Camping is getting to be a popular pastime because of the amount of exposure it is getting from reality television. If you want to spend some time outside for fun and relaxation, keep reading for how to do it right.

Find your best place for camping shelter long before nightfall. Once it gets dark outside, figuring out how to set up a tent, finding wood and making food may become impossible. This is particularly important if you are not used to doing things in the dark. Try to avoid setting up after the sun sets.

Make sure that your sleeping bag is right for the season and climate where you are camping. If you bring a sub-zero sleeping bag to go camping in mid-summer, you might find that you are sweating all night long. On the flip side, bring a sleeping bag meant for summer camping will make you very cold during your winter camping trip. You may even get hypothermia.

Get everyone involved in choosing a campsite. Talk over what your destination state should be. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. If necessary, select a few locations yourself, then let the family decide among your choices.

It is always a smart idea to look into what the weather is going to be like, before going camping. This can give you an idea of what you will be experiencing on your trip. If you have the correct information, you can pack properly.

Try combining a swimming experience with your camping experience. When you go camping, you can miss out on things like showers. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.

You can use dryer lint as a kindling to start a campfire with. A month before your camping trip, begin collecting the lint from your dryer’s lint filter. Keep a simple plastic or ziplock bag near your dryer to make collecting easier. That technique lets you simply grab the kindling you’ll use right before you go on your trip.

Be sure you set up camp before nighttime comes around. If you come to the camp site in an RV, find a parking spot immediately. When forming your tent, find a spot that is level and dry. If you do it before nighttime, it is easier to get familiar with the area. Since you will know what you are doing, you’ll prevent frustration.

Though camping may be about roughing it in the wilderness, being prepared is a necessity. While it’s important to have a sleeping bag, it’s also recommended to have extra blankets. They will provide you with extra warmth, should the temperatures plummet, as well as give you additional cushioning.

If you are pitching a tent, look for soft, level ground. If you pick out a sloped or a rocky spot it can make sleeping and hanging out in the tent very uncomfortable. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.

You should now understand that some forethought needs to come into play for camping. Fortunately, you now have some great advice to work with in your preparations. With a better idea about what you can expect from your next outdoor adventure, you’ll be able to maximize your odds of a fun, successful trip.