Since I was a kid, we have always gone camping. I think it’s what sparked my love for outdoor activity. We tent camped…like no electricity, with the bears in the North Georgia Mountains camped.
When I got married, my husband loved camping too so we shared the experience with our two boys, who also love to go.
There is nothing more relaxing than being in the wilderness with the people you love, enjoying activities you love.
I think camping is definitely something everyone should experience and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either! In this post, I will share my easy guide to getting started tent camping and help make it an enjoyable experience that you will want to repeat!
What You Need to Do
Don’t let the thought of having an amazing first tent camping experience get you down. There are so many ideas out there from so many people telling you what you need to do.
I hope we can break it down in the easiest, most understandable way possible. Don’t ever hesitate to ask us any questions you might have in the comments section at the end of the post!
So…what next?
1. Plan Ahead
Before you decide to go, figure out what you want to do when you are there. We take several different types of camping trips throughout the year, with all different goals in mind at each one.
Some trips are to the lake so my kids can Kayak, which they love. Other trips are to hike in the mountains. Some are to just relax and unwind. We have even taken week-long trips to the beach and camped for a vacation.
So for example, if you know you are taking a trip and your goal is hiking, you will need to plan out the gear you need, trails to hike, check the weather and expected temperature ahead of time.
All of these things are important to make sure you have a great trip.
Determine ahead of time how much space you will need and pick your site accordingly.
2. Grab Your Gear
If you don’t already own a tent or have one you can borrow, now is the time to get one. For our first tent camping trip, we got one from Walmart. You can also check out our post with budget tent ideas here.
Choosing a tent is important. Just because it says it will sleep 2 doesn’t mean comfortably. Usually, that means you can literally only get 2 sleeping bags inside. So for us (a family of 4), we choose one that sleeps 8.
Recently, as my kids have gotten older, they wanted a tent for themselves. So, we upgraded our tent to one that sleeps 6 and theirs sleeps 4. This way we can have our stuff inside our tent and they will have room between their twin air mattresses to walk.
3. Book A Site
There are so many sites out there to find your first campground to visit. We highly recommend making a reservation just so you know what you are getting when you get there.
There are so many campgrounds that are first come first serve, but we try to stay away from those unless we are doing a super short trip and packing minimal gear.
Some of our favorite sites for booking are:
- Recreation.gov
- State Park Sites (each state has it’s own)
- National Park Service
- HipCamp
- Reserve America
- Camp Spot
- KOA
- The Dyrt
- Campendium
4. Get Advice
There are so many resources out there to help you figure this camping thing out! We hope you love ours! But you definitely need to get as many tips from people who have been there and done that to make sure you have a great trip.
What You Don’t Need to Do
There are some things you DON’T need to do…like overthink this! Camping doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t need to bring all the modern conveniences…less is more!
Go Overboard
Don’t go overboard. The beautiful thing about camping is that you don’t have to overcomplicate it. You don’t need EVERYTHING.
One of the things we love the most about it is the simplicity in it. It’s you and nature.
Expect Perfection
You can’t expect things to be perfect. Period! Things will happen, you might forget stuff…like the trip when we forgot our towels AND hammocks. But it was fine! It turned out to be one of the BEST trips my family has ever had!
My point here is to go with it. Don’t stress and have fun.
Why We Love Camping
Camping, especially tent camping puts you outside, away from everything that is distracting.
We leave our electronics at home and my kids have a blast. Camping makes us feel rejuvenated and revived after we have had a long stressful week! You need to try it for sure!
Is Camping Affordable?
Absolutely! You don’t have to buy all the fancy camping gear, although you can if you want to. We have had just as much fun with our gear from Walmart.
Campsites are usually between $20-40 per night which is way less than a hotel. If you choose the “off the grid” or backcountry sites, they are cheaper and sometimes free. I recommend trying one of those at least one time!
Types of Camping
- Tent
- Camper or RV
- Backpacking (where you hike in with only what you need)
- Glamping (its like a hotel but camping)
Be Sure About
Before you go or choose a site, you should be sure…
Large Enough Site
Make sure you check the measurements of the site to be sure you will have enough room for your equipment. If it says a 4o foot camper will fit, then it should be big enough for your tent.
*Know how big your tent is before you go! You can set it up at home if you need to see exactly how much space you will need. (it’s not just the tent dimensions that are important, remember you need space around it for your other things)
Level Ground
Most sites will have a level spot, but if you are going to a place that doesn’t allow reservations ahead of time, make sure the spot has a level area before you unload everything for the trip.
You don’t want to have to move your things more than one time.
*Keep in mind that it could rain and you want to make sure the water doesn’t run towards your tent, but away
Sleeping Arrangements
As mentioned before, choosing the right tent size is important. You need to keep in mind how many people, (or pets) will be inside. A large tent that allows you to stand up inside is a great choice, but you have to keep in mind how big your site will be.
You also need to think about what you will be sleeping on. Do you want an air mattress, a cot, or a sleeping pad? We use air mattresses and our pumps will both plugin or use batteries so we can use them at any site.
You might prefer a cot, but remember if it’s cold, the air will flow underneath so you might need an extra blanket at night.
A sleeping pad is a great choice if you want to try different types of camping. They’re lightweight and easy to take, so they would work great on a backpacking trip.
Bringing a sleeping bag is the best choice in my opinion because it’s the easiest to transport. You can choose yours based on the temperature rating, but remember if you pick one rated for cold weather, you might end up too warm!
Cooking
We bring a 2 burner camp stove or a griddle for the majority of our trips. You can cook just about any easy meal on either of them. With the griddle (if you have electricity), you might not even need pots or pans (depending on your meal plan).
The 2 burner propane stove is perfect for sites without electricity. We have also invested in a dutch oven and an over-the-fire grill to cook meals over the campfire.
Check out our favorite Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe!
What About the Bathroom?
You are going to need to use the bathroom. If there isn’t a bathhouse, make sure you have some biodegradable toilet paper. Also, make sure you check to see if you need to remove human waste. Some areas require this.
As a general rule, use as little as possible. We take disposable bags and dispose of the toilet paper after we do the deed.
For all the other toiletries, like toothbrushes, soap, etc. we have a bathroom bag that can be taken to the bathhouse and hung. It makes things easier when everything is together.
We also like to use microfiber camp towels for bathing because they dry so much faster and don’t smell.
Extra Equipment
Don’t Forget…
It’s very important to bring the following items with you on your trip…
First Aid Kit
Just in case you need it, a good first aid kit will be necessary. If you prefer to make your own, you can DIY your first aid kit here.
Light
Trust me, once it gets dark, you will want to make sure you have plenty of light. A headlamp, lantern, flashlights, or bucket light will help you see.
What to Do When You Get There
If you book a campsite, you might need to stop in with the host or at the office to check-in. Some will give you a map, go over the rules and hand out your parking pass.
Setting Up
Remember to take your time. Find that level spot that will not collect rainwater. Then, start unpacking. We usually get the tent put up first, then organize everything else after.
Be aware of the site layout. You don’t want your tent too close to the campfire (for obvious reasons). Watch for tree limbs and ants. Also, putting the tent on grass or gravel will help with ground moisture. Dirt that has been compacted will hold water. We usually take extra tarps just in case but you can use a tent footprint, too.
Cooking
We plan our meals out before we go. This way we know which pans to pack and what to grab at the grocery store. Also, if we are going to use the dutch oven, we can make sure we have firewood. (Check with the campground to see if you can bring your own wood or if you need to purchase local)
Activities
- Hiking
- Biking
- Kayaking
- Geocaching
- Star Gazing
- Story Telling
- Exploring Nature
The most important thing about camping is to enjoy yourselves and have fun. Make sure you find some time to relax and recharge yourself. I promise you will love it.
