10 Tips for Summer Camping Satisfaction
Camping offers a chance to unplug, reconnect with nature, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, a successful camping trip requires thoughtful planning. Here’s how to make your adventure comfortable, safe, and fun—from picking your destination to cooking your meals under the stars.
1. Choose Your Camping Style
Camping comes in many forms, from primitive, open-air sleeping to RVs with shore power for all the conveniences of home. Some prefer “frontcountry” camping at established sites with facilities, while others opt for “backcountry” adventures, carrying everything on their backs. If you’re looking for simplicity, try “cowboy camping”—sleeping under the stars without a tent—or hammock camping for a lightweight, unique experience.
There’s also “glamping,” a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping.” It’s a style of camping that combines the experience of being outdoors with the more comfortable, luxurious dwellings. Unlike conventional camping, which often involves pitching a tent, sleeping on the ground, and bringing all your own gear, glamping offers accommodations such as furnished tents, yurts, cabins, treehouses, or even Airstream trailers that come equipped with beds, electricity, heating or air conditioning, and sometimes private bathrooms.
Choose a camping style that best aligns with your tolerance for roughing it. Some like the thought of going completely off-grid, while others like to get away into nature without completely unplugging or getting their hands too dirty. Your style will directly influence the type and amount of gear you need, the level of planning required, and your budget.
Choose a camping style that best aligns with your tolerance for roughing it.
2. Location, Location, Location
Once you know what camping style best suits your desire, choose a campsite that can deliver what you want. Research your options using guidebooks, park websites, and online resources. For popular destinations, check for closures and local regulations, and always consult with rangers if you need advice on site selection. Remember, proximity to water is key for convenience, but be mindful of local wildlife and environmental impact.
3. Make Reservations Early
Many popular campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak months like summer. Visit official reservation sites, such as Recreation.gov, to secure your spot. Be flexible with your dates if possible and double-check the rules for group sizes and equipment types (some sites accommodate only tents or only RVs). For backcountry camping, you may need to obtain a permit in advance or on the day of your trip, depending on the area.
4. Pack the Right Gear
A comfortable camping experience hinges on having the right equipment. Your packing list will vary based on the style of camping you desire. For adventurers who want to eschew the RV or glamping route, essentials may include these items:
- A tent (with groundsheet and stakes)
- Sleeping bag (choose one rated for the expected temperatures)
- Sleeping pad or air mattress (for insulation and comfort)
- Headlamps or flashlights (plus extra batteries)
- Camp chairs and table (if not provided)
- Lanterns for ambient light
- Fire-making gear—a hatchet for fuel gathering, ignition source (i.e., matches or lighters), and safety gear, such as a spade and water container
- Food, cooking equipment, and utensils—more on this below
- Multi-tool, duct tape, and repair kits for quick fixes
Test your gear at home before you leave, especially if it’s new. Practice setting up your tent and make sure your sleeping bag and pad are clean, dry and comfortable.
5. Plan Your Meals and Cooking Setup
A little meal planning goes a long way. Decide if you’ll cook over a campfire, use a camp stove, or pack ready-to-eat meals. Camp stoves offer convenience and versatility, allowing you to prepare everything from simple breakfasts to full dinners. Don’t forget essentials like a skillet or Dutch oven, utensils, a cooler with ice packs, and biodegradable soap for cleanup.
Plan meals that are easy to prepare and require minimal cleanup, and always follow “Leave No Trace” principles for food storage and waste disposal (see details under tip 9 below). Lightweight, non-perishable foods are great choices. Think dried, canned, or freeze-dried options, along with hard cheeses and shelf-stable meat products like jerky or sausages. Consider items like oatmeal, trail mix, dried fruit, nuts, canned fish, and dehydrated meals.
6. Dress for the Weather
Check the forecast before you pack accordingly. Dressing in layers is the easiest way to adjust to changing conditions. Don’t forget rain gear, a warm hat, and sturdy shoes. Overnight temperatures can get chilly, even in summer, and also remember that if you’re camping at higher elevations, the air will also be cooler. If you tend to get cold at night, fill a water bottle with hot water and place it in your sleeping bag for extra warmth.
7. Arrive Early and Set Up in Daylight
Aim to reach your campsite at least two hours before sunset. Setting up camp in daylight makes pitching your tent and organizing your gear much easier and safer. It also gives you time to explore the area and settle in before dark.
8. Keep Your Campsite Clean and Organized
A tidy campsite is safer and more enjoyable. Use a mat at your tent entrance to keep dirt out, store food securely to avoid attracting wildlife, and always pack out your trash. Bring wet wipes or biodegradable soap for quick cleanups, and keep a small broom and dustpan handy for your tent.
9. Respect Nature and Fellow Campers
Follow “Leave No Trace” principles—guidelines for minimizing the environmental impact of outdoor recreation:
- Plan ahead and prepare: Be aware of any special regulations, restrictions, or hazards in the area you’re visiting. Prepare for emergencies and weather conditions, and consider scheduling your trip during less busy periods.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Stay on established trails and campsites, and when traveling off-trail, choose durable surfaces like rock, sand, or dry grass.
- Dispose of waste properly: Pack out everything you pack in, including trash and food scraps. Wash dishes at least 200 feet from water sources, and properly bury human waste.
- Leave what you find: Preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Don’t move or disturb rocks, plants, or other natural objects, and avoid disturbing cultural or historical sites.
- Minimize campfire impacts: If fires are permitted, use established fire rings or fire pits. Collect only dead and downed wood, and ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving.
- Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife from a safe distance, never feed them, and store food and trash securely to prevent attracting animals.
- Be considerate of other visitors: Be courteous and mindful of others, especially during busy periods. Yield to uphill hikers on narrow trails and keep noise levels down.
10. Take Care of Your Birthday Suit
Respect the skin you’re in! Outdoor fun exposes you to everything that’s in the open air, including sunshine and insects. Bring bug repellent and sunscreen to protect yourself from bites and burns. Be sure your tent has good mesh screens or pack a bug net for extra comfort.
Seasoned campers recommend insect repellent that provides long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and flies, while being safe and comfortable to use. Repellents containing 20% picaridin are considered the top choice for most campers. DEET-based repellents are also highly effective and widely used, but they can damage plastics and some fabrics, and some people dislike the oily texture and smell.
Natural alternatives like lemon eucalyptus oil are good DEET- and picaridin-free formula options, though they may not last as long or be as broadly effective.
When it comes to sun protection, look for water-resistant UVA and UVB formulas with an SPF 50 rating for prolonged exposure. Sprays are quick and convenient but require careful application to avoid inhalation; sticks are great for the face and sensitive areas; lotions provide thorough coverage. Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to absorb properly, and reapply every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. Combine sunscreen use with wide-brim hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses for the best protection.
Adventure Awaits
Camping is an awesome way to rejuvenate by reconnecting with nature and escaping the trappings of everyday life. Making your camping trip a great experience begins with preparation and attitude. Follow the tips we’ve given you here, and you’ll be well on your way to being a happy camper this season.
