Camping is a fun way to get outdoors with family and friends. There’s a number of ways you can go camping, but here we are going to talk specifically about car camping. For families or anyone who is new to this, car camping is the easiest way to do it as you rent a campsite, drive your car and park very near your site, unload, set up, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Where Should We Go Camping?
There are countless opportunities to go camping at national and state parks, private RV campgrounds, as well as primitive and dispersed (no facilities) camping areas on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. Some campgrounds are available on a first come, first served basis, while others accept reservations. You can make reservations for most public land campgrounds on Recreation.gov. Private parks will have their own websites.
As a first time camper, I suggest staying at a developed campground offering dedicated campsites, community bathhouses, flush toilets, picnic tables, potable water access, and a fire ring.
Once you find where you’ll go camping, a little planning and prep is in order. This is the best way to ensure that your first camping trip goes off without a hitch. This will ensure you have what you need, meals are ready, and everyone is ready to go.
Camping Tips
Canopy With Bug Netting
I didn’t realize how important having a canopy is, until I accidentally got one. Someone left their canopy one day in the back of my truck and since then, it has become one of the most necessary things I take with me camping. Not only does it create shade, but it also keeps the bugs out and is an additional shelter when it unexpectedly rains. I have also found that it creates an actual kitchen area, and then I am less liking having to go around looking for dishes or picking up trash. It keeps everything together and it’s nice cooking in the shade without bugs.
Camp Kitchen Totes or Bins
To keep your camp kitchen organized, keep things in bins. I have two bins for my camp kitchen. One contains all of my cooking stuff like pans, dishes, and utensils. The other one contains my basic camping pantry, spices, and any food items that don’t require a cooler.
Washing Station
Having a washing station for hands and washing dishes is a must. I know people love the idea of camping showers, but I use mine for creating a wash station. I usually hang mine from a tree, or the canopy, or even the side of the camper or truck. Add soap on a rope or environment-friendly all-purpose soap and washcloths in a mesh bag next to it. For washing dishes, I get the collapsible tubs or buckets.
Use Cast-Iron
Because cast-iron is durable, it’s a great way to cook food while camping. You don’t need lots of pots and pans if you have a skillet and a dutch oven. It’s easier than you think to cook over a campfire using cast-iron but is also healthier to cook this way. A good tip for keeping your cast-iron from rusting when not in use, is to coat it well with oil beforehand and pack it away with those little silicone bead packages that seem to come in almost every box nowadays.
Prep Food Ahead of Time
Prepping some of your food at home saves a lot of time at the actual campsite. Veggies can be cut at home and stored in ziplock bags with a little bit of water to keep them fresh. Assemble your tinfoil meals at home, freeze them, and then it helps keep your food colder. Cook meats like chicken, sausage, hamburger, and bacon at home so you can just warm them up or you already have that part of the cooking process done. I think it’s easier to add the cooked meat ingredients into a recipe at the campsite.
Menu Planning
One of the best ways to save time and from wasting food is to plan out your camping meals and menu before you leave. This way, you know you will have enough food, have an idea of how you are going to plan around cooking, and know what you need to bring when it comes to kitchen utensils and cookware. A great way to this is to know what recipes you are going to make while camping, and you can list out every ingredient you need.
Make Your Own Chopsticks
In case you forgot the forks or you just want easy cleanup, eat your food with chopsticks instead. Find two sticks, whittle the ends as needed and remove bark, and throw them in the fire when you are done eating.
Pack Foods That Don’t Need Refrigeration
If you don’t have ice readily available or if you are far way in the back country, consider packing camping foods that don’t require refrigeration. Shelf stable foods are always best and you can plan a whole camping trip without needing a fridge or even a cooler.
Have Emergency Meals If Needed
I always take several freeze-dried meals or even MREs with me on every camping or backpacking adventure. You never know if you’ll need them or not, but it’s always good to have a back up plan. Its sometimes easier to just add water.
Firewood Tips
If you are planning on building a campfire, make sure you have the right wood and enough wood. Most campgrounds will have wood available. In case there is no firewood, it is usually sold at gas stations near campgrounds. If you are bringing in firewood, check the regulations in that area. Some areas do not allow non-native wood in, in order to prevent invasive and non-native bugs and species. Do not bring pallets or scrap construction lumber because it’s usually full of nails and screws and harmful chemicals like lacquer and paint.
Fire Starters
For any camping trip, fire starters should always be brought along. It’s a quick way to get your fire starter, is a safer way to start a fire and makes lighting wet wood easier. You can easily make fire starters by using lint, wax, and egg cartons. You can also purchase them and there are a few we recommend. My favorite fire starter for all weather is the Pull Start Fire because it will work even when it’s snowing. If you need tinder or kindling or don’t have a fire starter, try using Dorritos or corn chips. Chips light easily because of the oil in them.
Campfire Kit
I like to be responsible when I make campfires. The best way to do this is to make a campfire kit. This would include everything you need to make a fire and put one out. The things that I have in my campfire kit are:
- Collapsible bucket for water
- Shovel
- Leather gloves
- Firestarters
- Matches or a lighter
- Mini fire-extinguisher
Test Your Gear Before the Trip
Once you’ve gathered all your gear together, you’ll want to test EVERYTHING! The kids will love helping with this part and it’s good to get them involved.
- Ensure that the tent is intact and has all the pieces (a pre-trip backyard camping night may be in order).
- Is the cookware clean and in good order?
- Do stoves have enough fuel?
- Did you check if lanterns and headlamps all have batteries or are charged?
- Is your First Aid Kit WELL stocked?
Hanging Storage
To keep things organized inside a tent, try hanging everything up. Use para cord and carabiners to hang your gear up inside like a camping lantern, water bottle or other gear. Tie knots at intervals to keep the carabiner from slipping or tie loops in the cord. You can also use this same method in your camp kitchen to hang up utensils, a garbage or other gear.
Hot Water Bottle
A warm bed is easier to be comfortable in than a hot one. You can fill up up a bottle with water and put it in your sleeping bag. Personally, I prefer to use an actual hot water bottle with a flannel cover, because plastic water bottles get really hot.
