Going off the trail can be very fun but you need to know how to handle yourself to be safe. The tips and hints in this article provide useful advice that you can use to make your next camping trip a success.
Your sleeping bag should be seasonally appropriate. Bringing a sub-zero type of sleeping bag to use on a trip in the summer will make you sweat the entire night. The opposite is true as well, a summer bag won’t keep you warm in the winter. You may even risk hypothermia.
Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don’t have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing’s together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.
Make sure that you avoid any venomous plants. A good way to do this is to stop at the ranger station and ask what kinds of poisonous plants are in the area so you can identify them if you come into contact with them on the trail. Never eat anything while hiking on the trail if you do not know it is edible.
Look at the weather forecast prior to leaving for your trip. There are lots of excellent websites that you can use for a weather forecast and they can give you an idea of what to expect. When you have some idea of how the weather will behavior while you are camping, you can pack appropriate clothing and equipment.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don’t want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
Bring a bandanna or a large handkerchief with you when you go camping. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. Take a few with you anytime you go camping.
Pour out any water that has accumulated in your freezer each day. You want to do this to prevent the ice inside from melting into the water. It is also a good idea because any contaminants that have entered the water from foods you have in, can be poured off.
One thing that many people forget to pack on a camping trip, and which quickly turns the trip into a nightmare is bug spray. This simple repellent will save you both annoyance and can protect your health as many types of bugs can do a great deal of damage to you quickly.
Always become familiar with the potential dangers of a campsite before you enter it. This includes things like which spiders are deadly, whether or not there are sheer drops, and if flash floods are common. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
A large number of camping related injuries are due directly to carelessness with fire, so be sure to use fire with caution. First, make sure that fires are permissible in the area of your camp site. Set a ring of stones around the fire to keep it contained. Never leave children unsupervised near an open fire.
Being prepared can make your camping trip much more enjoyable and memorable. Make the smart decision to use the advice from this article, as you are sure to enjoy a more relaxing and fun filled trip.