Prepare To Have A Great Caping Experience
No matter if you are an old hand at camping or just starting out, there are things you can do to have a great camping experience. Nothing can ruin your vacation trip faster than finding out that one of these basics has not been fully explored before heading out to camp. The days of jumping in your car and stopping at the first site you see are long gone, so plan ahead. They are easy to plan for, and make a huge difference in your experience as a camper.
Pre-plan and research your location
Where you campsite is located within the park or even in relation to roads and highways can have a huge impact on your camping experience. I find that some of the best laid out campsites are often in a State Park. If you plan to be tenting, check to be sure you are not be near the RVs in the camping grounds. Go on-line and look up the parks phone number well in advance of going. Phone and talk to the local camp manager first to be sure you know where it is and what kind of location you are driving to before you go. Many of the camps, especially the state parks, will have a campsite layout map online and many will encourage you to book your camping site well ahead of time to ensure a good spot.
Make sure you know where you water source is located
Is there water available to you? Is the water that is provided potable (which means can you drink it directly from the tap)? Don't assume this is so, as some camping locations are "dry" meaning that they don't provide running water. While going down to the local river may sound romantic to you now, wait until you have to get up some morning and walk down to the river for water for your coffee. You also don't want to me right next to the water spout unless you don't mind people tramping through your site at all hours of the day and night. Once again, online layouts of the campsite should show you where water spigots are located and if your camp is a dry site.
Consider your campsites terrain
You may not think of this on a sunny day when you arrive, but does your site have good drainage in case of rain? I have been surprised a time or two by unexpected rain, especially at night. You don't want a river running through your tent. If you aren't sure, ask the park manager. On the other hand, does your campsite have a shady section in case it gets hot? Summer camping can sometimes be a bear when your tent feels like an oven. A tree will also screen you from the neighbor tents and give you some privacy.
Always bring the right as well as good equipment
This sounds like a given but having a tent that doesn't leak and a cooking stove you can easily light and use make a big difference in your camping experience. There are a wide variety of places you can go for this, but if you are starting out you don't want to spend a lot of money to see if you like camping. On the other hand, if you are an experienced camper who is looking to broaden your experience by adding backpacking or perhaps you want to add some great cook wear to your equipment, online is a great way to explore what is out there and compare prices.
