Tent camping is an excellent option for travel enthusiasts or people who love exploring new places. Many people hesitate about camping because they need more relevant knowledge for a comfortable trip or fear its safety issues. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the adrenaline rush of camping? Gazing at the sky, a blanket full of stars, enjoying the calm and serenity while connecting with nature, it sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? This blog will share some of the expert-recommended, best tent camping tips.
Your Camping Experience Made Easy in Just 8 Tent Camping Tips
Selecting the Right Outdoor Camping Equipment
One big mistake most people make is not planning and researching before their camping trip. Especially if you haven’t been camping before, it is wise to read and study more about outdoor camping gear before you invest in expensive equipment. You also need to know where you’ll be camping, what tent size you will need if you carry it far, and what weather conditions you’ll have to encounter. By considering all these factors, you can invest in the right equipment.
Buy a Large Tent and Use Groundcover
You will undoubtedly buy a tent depending on how many people use it. But it is important to remember that it is always recommended to buy a bigger tent unless you’re going to be backpacking. Similarly, one of the best tent camping tips for beginners is to protect your tent flooring with a ground cover. Even if you have a durable, good-quality tent, a ground cover can provide a lot of protection from flooding and save you a lot of dollars!
Pro tip: Make a camping packing list to ensure you have all the essential items.
Practice Setting Up a Tent
If you’re a beginner, practicing setting up a tent in your home or backyard would be ideal. This will make the setup much easier when you do it at the camping site. Practicing is wise even if you have experience setting up a tent before. There’s always a little learning involved before you master it.
Choosing the Right Campsite
While selecting a campsite to pitch your tent isn’t a big deal, here are some tent camping hacks. When choosing a campsite, ensure you know what facilities will be available there. Learn about their campsite rules and regulations. Look around and see if there are any unhealthy trees or hanging branches. Check for the water source, and don't select a spot next to one. It is best to avoid hilltops, isolated areas, and open areas.
Pitch the Tent Correctly
Where you pitch your tent determines how comfortable your camping experience will be. Always select a flat spot, and it’s best if it’s on the high side to avoid water flooding. Look for sharp or pointy objects and insect nests before setting up your tent. Position your tent so that the narrow side faces the direction of the wind. This will make sure your tent is properly ventilated. For extra strength, use heavy-duty pegs and peg them at a 45-degree angle rather than vertically.
You can also set up an outdoor camping hammock to spend the night outside, read a good book, or gaze at the stars.
Tent Camping in the Rain
If you’re worried about the weather and want some cold-weather tent camping tips, keep these few things in mind. First, it is best to delay your trip if the weather conditions are unsuitable. However, if you have to set up a tent in the rain, pitch the tent before removing any other items. Once it has been pitched, move the car near the awning so that you can save your camping gear from getting wet.
Reduce Condensation in Your Tent
Once the temperature outside drops, condensation often forms in the tent due to the moisture in the air. To avoid condensation, keep the tent properly ventilated, and don’t store wet gear inside the tent. Choosing a camping tent with a separate fly is recommended as this will reduce the chances of condensation in the tent.
Avoiding Pooling Water
Last but not least, among the tips for tent camping, how can you avoid pooling water near your tent? Even if you have pitched your tent correctly, there is a chance that water can collect around it, damaging the fabric of the tent. Always watch for pooling water, and try to tighten the ropes to correct the problem. If that doesn’t work, you will have to draw the water away yourself.
Avoid Storing Food in Your Tent!
To avoid unwanted visitors like raccoons or even bears, never keep food in your tent. Instead, store all edible items in your car (not in the bed of a truck) or in designated lockers provided at the campsite. Also, be sure to clean up food wrappers and dirty dishes. According to the National Park Service, even sealed cans and drinks can attract animals.
Bring a Welcome Mat and a Small Broom
Seasoned tent campers often swear by a welcome mat for their campsite. It not only adds a cozy, home-like touch but also provides a convenient spot to wipe your shoes, keeping dirt out of your tent. Additionally, packing a small broom and dustpan can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re camping with kids or a dog.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the tent camping tips and tricks, you can easily select the perfect outdoor camping equipment for your tent camping trip and know all the specifics of a camping setup. By following these tent camping tips, you’re going to save yourself a lot of time and money. Not only that, you will be able to enjoy a stress-free camping experience without constantly worrying about things going wrong.
