Taking friends or family camping for the first time gives you the opportunity to shape their experience. When done right, you can help them fall in love with camping. When done wrong, they may hate it and never want to go camping with you again – which is especially a big bummer if it’s your romantic partner.
I have taken several friends and family camping for the first time, so I know it can be intimidating or sound uncomfortable to those who don’t have much – or any! – experience with it. So how do you introduce someone to camping in a way that shows them how fun it can be?
Comfort is the key ingredient to a successful first camping trip. Sleeping well in a tent can be the deciding factor on whether someone goes camping again. But in addition to choosing a comfy sleep set-up, there are other ways to introduce your friends and family to the wonderful world of camping.
In this post, I’ve rounded up my best tips for taking someone camping for the first time, so they have an enjoyable experience and want to go again.
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1. Start with a simple 1-2 night car camping trip
It might be tempting to plan an epic backpacking trip to your favorite backcountry destination but trust me, it’s best to start small and simple if your partner or friend has never camped before. Keep things simple and make it as stress-free as possible so that you can both enjoy your time outside together.
Start with a one or two-night car camping trip. That way, if there’s no shower at the campground it (hopefully) won’t be a big deal. Plus, if you forget something important, it happens to be super buggy, or they simply aren’t feeling it, you can pack up and go home.
A quick 1-2 night trip will also allow your camping partner to learn from the experience so they can be even better prepared next time.
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2. Stay in a Paid Campground
Taking your wife camping for the first time and expecting her to dig a hole to poop in might be a little much. Or if your friend is the type of person that has to take a shower every single day, they may not want to go three days without sudsing up.
While I love dispersed camping and the privacy it offers, having access to amenities like toilets, showers, potable water, a picnic table, and trash cans makes things more convenient for first-time campers who aren’t used to roughing it.
Having a reservation at a paid campground also guarantees that you won’t have to drive endlessly down a dirt road only to find that all of the nice campsites are taken on a Friday afternoon.
Staying in a paid campground eases first-time campers into camping, and once they are hooked, you can start going to more remote places.
3. Pack for Comfort
If someone has never been camping before, they’ll likely need your help knowing what to pack for their first camping trip. Take the lead on this and make a list so neither of you forget anything. You can also download my car camping packing list for easy reference.
And don’t skimp! Car camping gives you the flexibility to bring those extra creature comforts. Don’t be afraid to throw in real pillows, an air mattress or a double sleeping pad, a cozy blanket, camp slippers, etc…
Some ‘luxury’ items I like to bring when car camping are:
4. Help them prepare
When I’m trying a new activity, I like to educate myself beforehand so I know what to expect. The easiest way you can help someone feel more confident and ready for their first-camping trip is to send them some helpful camping resources, like my Camping 101 article. That way they can pack and prepare anything specific they think they might need and there will be fewer surprises.
5. Pick a scenic spot
If you’re trying to convince someone that camping is awesome, you want to show them why. For your first camping trip, choose a place that has great views so you can wow them with nature’s beauty. If you’re going to a popular campground, just be sure to reserve your spot in advance so you can get a nice site.
Whether it’s epic views of a mountain range, a campsite right on the beach, or a peaceful spot near a lake, let the outdoors do the convincing for you. You can even buy a guidebook or a map and research places together beforehand to make your trip more collaborative.
6. Go when the weather is nice
A scenic spot is even better when the when the weather is nice. Don’t plan on taking someone camping for the first time when the bugs are at their worst, the weather forecast is rain, or when it drops below 40 degrees at night.
Instead, plan your camping trip when the weather and conditions are more likely to cooperate. For instance, late summer isn’t as hot or crowded as mid-summer and most of the bugs have died off by then. Fall is also a great time to go camping for the first time and you might even see some nice autumn colors.
Tip: Check the weather before heading out so you are prepared. Also, don’t be afraid to postpone your trip if the weather looks bad – it’s better to wait for more favorable weather than risk a miserable first camping experience!
7. Cook Yummy Food
Having a first-time camper go hungry at camp is a surefire way to make them not want to go camping again.
Bringing enough food and cooking delicious camp meals are an easy way to add to the enjoyment of someone’s first camping trip. Go out of your way to plan meals you know they will love – whether that’s tacos, spaghetti (my personal fav), burgers, or curry.
The key to easy camp cooking is to prepare as much as possible at home first. Chop the veggies, pre-measure the spices, and marinate your protein, so everything is ready to throw in a pan.
If you are going to eat soup or chili, you can cook the entire meal at home and then just reheat it at camp. Whatever you can do at home before your trip will reduce the stress at mealtime and will also make your clean-up easier.
Also, if your camping partner enjoys cooking, feel free to involve them in the process. You can teach them your best camp cooking tips, and next time they may even want to take the lead.
Don’t forget the coffee and some evening beverages too!
8. Rally a group of friends
While it’s nice to have some solo time with your significant other or family, camping with a group of friends can also be a blast, especially for first-time campers. Not only will a group setting take some of the pressure off of you, but hanging out with friends around the campsite will hopefully show first-time campers what a good time camping can be.
While you’re at it, ask your friends for suggestions and ideas on how to make camping fun. They might come up with games or camp recipes you haven’t thought of!
9. Plan fun activities
Relaxing around the campsite can be a great way to unwind and enjoy nature, but I also recommend planning a few outdoor activities to make the most of your trip.
Some ideas could be:
Taking someone camping for the first time can also be a great way to introduce them to more outdoor activities, so keep it light and enjoyable.
10. Listen to their fears
It’s easy to brush aside a first-time camper’s fears about the outdoors, but that’s the worst thing you can do if you want to convince them that camping is fun.
Instead, listen to their concerns and try to understand where they’re coming from. Together, you can then face those fears and help them see that camping is safe and that any risks can be mitigated by planning ahead.
11. Make it about quality time together
Spending quality time together outdoors can be a great way to connect and deepen your relationship, and maybe even add a bit of romance (if you’re camping with your romantic partner).
Here are a few ways you can add quality time to your significant other’s first camping trip:
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Have you ever taken a friend or partner camping for the first time? What was your experience and what recommendations would you add? Leave a comment below.
