Camping can be a blast or a nightmare. Often it’s a bit of both – but with a bit of preparation, a good plan, and some effort, you can have a better time next time. Improving your camping trip can take many forms. From upgrading your tent to learning to make the most of a single night, here are ten ways to improve your next camping trip.
Bring the right equipment.
Camping can be a great experience, but it’s not always a walk in the park. That’s why it’s essential to bring the right equipment for your camping trip. A good tent, sleeping bag, and hiking shoes will go a long way toward making your trip more comfortable.
Next, list creature comforts that can take your trip from basic and slightly underwhelming to a more enjoyable experience. This can ensure you have the right cooking equipment, torches or lighting, sleeping accessories, and safety equipment.
Plan meals in advance
When planning your meals in advance, you will know exactly what you need to take with you to create your meals, from the ingredients to the dinnerware and cooking equipment.
Choose easy-to-make meals that can be prepared with little effort on a camping stove. It can be an idea to make your meals at home, so you only need to heat them up or put them together when you arrive.
Photo by Laura Pluth on Unsplash
If you freeze them, add meals to your cool box. They will stay cool for more extended and survive the trip better, meaning you have nice meals with little to no effort when you arrive and set up camp.
Arrive at your campsite in plenty of time
Setting up your tent in the dark isn’t a fun experience. No one wants to get lost finding their camping spot or not having a decent site available after dark.
Allow yourself plenty of time when traveling to arrive during daylight so you can find your way around the campsite, find your spot and pitch your tent. This way, there is no rushing, and you can easily get organized before worrying about losing light, especially if you have never visited this campsite before.
Take a cooler
Most camping trips involve a lot of food. It’s easy to end up with far too much, and you risk spoiling if you can’t eat it all. A cooler box will keep your food fresh – but only if you pack it well. Put any meat at the bottom and sandwich in more easily-spoiled foods like cheese and salad towards the top. Fill any gaps with ice or chunky things like large pieces of fruit.
Consider a pop-up camper.
If you’re not great at camping, a pop-up camper with a kitchenette and bathroom can provide some comforts you might miss from home. Make sure to get advice for buying a pop up camper before making your decision.
A pop-up camper provides a more effortless experience when taking your first camping trip. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to do extensive research on the type that best suits your needs.
One of the best types of campers is a pop-up camper. These come in many different forms and styles, but they all offer large living areas with kitchens and bathrooms attached. If you’re not great at camping, a pop-up camper can provide some comforts you might miss from home.
Bring extra layers
Despite what the weather might say, you should always bring layers. Layers will keep you warmer and protect you from the wind and rain. It’s also good to prepare for all four seasons – even if it’s a short weekend trip.
A good rule of thumb is to have three coats: one light coat, one medium coat, and one heavy coat. This way, you can layer up during the day when it’s cold out and then take off layers as the sunsets.
Have plenty of water to hand
Water is essential when camping. Not only will you need it to drink, but if your water source is contaminated, you’ll want to have clean water on hand. Campers are encouraged to pack at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and should store it in a cooler if possible.
Consider taking purification tablets if you need to source water if you run out or a filtering straw allowing you to drink from any water source without becoming ill. The straw filters the water as it travels up the straw, allowing you to drink only purified water regardless of where it comes from.
Don’t forget camping chairs.
If your camping trip means being outdoors for long periods, you’ll need a good chair to sit in. Camping chairs don’t have to be expensive, but they must be comfortable. You don’t want to spend most of your time sitting on the ground because you’re too uncomfortable to stay awake!
A good camping chair will be lightweight and easily foldable, so you can pack it away or add it to your backpack to take n hikes with you if this is part of your plan.
Photo by Mac DeStroir
Consider a shower caddy.
A shower caddy can help you keep all of your toiletries clean and organized, ready for you to head to the showers when camping. Whether using a makeshift shower hung from a tree or a communal shower block at a campsite, use a caddy to keep everything together and allow for a more effortless shower experience.
Bring spare batteries
One of the most underrated items to bring on a camping trip is extra batteries. Whether you plan to use your flashlight, camera, or phone, having some spare batteries on hand can mean the difference between a good and bad time. If you’re an avid camper and are always prepared, there are also solar chargers that you can purchase to keep your devices charged while outdoors.
Camping can be a fun experience for those who want to experience the world as nature intended. However, failing to carefully prepare for your camping trip can put a downer on the whole experience. But making sure you have prepared well and even included some luxuries can really improve your overall camping experience.