Planning Your First Camping Trip: Everything You Need To Know

A camping trip can be a great way to get away for a much-needed break without overspending. Spending lots of time outside, surrounded by nature, is also a great way to take some much-needed time out of your busy schedule and spend some time switched off, simply enjoying being away. 

The reality is that a camping trip can be the perfect way to take the time out that you need, especially as it’s not overly expensive and with the right kit it can be extremely easy and enjoyable to do. It’s simply a case of knowing what it takes to plan the perfect camping trip for you and your travel buddies. 

The question is, of course: what does it take to plan and prepare for an amazing camping trip? If this is your first camping experience, then there’s a lot that you need to think about and consider – from where to camp to what bits of kit you need (and everything in between).

To help ensure that your first camping trip goes off without a hitch, we’ve put together a guide to all of the ins and outs of planning your first camping trip. 

Read on for everything that you should know about nailing your first camping trip and ensuring that you remember it for all of the right reasons. 

Choose the type of trip you want to take 

First things first, it’s important to understand that there are a lot of different types of camping trips, and not all trips are suited to all campers. 

For the real outdoor enthusiasts, the kind of camping trip where you hike a trail that leads to a campsite perched atop a mountain is a good option. Or, better yet, a trail that leads to wild (also known as wilderness) camping – aka camping where there’s no campsite. But, for anyone who isn’t “super outdoorsy”, this kind of camping can be a turn off – it can make the concept of camping feel like a complete and utter nightmare. 

For anyone who wants to get outdoors and experience nature within a less stressful environment, heading to a campsite that’s close to a range of amenities (think: beaches, shops, restaurants, bars, and activities) is a better option. You still get to spend time outside without having to push yourself to extremes. 

If you’re someone who wants to camp but doesn’t want to worry about pitching a tent and dealing with all of the ins and outs of planning a trip, then a glamping setup would be a great option to consider. It might be a little more expensive, but if it means that you’ll enjoy your trip more then it’s something that it’s worth considering. 

Make a list of all the kit you’ll need 

The next step in planning a camping trip is to make a list of all the kit that you will need to ensure that your trip is as enjoyable as possible. The truth is, that when you’re camping, it’s the kit that makes the trip. Turn up without the right kit and your whole break could feel like a bust, so it’s important to get the essentials right. 

The most important piece of kit is, of course, your tent. The fact is that choosing a tent can be tricky, as there’s a lot to think about and consider, from the size of the tent to how easy it is to put up. This is where it can get tricky, as choosing a tent isn’t always an easy task, especially as the type of tent you want will depend on the kind of trip you are taking. When it comes to choosing the perfect tent and other pieces of kit, you can get more info over here. 

If you’re hiking and wild camping, you will want to take the bare essentials, such as a tent, sleeping bags, a stove, a cooking pot, and food. Whereas, if you’re camping at a campsite and simply using the campsite as a base, then you’re able to take more essentials with you, such as an event shelter or gazebo to cook under, a table and chairs, a larder, blankets, cushions, rugs, and anything else that you think will make more your trip more comfortable. 

A great tip when choosing camping essentials is to read up online; there are lots of review sites that can be helpful when selecting essentials to take away with you. 

Focus on comfort 

When it comes to actually enjoying camping, the key is to make comfort your priority. If you are going to enjoy sleeping in a tent, it’s essential that you are sleeping somewhere that’s comfortable and warm, and that you’re able to properly relax there. So, focusing on your comfort is important and you can also choose some amazing Luxury Villas too.

This means thinking about the type of bed or camping mat that you buy and how comfortable that bed or mat is going to be to sleep on. It also means thinking about what kind of bedding you take with you, and how warm that bedding is going to keep you while you sleep. 

If you fail to make your trip comfortable, you’re not going to enjoy camping, so it’s vital that you make every effort to make your trip as comfortable as possible. 

Think about any pets that will be joining you

Don’t forget, if you’re taking your pets camping with you, it’s vital that you bring somewhere warm and comfortable for them to sleep. 

It’s also worth thinking about any other essentials that your pets might need. Such as a strong and secure spike that can be screwed into the ground and a leash attached to, to prevent them from getting lost or escaping. 

It’s also crucial to research which campsites are pet-friendly and which are not. If you’re hiking, it’s a good idea to look at what trails are pet-friendly and which are too steep or too dangerous for pets to climb. 

There you have it, a guide to how you can ensure that your first camping trip is a solid success.