Hiking through lush forests, sharing stories around the campfire and sleeping under the stars are all part of the beauty of camping. If you’re new to camping, here are our top tips to give you a strong foundation for your adventures:

Ease into “roughing it” with a nearby campground equipped with amenities

Where you decide to camp sets the tone for your camping experience. We recommend starting with a campground that have amenities such as drinking water, bathrooms and showers. This will help ensure your basic necessities are covered while learning how to camp.

Finding a campground not too far from home makes it easier to arrive and set up your campsite and find your way around the grounds while the sun is still up. Beginner campers have found comfort being within an hour or two drive from home just so they have the option to leave early. If you pick a great spot you’ll surprise yourself with how fun and comfortable camping can be!

Pick the best tent for you

Choosing the right tent is crucial for a comfortable camping experience. It’s not just about fitting everyone inside; it’s also about ensuring you have enough space for your gear, comfort, and even a little extra room to move around.

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting your tent:

• Number of Occupants: Base your choice on the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent. For added comfort, consider upsizing.

• Storage Space: Think about how much extra room you’ll need for backpacks, clothes, and other equipment. A larger tent can provide this additional space.

• Standing Room: Decide if being able to stand up inside the tent is important to you for changing clothes or stretching in the morning.

• Extra Room for Pets or Play: If you’re camping with a dog, child, or simply want more space for activities inside the tent, opting for a larger capacity will be helpful.

• Weight: If you’re planning to car camp where you have your vehicle next to your campsite, weight is not as important. If you’re planning to use the same tent for car camping and expand into backpacking, you’ll want a backpacking tent that is on the lighter side.

• Shape of Tent: Common shapes of tent are dome, cabin, and tunnel.

For example, if two adults are camping and want space for backpacks and clothes, a 3-4 person size tent is ideal. Alternatively, if you have a dog or kid and need room for play, you may want to consider a 4-6 person tent.

Whichever tent you choose, try setting it up first in your living room or backyard. this will give you more confidence when you’re ready to set up tent at the campground.

Check out additional tips for sleeping comfortably in a tent.

Get a warmer sleeping bag than what you need

Choosing the right sleeping gear is key to ensure you stay warm and comfortable throughout the night, regardless of the temperature outside. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing your sleeping bag.

• Temperature Ratings: Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings, usually ranging from 15°F to 50°F. They're crucial for staying warm, as nights can get colder than expected while camping.

• Choose Colder Ratings: Opt for a sleeping bag rated for temperatures colder than what you anticipate for your camping trip. You can always unzip the bag to cool off if it gets too warm.

• Consider Weight for Dual Use: If you plan to use your sleeping bag for both car camping and backpacking, consider something lighter weight.

Make Sleeping in a Tent as Comfortable as Home with a Sleeping Pad or Cot

Finding the right sleeping pad can make sleeping in a tent nearly as comfortable as sleeping in your bed at home. Sleeping pads or a cot offer dual benefits: they cushion you for a comfortable night’s rest and insulate you from the cold ground for greater warmth. Here are the common types of sleeping pads / cots:

• Air Mattress / Air Pad: These typically come with either an electric or hand pump. They're great for car camping because you don't have to worry about how heavy or big they are, and can be as comfortable as a bed at home.

• Self-inflating sleeping pads: These pads are self-inflating, which is helpful for not being reliant on an external device to inflate it or needing to blow it up with your mouth.

• Closed-cell foam sleeping pads: Crafted from dense foam with tiny air-filled cells, these pads are lightweight, cost-effective, and nearly indestructible. While not as comfortable as the other options, their simplicity and reliability make them a favorite among backpackers and those on a budget. Easily rolled or folded, they're also ideal for doubling up beneath another pad for extra insulation.

• Sleeping Cot: A cot is a portable, foldable bed with a lightweight frame and fabric stretched across it that elevates you off the ground.

Directions and Check-in Instructions are Available

Camping without Wi-Fi access is a great way to disconnect and relax. Make sure you have directions to the location and reservation information such as campground name, campsite site numbers, and any check-in instructions readily available.

Build Campfires for Warmth, Storytelling, and S’mores

Get ready for the campfire stories that naturally come out when you’re sitting around the campfire, and mesmerized by the campfire flames. It’s incredible!

Not sure how to build this magical campfire? There are a few ways to build a campfire, but our favorite approach is the log cabin style  because of its stability and easy of assembly. Many campgrounds offer firewood for purchase, making it convenient to spark your storytelling centerpiece.

To ensure your campfire is not only cozy, but also safe, confirm there are no fire bans in effect at your location, have a bucket of water nearby, and use the designated campfire pit.

Cook Meals on a Camp Stove

A two-burner camp stove makes it easy to cook hot, delicious meals outdoors. It offers the convenience of cooking breakfast on one burner while brewing coffee or hot water on the other. While it is gratifying to cook on an open campfire, the camp stove gives you precise temperature control, making cooking easier and more reliable. A camp stove will feel like cooking on your stove at home.

Check out delicious one pan camp food recipes for ideas.

Bring Layers of Clothing and Footwear

Warm summer days don’t always turn into warm summer nights. It never hurts to bring extra layers and a warm jacket, so you can easily adjust. We bring:

• Hiking shoes for the trails

• Slip-on shoes for hanging out around the campsite that easily come tent entry and exit

• Flip flops for showering at the campground or with a portable shower.

Find more tips on staying cozy with clothing and footwear while camping.

Grab a Head Lamp or Lantern Before Sunset

Once the sun sets, it will get dark quickly. To ease your arrival, it’s best to set up your campsite in daylight, so plan to reach your destination well before sunset. For all the other evenings, grab your head lamp and set out the lantern before the sun sets. It’s always simpler to organize and find your gear with some sunlight remaining.

Hydrate During the Day and Reduce Drinking Before Bedtime

Drinking water throughout the day is essential to stay hydrated. But, start limiting your beverage consumption about an hour before you plan to sleep. It’s a personal choice, but sometimes it’s nice to just sleep through the night without having to wake up to go to the bathroom, especially while camping. This approach not only benefits your rest but also prevents disturbing any tentmates.

Camp as an Environment Steward

We are all stewards of the environment and can ensure that the beautiful outdoors remains for current and future generations. Here’s how you can help.

• Pack Out Trash: Always bring a garbage bag to collect your trash. While many campgrounds offer designated garbage areas, some remote locations may require you to carry your trash out.

• Respect Wildlife: Observe and appreciate wildlife from a distance. Interfering with or feeding animals disrupts their natural behaviors and habitats.

• Use Designated Campfire Rings: To prevent wildfires and minimize your impact, use the campfire rings provided at campgrounds. This concentrates fire impact in one area and reduces the chance of unintended environmental damage.

Enjoy Being So Present in Nature!

Congratulations on your camping journey so far! To reach that euphoric state of camping bliss that makes you want to keep going requires a bit of preparation, openness to new experiences, living in the moment, and maintaining a sense of humor when the unexpected happens (like an unforeseen rain shower or forgetting something at home). When you soak in those moments to feel hear the river flowing or bird chirping, enjoy some outdoor activities, and embrace the simplicity of living in nature, you’ll end your camping trip thinking, “When can we come back?!” Once you’ve experienced the joy and freedom of camping, there’s no turning back. It’s a vibe that can only be reached while you’re camping and it will have you planning your next adventure before you’ve even unpacked from the first.

Ready to go camping? Check out our Camping Essentials List to help feel prepared for an epic camping experience.