Make Camping Safe And Fun With These Smart Ideas

Enjoying the great outdoors on a camping trip can be a lot of fun for the whole family or just an individual alone looking for a little R&R. The following article is full of great advice you need to know to make your next camping trip easier, more convenient and especially, more enjoyable!

Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.

When planning for your camping trip, don't forget to pack the sunscreen. Just because you are not on the beach doesn't mean that you don't need protection from the sun's burning rays. A sport sunscreen can be a smart choice if you will be doing strenuous physical activities during your trip.

Don't fear that you are overpacking for your kids on a camping trip. Camping can be messy. Kids are seriously attracted to the dirt. As the day goes on, you may end up with messy, dirty kids. You can't avoid the dirt, but some extra clothes will help out. Be sure you're prepared!

Make sure you have a first aid kit with you. As an alternative, you could pack some supplies in a plastic bag. While hopefully your trip will be free of injuries, you never know. It is best to be prepared so that you can handle anything that happens in the best way possible.

Be certain your camp fire is completely out before you leave a campsite. To your eye it may seem like the fire is gone, but stir the ashes with a stick and you may find burning embers. Pour enough water and keep stirring until you see no more embers in the fire pit.

Remember to pack a camera. There are some memories you're going to want to capture on your camping trip. Bring along a small camera that can fit in your pocket. Try to pack something durable that could stand getting dropped or becoming a bit wet. Consider using a disposable camera.

Plan your first camping trip close to home. You could experience a number of problems, such as equipment failure, and wish to cut the trip short. Maybe you will find out that there isn't enough food or clean clothes to continue. Many things can arise for the first-time camper, so camp close to home the first time.

Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. Also remember to put down a tarp underneath your tent as an extra layer of protection from water.

Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.

Take some things to do on your camping trip. Card games, fishing poles or games like a scavenger hunt can be very entertaining in the wild. If the kids are camping with you, you'll need to increase the amount of entertainment items that you pack.

If you are not a seasoned camper, stay close to home. You may encounter problems with your equipment, or you may decide to come home early. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.

If your intended camping destination is known for its prowling wildlife, take more than enough precautions to secure food. You will need to keep your food in airtight containers or securely wrapped, and store it away from your tent. Some foods should be avoided entirely. This will reduce your chances of being attacked.

Duct tape can be a camper's very best friend. When disaster strikes on a camping trip, a roll of heavy-duty duct tape will usually save the day. If the tent fabric needs patching in the rain, duct tape will hold back the water. When tent poles need reinforcing, the duct tape will provide support. Do you have holes in your tennis shoes? Duct tape right over it. Whatever the mishap, a roll of duct tape is sure to help!

Before you load up the gear and drive toward your next camping trip, be wise and research different camping locations for the one which best suits your needs. As an example, if you tough tents are a greenhorn camper, then you will probably want to choose a site that is near civilization. Nothing is worse than arriving at your dream location and finding out that they have no space available, so be sure to make a reservation.

Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don't plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.

Make sure you have what you might need in case of any event. It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. The weather could change suddenly, you could encounter hostile people or animals, and someone could become sick or injured. Is is essential that you pay attention at all times, not take anything for granted, avoid risks and plan everything carefully.

Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!

Many people will tell you that they have fond memories of camping. The information provided here should help make it so that you have a memorable trip as well, as long as you keep the information in mind. You should know be ready to field any curve balls that come your way!