What people often don’t realise is that camping isn’t as easy and fun as it always sounds. Sometimes an unexpected turn of events can happen which can lead to situations where experience will be of the utmost importance. Still, there are ways to be prepared for most of the scenarios that can play out in the open. This is why we created this small guide with some of the best tent camping tips for beginners. In it, we will go through some great advice, curious tricks and tips that even seasoned campers can use.
The major tent camping tips a beginner needs to know before he goes out into the wild with his tent is to prepare unpacking and packing it near his home so that he can get used to the process and be prepared for potential issues. Bringing extra food and supplies is also a helpful way to stay one step ahead of trouble when going away from civilisation.
Now that you know what is the most important aspect of your initial training it maybe is time to dive deeper into the little details that surround the preparation of a proper camper. Keep on reading to find out what have we prepared for you and see the step-by-step processes you need to recreate in order to be fully ready for your next adventure!
Give Your Tent A Test-Drive Before You Go
This is perhaps the first and most important tip anyone can give to someone who is about to have his first camping trip. No matter how easy it is to set up your tent, you should always try to do it at least once before you head out with it. There are countless of things you will check by doing that, some of which are:
- Understand how much time it takes to set it up and to pack it back into your bag
- See whether there are any issues with the tent itself (ex. water leakages, broken zippers, etc.)
- Feel out the space inside of it and figure out what you can and what you can’t take with you
- See if the desired group of people can fit inside
Another lovely advantage of testing out your camping equipment beforehand is that your kids will love it. Imagine having to make an indoor tent fortress for the night with fun stories and all the snacks your bodies can take!
Instant tents are very easy to set up and require the least set up knowledge out of all tent kinds. You can check out our full buyer’s guide on instant tents by clicking here.
If you have a yard that would be the best case scenario since you will pretty much live-test the tent before its first night out in the open. It is raining outside? Even better! That way you will see first-hand whether water goes through your tent. This brings us to our next very important tip…
Waterproof Your Tent
There are a few things that are more important than having a nicely isolated tent. No matter the season, your tent should be a controlled environment with a controlled climate. Moisture and hot or cold air are a thing that you should have control over. If it starts raining and the water starts getting in your tent that will most likely ruin your trip.
If you want to learn more about waterproofing your tent, head over to our dedicated article on the topic.
Plan Your Camping Trip Ahead Of Time
Ask any seasoned camper what is the one thing that must never be overlooked when it comes to camping for more than 1 night and they will all tell you the same thing – plan ahead. Planning your trip can actually be turned into a fun activity whether you do it alone, with your friends or with your family. If you’ve selected a famous camping spot, make sure you check google reviews of it. That way you will see its various pros and cons and understand what to be prepared for when going there.
Google can also provide you with a map of the location which is good to have or at least see once in order to know the terrain better. You can check if there is a grass field near that location in which you can set up your camp more privately. See if there is a road for your car to get to there or at least check how close can you get with your vehicle and where can you leave it.
Another aspect of planning is to know which day(s) you will go out. This brings us to our next tip we got for you…
Try Camping During The Weekdays
Weekends are packed with people going out especially if the weather is good. If you can choose a weekday for camping that would make your whole trip so much better and quieter. After all the whole reason for going out is to escape the crowded nature of our everyday lives.
If you’ve picked a more secluded area to go out exploring this tip doesn’t really apply as people tend to crowd only at the most famous camping spots which honestly feel like small villages once full of weekend campers.
Camp Close To Home
If you are afraid of what might happen or still insecure of your abilities to escape the city, try picking a place near your home. Maybe some camping spot barely outside the town which is quiet enough to feel like proper nature. That way, if things go south you will be able to quickly return to your safe spot.
Prepare Camping Friendly Meals
Nothing makes a camping trip feel bad more than bad camping food or no proper food at all. One of the best things you can do is prepare some meals ahead of time and wrap them in plastic bags so that they can stay fresh for when you put them over the campfire.
We’ve created a whole article dedicated to camping cooking tips if you are interested in mastering your outdoor chef skills.
Things To Bring With You
Some of the most important things you can additionally bring on a camping trip are some nice padding for your bed time and even board or group games you can play with your friends. Trust us, it might seem like a small thing but it will greatly improve the way your trip will feel when you go back to it in your memories. Also, most campers tend to ignore the fact that they are actually going to sleep on that trip and forget to bring things like a proper blanket, small pillows, a sleeping bag or other things that will keep them warm and comfortable during those long nights beneath the stars in the sky.
Take Advantage Of Your Surroundings
Every camping place has a variety of natural resources and landmarks near it. You should learn to take advantage of them. Some of the things you need to keep your eyes open for are:
- Already prepared fire pits
- Water springs
- Picnic Tables
- Shelters or lodges
- A level terrain to prepare your camp upon
All these things are great time-savers and help with your preparation. Having an already prepared fire pit that you just have to fire up is a thing that easily saves you up to one hour of work. Just remember to leave it as you’ve found it, which is actually our last tip for you in this article.
Always Leave The Place As You Want To Find It Next Time
It goes without saying that we only have one nature and we have to take care of it as it takes care of us. Always make sure that you leave no trash behind and that you’ve safely put out your campfire. Pouring water isn’t always enough to gas out the fire immediately so keep doing it until you are sure the fire pit is wet enough to not catch fire again. We have a very detailed article on campfires and what keeps them burning well. Click here if you want to find out more on the topic.
Related Questions
What Do You Need For Camping On The Beach?
Beach camping is very different from camping out into the woods or mountains. The air there is moist and warm and there is always wind (breeze) facing either direction depending on the time of the day. Because of that, you will need to secure your tent better. Apart from that, finding woods for your campfire can be a challenge if there isn’t a forest nearby. Prepare charcoals, and of course – a lot of sun cream.
What Should You Not Forget While Camping?
That you are never alone out there. When you go out camping you are sharing the habitat with all its other inhabitants. Make sure you aren’t invasive to animals species and definitely do not feed the wildlife. Also, remember that nature is sacred and we should take good care of it.
Some Final Words
Being out in nature isn’t anything you should be worried for. With proper preparation, you can handle anything life throws at you – even lemons. By knowing the best tent camping tips for beginners you know your camping ABC and can go through that checklist every time you plan to head out in the open. Feel free to check out our other informational articles if you want to learn more about camping and its various aspects.
