9 Camping Mistakes You Must Avoid

Are you a first-time camper as well? Do you have questions about the basics of camping? Are you nervous about getting it wrong?

Fear not, dear reader! Here are 9 ways on how to ace that camping trip! Read till the very end.

1. Do not forget to know about the place.

Searching for the place of your camp should be one of your top priorities. The exact location and what to expect in that area – these are all crucial to know.

This will help you be prepared for any surprise that might come your way. It will also give you an idea of what type of clothes and amenities you will be needing and others that you don’t. You will also be getting the advantage of knowing how the place looks like.

2. Do not be late at your campsite.

This is one of the most common and stupid mistake campers make. Arriving late to the campsite will result in you doing all the work at night. Setting up tents, cooking food and getting all the gears ready will turn into a hassle without the daylight guiding you. If the campsite is crowded, you will also have difficulty finding a good spot for your camp.

Make sure that you plan your schedule well so that you arrive at the campsite during the day. It is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid whilst going for camping.

3. Do not forget to test your camping gear beforehand.

One of the rookie mistakes of campers is that they don’t test and try their camps before going camping. Please avoid this to keep yourself out of trouble. Make sure you try and operate all the equipment before arriving at the site.

What most people assume is they will follow the manual at the site. But it can be embarrassing for you to spend hours over simple things like setting up a tent. To make matters worse if you fail to follow the user manual and there is no one around to help. Make sure you try all your outdoor gear.

4. Do not forget to check the weather forecast.

Weather is undeniably one of the most important factors when you go camping. Check the weather forecast before you head on to your destination. Whether it’ll be sunny or snowy, windy, or humid, it will directly affect the clothes, gears, food, and other amenities you pack.

Moreover, the weather changes drastically when you are camping in the mountains. Do not let Mother Nature surprise you and prepare yourself for all the bad conditions. Sure nature is unpredictable and forecasts are not always right but it is better to be safe than sorry.

5. Do not forget your camping essentials.

One of the other mistakes beginners make is forgetting essential camping gears. Create a checklist and note down all the necessary equipment that you must carry. Search for your location and see if there is some special requirement.

Below is the list of some items that you must carry with you. 

Camping Tents: The size should be enough for the number of people accommodating. Make sure it stays stable during strong winds and is waterproof in case it also starts to rain. 

Sleeping Bags: You will definitely be needing this one as it gets cold at night. Make sure it is warm and comfortable for you to get a peaceful shut-eye. 

First Aid Kit: Going outdoors means exposing yourself and others to minor accidents. Pack a first aid kit that will contain all basic medical necessities. Keep a small box to fit it in your luggage. 

Flashlight: Campsites won’t provide electricity. Torches will come in handy during the night-time. Carry a pair of backup batteries too. 

Cooking Stove: Since you will be on your own, carry a small cooking stove to cook or boil your own food.

6. Do not leave your food and garbage inside the camp.

Keeping food and garbage inside the tent may turn into huge trouble for you. Try storing food that has a less strong smell and make sure it’s not in your tent. The scent of leftovers and trash can attract wild animals to your campsite. We do not want a run-in with bears, now, do we?

Other than that you might end up losing all your food and water to sneaky animals like monkeys. Keep it locked in some safe place and unreachable to the wilds.

7. Do not forget insect or bug sprays.

Insects and bugs are pretty common in lone camping areas. While some of them may cause rashes and allergies, you also need to keep them away once the sunsets. A common mistake of beginners is forgetting the bug spray.

Carry a bug or insect repellant at all times. For a good night’s sleep, apply them on your exposed skin before falling asleep soundly.

8. Do not pack improper clothing.

Packing for a few days sounds easy enough, right? But packing efficiently, as the situation demands are harder than you anticipate. Packing the right clothes should be your utmost priority. Comfortable clothes should be a must. Camping might also include walking to a lot of places. So make sure you’ve got soft and comfy shoes.

As mentioned earlier, pack your clothes according to the weather forecast of your destination. You don’t need to carry too many clothes but you need the right type of them.

9. Do not forget to inform your family or friends about the details of the camp.

Not informing anyone before going to camp can be one of the worst mistakes you can ever make. This is particularly important if you are travelling solo. Being outside is fun and adventure but it also exposes you to unknown risks.

Outside the reach of urban civilization, with bad cell phone services can lead to some of the worst accidents. If you’re in mortal danger or even got lost, somebody should know where to begin looking for you. You can also let them know about everything you have planned as your activities, in case anything goes wrong.

Hopefully, this article has helped you to be a better camper! Let me know in the comment section below.