You can fix meals that have flavor even when you are “roughing” it.

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.

Make sure you observe the campground rules and regulations. One of the biggest concerns is trash and also noisiness within a campsite. People often think that people can’t hear them, but noise travels far in a campsite. It is extremely difficult to have any privacy, especially when people are supposed to be observing quiet hours.

When you take children camping with you, make sure to go over some of the dangers associated with camping. Check out the plants that elicit poison ivy to better prepare for the dangers of camping.

When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.

Take along things to do while you are in the wild. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. This is especially important if you are bringing children, as they tend to bore easily.

On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you’re out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you’ll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.

When you are packing your clothing for a camping trip, remember that it is best to dress in layers. This way, you can add or remove clothing to make you more comfortable. Take along a rain coat that you can put on top of every other layer to keep you dry if it rains.

It’s very important that you bring the proper items on your camping trip. Just neglecting to include a thing or two can completely ruin the outing. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. Don’t forget sleeping bags, water, utility knives, anti-bacterial soap and sanitizer, fire starters and a sturdy tent.

Prior to camping, write out a list of everything that you need to pack. This is crucial when traveling to a campground. Pack your bags at least a day or more ahead of time, and keep a list to check off your items.

Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. Even after the sun is gone, you may need to see. Without a flashlight, you could easily stumble and fall or be surprised by local wildlife. If you have kids with you, be sure they each have their own flashlight.

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.

Wear layered clothing to manage your body temperature. When camping, it is a hassle to have to change clothing when temperatures suddenly rise or drop. However, if you layer your clothing, you will be able to quickly and easily peel off or put on layers of clothing as the need arises.

You should now see how much planning actually needs to be put into a great camping trip. Now that you know, you should begin preparing for a trip in which you are ready for anything. Follow this guide and you will soon be camping under the stars and having a great time.