What You Need to Know Before Your Next Camping Trip

What you need to know before your next camping trip, sharing all the details below! From the food to the gear, we have solidified our routine which makes camping seamless and relaxing.

Camping is a budget friendly way to explore new areas, while also spending time in nature and unplugging. It’s a great way to experience the natural environment, while enjoying the simple things in life such as cooking over the fire and sleeping under the stars.

What You Need to Know Before Your Next Camping Trip

Food Essentials

Here are several of my favorite camping recipes that are both easy to make and delicious!

• Breakfast – overnight oats, frittatas, breakfast tacos or breakfast bowls
• Lunch/Dinner – kebabs, tacos, sandwiches, and salads
• Here’s a list of snack ideas along with a homemade trail mix

Camping Gear Essentials

When it comes to camping, remember to pack as though you’re going to stay somewhere with no furniture, electricity, stove or refrigerator. In a developed campground, you will have access to running water and a bathroom. However, if you’re doing remote camping, be mindful you may need to bring extra gear, such as toiletries.

Pro tip: practice packing and setting up all your gear at home. This will ensure you packed everything you need, while also reducing the risk of overpacking. We did this for our eight day road trip, which allowed for an easier way to access what we needed, with less stress!

• Tent – be mindful there are different tents depending on whether you are camping in a developed or backcountry campspot. Do your research on what works best for the type of camping you will be doing.
• Sleeping bag – will you be camping throughout the year? If so, look into the temperature rating of the sleeping bag before purchase.
• Sleeping pad – not only will this make tent camping more comfortable, a sleeping pad is a great way to prevent loss of body heat when sleeping on the cold ground.
• Lighting – bringing not only flashlights, but lanterns and headlamps to free your hands for camp tasks can help you see better as the sun sets.
• Stove – a two-burner propane camp stove will allow you to prepare delicious meals or a cup of hot coffee. Be sure to also pack a lighter and 1 lb propane tanks as needed. If you’re planning to do backcountry camping, a jetboil can be another great option.
• Cooler – be sure your cooler is properly insulated to keep your perishable food items at proper temperature.
• Pots, plates, utensils – if you camp often, one tip I highly recommend is to keep a bin of camping kitchen utensils. Pack the bin with plates, bowls, cutlery, cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, napkins, soap, garbage bags, pots and a cast iron pan. This makes it easier to ensure you have all your kitchen gear, without having to pack it each time.
• Toiletries – pack toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and/or soap.
• Camp chairs – mesh camp chairs dry quickly, which is helpful if they are left outside during a rainstorm or from the dew in the morning. Hammocks can be another great option!
• Be sure to bring layers! Even in the warmer months, temperatures drop considerably at night. Try to stay away from cotton clothing – cotton can make you cold and miserable. Try to stick with wool clothing.
• Battery packs or a solar charger – this can ensure your phone remains charged, to use as a GPS or satellite phone if needed.

Safety Essentials

When it comes to camping, always be mindful of the environment. Are you aware of what animals are in the area? This not only includes large animals such as elk, bear, and wolves, but also snacks, spiders and insects.

• First aid kit – adhesive bandages, gauze, elastic bandages, medications, wound cleansers, topical relief products, tape, and scissors.
• Bear spray/some sort of protection – when it comes to camping, be mindful of the animals in which territory you are camping in. Always be aware of how to properly behave around different wildlife. As a rule of thumb, always give wildlife their space and use common sense. Review these sources for more information: source #1 and source #2.
• GPS and/or satellite phone. Several of the apps we use include: onX maps, iOverlander, the dyrt, All Trails, Recreation.gov, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Harvest Hosts to find areas to camp and trails to hike.

Did I miss anything on the topic of what you need to know before your next camping trip? If so, comment other tips and tricks in the comments below to share with others!