Have you taken a camping trip recently? Camping is a wonderful way to return to nature, relax, and reflect on life. You are able to completely relax because you aren’t distracted by anything. Spend some time reading this article, and learn how to make your camping excursion a successful one.

A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.

When you go camping, you wand to find shelter before the sun goes down. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. This is really important for people who live in the city. To ensure you get your campsite operational arrive several hours before sunset.

Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.

Allow everyone in the camping party a say in the location. Discuss which state you would most like to visit. There are a lot of choices in the USA; it is hard to choose just one. If it is easier, select a few of your personal favorites and then let the entire family vote.

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.

Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel–bring it.

If you will be camping somewhere that is very far away from civilization, then make sure you have told several people where you will be as well as how long you are intending to stay. Ask them to call you on the day you are supposed to return to ensure your safety.

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.

Unless you are going to be spending a significant amount of time camping, buying expensive sleeping bags is really unnecessary. Even if your old and musty sleeping bag is rated for below freezing temperatures, it is excellent padding for the ground even when it is hot outside and you will feel comfortable sleeping on it.

Remember, when you are camping you will not have access to many kitchen luxuries. At most, you will have a can opener as well as a basic burner. This means canned foods make a great meal, but even better are things that need very little preparation, like peanut butter sandwiches.

Avoid severe weather when going camping, and pay attention to forecasts. It is horrible trying to pitch a tent in the rain, and not much fun sitting in a tent during a rainstorm. It is equally as disturbing approaching a muddy campsite and trying to make a weekend out of it.

Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. Just as it has myriad uses around the house, you can use it for a variety of needs in the woods, too. You can use it to repair a hole in an air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. You can even use it to help prevent blisters on your feet. You can also use it to bandage injuries.

If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.

Do not underestimate the power of Duct tape It is an essential tool when you camp, so make sure it is in your box of “essentials.” Duct tape can be used to repair tent poles, patch shoes, fix holes in mosquito netting, as well as many other things. Duct tape is a life saver.

Your list of camping supplies should include several flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. Light can also help to illuminate the wildlife that is around you. If you are camping with your children, a flashlight for each child is a wise idea.

If you are going on a camping trip, you want to be sure that you have a knife or two on hand. A utility knife is a very versatile piece of equipment and one that every camper should have. In fact, you should also bring an extra utility knife with you in case you misplace your main utility knife.

Planning the perfect camping experience is easy when you use tips like the ones in this article. You will find that this only touches the surface of what makes camping great, so keep your eyes opened for anything you can use in the future to make a camping trip a lot more enjoyable later on.