Top 10 Best Camping Tips for Beginners
I thought it was about time to share some of the best camping tips for beginners I’ve learnt over the years. While I’m still learning things every day, and we seem to improve our camping experience with every trip, I wanted to create the article I wish I had when I first started camping with my family.
Although I had camped as a young lad with my friends around New Zealand, that was so different compared to the idea of camping with my own young family.
I remember our very first camping trip like it was yesterday; we had absolutely no idea what we were doing. In fact, I think I had put off planning any trips with my family for years because I didn’t really have a clue where to start.
So, let’s dive into the top 10 camping tips I wish I had known back then. But first, while you’re here, why not join our Queensland Camping Facebook Group to connect with like-minded people in the Sunshine State, ask for advice and share your own camping experiences?
The top 10 camping tips for beginners
Alright, let’s get into it. Here are the best beginner camping tips I could possibly share with you.
Go with experienced campers in the beginning
One of the most valuable camping tips for beginners is for your first trip, have a friend accompany you who knows a thing or two about camping.
This is a good idea because you’ll have the opportunity to watch and learn from them and ask plenty of questions. It can ease you into the outdoor experience and feel confident heading out on your first solo trip.
Plus, it can save you money. If they’re well-kitted out, you won’t need to spend your money on a bunch of gear upfront – just somewhere to sleep and sit. And if you find that camping isn’t for you, you haven’t invested in fancy equipment you’ll never use again!
Choose a campground with good facilities
This is not overly important if you’re with experienced campers. However, it might be helpful as a beginner to choose a campsite which provides access to facilities like toilets, showers, and a camp kitchen.
This will help you build up some confidence in a camping environment and prevent you from needing to stock up on extra equipment in the beginning.
Download a good camping checklist
Take it from us, trying to figure out what you need for camping can be a real nightmare. For those first few camping trips, we wrote out a new list every time we went on a trip. Now, we just keep a master list that we tick off each time. This saves us so much time and stress from worrying if we’ve forgotten anything.
Lucky for you, here’s one we prepared earlier!
Check all of your gear several days before your trip
One of the most critical camping tips is to check all of your gear a few days prior to leaving home. Check your tent poles and pegs, gas levels, everything.
This also goes hand in hand with another bonus tip – make sure you know how to use everything you’re taking with you. If you’ve bought something new, get it out and give it a test drive.
Essentially just make sure everything is in working order when you still have a chance to do something about it!
Trial your tent
If you’ve never put up your tent before – or haven’t put up the specific one you’ll be taking – be sure to have a trial run at home. You’d hate to put it up at the campsite only to realise something was missing or broken.
Don’t buy everything straight up
One of the most important camping tips is don’t buy the best of everything immediately. Trust me, you don’t need the best tent, the best sleeping bags and the best camping chairs for your first-ever camping trip. What if you hate it and never go again?
Also, I find that I like to check out other people’s tent sites and get ideas of things I might want to get in the future. You’ll also find that you learn as you go camping what things work for you and what don’t. There’s no way to know this until you’ve been camping a few times.
If you are going camping with others, it’s a good idea to set up a meal plan of some sort and share the load when it comes to who brings what along. This has many advantages, like not having to cook for every meal. You can sit back and relax while your mates cook one meal and then you can take care of the next one. Plus you’ll save space in the esky by not having to bring heaps of different meals along!
We’ve also learned from experience that when kids see their mates having something different to them for dinner, they’re likely to complain. So it’s much easier for everyone if you’re all eating the same thing.
Put food and rubbish away at night
This is one of the camping tips that probably sounds like common sense to everyone, but we learned the hard way when on one of our earlier camping trips, we woke to a cow (yep, a bloody cow!) in our campsite eating our food and going through our rubbish. Whenever you leave your campsite or go to sleep, make sure all food and rubbish is well secured and out of sight for any curious animals wandering around.
Keep notes for next time
This probably sounds a bit strange, but we always make notes on our phone of things we forgot or might need for future camping trips – while we’re actually camping. Then, when we return from our camping trip, we add the notes to our master list, so next time we are better prepared.
We find now we don’t tend to have many notes, as we appear to have got this camping gig down pat, but during those first few camping trips, we had stacks of notes.
Clean your equipment as you go
One mistake we learned the hard way, was taking the time to clean our camping equipment as we go. As tempting as it is, if you just throw everything back into the car, you’ll need to unpack it and clean it all when you get home, which is so annoying.
Our final camping tip is to pack up your site and clean all of your equipment as you go. Then when you get home, you can simply put everything away so it’s ready for the next trip.
FAQs about camping as a beginner
Now that we’ve covered our top 10 camping tips, let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions from people just like you.
How do I prepare for my first time camping?
When it comes to our top camping tips, prepare by creating a checklist (or using ours, linked above!), checking all your gear days before the trip, and practising setting up your tent at home. Choose a campground with good facilities and, if possible, go with experienced campers.
How do you set up a camp for beginners?
Choose a flat, dry area to pitch your tent. Clear debris, lay a groundsheet, and set up your tent following instructions. Organise your campsite with areas for cooking, sleeping, and waste disposal.
What is the golden rule of camping?
Leave no trace. Clean up all rubbish, avoid damaging the environment, and respect wildlife. Always leave the campsite as you find it, or better.
What basics do you need to go camping?
You need a tent, sleeping bag, camping mattress, cooking equipment, food, water, clothing, a first aid kit, and a torch. Check your checklist before leaving.
How do you shower when camping?
Use campsite showers if available, portable camp showers, or a solar shower bag. Use biodegradable soap and shower away from water sources to avoid contamination.
What food to take camping?
Take non-perishable foods like tinned goods, dried fruits, nuts, pasta, rice, and dehydrated meals. Bring meat and other perishables in an esky with plenty of ice. Plan meals ahead and share cooking duties if camping with a group.
Final thoughts on camping tips for beginners
And there you have it, just a few little camping tips and ideas to help you with your first camping trip. But most of all – have fun! Camping really is a great experience. Oh, and don’t forget to join our Queensland Camping Facebook Group!
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