Camping Advice and Tips

By David Sweet, About.com Guide to Camping

Whether you're new to camping or a camping veteran, good advice always comes in handy. Check out these helpful resources for camping advice and tips.

1. Camping Basics
2. Camping for Beginners
3. Camping "How-To"s
4. Types of Campgrounds

5. Sleeping Bag FAQ
6. Tent FAQ
7. Tips from Fellow Campers

Camping Basics

I remember my first camping trip. I was eleven years old. Me and several other neighborhood kids decided to sleep out on the flood wall overnight. With mom's permission and dad's WW-II sleeping bag, I joined the others about sundown. Before laying out our beds, we had to make a last minute run to the local store for rations: Rainbo bread, bologna and Pepsi. Now we were prepared to set up camp and venture through the night.

The following chapters address my three basic premises for enjoyable camping: comfortable sleep, delicious meals and outdoor recreation.

• Making your bed
• More about bedding
• Sheets, blankets and pillows
• Campsite shelters
• What kind of tent
• Staking the tent
• Setting up camp
• What to do next

• Dealing with pests
• Cozy campfires
• Leave no trace
• Kitchen duty
• Breaking camp
• Returning home
• Storing gear

Camping for Beginners

Are you new to the great outdoors? Use these resources to get started in the wonderful world of camping.

• Why go camping?
• Gearing up
• Where to camp
• Setting up camp
• Breaking camp
• Arriving home

• Common mistakes of new campers
• What they don't tell you
• Cardinal sins of campers
• Common sense tips
• Books for new campers
• Glossary of camping terms

Camping "How-To"s

Easy step-by-step instructions to various campsite tasks.

• Back a camper
• Build a bedroll
• Clean fish at camp
• Extinguish a campfire
• Leave no trace
• Make enemies at the campground
• Make friends at the campground
• Make s'mores

• Prevent mold and mildew
• Purify water
• Remove fish smell from hands
• Remove mold and mildew
• Remove ticks
• Season Dutch ovens
• Start a campfire
• Stay dry at camp

Types of Campgrounds

There are great camping destinations in every state. Know the differences between private and public campgrounds. Read campground reviews from fellow campers.

• Public campgrounds
• Private campgrounds
• Popular destinations
• Campground reviews
• Campground rating systems

Sleeping Bag FAQ

Finding a sleeping bag that fits is easy. Just stand up in it at the store. If it doesn't extend over your head, then it's too small. If you have to stretch your arms, then it's probably too big. What about the type of filling to get and how much? Here are answers to questions commonly asked about sleeping bag materials and types.

• Can you tell me what to look for in a quality sleeping bag?
• Do I need to use a pad under my sleeping bag?
• Is my sleeping bag supposed to sway on my pack?
• Should I get my son an adult sleeping bag to grow into?

• What are the pros and cons of various sleeping bag materials?
• What is the best sleeping bag filling for cold conditions?
• What is the temperature rating of 3 lbs of Qualofill?
• I wear extra clothes, why am I cold in my sleeping bag?

Tent FAQ

Suggestions on what to look for when buying a tent, how to prepare it for the first time camping, tips on maintaining your tent, and what purpose the various components play in keeping you dry and comfortable.

• Can I cook in my tent?
• Do I need to ventilate the tent?
• How do I repair shock cord tent poles?
• How big of a tent do I need?
• How heavy should my tent be?
• How should I clean my tent?
• Should I seal the tent seams?
• Should I set my tent up under a tree?
• Should I tent camp in a thunderstorm?
• Should I use a ground cloth?

• What's the best way to store my tent?
• What are single and double wall tents?
• What is a footprint tarp?
• What is a gear loft?
• What is a tub floor?
• What should I look for in a new tent?
• Why is my tent fly tacky?
• Why should I stake my tent?
• Will my tent be safe if I leave the campsite?

Tips from Fellow Campers

Campers are friendly folks always ready to offer advice or lend a helping hand to fellow campers. Whether it's talking about where they've camped, tips about their RV, or trading camping recipes, the best camping advice comes from those who have done it.

• Answers to RV questions
• Camping with infants
• Camping Tales
• Camping with pets

• Reasons to go camping
• Staying warm in my bag
• Taking showers at the campground