The average camping trip is planned 25 days in advance. So, even though you don’t have to book flights, hotels, or excursions, there’s still a lot that goes into planning a camping trip!
If you’ve never planned to go camping before, you might have a few concerns. You don’t want to end up sleeping in a cold, wet tent with fussy, hungry kids because of bad planning.
You want to spend quality time outdoors with your friends and family and sleep in a dry tent with a full belly and a smile on your face.
Luckily, this guide breaks down exactly how to plan a camping trip you’ll remember for the right reasons.
Where You’ll Camp
First, you need to consider where you will camp and all the possible places to go camping.
One option is to camp in a designated campground. These usually have facilities such as toilets, water, showers, and often electricity connections. But you could pay around $20-$30 a night per tent and there will be other people nearby.
Another option is what the National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management call “dispersed camping.” This is where you can usually camp for no daily free. There will be no facilities or a fresh water supply but you are more likely to have privacy.
Weather and Safety
When planning a camping trip, always check the weather before you go. The Goldilocks of camping conditions would be not too hot, not too cold, no rain, and little wind. But that’s rarely the case, so prepare accordingly!
You should also research what wild animals live in the area you will be camping so you know what to do in the event of an attack or meeting. Save the number for poison control in your phone if snakes are a threat and keep your food in air-tight containers if bears are an issue.
Clothing and Gear
If you don’t know what to bring camping, the choice of gear can be overwhelming. Depending on the climate and your style of camping, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Here is a quick camping checklist of the essentials:
- Tents
- Sleeping bags
- Torches
- Outdoor clothing
- Good shoes
- Activities e.g. playing cards
As long as you remember the important things to take camping, you’ll be fine!
Food and Drink
Food and drink are, of course, two of the most important considerations when planning a camping trip. If your campground doesn’t provide drinking water (though most do), you will need to bring water for the duration of your trip plus extra for safety.
Packing a cooler is a good idea if you have fresh food and want to keep your drinks cold. You could bring a camping stove to cook food on, too.
And don’t forget to pack all the ingredients for s’mores! Whether you’re camping with kids or big kids, toasting s’mores is a must-do activity on any camping trip.
Now, Start Planning a Camping Trip Today!
These tips will help you when planning a camping trip no matter the weather, location, or other conditions. As long as you consider safety and comfort, you and your family or friends will have an amazing time in the outdoors.
Check out our other travel articles for more top tips and advice!
