Necessities for a Successful Camping Trip

Whether you’re car camping in your state park or going off the grid in the wilderness, you want to be prepared when it comes to packing up your camping necessities. However, with so many items to take with you on your trip, it can be hard to know exactly what you need and what can stay at home. Check out these 8 Necessities for a Successful Camping Trip.

Necessities for a Successful Camping Trip

1) Sleeping bag

A sleeping bag is one of those necessities that you often don’t know you need until you actually need it. To keep warm at night, it’s important to have a good sleeping bag, whether you’re camping in extreme cold or just need a little extra heat. Our guide will walk you through everything from choosing your ideal temperature rating to how to pack and store your bag.

 

2) Tent

A good tent is crucial. Be sure to get one that’s rated for where you plan to camp and make sure it will keep you dry in any weather. Also make sure it’s easy to set up and take down, since time is limited during camping trips. Tents can be heavy, so look into tents that don’t weigh much and/or have wheels on them. This way, they’re easier to carry around and they also protect your campsite from water damage should it rain while you are sleeping.

 

3) Sleeping pads

Sleeping pads, also known as air mattresses, are an absolute necessity on camping trips. First, they provide insulation from cold hard ground and keep you warmer at night. Second, they help insulate against moisture so you can leave behind your sleeping bag during cool summer nights without getting soaked by morning dew or condensation.

Finally, they’re extremely comfortable to sleep on – much more so than rough forest ground. You’ll notice that most backpacking sleeping pads have valves or plugs along their sides to let air out overnight so you can fold them down small enough to pack in your backpack in the morning – but always remember to open them up again before trying to go back to sleep!

 

4) Lanterns

Lanterns are essential because they allow you to see where you’re going after dark. They also keep your tent lit up and visible, which is helpful in case of an emergency or if anyone gets lost. There are many types of lanterns, but kerosene lanterns are probably best since they’re more powerful and less likely to run out than white gas ones. Try and get one with a compass so you don’t lose your way.

 

5) Food (and spices!)

A good meal can make or break a camping trip. If you’re going to be spending several days in nature, you’ll want to bring food with some meat and protein that won’t spoil quickly (think: jerky or bacon). You can also opt for simple carbs like crackers, nuts and dried fruits. Most importantly, bring spices! Salt and pepper will do if you forget something more unique.

 

6) Water bottles/purifiers

There is nothing worse than being thirsty while camping. Make sure you bring enough water to stay hydrated. There are portable water purifiers in case your source of water isn’t clean or safe, but these are heavy and may not be worth bringing along if you know your source of water will be fine.

You can also choose to bring some form of reusable bottle to reduce waste, which is especially beneficial when you are traveling in nature with no garbage collection. A good rule of thumb for estimating how much water you need per person per day is half a gallon per person per day. Also keep in mind that containers get heavier as they fill up, so if necessary it’s always better to bring more water bottles than less!

 

7) Lighters and matches

It’s always good to have emergency fire-starting tools on hand, just in case there’s no way you can get that wood burning. Matches are always great, but having a lighter is even better because it will allow you to start a fire at any point—even if you don’t have anything dry or flammable around.

It’s important to be as safe as possible when camping, so take along some kind of fire starter. If something does go wrong, at least you won’t find yourself stuck out in nature with nothing but wet branches and sticks. Be sure not to let your matches get too wet either; it may seem counterintuitive but keeping them shielded from water can help them light more easily once they’re exposed again.

 

8) Backpacks

The most important thing to bring on your camping trip is a backpack. Pick one that’s comfortable, with straps that won’t dig into your shoulders, and large enough to hold everything you need for an overnight or longer. Many backpacks have special compartments that can easily hold bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else you want to make sure is within reach at all times.

Some even have smaller pockets inside so you don’t have to dig around in large pockets looking for something tiny like lip balm or ear plugs. Be sure to invest in one of these types of bags before heading out on your next camping adventure!

 

Conclusion

You don’t need to be a master camper to have an enjoyable camping trip. In fact, with these eight items in tow, you’ll be set and ready for anything mother nature throws your way. Best of all, they’ll keep you both happy and safe without breaking your bank account. Happy camping!