Doing anything for the first time can be scary.
A lot of people are very nervous about going on their first camping trip. They are worried they will do something wrong and they will have an awful time.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. After you have finished reading this article you’ll be ready to have the best trip of your life.
The good news is that when it comes to camping – as long as no one gets injured you can’t go wrong. Camping is a personal adventure and everyone loves something different about it. If you prepare correctly and head out on your trip with a positive attitude then you will have an amazing camping experience.
While we can’t help you with the attitude part of that statement, we can help you with the planning side of things. In the article below, you will find everything beginners need to know about camping before they set off on their first camping trip.
We will cover how to plan your camping trip and how you will camp. Read on to find the complete guide to camping for beginners.
How to plan your camping trip
The first step to a successful camping trip is to plan it out. Spend some time researching places you want to visit, what the weather is like, and how much a trip like that will cost you.
Pick a destination
The very first step towards your camping trip that you will make is to pick your destination. You can plan this around the destination itself or your road trip there.
There is no right or wrong way to do this, this is your trip. Make sure you pick somewhere that you want to visit.
Pick a season and date
Once you have picked your destination, it is time to work out when it is the best time of year to visit.
For example, as beautiful as Alaska is, you don’t want to be camping there in the middle of winter.
As tempting as the off-peak prices can be, it is important to remember that those times are off-peak for a reason.
Set a budget
Once you have got an idea of where you want to stay when you want to stay there, and how much your campsite rental is going to cost – it’s time to build a budget for the rest of the trip.
While camping is one of the cheapest ways to getaway – that doesn’t mean you don’t need to budget.
You should factor in how often you want to eat out, how many attractions you want to visit, and things you will need to buy for the trip.
Knowing this in advance will help you not to overspend and it will also allow you to get the most out of the money you have.
How to camp
Now that you have a destination and budget in mind – it is time to look at how you would like to camp. There are three main options; tent, RV, and trailer. Each has its own pros and cons. Let’s look at them.
Tent
When you think of camping your mind will automatically jump to thoughts of tents, campfires, and long hikes.
If you’re looking for a budget holiday or just to get back in touch with your wild side – camping in a tent is a great option.
If you want to camp in a tent make sure you invest in a good thermal sleeping bag and high-quality groundsheet.
RV
If you like the idea of glamping, with emphasis on the GLAM – then an RV holiday will be just your style.
An RV allows you to bring all the luxury and comforts of home on the road with you. You can now get RVs with built-in wifi, TVs, and compostable toilets.
RVs are perfect for those of you who are looking to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
Trailer
Trailers can offer you the best of both worlds. You can bring your own car (like tent camping) but you can also bring your home comforts with you (like with an RV).
Trailers are lightweight and affordable. They’re a great option for first-time campers who aren’t ready to commit to something as expensive as an RV, but who are looking to dabble in the more luxurious side of camping.
If you have a smaller car we suggest looking into lightweight travel trailers under 5000 lbs.
