How to Plan a Camping Trip: The Steps Explained
A camping trip can be an unforgettable experience, but ho can you plan one? The guide explains the steps of how to plan a camping trip.
There’s a reason why ninety-one million people went camping over the last year. Getting out in nature is the perfect way to escape the stressors of everyday life. And, in the era of COVID-19, a camping vacation is the perfect way to stay socially distanced.
If you’re new to this type of vacation, then you might be wondering exactly how to plan a camping trip. The good news is that almost anyone can go camping. You just need a helpful guide like this to remind you what to bring and do. Let’s get started!
How to Plan a Camping Trip in Five Steps
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, you always need to plan when it comes down to a camping trip. That’s why we made this list of five easy steps to plan everything you need. As long as you stay organized and follow this section, you’re sure to have a great time!
Step One: Pick a Time and Place
The first step to planning a camping trip is picking a location and setting a date. Are you looking for the closest campsite that’s off the grid? Or would you prefer to drive to something a little more secluded? If you want to find campsites that are close to you, then a quick internet search is usually your best option.
After you find a spot, decide how long your trip will last. Will you visit multiple locations? Or just stay in one spot? If you’re planning on going during a busy camping season, then you’ll want to begin planning months in advance. During this time it’s also important to think about how you want to experience the great outdoors.
Are you looking for the most convenient and affordable option available? If so, then a community campground in a tent is likely your best option. Or, would you rather enjoy a more expensive, luxury option?
If the answer is yes, then you might prefer renting an RV or cabin to enjoy all of your amenities. There are also plenty of options in between convenience and luxury. So, think hard about what you want to get out of the trip.
Step Two: Choose Who’s Going and Reserve a Campsite
Next, it’s time to decide who’s coming. This will determine how big your campsite needs to be, or if you’ll require multiple sites. Think about if you want this to be a small trip with your immediate family or a large one with tons of friends. Once you determine how many people are going, then it’s time to reserve a campsite.
Try and do this months in advance so you can get the dates you specifically want. If you’re going with other family or friends, then ideally the campsite will let your reserve specific sites that are next to one another.
Step Three: Pack the Essentials
The essentials that your need to bring depend a lot on the type of trip you’re taking. For example, if you’re going to a camping resort, then the only things that you need are some clothes and toiletries. However, most of the time you’ll want to ensure that you have a detailed packing list.
This should include very important objects like fire-starting devices. We recommend this type of permanent match so that you don’t worry about running out. It should also include other essentials like tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, and appropriate clothing. Here are some other items you should consider taking:
- Garbage bags
- Cooking ware
- Rain jackets
- First aid kits
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Pillows
- Multitool
- Sunglasses
- Tarps
- Games
- Coolers for food and drink
Step Four: Meal Prep
Next, you need to decide what you’re going to eat. With camping not only do you need to plan what to eat but how to keep it from going bad. It’s easier to make a fairly strict schedule about what you’ll eat each day for every meal. Opt for simpler recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients or prep.
If you want to make your life easier, then do most cooking prep at home and then bring meals to the campsite that only need heating up. Typically, for a weekend trip, one or two large coolers filled with ice will be good enough to keep any perishable food from spoiling. However, it gets more complicated if you’re camping for more than a few days.
Ideally, you’ll be within driving distance of a grocery store. However, this might not be an option if you go with a more secluded area. If you want to go with convenience, then simply bring a lot of non-perishable foods that you can heat.
Canned beans, soups, ramen, and noodles are a great place to start. If you want to go with luxury, then find a cabin with a refrigerator. This will eliminate the need for coolers and allow you to bring a lot more.
Step Five: Plan Activities
The worst feeling is getting to the camping site and realizing there’s nothing to do. As such, you should plan how you’ll spend some of your days. Ideally, your campsite will have activities nearby like hiking, swimming or other recreational facilities.
But, if not, then you’ll need to supply your fun. Board games, cards, musical instruments, sports, and books are some great ways to pass the time. There’s also nothing wrong with sitting around and relaxing all day. Just make sure to pack the hammock!
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you learn how to plan a camping trip. As you can see, there’s a lot to remember when it comes to preparing for your trip. But, as long as you stay organized, you’re sure to have a great time.
Start planning now so you can enjoy the great wilderness! Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep on reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
