Camping is a brilliant way to experience the great outdoors and unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Setting up tents or putting yourself into your unused sleeping bag for a couple of days allows you to reconnect with nature and explore sights that you’ve never seen before.

If you’re traveling as a family, camping is a great option as there is plenty for the kids to enjoy as well. But either way, you want to make the most of your time in the outdoors. Here’s how!

Camping Tips to Get the Most From Your Outdoor Adventure

No Cheating!

Roughing it is no longer necessary when camping, and there are many things that you can do to make the trip more enjoyable and less stressful.

But whether you’re planning on sleeping on the ground, or  stringing up the perfect hammock, try your best to keep the camping experience authentic. 

That means making your own food and creating your own fire, not allowing the kids to play video games, perhaps even playing a guitar around the campfire!

However, if you did want to amplify your camping experience with some of the latest tech, check out this review of the top 10 camping gadgets made by Piqo Projector, one of the coolest items that’ll spice up your outdoor experience with an open-air cinema session.

Pack the Right Gear

Packing the right gear for your camping adventure is one of the most important things for making the trip a success.

You need to bring everything you’ll need, and nothing you don’t, and sometimes that might mean it’s a good idea to make a checklist (or use this camping checklist that’s already made for you).

Beyond the obvious that you’ll need a hammock or a tent, a sleeping bag and pillow, think about things like how much food you’ll need, the utensils you’ll need to cook with, if you need any cooking gas, and maybe even a wind break if the weather forecast isn’t great. 

You also need to make sure you have the right clothing, maps if you plan on hiking, and one thing people often forget is to do some bathroom prep. 

If your campsite doesn’t have toilet facilities you’ll want to bring a shovel so that you can dig a hole when you need to defecate. You dig a hole and then bury your waste so that it cannot be detected by wild animals. Pack toilet people too!

Organize a First Aid Kit

You should never camp without a first aid kit. A simple safety precaution which is an absolute must for every trip, you’ll be more able to handle medical issues while away if you’re well-stocked with emergency supplies.

Bring any medications that you use, including allergy medications and over-the-counter pain relievers. And make sure you have plenty of gauze, bandages, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, small scissors, tape, etc. that you need to clean and dress wounds, remove ticks, and more.

You generally don’t have to be a doctor to help yourself, or others, in an emergency, though you do have to have the first aid skills and tools to administer the care required; you need to be traveling with a first aid kit.

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Protect Your Phone

As much as camping should be about disconnecting, many people still travel with their phone. It can be used as a camera, compass, and even to know what weather to expect.

But is important to take the time to properly protect your phone especially if you don’t have Kardashian levels of money to replace it! The most basic way to do this is by organizing a case.

When choosing a case to use for your phone, you need to make sure that it is waterproof. You don’t want it to be destroyed if you drop it in a creek or it falls out of your pocket while canoeing or kayaking.

You also want to be sure that it is strong enough to keep the screen from cracking if it drops during a hike or climb.

Learn Some of the Basics

While the above tips will help make the most out of your camping adventure, learning some of the basics of camping wouldn’t hurt either!

This means learning how to put up a tent, how to hang a hammock, and how to start a fire. Putting in the effort to master these skills before you head out into the wilds will mean you spend less time struggling with the basics and more time enjoying the great outdoors.

OUR FAVORITE SLEEPING BAGS: CLICK TO AMAZON↓

Marmot Always Summer Sleeping Bag

Marmot Trestles 15 Long Synthetic Sleeping Bag

Marmot Unisex Cloudbreak 30 Long Sleeping Bag

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Check out these camping hacks and ideas for maximizing your outdoor experience. Click through for camping tips!

Check out these camping hacks and ideas for maximizing your outdoor experience. Click through for camping tips!

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.