How much does a good tent cost?
Have you been thinking about going camping for a long time now? What has been holding you back? Is it the lack of knowledge? Well go ahead and read this article so that you know what it takes to enjoy yourself on a nice weekend camping trip with the whole family.
Purchase a quality tent. It can be tempting to score a good deal on a tent, but you want to find something that can hold both you, your family members and your belongings. Try visiting a store that specializes in outdoor gear. They tend to have well-made products that will last for a while.
Bring a large trash bag for dirtied laundry, and keep it in a central location, suitable for everyone in your party. Let them pack their clothing individually, as this makes it much easier to find than if you pile it all in a community storage box or bag. Toss in a dryer sheet to any bag you want smelling fresh.
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
When you are planning a camping adventure, make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for your trip. Check the weather forecast and bring the clothing that will be needed on your trip. If it is going to be cold, make sure you have the appropriate coats, gloves, and shoes. Remember to also pack a rain poncho no matter what the weather forecast predicts.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don't want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
Research any potential campground well. They all have different amenities. Some may have showers and bathrooms, while others may not. There are even a few campgrounds that are quite fancy, with onsite miniature golf games or water parks. You may not need or want all that, so figure it out ahead of time so that you are not disappointed when you get there.
Be certain your camp fire is completely out before you leave a campsite. To your eye it may seem like the fire is gone, but stir the ashes with a stick and you may find burning embers. Pour enough water and keep stirring until you see no more embers in the fire pit.
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
When looking into a campground, inquire about the different fees they may charge. You may find that you are charged for water, electric, fire wood and additional campers. Learning the fees ahead of time will allow you to properly budget for your camping trip. It will help you avoid becoming stressed at the gates and ruining your trip.
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.
Just because your tent is labeled waterproof, do not count on it to keep you dry when it rains. Pack a couple extra-large tarps to take along with you. Use one to set on the ground under your tent and keep one dry to use to cover your tent if it looks like it is going to rain hard.
If you are going on a camping trip, you want to be sure that you have a knife or two on hand. Utility knives are the most diverse tools you can carry, so be sure to carry an additional one just in case it gets lost.
If you haven't camped before, then now is not the time to start being a hermit. Ask an experienced friend to go with you and show you the ropes. As you become more advanced in the hobby you can start to take small and then larger trips alone and get your hermitude on.
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.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the large canvas tents snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
At the end of your trip, be sure to leave your campsite as clean as you found it. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Make sure to take any food that is left over as well. The best practice to follow when camping is to clean the campsite well, and leave only your footprints behind.
It may seem trivial to remind you of this, but do not forget to bring toilet paper along when you pack. If there are no restrooms in your area, you will need to go out in nature. Leaves are not something you want to wipe with, since you can get poison ivy and a host of other issues. Pack toilet paper.
Many people will tell you that they have fond memories of camping. The information provided here should help make it so that you have a memorable trip as well, as long as you keep the information in mind. You should know be ready to field any curve balls that come your way!