Camping has been touted as relaxing leisure for a very long time; however, this doesn't mean that it is free of stress. Do you want to camp without stress? Then we got you covered.
We at RilorWilderness believe that camping is an excellent way to disconnect you from your mundane life. From the hustle and bustle of the urban space, isn't it nice to slip away temporarily so that you can bask in fresh air while being surrounded by majestic scenery?
There are a lot of good things that you can experience from camping. And packing right and preparing thoroughly can help you achieve such wonders. However, camping also has its own share of unexpected challenges. Some of these issues are minor, while others can be serious and life-threatening. While these things can occur inevitably, the majority of them are actually preventable.
In this particular post, our experts will share some tested-and-tried tips on how to camp stress-free. From the essential checklists down to finding the ideal campsite, we will guide you entirely. Read on.
On the surface, camping is fun. Of course, that should be the way. But the fun only comes after you had prepared and sorted out the trip even before it took place. There are specific things that you need to do to avoid nuisances while camping. Here are some of them.
Planning is an essential aspect of camping. Regardless of the distance and duration, campers should be able to plan their trip ahead of schedule.
You see, the majority of inconveniences are a result of poor or lack of planning. For example, you didn't anticipate the weather at the campsite, and it was too late for you to realize that rain jackets and insulating tents are essential.
Or, you could not have anticipated the amount of food that you should bring. You didn't account for the number of people on the trip, your appetite, and even the cookware and utensils that you should have. Don't go to a campsite without knowing whether or not you need a camping stove or gas grills.
Essentially, the more you can plan, the more you can anticipate potential problems. It also lets you prepare for SHTF situations should they arise. As always, you would need to identify the nature of your trip, its duration, and its location. Furthermore, don't forget that you have to address matters like campsite rules, registration fees, length of travel, and the types of tents that you should bring.
Of course, don’t forget about your essentials. If you are camping with your family, this family camping checklist should help you out.
Camping is all about having fun. And part of the fun-seeking pursuit is exploring new places and destinations. So cool! You want to camp somewhere that you haven't visited before. But before you prepare your gear, ask yourself if that location would be convenient for you.
Well, only you can know this answer. Our staff and experts have visited different trails and campsites in the United States and Canada. Throughout their adventure, many of them said that the distance had an impact on the overall quality of their trip.
For example, one of our staff had to go backcountry camping in Colorado last 2019. Overall, the trip was memorable. But according to him, it was really exhausting because of the trails that they had to trail. By the time they reach their destination, all of them are already spent. They have to eat more and drink more fluid, which causes their supplies to deplete fast.
By the way, these individuals are seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, so imagine the toll if the same adventure is done by newbies.
We highly recommend that you camp in areas that are close to your home. Alternatively, you suggest that you camp in highly accessible areas. In this way, the distance wouldn't cause stress and exhaustion on your trip. A 15-minute drive is better than a day-long stay on the road. Just keep that in mind.
Furthermore, camping close means that you can respond to emergencies should they arise. You would be able to rush to the nearest hospitals and police stations if it's necessary.
Now that you have limited your reach, it is time to choose the ideal campsite. There's a good chance you have at least five choices for a campsite, especially if you reside in states known for their vast forests and state-managed lands.
But keep in mind that not all campsites are equal. Some of them are designed to be family-oriented. This means that they have all the essential amenities that would help campers experience a certain degree of comfort. Others are more akin to dispersed camping, where there are virtually no amenities that you can utilize.
Between these options, you should prioritize those areas that can provide you with essential facilities, such as bathrooms and washing areas. You don't need these campsites to be ultra-complete, though. Your stay there will be comfortable as long as they are safe and adequate.
Of course, remember that these campsites don't provide storage solutions for your food and beverages. Hence, it is essential that you bring coolers for your trip. You have multiple options for coolers, by the way. Choose which one is viable for your camping adventure based on the duration and quantity of your food. Don't forget to bring odor-proof containers, as well.
It is most likely that you are going to ride with your car, truck, or RV on your camping trip. Because of this, you would also need to maintain their health, ensuring that you can drive it smoothly and safely.
Believe it or not, many of our seasoned campers here in RilorWilderness experienced sustaining flat tires upon driving to their camping destination. And it is a form of inconvenience, believe it or not, especially if you are in a rush not to run out of parking space in the campground.
Of course, flat tires are just a surface issue. There are many other things that your vehicle could encounter if you didn't check it before your trip. From failing engines to overheating, these things could potentially occur. So what should you do? Well, aside from regularly maintaining your vehicle, you should also have the necessary equipment to conduct repairs and troubleshooting.
Here are the things that we suggest you bring.
Your campground might be an eye candy or something that offers you a sense of calm and relaxation. But sadly, such a degree of peace is not an excuse for you to prolong your camping trip.
Ideally, camping trips should only last for two to three days. You can plan a weeklong trip, but trust me, that would require more extensive planning, preparation, and packing. Sure. This particular excursion is doable. But don't expect that it will be smooth all throughout.
The longer you stay outdoors, the more inconveniences you will experience. From dirty clothes to your stinky skin, these matters will eventually arise the more time you spend at the campsite.
The best thing about camping is that it doesn't require you to stay long in the wilderness for you to enjoy it. Even a single-day trip becomes memorable if you plan it right. And if you have chosen a campsite near your residence, you will be able to go home immediately without experiencing too much exhaustion.
I know that this advice seems ironic. Camping requires preparations, right? Yes, that's true. However, it is not synonymous with overpacking. In fact, the more you prepare, the more you will be able to identify which equipment or gear is essential.
For example, if you are just going on an overnight camping trip, there's no need for you to bring lots of food. At the same time, you don't need to bring multiple clothes and layers. You can trip your pack to the fundamentals--or those items that you only actually need.
Surely enough, there's no strict rule when it comes to the weight and bulk of your camping gear. After all, general camping isn't similar to backpacking, which is considered to have a prioritization over streamlining weight. But at the same time, this is not permission that you can bring all the items that come to your mind.
Plan for everything. Next, narrow your essentials and take into account the quantity that would suffice for the duration of your trip. For example, you shouldn't bring lots of utensils if you are just camping with your partner. A two-person sleeping bag can work for two people so that they don't have to bring individual sleeping bags.
I know that you get the idea here. Don't overpack, and only carry what you actually need. By doing this, you would minimize the need for excessive organization and storage. You would be able to pack your backpack properly. As a result, that would relieve potential stresses, too.
When planning a camping trip, it is important to always be prepared for emergencies. And no, we are not scaring you at all. Everything can be possible once you are outdoors. Even the most prepared campers can't escape accidents--whether it is manmade or natural.
Once the SHTF takes place, you have no other option but to adopt. That's how you survive and overcome potential stresses. Here, you need the essential kits for dealing with outdoor emergencies. They are the following:
Additionally, it is important to be aware of the location and contact information of nearby emergency services. Learn basic first aid, too. By being prepared, one can enjoy their camping trip with peace of mind knowing that they are ready for any situation that may arise.
Most of the time, the stresses that you encounter while you encounter could deliberately ruin your mood. It could sour the trip and would affect the enthusiasm of your fellow campers.
Of course, this reaction is just normal. Frustration, anxiety, and disappointment are the results of encounters that you didn't expect. But as campers and outdoor enthusiasts, we need to have a stronger mental fortitude. Part of the journey is accepting the fact that some things just don't go in your way.
So instead of getting angry and losing your cool, you should just reset. Learn breathing exercises. In fact, there are camping exercises that you can do that could relieve your stress. The thing is, you are the only one that can control how you react. Some uncontrollable things can take place, but the way you react to them is within your jurisdiction. So keep it cool, and maintain a relaxed mind all the time.
Learning how to camp stress-free is quite essential. After all, we have to remember that camping is meant to be a source of fun and leisure; it should not be a source of stress and frustration.
By practicing the tips that we outlined here, you will be able to fully enjoy your next camping trip. Plan ahead and prepare all the essentials for your adventure!
