Beginners Guide To Camping
If you want to start camping for the first time and not sure how to start, then this is the guide for you. In fact, this whole website will be a great resource for you. We are going to take you through the key steps you need to know (and give you some advice).
Camping is not meant to be hard work but sometimes it might feel like it is. But with preparation and a bit of reading up before you head out, it's achievable and a great way to experience the outdoors.
The following story is for car campers. This is the way most people start of their camping experiences because you don't need to go a buy a specific vehicle to camp. You may graduate to a caravan or camper trailer, but for now we will focus on you and your car.
So what do you really need to think about before starting out? We will break it down into some key points, and point you in the right direction to stories that will help you further.
The Gear You Need
This is probably the first thing you thought of when someone suggested camping as a holiday or when you thought you would like to try it. You may be thinking “this is going to cost big bucks” or “camping is really cheap”.
You would be right on both counts.
It can be expensive getting the gear initially, especially if you are buying quality items, but also, you can get away with cheaper items if needed. Only you know your budget, so your financials will determine what sort of gear you end up buying.
You would be right on both counts.
It can be expensive getting the gear initially, especially if you are buying quality items, but also, you can get away with cheaper items if needed. Only you know your budget, so your financials will determine what sort of gear you end up buying.
- We created a list of items a beginner might need. Read the story - Camping Gear for Beginners
This list has some key items that are needed to start you off. It’s not a comprehensive check list of every single thing you need because if we listed all of that it may be too much (more on checklists below), but this Beginner Gear Guide is going to cover some key gear and what you need to think about with this year (and why we think this gear should be on your top 10 gear items).
Should you rush out and buy all these camping requirements? No. It might be tempting to do so, but wait - see if you can either borrow gear from another camping enthusiast first. Because you don’t want to be stuck with all this camping gear if you don’t like it.
“But I don’t have anyone to borrow gear from”..... Unfortunate, but easily fixed - you will have to go out and buy gear and this is where you might want to read another handy guide:
10 Beginner Camping Mistakes
Read it, and see point 4 and point 5.
Buying your gear can be a lot of fun, so that is something to look forward to! You will need to do a bit of research, some shopping around (online and in stores).
This bit of homework (yes I know – more homework! Who knew there was so much prep work with a camping trip!!) will help you see what is a bargain, rip-offs, what you can personally manage and what other campers use and prefer. If you are completely new to camping, you can easily get bamboozled when looking around, so below are a few short guides to helping you choose some key camping gear items.
We recommend you read them before you go into a shop to purchase them – a little bit of knowledge about what you are buying will give you confidence that you are making the right choice for YOU (and not what the salesperson might want to sell you, though their advice can be very valuable).
Should you rush out and buy all these camping requirements? No. It might be tempting to do so, but wait - see if you can either borrow gear from another camping enthusiast first. Because you don’t want to be stuck with all this camping gear if you don’t like it.
“But I don’t have anyone to borrow gear from”..... Unfortunate, but easily fixed - you will have to go out and buy gear and this is where you might want to read another handy guide:
10 Beginner Camping Mistakes
Read it, and see point 4 and point 5.
Buying your gear can be a lot of fun, so that is something to look forward to! You will need to do a bit of research, some shopping around (online and in stores).
This bit of homework (yes I know – more homework! Who knew there was so much prep work with a camping trip!!) will help you see what is a bargain, rip-offs, what you can personally manage and what other campers use and prefer. If you are completely new to camping, you can easily get bamboozled when looking around, so below are a few short guides to helping you choose some key camping gear items.
We recommend you read them before you go into a shop to purchase them – a little bit of knowledge about what you are buying will give you confidence that you are making the right choice for YOU (and not what the salesperson might want to sell you, though their advice can be very valuable).
Generally speaking, car camping involves quite a bit of “stuff”. If you are travelling with a family, you will be amazed at how much “stuff” you will find you are taking for 1 night! A camping checklist is going to be a good starting point. It will cover not only the 10 pieces of equipment we mentioned in our guide, but a whole lot more. A lot more.
Camping checklists are found all over the Internet and there are apps for your smartphone too. I can’t say that there is one checklist that stands above all others. Some lists cover every single contingency that you could encounter or, have more cookware than my kitchen at home. Others seem to combine what you would need for a hiking trip and camping trip all in one list.
- At the top of this page you will find a tab called EQUIPMENT REVIEWS/ADVICE. And nestled under that tab, is a section called CAMPING GEAR ADVICE - which is a whole bunch of resources for you, depending on what you are looking for. Want to know more about headlamps - look there. Want more advice on stoves? Groundsheets? Water filter? Kids camping gear? It is all there.
Camping checklists are found all over the Internet and there are apps for your smartphone too. I can’t say that there is one checklist that stands above all others. Some lists cover every single contingency that you could encounter or, have more cookware than my kitchen at home. Others seem to combine what you would need for a hiking trip and camping trip all in one list.
- What you need to do is amend a checklist to suit your camping trip.
- Use a checklist as a guide – not as a bible that must be followed.
When to Go Camping?
You want to give yourself the best chance of enjoying it, and one big factor that can alter your whole opinion of camping is the weather. Camping in extremes (too hot or too cold) can be a little harder to manage.
A recommendation is to start your camping trip when you won’t be expiring from heat, or icy conditions. Yes, sometimes the weather is unpredictable, and bad weather can arrive faster than expected. That’s life, and it can be a bit more uncomfortable when you are new to camping, but you just deal with it when it happens.
- Do check that forecast before you head out and see what is expected in the days before you leave.
- Try your first camping trip when weather looks favorable.
Need more advice on weather conditions and camping? Here are key guides for you on that matter depending on the time of the year, some will be better for you. Rain can come any time of year, so read that one regardless of the season.
- Camping in Summer Tips
- How to stay cool in summer when camping
- How to stay warm when camping
- Camping in the rain tips (read this regardless of the time of year you are going)
- Reasons to go camping in the winter (and reasons NOT to go camping in winter!)
Where to go Camping?
We suggest for first camping trips, you stay close to home. Because if things don't go right, forget key gear, bad weather, unhappy campers, you haven't lost days getting to your destination. If travelling with small children who aren't used to long distances in cars, that might be another good reason to stay closer.
We have a story about beginner camping for a weekend - it's a story for those of you who just want a quick getaway for a couple of days. A weekend trip is a great way to start your camping holiday if you are new and a bit hesitant.
Some other considerations when choosing your camping location for the first trip:
Do you want to experience isolation?
Do you need facilities like toilets and showers?
You need all the amenities?
If you don’t have a clue where to go on your first camping trip, and none of your family or friends can help, you have to seek advice further afield. That means a bit of homework for you (again).
So where to look?
Recommended places to get ideas
We have a story about beginner camping for a weekend - it's a story for those of you who just want a quick getaway for a couple of days. A weekend trip is a great way to start your camping holiday if you are new and a bit hesitant.
Some other considerations when choosing your camping location for the first trip:
Do you want to experience isolation?
- Then that means getting away from it all, like a National Park or bush camping area
Do you need facilities like toilets and showers?
- Some National Parks offer such facilities, but not all. A bit of homework on your desired location is going to be needed.
You need all the amenities?
- Caravan parks are home away from home for many and some people think it’s a good introduction to camping by being in that environment. (FYI: I don’t think its really experiencing camping as its meant to be in one of those parks – they serve a purpose, but if you want to really camp, and experience the outdoors, then this is not the ideal way to do it). But if you are apprehensive about the whole camping experience, then going somewhere with amenities like flushing toilets, hot showers, and mod cons, a caravan park could help alleviate worries. It is how many people ease into camping lifestyles – slowly.
If you don’t have a clue where to go on your first camping trip, and none of your family or friends can help, you have to seek advice further afield. That means a bit of homework for you (again).
So where to look?
Recommended places to get ideas
- National Park websites for your state. Google, and look at a park near you. See if camping is offered, and what facilities they have. Check the requirements needed to camp there eg. most will have a booking system in place.
- State tourism brochures. These brochures are about getting people to see the state, and generally cover all sorts of accommodation options including camping. You can find all this information online
- Camping websites (like ours). Read up on campsites in your state or near you. See what others say about them. Find a spot you like? Then Google it further and get a wide array of opinions and thoughts on them. Some online forums can be helpful
- Camping apps. An example of one is WikiCamps, a very popular app as it shows a wide variety of campsites, with a filter option so you can narrow it down to the sort of amenities you are looking for.
- Books. Lots of camping books available, many, which include maps and GPS coordinates.
- Remember: Check if bookings are required for your campsite of choice or if it’s a first in, first served campsite. Look at what amenities are available, and what you need to bring along eg. water.
Food for Camping
This is a huge topic and a big part of your camping experience.
What to take?
What to cook?
How to pack it?
Campfire cooking or BBQ?
This is an endless list.
Thankfully for new campers, we have put together some comprehensive guides on the matter.
- Go to the top of this page/menu and look under the tab titled FOOD. Within that tab we give advice on packing and storing your food for camping and what you need to think about, meal ideas and how to keep your food cold.
Read through the stories that you think you need to know. Some stories are lengthy and that is because we want to give you a thorough guide and not leave you wondering.
Two stories that really are worth investigating as new camper would be
and
A point to remember - campfires are great, but not always an option when camping. Know the dangers, when fire is allowed (and when it is not). Safety must always come first.
Read How to Choose a Campfire Location and How to Put out a Campfire
Got the gear, location sorted, now what?
So you have the gear (See tips above), and know where you are going (see tips above).
Do you know how to use the gear? If not, you need to try it before you leave the house. This is a key beginner mistake you want to avoid.
It is on our list of 10 beginner camping mistakes. Also see tips on how NOT to look like a new camper
Now read the above list, and think about how many mistakes you have avoided thus far.
- You have researched where you are going? Yes/No
- You know how to use your camping gear? Yes/No
- Your meals are planned, and they don’t rely on a campfire? Yes/No
- Your gear is suitable for the trip? Yes/No
- You have the key items needed for the weather you will be camping in? Yes/No
If you answered NO to any of the above, then do some more thinking and action before you get in the car.
If you have answered YES to all of the above, start packing your car. Of course, you can just do that any way you want, but we have the guide to packing your car for a car camping trip (and doing it safely).
Read the guide here. It's going to safe you time by reading it before you go.
Let your camping trip begin.....
Finally, you are on the road.You have successfully
Your first camping holiday is about to begin.
All you need to do is arrive at your location safely and choose your campsite! If you have pre-booked your campsite, you are going to be a bit more limited, but here are tips on choosing a campsite that is right for you.
How to choose a campsite - 7 tips on how to pick a good campsite and what to look for
And
4 tips for a clean campsite (have included this in your reading material because you want to start camping the right way – and that is minimizing your impact on the environment. So learn, from the start, the best way to leave a campsite clean).
Probably worth reading Camping Etiquette Tips as well. You don't want to be the camper everyone hates.
- Researched your destination
- Determined a day to go (and booked any site if required)
- Got camping gear from friends/family/shops
- Tried all the gear out to ensure it works and you can work it
- Planned your meals
- Packed the car
Your first camping holiday is about to begin.
All you need to do is arrive at your location safely and choose your campsite! If you have pre-booked your campsite, you are going to be a bit more limited, but here are tips on choosing a campsite that is right for you.
How to choose a campsite - 7 tips on how to pick a good campsite and what to look for
And
4 tips for a clean campsite (have included this in your reading material because you want to start camping the right way – and that is minimizing your impact on the environment. So learn, from the start, the best way to leave a campsite clean).
Probably worth reading Camping Etiquette Tips as well. You don't want to be the camper everyone hates.
Returning from your camping trip
After your trip has ended, you need to do a few things to make sure you are ready for another trip should one arise! It's tempting just to throw all the gear in the garage and not think about it till next time, but we don't think that's a great idea for your gear.
So to help you out, we list a few resources that maybe you should read before you go camping.
Caring for your camping gear - what you need to do when you return from your trip.
Caring for your tent
Caring for your sleeping bag
- And more camping gear tips can be found via the menu on this website, under the tab CAMPING GEAR ADVICE - CARE & REPAIR TIPS.
Some of those tips you might need now....or later.
What else should you know
There are good and not-so-good parts of camping; we are not going to lie to you. You will encounter issues that may not be mentioned in any of our listed links above, but you probably can find out more about different matters by searching our site. To be prepared, read up as much as you can (or want).
When we started out (long time ago.....) we didn't do much preparation and made plenty of mistakes and have learnt so much along the way. What you need to know will be found in this website you are reading now. Chances are if you have a question as a new camper, we probably have done a story on it.