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Welcome to Camping Tips
Hi, I'm Sherril Steele-Carlin, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 206 Camping Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Quick and Tasty Camping Food
When you shop for discount camping equipment, it's paramount that you shop with a reputable dealer. Just because the prices are reasonable, doesn't mean you're getting the best equipment value for the money.
When you shop online, it's essential to know who you're dealing with and how long they have been selling to the public. Use a camping checklist to make sure you don't forget anything while you shop online, and the process will be even easier.
Use a dealer who has been in business for a while, and has a good reputation. They should also carry well known outdoor camping equipment brands, and their staff should be able to answer any questions you have about the equipment.
You should also check out their policies on returns. What happens if you use your tent for one trip, and one of the tie-downs rips, or the flaps come off? A reputable discount camping equipment dealer will take care of these problems, while another might not.
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Kid's Sleeping Bags
Sierra Trading Post Tip: You may be temped to keep camping costs down by buying a discount sleeping bag for your children. But, if you want your kids to grow up enjoying camping out, buying a discount sleeping bag could lead to their discomfort, and even a dislike of camping.
Your cheap child sleeping bag probably doesn't carry enough insulation or filling for real comfort, and if you camp in colder weather, your child may suffer. Don't be tempted to use that slumber bag you use for sleepovers, either. They simply aren't constructed to stand up to the rigors of camping.
There are many child sleeping bags available that are still affordable and high-quality. Many manufacturers carry special lines designed just for kids, and you can find mummy and rectangular-shaped bags for kids, too.
Whether you backpack, camp, or mountaineer, don't skimp on a child sleeping bag. Think of it as an investment in the future, and in your camping future!
When you buy a kid's sleeping bag, make sure it fits your child properly, and has some room for your child to grow. A sleeping bag like this should be able to grow with your child for several seasons, and still keep your child warm in the coldest camping conditions you face. You can find a kid's sleeping bag in both mummy and rectangular styles, so choose what makes your child feel the most comfortable and secure.
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Bear-Proof Your Campsite
You need to take some precautions with your camping and hiking gear if you're camping in bear country. Bears have a tremendous sense of smell, and they are so strong they can rip out a car window or tear off a car door a lot easier than you might think.
Don't store any food inside your vehicle or tent. You need to use bear canisters, which are lightweight, durable plastic canisters that are virtually indestructible and bear-proof. Bears have learned how to get to food caches suspended from tree branches, so this old backpacker trick is no longer safe, either.
Most parks recommend these bear canisters for all food, and some even require them. If you're going camping in an area with bears, don't take any chances. Carry bear canisters, bear repellent, and watch out for bears near the campsites. Report them if you see them, and keep food prep to a minimum, too. Bears can be deadly, and they like human food, so take care not to feed the bears!
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Specialty Camping Chairs
Sierra Trading Post Tip: Chances are if you're looking for specialty camping chairs to fit your needs, you won't be disappointed with today's choices. Want a love seat to snuggle with your honey? No problem, it's out there. Looking for a pair of chairs with an attached table and umbrella? You got it.
Longing for a lounge chair with armrests, a hammock chair, inflatable chair, or a chair with an integrated cooler? Yep, they're all waiting for the discriminating camping shopper. There are so many specialty camping chairs available today, be sure to check out several at your local sporting goods or online store so you know which one is just the right one for you. When you buy camping chairs, no matter what kind you choose, make sure you buy them from a dealer with a good reputation and return policy. If the chair doesn't stand up to camp abuse, make sure the dealer will cover it with a replacement chair or refund. Also look for manufacturers with a good reputation for high-quality camping chairs and other camping accessories.
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Camping With Toddlers
Camping with toddlers poses some special challenges, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Here are a few parent-tested tips for trekking with the toddler.
Explain the outdoors to your toddler so she isn't frightened during her first camping trip. If you're tent camping, set up the tent in the backyard first, and let her get used to it.
Bring along your toddler's favorite books and/or music and use them to entertain him along the road and when you get to camp.
Get a portable crib for sleeping and napping at the campsite. Some come with netting that will protect baby from insects.
Let your toddler choose their own favorite toys to take with them.
Get a baby backpack or hiking stroller for hiking.
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Why a Mummy
Sierra Trading Post Tip: Mummy sleeping bags can make some people feel uncomfortable and restricted. If you're a restless sleeper you might consider a semi-rectangular bag, which gives a little more room than mummy sleeping bags, but still retains more heat than a bulky rectangular bag. Many mummy sleeping bags come with a hood to further retain heat and keep the body warmer in extremely cold conditions. Most every mummy sleeping bag from North Face contains a hood, interior pockets, and other features many other mummy sleeping bags might not contain.
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Picking an RV Campground
It seems like there's an RV campground on every corner in some popular outdoor destinations, so how do you choose the right one? Look for several things when you choose an RV campground, and you won't go wrong.
The campground should be well-maintained and clean.
Price is important, but so is what you get for the price. Does the RV campground offer special events, kids events, activities, and a variety of amenities, like pools, playgrounds, laundries, and even wireless Internet access.
Location, location, location. Is the park easily accessible for even the biggest RV? Is it close to other area attractions?
Is there room between each space, or are you right on top of your neighbors?
There are also public RV campgrounds in U.S. Forests, parks, and other federal and local locations – don't forget them when you choose your RV campground.
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What's a Footprint?
Sierra Trading Post Tip: Most footprints come with holes or other attachments that allow you to connect them directly to the tent, so that means they won't shift while you're pitching the tent, either. If you've ever pitched a tent on a slippery ground cloth, you'll know how important that is! You can use a ground cloth, tarp, or footprint under your tent; it really doesn't matter to the tent. However, most experts recommend using something, no matter what, to protect tents from cuts, dirt, and holes. Footprints also help prevent pooling under the tent, which ground cloths and tarps tend to encourage.
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Camping Tents Options For All Seasons
If you love to camp in all kinds of weather, choose a four-season camping tent to keep you cozy year round. These tents usually contain more pole supports to keep the tent from collapsing under snow loads or heavy winds. They are usually between 10 and 20 percent heavier than more traditional tents, too.
Four-season camping tents are usually domed, so snow will slip off them easily, and many come with a vestibule that is an additional buffer to wind and rain. If you want to camp in the winter, in just about any climate, you'll need a four-season tent.
Some four-season camping tents are convertible to three-season tents, you simply remove some of the poles, and that makes them lighter, too. Often four-season camping tents contain two walls, which helps keep you warmer inside, too. If you camp in a lot of different conditions, and four-season convertible tent might be the right choice for you.
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7 Things to Remeber
Select your campsite before dark.
A protective windbreak of trees or bushes in winter. Shade and breeze in summer.
Inspect the ground for level conditions. Grassy areas are ideal. Avoid closs underbrush or swampy areas, which could be a breeding ground for pests.
The spot should have good drainage.
Face the tent opening toward the morning sun.
A quick view of the surrounding is always recommended before setting up. Again, do this before dark. Look for holes, cliffs, poison plants, etc.
Avoid camping in wide, low creekbeds, which are subject to sudden flooding, and can fill in minutes when it rains.
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Proper way to douse a campfire.
Camping is better with a fire. So knowing how to douse a fire is an important camping skill. This is not something you can do in 5 minutes. It takes a little planning and care. During the last couple of hours in camp spend some time working the fire and especially the embers. With a shovel expose as many of the embers as you can. This exposure causes them to burn off faster. Once the embers look like they are out (they´re not!!!) cover them with the dirt you stored when you built the fire ring. Mix the dirt and ash well. When you think the fire is out (it´s not!!!) it´s time to douse the dirt and ash mixture with water. When car camping, it´s easy to have lots of water available. If you´re carrying the water on your body, that´s more difficult. Take your time and make sure the fire is completely out.
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Camping with Children
Camping with children is one of the true joys in family life. Take time to plan your trip carefully, this will ensure maximum enjoyment. Camping food and camping gear planning are obvious, but what about preparing your child? Many of camping´s experiences can be shared prior to camping with children. You can do many of these things in your home, your backyard or at a local park. Here are some examples: Practice cooking camping recipes outdoors WITH your child, put a sleeping bag on the floor and let the child spend the night in it, get a pair of binoculars and practice with them, look at the moon and stars with your child, play "what kind of bird is that?" with your child, share camping etiquette with your child, set up your tent at home, make hot chocolate or smores....you get the idea. Helping your child become comfortable with camping activities is almost as fun as camping itself!
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Bathroom Woes
This is the big question that seems to keep most women away from camping. Without going into too much detail, be assured that it is possible for a woman to "take care of business" outdoors. Take your own toilet paper with you, find a nice size bush or a rock to duck behind, drop your shorts, squat as close to the ground as possible and let nature take its course. The first time is the hardest, but believe me, it gets easier after a couple of tries. If you´re still unsure on the subject, there´s an excellent book you might want to take a look at, called "How to Shit in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art" by Kathleen Mayer.
