How heavy should your backpacking tent be?
One of the best ways to spend your vacation time is by camping out in the woods with mother nature! Make sure you are properly prepared with the helpful tips in the following article and that you learn all you can about spending time in a forest before you set out!
Reserve your spot at a campground as soon as possible. Particularly in the summer, many people are interested in camping with their families. If you make your reservation in the winter, you are much more likely to get the best rate possible. Those savings can translate into additional family fun while on your vacation.
When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.
Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!
Even the most natural experience can allow for one nice luxury from home. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Just one small thing can feel luxurious if you start to miss the comforts of home.
Check the terms of your health insurance before leaving. Some policies don't cover you while out of state and you may have to add an extra policy. This is a bigger factor if you're traveling to another country for a camping trip, such as Canada. It is essential to be prepared in case of emergency.
Kids love to camp, but make sure you plan activities for them. Kids can easily get bored if you are in the woods for a long time. They may not be used to thing like fishing and pitching a tent. If they aren't used to camping activities, teach them before you leave.
If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. Pack an emergency kit that contains basic first aid supplies as well as anything needed for the specific location in which you are camping. Be sure to do your research and bring along any location-specific items you will need.
If you're going to camp somewhere where dangerous animals reside, you need to make sure you're very careful about your food. Wrap your food up tightly so that smells don't escape and store it away from your sleeping tent area. This will reduce your chances of being attacked.
Watch out for irritants like poison ivy. It usually has recognizable triple-leaf clusters. However, poison sumac and poison oak tend to have more leaves and also need to be avoided. Keeping your skin completely covered when near these irritants can help prevent rashes. You should also carry some calamine best glamping tent lotion and allergy medication or antihistamines as a precaution.
Take the time to get a map and to get to know the land. This will help prevent you from getting lost, and to help you figure out how to navigate around your camping grounds throughout your entire trip. This is a good idea to help save time and worry for you.
Especially if you live in a hotter climate, you need to make sure you know how to get ice. Ice melts rather fast, and you're going to need more. Sometimes you can buy ice at the campsite, or sometimes at a store, but there are times when ice isn't so close to where you're camping.
An indispensable item to pack for your camping trip is Ziploc bags. You can separate items in your gear like sunscreen and bug spray so if they puncture they do not get all over your gear. You can also use them to keep items like matches and cellphones dry if it rains.
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
When it comes to tents, you should understand that bigger is not always better. Keep in mind that you are going to have to drag your tent to the campsite. To make sure that your tent is not too large for you to haul and set up, test it out at your home first.
Pack glow sticks. It gets dark out in nature. If you're just waking up in the middle of the middle of the night, the light from a flashlight or lantern can be too harsh. Bring glow sticks and keep them in an easily accessible location. These will provide a softer light.
Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Although tent fabric technology has come a long way, tearing is still a possibility. A piece of duct tape is sure to fix any damage on your tent and can ensure a safe, dry night in the woods.
Novice campers often set up their tent near bathrooms, but this is an error. They have convenience in mind, but might find out the situation is different than they thought. Light and high traffic are usually found around the bathroom area. After a while, it becomes less of a convenience and more of a hindrance.
You can always have a wonderful camping experience if you know what you're doing and can allow yourself to relax. Camping can teach you tons about yourself. With the advice from this article, your next camping trip will be a memorable adventure.