Camping for the First Time? Keep These Tips in Mind

The snow might currently be falling where you are, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have camping on the brain. In fact, winter is when many people make the decision to spend more time outdoors in the new year.

Whether you’ve got a resolution to go camping for the first time or you just want to try something new, you can make the experience more enjoyable for yourself (and safer) by keeping a few first-time camping tips in mind.

Let’s take a look at some of the most crucial ones.

Decide What Your Version of Camping Looks Like

If you lined up ten people in a row and asked each of them what they thought camping was, you’d probably get several different answers. Some people think you’re not officially camping unless you’re in a tent. Others like to head out in their RV and park at their favorite campground.

The camping experience will be more enjoyable for you if you decide what you’re most comfortable with. If you don’t think you’d like to sleep in a tent, maybe an RV is the best option for you. If you’d really like a traditional camping experience, let go of technology and hit the trails.

Know Your Gear and What to Wear

When you’re camping, you’re only as good as your gear. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources online that can help you to decide which camping gear will be necessary for your trips. Chances are, you’ll need:

• A tent
• Light source
• Sleeping bag
• Cooking utensils

If you’re not familiar with lighting a fire, you might also need some kind of fire starter. Talk to your local sporting goods store worker for more information at the type of equipment that might be useful for you.

Additionally, you’ll need to wear the right clothes. Wearing synthetic fibers will help to keep you dry and warm as they’re more likely to wick away moisture than cotton clothing. The most important thing you can do is to dress in layers. You can always take them off if you get cold, but it’s better to do that than not have enough clothing so you’re cold all of the time.

Follow the Forecast

We were going to add a tip on here that suggested planning ahead as much as possible when it comes to the kind of activities you want to do. Check out hiking trails, come up with activities for your kids, and see if the campground you’re staying in has any fun family festivities.

While planning ahead is important, it’s perhaps more important to watch the weather. You can do all the planning in the world, but if inclement weather is expected, there isn’t anything you can do about it.

It’s a good idea to check the forecast about a week before you’re supposed to leave. Then, keep checking it every day because it can change quickly. Be sure to check it one more time right before you leave so you’ll know what you’re heading into. If the weather seems bad enough, knowing ahead of time will give you the opportunity to make a change or reschedule.

If you’re getting ready to camp this Spring, make sure you have the equipment, the planning skills, and the safety knowledge you need to make it a positive experience for you. It’s always a good idea to go with someone who might have experience in camping already, or at least another first-timer who is willing to learn along with you. Happy trails!