Have you taken a camping trip recently? Camping is a great way to reduce stress and connect with the natural world. You don’t have to deal with anyone at work, you don’t have television to distract you… you really can just relax. Use this article to turn yourself into a knowledgeable camper for the next time you explore the great outdoors!

Camping has the potential to be thrilling or hazardous, depending on your level of preparation. Always be well prepared prior to leaving on your camping trip. Especially if you are camping in a new location, take the time to research the wildlife, plants, geography, and climate of the area.

Try to go swimming when you are camping. When camping, you might find yourself missing your shower. A swim may help you to not miss the luxury of your shower quite so much.

Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise and have a plan in place. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. If you think there will be snakes, you might want to include antivenom.

Even if you’re roughing it, you can better your camping experience by bring a small luxury. Take along some candy, some coffee you enjoy or anything that is lightweight but reminds you of home. Comforts from home can really spice up the rustic outdoors!

Oranges are good things to bring for your camping trip, and not only as a healthy snack option. Just keep the peels in a plastic bag after you eat the orange and then use them to rub on your skin as the sun begins to go down. It is a cheap and effective way to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Always remember to bring a roll of duct tape with you when you go camping as it can be used for all manner of things. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.

Before going to a new place to go camping, you need to know what dangers may be lurking. Some examples of dangers are flash floods or poisonous spiders. Make sure you take these dangers into consideration before you leave.

When first getting involved with camping, start out close to home. There may be unforeseen issues that you never considered they may force you to cut the trip short. You might not pack enough food, or you may run short on clothing. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.

When taking a dog along, be certain they have a leash and are always supervised. Some people fear dogs. Respecting others at the campsite is vital. Also, because it is a new territory, dogs can get into trouble and cause damage to the site if not supervised.

Duct Tape

Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. Just like at home, its uses are nearly endless. You could seal an air leak in your mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. You can also protect your feet against blisters while hiking long distances by putting duct tape on them. In a pinch, it can even serve as a bandage for injuries.

As you set up your campsite, choose an area that is as smooth and as level as possible for the location of your tent. Picking a sloped or rocky spot causes you to feel uncomfortable anytime you sit in your tent. Just lay a tarp at the bottom of the tent to stop water from going into your tent or damaging your tent.

Following these tips can help you have a good time camping. This just scratches the surface of ways to make your camping trip great. Keep an eye open for other ways to improve your experiences at the campground.