Camping is one of Americas greatest traditions, however many people make common mistakes when venturing out to the great outdoors. The following article has some helpful advice on how you can make your next camping trip more enjoyable while also remaining as safe as possible. Read on to learn some key camping tips.
When camping, get your shelter squared away before nightfall. You do not want to be stuck trying to put your tent together or finding a safe location for the tent when it’s pitch black outside. This is very true if you’re used to being in a city where there isn’t any darkness ever. Avoid this by setting up your shelter ahead of time.
When you are heading out for that long awaited camping trip, don’t forget to take along your cell phone. You may be tempted to leave all the texting and calls behind, but your cell phone can be one of your most important safety lifelines in the event of an emergency. Make sure it is fully charged and keep it protected from the elements in a plastic bag or waterproof case.
At night, create “bear bags.” Tie a rope around the bags with your food and your trash. Then, find a tree and toss bags over a branch, raising until they are at least seven or eight feet off the ground. Tie the rope around the tree so it is secure. This way, bears and other animals will not be able to get into your food and trash during the night.
The difference between a fun camping trip and a dangerous one? Preparation. It is a bad idea to go camping unprepared. If you’re visiting a new location, be sure to research its wildlife, climate, and geography.
It’s imperative that you locate a safe place to camp and pitch your tent before the sun goes down. If you are in a vehicle, this means find a secure spot to park the vehicle. When pitching a tent, locate dry and flat ground. Knowing the area around your campsite before it gets dark adds to your camping safety. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you’re doing.
Purchase a few camping pillows to take with you. Regular bed pillows will feel hot and sticky during humid weather. They can mildew quickly after absorbing moisture. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.
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.
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.
Be sure to check your first-aid kit before you leave for your trip. You need to be sure it has all the basic necessities. Make sure it includes items like bandages, tweezers, disinfectant, ointment, etc. You never know when something may injure you or another person on your trip, so it’s best to be prepared.
Be mindful of the environment when you go camping. Whatever you carry into a campsite, make sure that you remove it when you leave. This will eliminate litter and protect the natural environment. Before leaving, the area you have inhabited should be as clean as you would want it if you were just arriving to camp there that day.
When it comes to camping, it is important to be prepared. Sometimes camping trips don’t follow your plan. The weather can suddenly change, surrounding circumstances can change, injuries and illness can happen, etc. Never take unnecessary risks or be careless, and always think before you act.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
Take along a battery operated radio when camping. A radio will keep you up-to-date on any late-breaking news and weather reports. A radio will also give you entertainment during those quiet evenings sitting around the campfire. Or if you prefer, pack a guitar for you and your campers’ enjoyment.
Pay attention to the surrounding area of your campsite. One thing to consider is whether or not there are insect nests in the space in which you want to set up. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. You should bring insect repellant along.
Camping can be a great experience or it can be a miserable one. Being prepared creates the division between the two possibilities. By preparing for any eventuality, your trip stands a good chance of being a huge success.
A great idea when planning your camping trip is to make a list of everything you need before you go. As you pack each item, you can cross it off your list. This is really essential because you do not want to be stuck blowing up your air mattresses because you forgot to pack an air pump.
As you now know from the article above, camping is not simply driving out into the wilderness without proper planing. Rather, there are many important things to consider when venturing out to the great outdoors. Keep the tips you’ve just read on hand and implement them the next time you decide to go camping.
