7 Tips for Preparing for Your Next Camping Trip

Nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors – fresh air, detaching from the bustle of daily life, reconnecting with nature. But you shouldn’t just grab your pack and go. You never know what you might face, from rough weather conditions to lack of a water source. Here’s how to prepare for a camping trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, every time.

1. Check the Weather Conditions

Always check the weather forecast for your site. This will help guide your packing. Is cool, rainy weather on the horizon? Pack your bag with essentials like thermal clothes and poncho liners. Facing warmer conditions? Bring lightweight military shirts with features like moisture-wicking capabilities to stay comfortable. 

More than for packing purposes, checking the weather conditions is critical for camping safety. If the weather looks too bad, consider changing your camping plans – especially if you’re trekking somewhere remote.

2. Research the Area

This is one of the most crucial tips for camping preparation. Research water sources (rivers, lakes, etc.), hiking trails you want to explore, nearby gas stations, and more to get your lay of the land. Familiarity with the area ensures you’ll be ready for anything.

You may also want to research the area’s amenities and accessibility if you’ll be camping with others. Mountain treks and backwoods excursions are reserved for the more advanced campers!

3. Check Permit Requirements

Depending on where you're camping, you may need to acquire a permit or make a reservation. This is usually the case with national parks and wildlife reserves. Fees may also be required for larger camping parties. Our tip for camping? Don’t get caught off guard upon arrival – secure your permits in advance.

4. Organize Your Gear

Learning how to prepare for a camping trip? We can’t stress the importance of packing the right camping equipment. There are few things worse than setting up at your site and realizing you forgot something essential. Much of your clothing and gear depends on the area, weather conditions, and activities planned. But we recommend starting with these basics:

• Sleeping Gear - such as military sleeping bags, tents, blankets
• Flashlights and firestarters to keep your campsite well-lit
• Hygiene items/toiletries
• First aid kit or supplies
• Food and military canteen
• Mess kits & cookware
• Multi-tool
• Military clothing and proper footwear for your terrain 
• Mosquito netting or insect repellent
• Navigation tools

5. Consider Recreational Activities

Another of our tips for camping is to think about recreational activities you want to do. Maybe you want to hit the nearby trails. Maybe you want to swim in the lake or go fishing. You don’t need to make a complete itinerary, but you should have a general idea of activities you’ll do. This way, you can pack the right gear for your needs, whether that’s swim gear, board games, or fishing supplies.

6. Master the Art of Packing Lightly

It’s easy to overestimate what you need and overpack. But overpacking means more military camping gear to load in your car, more to carry, and more gear that clutters your camping grounds. Only pack what you really need so that nothing slows you down. Tips for packing your camping gear lightly:

• Use a Lightweight, Modular Backpack - MOLLE and tactical backpacks have ample storage and distribute your load more evenly.

• Limit Your Clothing - Use the weather and length of your trip to guide the clothing you’ll need to pack – nothing more, nothing less.

• Stick to the Basics - When in doubt, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” This will lighten your load and make it easy to explore the outdoors.

7. Learn Responsible Camping Practices

Last up on our list of tips for camping preparation is learning responsible camping practices. This is particularly important for novice campers and those heading to a new site. These practices are designed to ensure a safe, enjoyable trip while minimizing damage to natural resources. A few main principles for responsible camping include preparing for extreme weather and emergencies, disposing of waste properly, keeping fires small (and putting them out when finished), and being respectful of wildlife.

How to Prepare for a Camping Trip

Camping is always enjoyable, but it’s made even better with a bit of preparation. Research your camping grounds, check the weather conditions, and follow the rest of our tips for camping so you can explore the great outdoors stress-free. Be ready for anything with Army Surplus World!