Now that the winter is pretty much over, the more outdoorsy might decide they want to go on a camping trip. Well, here are some essential tips for how to prepare for just such a trip, and make it the best it can be.
When going on a camping trip, one of the best ways to prepare is to know what kind of place you’ll be camping and what the climate is like. For example, if you’re going camping in a desert, you’ll need to bring lightweight or short-sleeved clothes for the day, in addition to long-sleeved, warmer clothing for the night. Nights in the desert can get really cold. If you’re going to an alpine or forest area, you should bring a good mix of clothing, as well as rain gear. Don’t take the weather forecast as gospel, and make sure you don’t get caught with your pants down. Use the general climate as a guideline but be prepared for anything. Also know what kind of wildlife you might run into. It’s much better to have bought bear spray and not need it than to have no bears spray when you’re face to snout with several hundred pounds of unhappy bear.
One of the most unpleasant ways to have your camping trip, or god forbid backpacking trip cut short is to realize that you’ve run out of food or water. With car camping this is generally less of an issue, as most campgrounds have water and food within driving distance. It’s still good to make sure the food you bring is not perishable, or at least kept in a cooler if you’re going car-camping. It’s good to bring a little more food than you think you’ll eat, because hiking and outdoor activities tend to burn a lot of calories. If you’re going backpacking food and water management is absolutely essential, doubly so if you’re backpacking in an area with no water nearby. Bringing a filter or other way to purify dirty water is required if you don’t want to carry around all the water you’ll need. Another thing to keep in mind is access to your food. Make sure to properly animal-proof it, because you don’t want squirrels, bears or other such creatures stealing it all. A little more than enough is better than not enough.
Another thing that can really ruin a camping trip is being accused of federal crimes. Know the rules of the place you intend to go camping and make sure not to violate them. For example, National Parks are considered Federal Land, and therefore are subject to different laws than the cities or states around them. No matter how stupid you think the rules might be, many of them exist for a reason. A rule that you absolutely have to follow is “Do not approach the animals.” Not following the rules with regards to wild animals and places can quite literally get you killed. Wow, that got darker than I intended, but my point remains. You should also look up the rules ahead of time so you don’t get any nasty surprises, because nothing puts a damper on a trip like showing up to the park and finding out you needed a permit, Or finding out that nature trail you were dead-set on hiking is closed because the bats are nesting. You can’t just show up and camp wherever, so do your dang homework. A little extra work now can avoid a lot of heartache down the line.
When on a camping trip, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I already mentioned bear spray earlier, but bears aren’t the only thing you might need to worry about when on a camping trip. A good number of popular camping locations have cell service, but just as many do not, so a physical map of the area and a compass might be good ideas to bring along. It’s a little difficult learning how to read maps, but it sure beats getting lost in the middle of nowhere. You should also invest in a good first-aid kit in case you end up injured. Most injuries and accidents can be avoided by just having the bare minimum of common sense, but sometimes incidents occur regardless of how careful we are. Most national parks are pretty safe, but it never hurts to be prepared. Bring a headlamp or flashlight in case you have walk at night. Make sure your backpack is in good condition, and make sure that you animal-proof your food to avoid unwelcome guests at your campsite. The worst incidents tend to happen to the unprepared, because preparation can keep minor incidents from becoming major ones.
I know I’ve been making a camping trip sound like a life-or-death struggle with these last two entries, so let’s cap off the list with something a bit more lighthearted. Now that all the serious things are out of the way, I can tell you to bring along some things that are fun. Bring a camera or power block for your phone so you can take some pictures. Bring an audiobook or podcasts to listen to while on your way to the campsite. Bring some sandals and swim trunks if you want to splash around and there’s a river or creek near your campsite. There are a lot of ways to make your camping trip into an enjoyable experience. Work your interests into your trip, and don’t be afraid to socialize with your fellow campers if you feel like doing so. If you have a dog, some destinations will allow you to bring them along as well. If you planned and prepared well, you can be sure that things will go well, and relax. Bring what you need in order to make the trip as enjoyable as it can be.
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