Whether you are new to camping or an old pro, there are plenty of things you can learn about camping. Camping is one of those experiences where you can always learn something new. Therefore, this article is good for you–it contains information and tips to make your camping experience great.

Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!

To increase your sleeping experience while camping, bring a pad along that you can place under your sleeping bag. This pad acts as a barrier between you and the hard ground where twigs and tree knots may cause strange sleeping conditions. If a pad isn’t handy, bring a few extra blankets that you can fold over on themselves to create some cushion.

Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!

If you are traveling with children, give them the opportunity to assist you when you get to the campground. They can carry gear, support you as you set up the tent and look for firewood. Not only will it keep them busy and out of trouble, it will be fun for them as well.

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.

Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Always fully prepare before you head out on a camping trip. Especially if you are camping in a new location, take the time to research the wildlife, plants, geography, and climate of the area.

A bandanna or a handkerchief can be beneficial to bring on your trip. Not only can it keep the hair out of your eyes, it can also be a sack to carry things, a towel to dry your hands or a potholder to grab your coffee pot from the fire. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.

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.

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.

Take along some things to entertain yourself and your family. Card games, fishing poles, scavenger hunt lists and other supplies can make hanging out in the woods more fun. Take as many entertainment items as you can fit if you are taking kids on your trip.

You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. It can repair an air mattress should it get a hole. Use it to enclose a rip in a tent, sleeping bag or weather-proofing tarp you have laid down. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. You can use duct tape for almost anything.

Do not approach any wild animals while you are camping. Something that may appear harmless and adorable could be incredibly territorial. Furthermore, be sure not to feed any animals, as doing so may lead to injuries. Avoid keeping any food inside of your tent to prevent animals from destroying your campsite. Keep it stored away safely or in a nearby tree.

When you’re finished camping and ready to go home, you should pick up after yourself. Keeping nature clean and preserved can allow future campers to enjoy it too. Before you leave, clean up any messes, you’ve made at your site and try your best to leave nature as you originally found it.

Always make sure that you have a sharp knife with you when you go camping. A utility knife is one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment that no camper should be without.

Watch out for irritants like poison ivy. It usually has recognizable triple-leaf clusters. However, poison sumac and poison oak tend to have more leaves and also need to be avoided. Keeping your skin completely covered when near these irritants can help prevent rashes. You should also carry some calamine lotion and allergy medication or antihistamines as a precaution.

If you are camping in an area that has loose or very sandy soil, you should make sure that you place large, heavy rocks on top of all the stakes of your tent. This will keep the stakes planted firmly in the ground and your tent from collapsing on its own.

Since the tent is one of the most important parts of your camping trip, be sure the one you get is appropriate. Figure out how many people are coming on the trip so you can get a big enough tent. Also, make sure the tent you get prevents moisture from getting inside.

Making a great camping experience is not difficult, but you do need to take a few steps and make sure you remember a few things. Let the tips in this article help you keep important things in mind, so that you can have a great time. Keep learning about camping so you can create a memorable experience every time.