Camping for Beginners: A Complete Guide on How to Camp
Comfort can define even a first-time camping experience with the right camping gear, guidance, and helpful hints. And with some step-by-step directions, you’ll be roasting s’mores in no time. This complete camping guide is for those interested in front-country camping, otherwise known as car camping
How to Cook Food While Camping
Prepare food over a single burner
- Check the local regulations for campfires if you’re planning to cook by the coals
- Several campgrounds and local gas stations or visitor centers sell local firewood by the bundle
- Practice starting a campfire in a safe space at home before trying to light one for the first time while camping
Backpacking
The most adventurous type of camping, backpacking involves carrying a tent and all camping supplies in a backpack. Backpackers follow trails and set up camp in the wilderness without any established amenities.
- It takes a little practice and know-how to ensure a safe experience when backpacking for the first time
Primitive Camping
Primitive camping is spending the night outside of a designated campground.
- It generally involves pulling off the side of a gravel forest road and pitching a tent.
- It is often completely free of cost but doesn’t include any amenities like water, bathrooms, or electricity.
How to Use the Bathroom While Camping
Primitive restrooms generally consist of four walls, a toilet structure, and a hole in the ground – with no running water.
- While toilet paper is typically available, packing an extra roll is always recommended. Liquid hand sanitizer should also be on the packing list, especially if only primitive bathrooms are available.
Prepare for Mosquitoes, Poisonous Plants, and Other Irritants
Long sleeves and pants provide protection from mosquitoes and poison ivy
- Bug spray is an option, read the label before applying
- A general knowledge of poisonous plants in the region where you’ll be camping can also help
Essential Camping Gear
The key to comfortable camping is bringing the right gear
- While the gear list for camping adjusts according to the environment, season, and type of trip, the minimum needs are: Shelter, Food, Water, and Warmth
- Car campers can expand on these basic needs to include equipment for other priorities like: Sound sleep that doesn’t leave you sore, Every kitchen gadget needed to cook extravagant meals, and hours of entertainment around the campfire
How to Find a Campsite
The best option for beginner campers is finding a developed campground. Developed campgrounds, as opposed to primitive camping, have dedicated and sometimes reservable campsites to park a car or RV.
- They feature other amenities like potable water and restroom facilities.
Stay Comfortable While Camping
Comfortable camping equipment
- A quality sleeping bag and sleeping pad, plus a waterproof tent, are top investments for beginner campers
- If any chance of precipitation is in the forecast, comfort also depends on staying relatively dry
- An extra pop-up shelter for the cooking area can make a big difference when rain is forecasted
Read the Campground Information Board Sign
Most campgrounds generally post basic information onto a board near the campground’s entrance. These bulletins provide up-to-date rules and regulations, including fire restrictions and special animal advisories. Take some time to look this information over to stay within the boundaries of a respectful visit.
Make Reservations When You Can
Campgrounds across America are often split between reservable campsites and first-come, first-served campsites. When researching the campground you’d like to visit, it’s important to distinguish what type of booking it will accept.
- With any popular campgrounds, it’s important to make a reservation as soon as possible.
Store Food Properly
Animal-proof bear box
Light Up the Night
Various sources of illumination ensure easy navigation of the darkened environment
Don’t Rely on Cell Phone or Internet Reception
Camping at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho
Other Types of Camping
Car camping is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to types of camping.
- Other methods of tent camping offer alternative adventure experiences such as hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing among others
- RVs or tent trailers are another option that can be used if you don’t have a car
How to Set Up a Tent
Most tents for beginners have the same elements: tent poles, tent stakes (tent pegs), the tent body, and a rain cover
- Some tents also come with an additional floor that goes under the tent, known as a footprint
- Tent poles attached to tent structure
- Slide the tent poles through the designated fabric slots in the tentbody.
- Pull the tent out until there’s tension, and bury each stake into the ground through the stake loops