Introduction
We have been camping for more than 60 years. During that time we have used tents, travel trailers, pop-up tent trailers and pickup campers, backpacked into wilderness areas and slept in hammocks or in the open on foam mats. We have had many experiences in many types of environments with many different kinds of equipment. We decided to write this book to share some of our experiences so that those new to camping might get off to a good start and learn to enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do and for those that have taken the plunge and are looking for ideas or guidance for your next trip.
We will try to give you some ideas of what are the essentials you need to collect and take regardless of the kind of camping trip or vehicle you are using. We will try to help you plan your trip so that it is as pleasant as you can make it. We will take you through planning the trip, selecting your campsite, setting up camp and packing up to go home. We are not going to cover all of the types of camping you might try as there are lots of resources covering those topics in specific detail. Instead, we will take you thru our experiences with tent camping and pop-up tent trailer camping. From our perspective, those are the least expensive and easiest to use to get into a wide range of camp spots that can give the most satisfying experiences.
Basic Equipment
Some basic items you will need for any camping trip can probably be found around your home. You may have to buy some of the more expensive items, like a tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses, camp stove etc. We will cover those is some detail later in this chapter. For now, here is a list, in no particular order, of some of the things you should take:
- Strike Anywhere Matches
- Can Opener
- Flashlight and Spare Batteries
- First Aid Kit ( more on what to have in this later)
- Rope- Sail Cord or Clothesline Cord will do nicely, 25ft minimum as you may cut this as you use it
- Hatchet
- Folding Saw
- Insect Spray
- Fire Starter materials (newspaper, greasewood sticks etc).
- Folding Chairs and Table
- Lantern – either propane or battery
- Cookware – a minimum of 2 sauce pans and a skillet. You can often get a set of aluminum campware that has these plus cups and plates
- Utensils – knives, forks, spoons, serving utensils
- Dish cloths and dish towels
- Biodegradable detergent
- Folding Shovel
- Pocket Knife and/or Multi-tool
- Work gloves
- Scissors
- Cooler
- Repair kits for tent fabric and for air mattress leaks
- Coffee Pot- even if you don’t drink coffee, it will heat water for tea etc
- Toilet Paper – Biodegradable or Flushable wipes
When gathering these items, which is in no way a comprehensive list, you should get the best quality you can afford so they can last you a long time before needing replacing. If you already have some of these things, so much the better. If you are new to camping and this might be your first trip, consider going somewhere close to home so that if you forget or don’t take some of these things, it won’t ruin your trip. You might even be able to borrow some items. Most of these things can be purchased at any sporting goods store, Wal-Mart or Target or online. Often, second hand stores are a good resource for good quality items at greatly reduced prices. For your initial purchase, you should not spend any more money than you are comfortable with. You can always upgrade as you go. As you go on more trips, you will add, or subtract, from this list to suit your own needs.
Essential Equipment
Depending on your style of camping here are some items you may have to purchase, so we will give more detail on what to get and why and how to select the best equipment to fit your budget.
Tent Camping
The first thing that you will need is, of course is a tent! We recommend getting a 2 person tent at a minimum to begin, unless you have a family, in which case you will need something larger to accommodate your clan. Or perhaps 2 smaller tents. The tent should be large enough to accommodate 2 people, their sleeping bags, pillows; shoes/boots end any necessary nighttime accessories without being too cramped. 2 people might be more comfortable in a larger tent that might sleep 4 so they can spread out and have more “personal” space. Some discussion among your fellow campers/tent mates is usually warranted before getting your tent. It will avoid an unpleasant night in a cramped tent!
Planning Your Trip
So, you have decided to go camping, but don’t know where to begin. In this chapter we will give you some ideas and tips on what to do to plan for a stress free trip. Where you go will depend on what kind of equipment and vehicle you have and how comfortable you want to be. If you are new to camping and the outdoors, then maybe you want to start somewhere close to home to begin with.
Campgrounds are usually good choices for the novice. They offer designated spaces to set your tent or park your camper. There are premade fire rings for your camp fire, rest rooms (usually nothing fancy, probably no running water) and picnic tables for eating and cooking. Some have cast iron grills for cooking and some will have water available. Most will have some sort of daily fee requirement and will usually have a way for you to pay on site when you arrive, and only in cash. There won’t be any option for credit cards. Many National Forest campgrounds have online reservations systems where you can reserve your site and pay with a credit card. This confirms that you will have a site available when you arrive. Weekends and holidays can be hard to get a site so reserving a space in advance prevents you from showing up with a car full of gear and nowhere to camp. Campgrounds also have handicap access and facilities to accommodate campers with disabilities. Not all campgrounds will have all facilities, so it is best to check before you go. https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/reservations/ , https://www.forestcamping.com and https://www.recreation.gov/ are sites that can help you in reserving a site for your trip.
The other option is to seek out dispersed campsites. Unless otherwise posted, most US Forest Service land in national forests is open to camping without permits or fees. Dispersed camping on public land is legal and generally safe, provided you take some basic precautions and don’t camp in areas that are habitats for endangered species or wildlife preserves. This is our preferred way to camp. We enjoy not having a lot of other people around so we can enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors. While this type of camping can be very enjoyable, it is not for everyone. It requires a bit more planning and preparation as you have to bring everything you will need and you will have to take it all back home with you when you leave. Always leave the site you choose cleaner than you found it!
Unless you are an experience camper, you should not try dispersed camping alone. If the unexpected happens, you will be on your own. You should always camp with one other person unless you have wilderness experience. You should be prepared for no cell phone service and there may not be any other people around for miles, so be prepared for any event that could disrupt your stay. This type of camping fits the description of “roughing it”!