Great Ideas For Making Camping Your Ideal Getaway

Camping has long been known as a cherished pastime for the young and old alike. It does not matter whether you plan to just kick back by a warm fire and relax, hike or any type of other recreation, you should always be prepared with some basic camping knowledge.

Before you head out on your long-awaited camping trip, make sure the area where you plan to camp doesn't require a camping permit. If you happen to camp in a place that does require one and you didn't get one, then you could be facing quite a hefty ticket or fine from a local forest ranger.

Leave no trace of your outing at your campsite, for environmental reasons and as a courtesy to park officials who clean up and the next camping crew. Make sure all trash is picked up, you refill holes you may have dug and of course, that your campfire is completely out!

If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.

When going camping, make sure that you bring the right sleeping bag with you. Some sleeping bags will not keep you warm when the temperature dips below 40 degrees, while others will have you sweating all night long because they are too hot. The label on the bag usually will tell you what kinds of temperatures are appropriate for each sleeping bag.

If you are traveling with children, consider staying at a campground that is specifically designated for families. Campers in these areas know what to expect and will not have an issue if you have a cranky toddler or your children want to run around, scream and play. You will probably be more relaxed as a result and have a better time.

Attempt a "jungle breakfast" with the younger members of your camping party. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Then, have the kids go on a hunt for their breakfast when they awaken. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.

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.

You need duct tape because it is a versatile, handy tool. Not only is it useful around the home, but it serves many purposes while camping. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. Also, it can help to seal any tears, which can make your item usable for the duration of your trip. If you are hiking long distances, a strip applied cool canvas tents to your feet can keep blisters from forming. It may also be used as emergency bandaging.

Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.

While it is not a good idea to be wasteful, make sure to bring more food and water than you think you need. You do not want to get out intro the middle of the woods and run out of supplies. bringing more than enough will ensure you do not run across this issue.

People who are going camping would be wise to stay away from axes to do their chopping. Sure an Ax might make you feel manly, but in many conditions, particularly when it is wet outside, or you are tired, an ax is a one-way ticket to the hospital.

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.

Make sure you always have a source of clean water with you. When camping, you can't always trust that a natural water source is clean enough to drink from without boiling the water first. So keep a canteen filled with water at your side during any daily adventure. In the evenings, boil any spring water for ten minutes to create clean water reserves for the next day.

Learn how to pitch your tent ahead of time. First-time tent pitching can take time, and you may get frustrated if your first time is at the actual campsite. If you practice doing this ahead of time, it will be a breeze to do once you get to your destination.

Study the map of the area you plan to enter in advance and learn how to use a compass. You need to do this even if you've been to the campsite before. You may get lost even in a familiar site because so many areas look alike. You will be able to avoid possible tragedy when you learn how to use both of these life saving items.

Have a first aid pack on hand, as well as a well stocked survival kit. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. You may also be able to prevent things that are serious from becoming deadly and earn yourself enough time to get the injured some medical help.

When setting up a tent, be sure its seams are all sealed. If you tent did not include a tube of sealer, you can find it at sporting goods stores. This helps to prevent bugs, as well as rainwater, from coming in your tent.

As this article said before, it's a lot of fun to go camping if you arm yourself with the right knowledge first. Be sure that you take what you have learned here and use them when you're about to go camping next time. The tips above, and many more, can only increase your safety, fun, and knowledge gained during a relaxing camping trip.