Oh the joys of camping! This is time well spent with nature and discovery for those seeking solitude. Camping can be an exciting and fun way to enjoy nature, but there are a lot of things you have to know. Review the ideas that follow to have the best trip possible.

Find where you will camp before sunset. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.

Survival Kit

A first aid kit or survival kit is imperative for camping. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. Never assume there won’t be any trouble. Anything can happen, and you need these essential items to help save your life if necessary. Keep it with you at all times when you leave your campsite for any reason.

Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. If camping at a new location, make sure you investigate the geography, climate, and local wildlife so you are prepared for any dangers.

If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. Any time you go camping, you are likely to miss taking a shower. The water helps you feel refreshed and a bit cleaner so that you don’t miss showering quite as much.

Pack a bandana. That small piece of cloth could become a potholder, a bag, a blotter or a towel. Its uses are innumerable, so it is smart to always have one available.

To start your fires at camp, use dryer lint as kindling. Start saving this lint a short time period prior to going camping and you’ll have enough lint in time. You can simply stuff it all into a plastic grocery bag you keep near the dryer. Your kindling will be ready for you to grab on the way out the door for your trip.

A handy tool that will make your life easier when camping, is duct tape. Just like at home, its uses are nearly endless. This can be used to repair holes in air mattresses. Use it to enclose a rip in a tent, sleeping bag or weather-proofing tarp you have laid down. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. In a pinch, you can also bandage an injury with it.

Camping’s main idea is to generally live off of the land, however, you still need to be well-prepared. In addition to your sleeping bag, bring a couple of blankets. This is useful for nights where the temperature gets too cold or as extra padding when sleeping on hard ground.

Take some preventative steps in order to avoid inadvertently draining the batteries in your flashlights during your next camping adventure. It is not uncommon to accidentally bump the switch and turn your flashlight on when you are digging around in your bag. To prevent this, load batteries into the flashlight backwards. If the power switch is touched, the flashlight won’t turn on and you’ll still have full battery power.

Camping Trip

Create a list of items you need for your camping trip. If you have to travel a long way to reach the campsite, this is particularly vital. Pack a few days before your camping trip is supposed to happen and check off your list while you go through things.

Camping is a activity many enjoy, but there is much to know before you go. Fortunately, the article above provided you with what you must know to enjoy a safe and enjoyable excursion.