The following camping tips and suggestions represent the collective wisdom of countless campers and camping trips over the years. So often we learn things the hard way; hopefully, these little tidbits will save you time, energy and improve your overall camping experience.
Do you have a helpful tip or bit of advice that we can add to our list? Call or e-mail us with your camping tip! We'll be happy to add it to our list.
GENERAL CAMPING AND HIKING TIPS
Campsites
- Make sure someone back home knows your itinerary
- Level ground if at all possible
- Get to the site early
- Shade is a hugh plus
- Water supply closeby
- At least 250 feet from streams and running water
- Restroom faciliities are also closeby
- Access to nearby recreational facilities
- Adequate facilities for trash disposal
- Parking close to the campsite
- Plenty of available firewood (bring some with you)
- Security and quiet hour considerations
- Avoid stagnant water that can breed insects
Backpacking
- Make sure someone back home knows your itinerary
- Footware is critically important
- Pack extra socks
- Dress in layers
- It always rains, pack foul weather clothing
- Don't leave valuable items in your car
- Pack most frequently used items on the top of your pack
- Use trekking poles
- If possible, stick to the trails
- Always pack a map and compass
- Purify any water you don't bring with you
- Conserve your energy
- Pack extra snack items like trail mix
- Try to have at least one hot meal a day
- Pack some kind of signaling device like a mirror
- Pack a whistle
- Store your food in zip lock bags and stow it up in trees away from your site
- Use biodegradeable soap
- Pack a first aid kit with duct tape and a blister kit
- Pack an extra plastic trash bag for who knows what
- Air out your sleeping bag in the morning
- Don't feed the animals
- Bring extra batteries
- Pack a headlight, you'll be glad you did
- Avoid crossing streams alone
- Hike with friends if at all possible
General Tips and Advice
- Always bring a roll of duct tape
- Bring extra plastic trash bags
- Place a throw rug in front of your tent entrance
- Baking soda is useful for cleaning and deodorizing
- Metal rods for hanging plants work great for lanterns
- Bring extra ziplock bags
- Bring pictures of your kids in case you get separated
- Glowsticks always come in handy
- Be security conscious with your valuables
- Avoid playing loud music in camp areas
- Pack tools for minor repairs
- You should have something to cut firewood
- Bring an extra pair of your prescription eye glasses
- Keep your tent windows at least partially open during the day
- Pack lightweight long johns even in the summer
- Premeasure food ingredients and store in zip lock bags
- Make sure you have extra toilet paper and paper towels
- Don't forget a can opener and a multipurpose knife
- Include toothpicks and dental floss
- A couple of old towels can really be useful
- Pack extra insect spray, its expensive at camp gound stores
- Paperbacks are better than hard cover books at a campsite
BE CONSIDERATE AND LEAVE YOUR CAMPSITE JUST THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND IT
