Going Camping: Tips To Have A Great Time

Are you ready to pack and go on a camping trip? If you're planning any kind of camping trip, you need to develop a plan. The tips below are great for maximizing any camping journey.

Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.

Camping is definitely a fun time, but there might also be uninvited guests at your campsite. Who are these guests? Bugs! This is their environment and they like camping, too. Make sure you have bugged repellent with you to tell them to stay at their own campsite or to go visit other campers who weren't quite as prepared as you were.

Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. Once the woods are dark, it is very difficult to find firewood, pitch your tent and prepare some food. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.

Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.

Try to get your camp fully set up by nightfall. If you driving an RV, you should locate a safe parking spot. Find a flat, dry piece of ground if you're pitching a tent. Choosing a site before night falls gives you an opportunity to get used to your surroundings. This will save you from feeling stressed and frustrated, as you can see exactly what you're doing.

You can make tasty meals even when you are camping. You do not necessarily need to eat just franks and beans or hamburgers. Pack a box with herbs and spices, olive oil, brown sugar or whatever else you like. You can fix meals that have flavor even when you are "roughing" it.

One thing that many people forget to pack on a camping trip, and which quickly turns the trip into a nightmare is bug spray. This simple repellent will save you both annoyance and can protect your health as many types of bugs can do a great deal of damage to you quickly.

One of the most important things to remember when camping is to keep yourself relaxed. The entire point of a camping trip is to get away, so if you are finding yourself stressed by something, leave it alone and go enjoy nature until you are able to calm down. This will keep you happy and safe.

Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. While it's important to have a sleeping bag, it's also recommended to have extra blankets. This will help you to stay warm, comfortable and safe during a cold or wet night.

Before you even leave your camping trip, try practicing pitching a tent in your backyard or some other open space. People do not know how difficult pitching a tent can be; you do not want to get to camp and realize you have no idea what you are doing. Practice makes perfect!

Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.

Make sure you have cover in case of rain. When you're out in the woods, a rainstorm can be wet, cold and uncomfortable. Make sure you have some kind of protection against the rain, whether it be a tent, cabin or lean-to. In a pinch, you can use a garbage bag as a poncho!

One great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along plenty of 550-cord. This cord is extremely useful for heavy duty waterproof tents many things like staking guy-lines, installing tarp and hanging bear bags. It is always better to bring to much chord than too little and find that you really need it.

Bring waterproof matches to make sure you can start a fire while camping. These should be stored in an airtight container. You can make regular matches waterproof by dipping them into either paraffin or nail polish. Your container can be an empty film holder or even a plastic medicine bottle.

Ensure that you clean your campsite up whenever you finish using it. Pick up any piece of trash you can find. This is just common courtesy for the people who will be using it whenever you finish. You would want and expect the same thing in return from other people.

Always pack a roll of duct tape when you go camping. Tents are usually more durable than they used to be, but they can still get torn. Well-placed duct tape can save a trip, especially when a hole rips on the top of your tent.

Protect yourself from disease carrying ticks while on your camping trip. Always dress in light-colored clothing while in wooded areas so that ticks can be easily seen. Check your body frequently for ticks during the day. Use a tick repellant to discourage ticks and other biting insects. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.

For quick and easy lantern hanging, bring along a wire hanger on your next camping trip! Simply bend it into an "S" shape when you are ready to settle in at your site, and hook the handle from the lantern on. The flexible hanger will allow for sturdy positioning at a safe level.

Camping is a great experience that anyone can get involved in. As you can see, camping is a great adventure that can be fun and exciting for the entire family. If you utilize these tips, you will be able to ensure a successful adventure that your whole family enjoys.