One of the greatest pastimes in the world is camping. Camping lets you experience all that the great outdoors has to offer and allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature. Are you interested in going camping? If so, then try some of the camping tips in the article below.
When packing for your camping trip, do not forget chairs and a radio. One of the best parts of camping is sitting around the campfire. You could sit on an old log, but why bother when you can pack chairs and be comfortable. The radio is for entertainment sitting around the fire. An even better idea is to bring your guitar for a sing along.
If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.
A major mistake that campers make is they will get lost on occasion. Do not let this happen to you. If you are unfamiliar with the area you are camping in or if you are in a wilderness area, do not stray too far from your campsite. A portable GPS is an excellent investment if you are planning any kind of wilderness camping adventure.
Water is very important when camping. When camping at a campground, there should be ample supply of water available, but on the trail, you will have to carry some with you. If you are going long distances, you should probably carry iodine tablets to sanitize any water you find before drinking. Be careful, dysentery can be deadly.
Look up grocery stores near your campsite. Make sure you know how to get to them. Particularly, if your trip is spanning more than three or four days, the food you bring with you probably isn't going to last the length of your trip. Not only, that, but your family is going to get tired of eating the same things day after day. Variety is the key.
Your camp should be set up before nightfall. If you're driving an RV, find a safe parking spot. When pitching a tent, a level, dry area is needed. If you do that before it gets dark, you can get a good look at your immediate surroundings. This can help to reduce the stress that you have during your trip.
A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. Duct tape has numerous uses at a campsite. It can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. It be used to seal tears in tarps, tents, and even sleeping bags. Duct tape on your feet can be used to prevent blisters on a long hike. Injuries can even be bandaged with it.
Many people are deterred from camping because they have to sleep on the ground, but you do not have to be uncomfortable when you go camping. Stop by the local drug store and purchase some inexpensive pool floats. These are far more comfortable than the ground to sleep on, and will keep you high and dry as well.
People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.
Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy 3 room canvas tent cleanup too!
If you don't like to drink water, you will be in real trouble on a long camping trip. Water is essential to staying hydrated, so if you really hate the taste, purchase some one-use lemonade and add it to bottles of water. This will keep you hydrated throughout your adventure.
Do not underestimate the power of Duct tape It is an essential tool when you camp, so make sure it is in your box of "essentials." Duct tape can be used to repair tent poles, patch shoes, fix holes in mosquito netting, as well as many other things. Duct tape is a life saver.
Many people who are not very experienced with camping start out by doing day trips. This can be a great way to adjust to nature without the dangers associated with staying in the woods all night. The best way to do is to find a simple hotel near the campground, but only for sleeping purposes.
Make sure you always have a source of clean water with you. When camping, you can't always trust that a natural water source is clean enough to drink from without boiling the water first. So keep a canteen filled with water at your side during any daily adventure. In the evenings, boil any spring water for ten minutes to create clean water reserves for the next day.
Stay safe while you camp. Stay away from wildlife, even if they are not very large. Don't be fooled into thinking that smaller animals are safe to be around. Even a small animal can be deadly, especially if they are carrying a disease. Don't feed bears if you encounter any.
As you leave for home, clean up your space. Bring enough trash bags for the anticipated clean up. Don't leave any food behind either. When you leave your campsite, the only thing you should leave are your footprints.
Start setting up camp well before dark. It's hard to start pitching a tent when it's dark outside. You will need to make a fire or have flashlight to do this. The process is far easier during daylight hours, and you will be relieved to be finished before darkness hits.
Now you know that nothing is as great as camping. Through camping, you can see and feel every aspect of nature. Using the tips from this article, you can be on your way to a nice, relaxing camping trip at the destination of your choice.
