Camping Essentials for a Great Outdoor Trip
Considering that it is nearly impossible to get a campsite reservation in Northern California, it is safe to say that there are many people sharing the same idea – to take a vacation in the great outdoors. Given the activity’s popularity, we have curated a list of some camping essentials, as well as some luxuries to make your time in the wilderness as comfortable as possible.
Camping Essentials
- Tarps. We will start with an essential that is as basic as can be. A tarp or two will come in handy around your campsite and you will be very glad you brought them. One placed underneath your tent will help keep the inside of the tent cleaner. If you do not have a pop-up canopy, a tarp can be strung from tree branches to create a shady spot under which to relax – or a rain shelter if you get some unexpected sprinkles. Tarps roll up for easy packing.
- Solar-powered, collapsible lantern. These are cool. Just leave it out in the sunlight during your day’s activities and it will be ready to use when darkness descends.
- Hanging gear organizer. Using clips and carabiners, display all the little things that can get lost in your tent – like hats, water bottles, and keys – in one convenient spot. Twist ties easily attach the organizer to the tent loops.
- Small broom and dustpan. These are crucial for keeping your tent floor and picnic table surface dirt-free. Find one where the broom and dustpan snap together for easy packing and to make sure they stay together.
- Headlamp. On a dark trip to the bathroom, a headlamp comes in handy. It will also be useful for doing evening dishes or really any activity after dark. Most headlamps have the capability of tilting the beam downward in order to light your path. Be careful with your aim so that your headlamp does not shine directly into other camps or eyeballs.
- Pop-up trash can. When you leave the campground, take everything you brought – especially garbage. A portable trash can is helpful for non-food trash. If you are visiting one of the many Northern California campsites that include a bear population, be sure to use the designated bear-proof receptacles for all food waste.
- Cleaning wipes. Baby wipes can help keep you more pleasant between showers. Unscented wipes will not invite unwanted insects.
- Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap. Useful for washing hands, dishes, and even hair, Dr. Bronner’s is not harmful to the environment. To be most mindful of the environmental impact, after doing dishes, strain all food particles before dumping the water, and do not pour the soapy water out within 200 feet of any body of water.
- Two-burner propane stove. A large part of the fun of camping is cooking and eating outdoors. A trusty Coleman camp stove will boil water for coffee, or allow you to cook a full camp meal such as chili. Camp stoves are easily portable and can be closed and locked for safe, convenient carrying.
- Camp dishware and utensils. Those ubiquitous blue and white speckled dishes and cups are easily recognizable as camp ware. They are durable, and easy to clean – and do not create the waste that paper products do. Peruse the camping sections online or in sporting good stores for clever camp tools such as a spoon/fork hybrid, durable spatulas, and do not forget corkscrews and bottle openers.
- Air mattress, bedroll, or cot. No one wants to sleep directly on top of sticks and rocks. Along with a soft sleeping surface, be sure to bring warm bedding. Some campers prefer low-temperature sleeping bags, which are useful in very cold temperatures, but others like to bring an assortment of warm blankets because they do not like the enclosed feeling of a sleeping bag.
Camping Luxuries
- Yeti Cooler. Yes, they are expensive but Yetis are consistently rated as the best when it comes to keeping perishables fresh for as long as possible.
- Large tent. Even if it is just for two of you, being able to stand and change inside your tent makes a big difference in terms of comfort. Not to mention some of us are a bit claustrophobic and sleeping in a pup tent is just not an option. A large tent also gives you room for a small bedside table on which you can place a lantern and other middle-of-the-night essentials. If you want to get really fancy, a set of LED string lights hung through the tent loops can make your humble wilderness abode super cozy.
- Coffee press. A good outdoor coffee press makes gourmet coffee anywhere boiling water is available. They are small, easily packable, durable, and easy to clean.
Watch the YouTube video: even more inexpensive camping hacks are explored.
South Lake Tahoe Personal Injury Lawyer
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