Heading to the campground this Memorial Day weekend? Camping can be a relaxing way to vacation—or it can be a total nightmare. To keep it relaxing, follow these few simple tips.
1. Find the perfect place to go.
If you’re new to camping, experts recommend that you stay close to home or, at least, close to civilization. You want to be near home or help if an emergency arises. Many state and national parks offer campsites, many for free, though you may need to reserve in advance (in some places, well in advance). You can locate more than 100,000 of them at Recreation.gov which has a handy trip builder that can locate campsites based on your wants and needs and then book it for you.
Trying to stay away from the crowds? Look into “dispersed camping.” You’ll be less likely to run into other people, though you may not have access to amenities like toilets and showers, according to the Sierra Club.
Another website, Ultimate Campgrounds, offers a handy phone app that will get you to thousands of public campsites in the US and Canada. You can also find private campsites with many amenities through KOA that offer a variety of options, from tent sites to teepees, Airstreams, cabins and spots to park your camper. Just be aware that you won’t be alone.
Think of Campspot and Hipcamp as the Airbnb of camping. These campsites go for a fee but if you hanker to camp in a yurt, a treehouse, or a resort, there are plenty to choose from, including many near national parks.
2. Draw up a camping checklist.
Don’t forget to make your camping list (and check it twice)! Make sure you have all the essentials, particularly if you won’t be near a store. REI Co-p provides a comprehensive camping list that you can use to ensure you’re well prepared. Here are some must-have items you’ll need:
- Tent
- Sleeping bags and pads
- Flashlights, lanterns or headlamps with loads of batteries
- Chairs
- Stove and fuel or grill
- Matches or Firestarter
- Kitchen utensils (such as frying pan, forks, knives, spoons, plates, bottle opener, cups, etc.)
- Cleaning products
- Toilet paper
- Wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent and bug spray
- Cellphone and car charger
Bring along a first aid kit that contains, among other things, a variety of bandages, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, antihistamines, pain relievers, insect sting treatment, diarrhea medicine, antacids, eye drops, aspirin, an EPI pen for serious allergic reactions and a heat-reflecting blanket.
3. Make it easy and comfy.
“Roughing” it? If you’re in the market for a tent, pick one that’s easy to set up and opt for one that might be a little bigger than you think you need so everyone feels more comfortable.
4. Do a test-run.
Try out your camping safety gear—including the tent and sleeping bags—before you set off for the wilderness (or even your local park). You don’t want any surprises, like a leaky roof, a propane stove that sputters and dies, or a lantern that doesn’t light when you’re far from home.
5. Prepare for all kinds of weather.
Bring clothing for wet, cold, hot and dry. Depending on where you camp, you could experience it all. Most important: Listen to weather reports! If a big storm is on the way, you may want to change your plans.
Make sure you have appropriate footwear if you’re going hiking (and don’t break it in on your first trail!).
6. Make sure you have plenty of water.
You don’t want to get dehydrated in the wilderness. It can be deadly. If you’re backpacking, water can be heavy to carry (16 ounces is more than a pound), so stay in areas where there is clean water available. Many campsites have water fountains where you can refill water bottles. Keep plenty of fresh water in your cooler, car or RV.
You can also carry water purifiers or filters with you to use with local water (such as a lake or stream). Talk to a camping expert about which one is right for you and how to use it.
7. Buy a cooler with extra insulation.
Coolers with double insulation cost a bit more but they’ll keep your perishables colder longer. Opt for one with wheels—so much easier to tote! Layer your food and camping meals in the cooler with ice packs on the bottom, where you’ll also have drinks such as milk or juice. At the middle level pack other perishable items such as meat and cheese. At the top, place produce, eggs, bread and something like pre-cooked whole wheat pasta for quick camping meals.
8. Plan ahead for meals.
Yes, you can stay on your diet while you’re camping. Figure out how much food you’ll need for the number of days you’ll be camping. Nutrisystem makes it easy with many breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees that are shelf-stable. They’re as easy to make on a camp stove as prepackaged foods designed for camping and hiking and in most cases cheaper. (Hint: Use the Non Frozen filter when shopping to easily find our ready-to-go, shelf-stable foods.)
Also, check The Leaf, the official Nutrisystem blog, for tons of healthy, camping-friendly recipes. For example, you’re going to want s’mores by your campfire. It’s not really camping if you don’t have s’mores. Leave the regular graham-marshmallow-chocolate treats to the family and whip up our easy-to-make recipe for No Bake S’more Protein Balls to enjoy either around the campfire or as a quick pick-me-up on a hike. We also have recipes for lightened-up trail mix, such as our Sweet and Salty Trail Mix or Sweet and Smoky Trail Mix.
