Whether you are a glamping kind of person looking for a safari setup with a full bath or a minimalist hiker carrying everything you need in a bag weighing less than 20 pounds, there are a few habits you may want to foster to make each camping trip easier than the last. By cultivating these five easy camping habits, you will have a safe and enjoyable experience no matter where the trail takes you.
1. Keep Camp Tidy
Regardless of your location and camping style, you should take time every day to clean up your campsite. Debris, trash, and dirt buildup in your tent and around your campsite is not only inconvenient, but hazardous to yourself and others. Keeping your campsite clean is an easy camping habit to champion, and it will ultimately make for a more pleasant experience.
2. Don’t Tempt Wildlife
Those energy bars and beef jerky you packed as provisions may not emanate a particularly strong odor to you in their plastic packaging, but nearby wildlife have much more sensitive senses of smell than humans. In order to minimize the chance of attracting bears, coyotes, and other predators to your campsite, always keep your food in an airtight bag and at least 100 feet away from your tent.
3. Always Double Check
How annoying would it be to arrive to your destination, put your tent up, and realize you left your toiletries at home? To have an easy camping experience, make time for a quick inventory check at home –twice– before you leave for your adventure.
4. Follow Radio Stations
Flighty weather can happen in the most constant climates. Unexpected heavy rains, snow, hail, thunderstorms, or extreme heat do not make for easy camping when you haven’t prepared for their possibility. Invest in a compact weather radio you trust and carry it with you on all of your camping trips.
5. Check In Before You Go
Even if you are only spending the night with your kids at the local campground, make sure you let the people close to you in your life know about your plans. Notifying authorities and friends or family members becomes even more important when you are traveling to restricted, dangerous, or challenging travel zones. Be sure to also check in regularly with your loved ones for good measure — it only takes a minute!
Related article: 5 Car Camping Tips Everyone Should Know
Featured Image from Victor Larracuente/Unsplash
