NorahCamping can be a super intimidating experience. You are sleeping outside, you have to bring everything you need with you, there are weather and animal concerns, and you have to really rely on your gear. In this guide, I will be breaking down everything I wish I knew before camping and ten hacks you need to know to have a great trip.
Camping takes some additional planning, but is such a worthwhile experience. If you need a recommendation on where to camp, I have a whole guide to Glacier National Park!
What are the different types of camping?
Before we begin, a note on terminology. There are several different types of camping, and they all require different levels of planning and preparation.
Car camping is the most traditional type of camping. When you car camp, you are sleeping outside in a tent/hammock, but you are usually on some sort of campsite, and there are other people/campsites around. Many established campsites have amenities like bathrooms and showers, as well as campground hosts. Car camping at an established campsite is an excellent option if you are new to camping.
Dispersed camping is similar to car camping, but dispersed camping is on public land. Public land officially means land that has been set aside for public enjoyment. Dispersed camping is usually free, but lacks the amenities that car camping in an established campground has.
Backpacking is a completely different animal, and involves packing everything you will need into a backpack and hiking to your final camping destination. When you backpack, you do not have your car nearby, and oftentimes you are not hiking to a specific campsite. Backpacking is amazing, but most of these hacks will be centered around car camping/dispersed camping.
1. Bring earplugs.
The first time you sleep out in the wilderness, every single little sound is going to be Bigfoot. Every. Single. Sound. Many people just accept that they will sleep horribly while camping, but not me. Taking earplugs allows you to still be aware of the more important noises to hear, but blocks out small sounds that might needlessly keep you up at night. Earplugs are such a solid camping hack because they are cheap, yet still highly efficient at making your experience better!
2. If it is cold, fill a water bottle with hot water and place it inside your sleeping bag.
This will allow you to stay warm, even if the weather outside is cold. It is also very common to warm up as you sleep in the tent, especially if you are not alone. The water bottle trick works great, but so does waiting just a little bit after you settle down for the evening.
3. Buy your gear second hand or from a discount outfitter.
Camping gear can be so expensive, and is a big barrier to entry for a lot of people. However, there are so many different ways to buy gear in a more affordable way. Finding a way to get cheaper, high quality gear is one of the ultimate camping hacks!
To begin, you do not need super expensive gear. There are tons of very reputable brands out there, such as Decathlon or Backcountry, that create very high quality gear at a fraction of the normal price.
Many high end retailers, such as REI, also have a resell program. These programs work by having people return their gently used gear, which is then sold at a cheaper price. This is definitely a great hack for buying cheap gear, and is also a great option for the planet.
Finally, Ebay and Walmart work great! My car camping tent is a $50 tent from Walmart that has held up through rainstorms, hail, extreme heat, frigid temperatures, and multiple different landscapes.
4. Pack small toiletries in a contact case.
When you are camping, you want to have as little as possible. After all, that is the fun of camping! Instead of bringing a whole jar of Advil, pack a few pills into a contact case. Similarly, instead of bringing a whole bottle of moisturizer, put a little into the case. This can work for prescriptions, makeup, even random food needs like hot sauce! This can be a great way to reduce your camping load while still having the resources you need.
5. Make a list, and pack in advance.
Camping loses its fun if you are constantly stressed about if you have everything you need. Easy solution? Make a list. Make it well before your trip, and fully pack everything you need several days before your trip. That way, you can have that classic “Oh wait, I forgot to pack this!” moment while you are sitting at work, v.s. on the camping trip.
6. Know where the bathroom is before it gets dark.
This camping hack is pretty self explanatory. This can give you peace of mind as you navigate through the campsite at night, and will ensure that you are being respectful of others’ space as well.
7. Always bring duct tape.
Almost any sort of camping issue can be solved with duct tape. Do not bring the whole roll-instead, bring a couple strips and wrap them around water bottles, hiking poles, or utensils. This will give you peace of mind as you adventure!
8. Have some sort of gear organization system.
Most experienced campers have their gear organization down to a science, but you will really have to do whatever works best for you. My recommendation: have two designated bins. There are fancy ones from REI you can get, but I just use ones from Target. Have one bin designated for food and cooking supplies, and another dedicated for sleeping/shelter needs. Those two bins will keep materials organized and will ensure that everything has a clear home.
9. Pack less clothes than you think you need, but have at least one warm layer.
I know, I know. But, the outfits are so fun! Well, overpacking is not. Do not pack you fears. Find ways to wear shirts/pants in different ways, embrace the stench, do whatever you have to do; but, pack less clothes than you think you need. This is one of the best, yet most difficult, camping hacks to understand when just starting out.
Do make sure you pack at least one jacket, though. Many jackets can now fold down to be super compact, which makes everything much easier to manage. Having at least one warm clothing layer is important for safety reasons. Otherwise, pack less!
10. Wet wipes.
Some campsites have showers, but not all. Wet wipes honestly work great at cleaning your body and making you feel recharged, and can double as washing hands or cleaning up a pot. They are fantastic, and make sure you do not miss them while packing!
There you have it! Make the most of your camping trip; it is really such a special way to spend time in nature with people you love. These camping hacks will help you have an even better time!