Finally, you and your family have decided to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and go camping. But you’re a first-time camper with no idea where to go, what to bring, or how to prepare for a camping trip. Not to worry! We will assist you in preparing for a memorable camping trip. Camping is a fun, healthy, lively, and inexpensive way to get away from the hurly-burly environment and enjoy nature. You can gaze at the beautiful night sky, engage in sports, observe wildlife, tell stories, speak aloud, and so on. However, for this to occur, you must plan ahead of time for your camping trip. We’ve put together a list of 15 things (Step by step) you should do to plan the perfect camping trip.
Shortcuts Links
1. Decide when you want to go camping
Before start searching for the best camping site, you need to decide when you want to go camping. Ask yourself what your favorite weather is and you will know when you want to go camping. Although the majority of people like to go camping in summer, some do like winter, fall, and spring. It also depends on where you live as well. If you live close to the equator, when you want to go camping does not matter as much because it is mostly dry all year. However, if you live in the northern or southern hemispheres, weather conditions are different. Figure out when you want to go camping, and you will begin searching for the best camping sites for you and your family.
2. Find the best camping site
The next step is to find where you want to go camping. Do you want to camp in a national park, forest, meadow, farm, or beach? You can also search online for the best camping spot in your desired location. When you find one, do full research on your camping spot. Make sure you have answered all the questions you may have about your desired camping spot.
3. Decide what type of camping it will be
It is not easy to decide what type of camping trip it will be for you. Will it be recreational vehicle (RV) camping, tent camping, or open field star-grazing camping? Figure out what type of camping is best for you and your family.
Recreational Vehicle (RV): RVs are equipped with almost everything you may need. These are from a sleeping bed, heating or air conditioner, toilets, shower, kitchens, etc. These make it easier for you to focus on exploring nature and wilderness without worrying about setting up a tent.
Tent: Tent camping is the most common type of camping people prefer. All you need is a tent and a good camping spot. Once you set up your tent, you can stay there, or explore nature and the wilderness. Tent camping is a good option for a family with children. You will have a fun time with children while setting up a tent, cooking outdoors, enjoying nature, etc.
Open field star-grazing: If you just want to go to the wilderness or a beach to escape the busy urban life and watch the night sky all night, open field camping may suit you. However, you must be prepared for the weather. What if it starts raining or snowing? In an open field without a tent or an RV, you may find this type of camping a bit riskier than others. However, if you are certain the weather will remain calm throughout your stay, open field star-grazing camping will be spectacular.
4. Research your desired campsite and its regulations
This step often goes unchecked. But this is the most important step you would want to check before deciding on your camping gears and outfits. So, you did all your research and decided when and where you want to go camping. Now, before digging into planning further, you should know more about your camping spot. Have any bad things happened at this spot before? Has any law or new laws been imposed? What are the restrictions at this campsite? Do I have to pay to reserve the campsite? There are many more questions you may want to ask yourself about your desired campsite. Do thorough research and you will not regret it. If you have to pay to reserve the campsite, you may want to do it ahead of time so you will know for sure you have reserved the site.
5. Decide your camping gear and outfits
Now comes a fun part. Deciding and choosing the right gear for your type of camping is always fun and challenging. We have compiled a list of the best camping gear and accessories. You can view our recommended list of camping gears to get an idea of what you might need for your camping trip. Below is the list of camping gear and accessories you may need for your camping trip.
Campsite:
Tent
Camping mat
Quilt
Outdoor blanket
Camping pillows
Tarp
Wood and charcoal campfire pit
Camping lantern
Portable canopy
Tools:
Multi-tool
Saw or an Axe to cut woods
Headlamp or flashlights
Compass
The battery bank and phone charger
Kitchen:
Kitchen set
Food & Water
Cutting board
Knife set
cooking utensil
Eating utensil
plates and bowls
Pocket light or a fire starter
Coffee maker
Cooler
Camp stove
Firewood
Health and hygiene:
Toilet paper
Menstrual products
Sunscreen
Toiletry kit
Toothbrush and paste
lip balm
Insect repellent
First aid kit
Trash bags
Outfits:
Long sleeve tops and bottoms
waterproof rain jacket
Outdoor jackets
Hiking sweatshirt
All-terrain shoes or crocks
Activewear
Moisture-wicking underwears
Long socks
All-terrain shoes or crocks
Extras:
High-performance backpack
Board games
Hats
Bandanas
Hand sanitizer
Bluetooth speaker
Mirror & Comb
Walkie talkie
Personal: ID, Cell phone, campsite reservations confirmation, cash or credit cards
6. Prepare for all weather conditions
Because our mother nature is very unpredictable, you need to prepare for all weather conditions. If it rains in the middle of nowhere, what will you do or where will you go? Prepare by carrying waterproof rain jackets, a portable canopy, etc. to get ready for all weathers.
7. Determine how much food and water you will need
How many will go with you on a camping trip determines how much food and water you will need. Imagine you run out of food or water while in the wilderness. That’s the last thing you want to happen in the wilderness. To prevent yourself from enjoying camping to fighting for survival, carry more food and water than you think you will need. More is always better than not having any when you need it.
8. Determine what you will cook, and purchase the necessary kitchen equipment
Putting up a campfire and roasting meats is always fun. However, you need also need breakfasts and lunches. Figure out what you and your family will have for breakfast and lunches and buy them. Also, buy food that will not take a long time to cook. This way, you could save time to do other stuff with your family. Moreover, buy all the necessary kitchen equipment for your camping trip. We have listed the kitchen gear and accessories in the ‘Decide your camping gear and outfits‘ section. Use this list as a guide to fulfill your need.
9. Test all of your camping gears
The last thing you want in your camping trip is your gears to fail to operate. To prevent this, test all of your camping gears before heading out. Test a tent to make sure you know how it works. Besides, test the stove and other essential equipment to ensure they function correctly. This way, not only will you ensure your gears will function, but also save time setting up your campsite.
10. Create an activities list
So, all of your gears work fine and you know how to operate them. Now, create a checklist of what you will do while camping. After finishing setting up a campsite, will you head out to hike, play board games, start roasting meats, or will you go on fishing? What will you do the next day? Figuring out, planning, and making a checklist of activities you will do once at the campsite will save you extra time.
11. Pack only essential items
It’s finally the day you have been waiting to go out camping with your family. Now, what’s standing between you and the road is packing and loading gears to your car. Don’t make the mistake of packing unwanted items in your item. Only pack what is essential to your trip and the products you will need. This will save you the space in your car in case you need to add on something on your way to your campsite. Packing unrelated and unwanted items is only a hassle and will cost you your energy, and space in your car.
12. Arrive in the daylight to set up your tent
Believe us when we say that you should always arrive at your campsite in the daylight to set up your tent. Even though you have tested your tent and learned how to set it up, always give yourself enough time and daylight to do so at the campsite. You will not know what you will encounter at the campsite. It may be different weather than you thought it would, or the floor surface is not leveled and you have to turn and twist your tent. Whatever may be the reason, always attempt to arrive at your campsite in the daylight.
13. Know where to set up your tent (Important)
Some campsites have elevated surfaces to set up your tent, so the water, if it rains, will drift away from the tent. However, not all campsites have this amenity. You may have to set up your tent on an unleveled surface or a slope. If so, set it up in a way that even if it rains, water will not drift into your tent. It’s better to pitch your tent perpendicular to the slope, one side lower than the other.
14. Don’t leave food or toiletries in your car
Wilderness is attractive and so are the wild animals. Most importantly, they are attracted to the food and toiletries you have brought with you. To avoid unwanted wild animals from scratching your car, place food and toiletries in storage near your tent where it is neither too close, nor too far. You do not want a bear stealing your food in the middle of the night, right?
15. Maintain proper hygiene
Hygiene is important while camping. Keep yourself clean. Keep your surroundings clean. Although some campsites have trash cans, you may want to carry extra trash bags with you. Please put wastes in the trash bag and dispose of them properly. Do not litter. Respect your campsites and nature. Please keep in mind that once you’ve left the site, it will be used by others.
These are the 15 step-by-step guides to planning your perfect camping trip. However, this list does not guarantee any assurance. Please do your due diligence before heading out on a camping vacation. Wilderness is unpredictable. You should do more research whenever you are unsure about something. Be prepared, be cautious, be well-planned and be mindful, and you will have a wonderful camping vacation. Enjoy!
