Your first time camping is a transformative experience. Away from the noise of everyday life, you’re able to reconnect with yourself and remember what is truly important. Some of my fondest memories include enjoying a warm camp meal, telling stories around a campfire, and falling asleep to the sounds of nature. It’s these simple yet powerful moments of connection – to both those around me and to nature – that simply aren’t found in everyday life and are what helped me fall in love with the outdoors. So, if you want to experience the magic of camping, continue reading and you’ll be well on your way to a successful first trip!
Choose Where to Camp
Camping allows you to immerse yourself in a beautiful place and experience nature in an intimate way not possible within the walls of a building. While there are endless places to set up your tent, here’s what you should know if you’ve never gone camping before.
Pick Your Destination
I recommend looking for a location close to home for your first time camping. That way, the stakes are low and in the unlikely event that you need to leave early, you aren’t too far away.
It’s also important to choose a place that inspires and excites you. Part of the magic of camping is embarking on an adventure and exploring the world. Whether you choose to camp in a local forest that brings you peace or a nearby state park that you’ve wanted to visit for a while, find a spot that fuels your sense of curiosity and wonder.
My first camping trip was at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, California. While it was only about an hour away from home, I had never visited before and was excited by the prospect of camping by the beach. That experience was transformative and motivated me to continue to explore the outdoors.
Find a Campsite
Once you’ve settled on where you want to camp, your next step is securing a campsite. Since it’s your first time camping, you’ll want to stay at an established campground. These are areas specifically designed for camping and allow you to park next to your campsite. You’ll often find amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, bathrooms, and potable (drinkable) water. At some places, you might also have access to showers, pergolas, camp stores, and RV hookups.
In terms of securing your site, campgrounds generally operate under either a first-come, first-served system or a reservations system.
First-come, first-served
As the name suggests, first-come, first-served campsites are not reserved ahead of time and instead are open to whoever gets there first. Be wary as these types of sites tend to fill up quickly, especially in popular destinations like national parks or during weekends and holidays. However, if your plans are flexible and you can visit mid-week, you might have a better chance of securing a campsite.
Reservations
Campgrounds that operate on a reservation system allow visitors to secure sites ahead of time, sometimes up to six months in advance. Most of the time, you’ll use an online platform. For example, nearly all national parks and forests use recreation.gov as their reservation portal.
Depending on when and where you want to stay, securing a campsite can be extremely competitive. I’ve seen campground reservations completely fill up within seconds of releasing sites. If you’re hoping to reserve a campsite at a popular national park or forest, then you’ll want to check out our article below. It shares everything you need to know to give you the best odds at securing a site!
Essential Camping Gear
For both safety and comfort, It’s important to have the proper gear before your first time camping. However, things like tents and sleeping bags can be pricey, so if you’re new to this hobby may want to consider borrowing what you need or renting from a place like REI. Purchasing gear second-hand is also a great option. You can usually find used camping equipment at steep discounts on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. For a more reliable option, check out REI Re/Supply, the company’s user gear business, either online or in most stores. Below is an overview of the essential gear you need to get started.
Shelter and Sleep System
The backbone of your camping experience is your shelter and sleep system, which includes your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow.
Tent
Most tent sizes are measured by the number of people they sleep. I recommend picking a tent that is a little bigger than you think you need to give you and your tentmates some extra space. Unlike backpacking, where weight is a factor, camping is much less restrictive. Choose something that sleeps one or two people more than the number of people you’ll be sharing a tent with. Keep in mind though that larger tents usually are more complicated to set up.
Before taking your tent out for your first time camping, practice setting it up at home or in a local park. This allows you to familiarize yourself with how everything comes together in a low-pressure environment, making your experience at the campsite smoother.
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags come in several different shapes and sizes. While what you end up choosing comes down to personal preference, there are a few important things to pay attention to.
You’ll first want to find out its temperature rating. If you only plan on camping in warm temperatures, you should be fine choosing a sleeping bag with a rating of 30+ degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want to also camp in colder weather, opt for a sleeping bag with a lower rating.
You also will want to choose between a sleeping bag with synthetic or down insulation. Synthetic bags are usually cheaper and and keep their warmth when wet, but are much more bulky. Down bags are warmer for their weight and much more compressable, but tend to be more expensive and lose their insulating properties when wet.
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping pads are vital when camping. Not only do they provide an additional level of comfort, but they also help insulate heat to keep you warm all night. Most pads are either inflatable or made of closed cell foam (CCF). Inflatable pads are more delicate and expensive but offer a better sleeping experience. CCF pads are not as comfortable but are cheaper and much more durable. Also pay attention to a pad’s insulation value, or R-value. Pads with higher R-values provide better insulation to keep you warmer at night.
Pillow
A proper pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep. While there are many popular camping-specific options, I’ve found that a regular pillow, like the ones on your bed at home, works best. While they are bulky, their price and comfortability are unmatched.
Camp Kitchen
You don’t need anything fancy to store and cook your meals when at camp. A two-burner stove, like the Coleman Classic Camp Stove, plus a few cans of propane should work great. You’ll also need to bring a lighter or matches to light the stove and a cooler to keep perishable items from spoiling.
Most everything else, like pots and pans, cooking utensils, cutlery, and dishes you can bring from home. It’s also important to bring clean-up items. Trash bags, soap, a sponge, a few dishpans or plastic tubs, and towels will help keep everything tidy.
Hygiene and Toiletries
Even though some dirt and grime are expected when camping, you still want to take care of yourself as much as you can. Things to have in your toiletry bag might include a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and any prescription medications. If you have access to a shower, bringing soap and shampoo is also smart. And make sure to pack hand sanitizer or wipes to keep the germs away.
Since you’ll be outside most of the day, you want to stay protected from the sun and bugs. Make sure to pack sunscreen, lip balm, and bug spray. Finally, bring a first aid kit for minor cuts and injuries.
Camp Items
When at camp, there are a few essential items for a comfortable experience. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Also, campsites don’t have external lighting, so carry a headlamp or flashlight to navigate at night. If you’re planning on building a fire, pack a camp chair and wood. And make sure you have a battery pack and charging cords to keep everything powered.
It’s also smart to bring some bills with you, just in case you need to pay for things that only take cash.
Luxuries
Whether it’s art supplies, a hammock, or a musical instrument, pack a few luxury items that spark joy to make your first time camping an extra enjoyable experience!
At GoForth, each adventure package comes with a comprehensive and personalized packing list built specifically for your trip! To learn what we offer, click the button below.
Clothing Considerations
Packing the right clothes is crucial for your first time camping. Luckily, you’ll likely have everything you need already in your wardrobe. I will usually break up my clothes into activewear and loungewear.
My activewear includes anything that I want to have on during an activity, like hiking. This includes a comfortable top and bottom, moisture-wicking socks and underwear, appropriate footwear, a hat, and sunglasses. It’s also smart to bring an extra layer just in case the weather turns. And if you can, avoid cotton as it has poor wicking and drying properties. When back at camp, I will switch to my loungewear. I’ll pack warm clothes for nighttime, sleepwear, comfortable camp shoes/sandals, cozy socks, and a large coat if it’s cold.
A few days before you leave, check the weather. If less-than-ideal conditions, like rain or strong winds, are forecasted, then you’ll want to pack accordingly (in this case, bring a rain or wind jacket).
Camp Food and Meals
Cooking a delicious meal outside is one of the best things about camping. That said, there are a few things to consider when planning your menu and cooking your food.
Because you won’t have access to a refrigerator, you’ll need to be mindful of any perishable foods you plan on bringing. Having a well-insulated cooler helps, but it usually will only keep its contents cold for a couple of days at most.
It’s also smart to complete any complicated prep work at home before leaving for your first time camping. For example, I’ll prep, season, and pre-portion the ingredients for shrimp foil packets beforehand. That way, once at camp all I have to do is wrap everything in foil and let it cook over a fire. It both saves time and keeps messes to a minimum.
Finally, have fun! You can go as simple as bringing canned foods and dehydrated meals, or cook a feast full of fresh ingredients. The possibilities are truly endless. Just make sure to clean and properly store everything at night to avoid any critters snacking on your food.
Staying Safe While Camping
While camping is a generally safe activity, as with anything there are still some risks involved. Here are a few key safety tips to remember when camping.
Before You Go
Before you leave, check the weather. If adverse conditions are forecasted, plan accordingly or potentially consider postponing your camping trip to a later date. I’ve found that the National Weather Service is a great resource to check out. Unlike many other platforms, this one gives accurate forecasts for remote locations away from civilization (i.e. where campsites are generally located).
You also should share your itinerary with someone at home you trust, like a family member or loved one. Just in case something happens, they’ll know where to start looking for you. If you want, you can also bring a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach Mini 2. While a little pricey, they track your location and allow you to send text messages to people back home, even when service isn’t present. And just in case, there’s an SOS button that will connect you to help. While not as comprehensive, most newer phones also have SOS capabilities.
If you haven’t used your gear yet, practice setting everything up at home or in a local park. That way, you can iron out any issues in a relaxed setting.
Lastly, cellphone service is not reliable in most campgrounds. Whether it’s tent set-up instructions, recipes, or hikes, make sure to download, take a picture of, or bring anything you want to reference when camping.
At Your Campsite
When you first arrive at your campsite, take a second to identify any potential hazards. These can include large rocks, beehives or anthills, poisonous plants, low-hanging tree branches, or broken glass.
After evaluating your site, you will want to pitch your tent in a safe spot. Avoid setting up camp next to the fire ring, as stray embers could burn your tent. Also, look around for any widowmakers, or dead trees/branches that could potentially fall onto your tent. You’ll want to camp far away from these. Finally, try to stay out of low-lying areas. Cool air tends to settle in areas of low elevation and cause more condensation buildup inside your tent. Also, if there’s a storm, rainwater might pool and potentially flood your tent.
Campfires, while a highlight of camping, are also potentially dangerous. To make sure that you stay safe and keep the flames under control, check out Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety Guidelines.
Finally, at the end of the night, make sure to properly store your food and any smellable items to keep wildlife away. If bears are around, your campsite will likely have lockers for you to stash any scented items overnight. In fact, we have a helpful resource about staying safe in bear country, including tips on how to avoid these powerful creatures and what to do should you encounter them. Check it out below!
Plan an Activity
While camping itself is a great experience, pairing it with an outdoor activity can make your time outdoors even more special. If you want to move your body, consider hitting a nearby hiking trail, going for a bike ride, or embarking on a bird-watching expedition. If you’re by water, try kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding. For those wanting to stay closer to camp, bringing a board game, cards, your favorite book, or an instrument are all ways to level up your camping experience. You get to truly make the adventure your own! Just remember to be respectful and mindful of your camp neighbors.
I hope that your first time camping is an unforgettable experience! If you want additional help planning your adventure, please reach out! We at GoForth are experts at turning your outdoor dreams into a reality. Click on the button below to learn more about our offerings, and contact us if you’re ready to take the first step toward a life outdoors!
