The Happiness Function

Tent camping is an excellent way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. It is one of the main reasons why people go camping — that connection to Mother Nature is rejuvenating. Having a tent as a place to sleep is a cheaper way to explore, vacation, and plan overnight road trips.

Camping is our favorite outdoor activity — seriously, we live for it. In this article, we talk about all the basic tent camping gear essentials you should have, personal items to bring along, items to pack to practice good hygiene, what to eat during a camping trip, and how to find camping near you.

Keep reading to learn more about the basics of tent camping for beginners.

Simple Tent Camping Guide for Beginners

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☀️ Get our FREE packing guide for camping and hiking!

Basic Tent Camping Gear Essentials

As a beginner camper, you should have these gear essentials while preparing for your first camping trip.

Below is a list of tent gear essentials to purchase or borrow:

• Tent with a rain fly
• Tent footprint or tarp for underneath the tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad or inflatable mattress – never sleep on the ground without padding because the ground can drain your energy.
• Camp pillow
• Headlamp or solar camp light

How To Select Your Tent

Before purchasing your tent: think about the type of camping you plan to do and with how many people.

For example, if you plan on backpacking somewhere, you will want to look for gear made for backpacking that weighs less so it is easier to carry and compress.

If you plan on tent camping from your car: you do not have to worry about your gear’s weight as much.

Always go a tad bigger on the tent size when car camping. My husband and I have a two-person tent, but it is not very comfortable for us to squeeze into together unless we are backpacking. So, we also have a four-person tent that gives us more room when we go car camping.

Think about what kind of climate you will be in: Most people camp in the spring and summer during their first camping trips.

Once you have your camping gear, practice setting up the tent before your first trip. Knowing how to use your equipment makes for a stress-free adventure.

Always make sure your tent is rainproof before your first trip.

Other Campsite Items To Consider Bringing

Before heading out on your first camping adventure, consider which other types of creature comforts you would enjoy having around.

When car camping, we always bring our firewood, fire starter, lighter, hatchet, cooler, and camp chairs.

We also pack a simple camp kitchen. Check out our article on how to create a DIY simple camp kitchen.

Personal Items To Bring Camping

Along with camping gear, consider which personal items you would like to bring. We recommend trying to pack simple, light, re-wearable clothes that are as practical as possible.

Below is an example of things my husband and I bring camping during the spring and summer. We usually pack synthetically made gear that is warm, sweat-wicking, and anti-odor so we can re-wear.

• Wool socks
• Fleece
• Rain and windproof jacket
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Wireless cell phone charger
• Cell phone
• Camera with extra batteries
• Pants for cooler evenings
• Pants for warmer days
• Shorts
• Sleeping thermals
• Brimmed hat
• Long sleeve shirt
• Short sleeve shirt
• Hiking shoes/boots or walking shoes
• Hiking sandals – depending on what you plan to do
• Undergarments
• Sunglasses

We each pack a waterproof duffel bag with all of our items stowed.

You will also want to pack a first aid kit, sunscreen, chapstick, and bug repellant.

Get our FREE packing guide for camping and hiking!

How To Stay Clean Camping + Hygiene Tips

Now you might be wondering if you should bring toiletries and whatnot to stay clean. Yes! Bring your creature comforts.

To remain clean camping, know what kind of amenities the campground you are visiting offers. If you know there is a shower ahead of time, you can bring your shower toiletries. But if not, then there is no need to bring them.

Below are the basic items to help you stay fresh.

• Hand sanitizer
• Body wipes
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Biodegradable soap
• Toilet paper
• Trash bags
• Quick drying towel

What To Eat During a Camping Trip

Alright. We have the camping gear covered and personal items to bring covered. Let’s talk about another vital aspect — food.

The cool thing about food is you can make it as straightforward or as complicated as you’d like, depending on your camp kitchen setup.

Here are some ideas for easy grab-and-go meals:

Breakfast

• Oatmeal
• Almond butter
• Fruit
• Coffee
• Tea
• Granola
• Yogurt
• Premade muffins
• Bagels

Mmmm… are you thinking about camp coffee right about now? Then you’ll love our article and video on how to make delicious and easy camp coffee.

Lunch

• Jerky
• String cheese
• Sandwich supplies
• Sparkling water
• Protein bars
• Trail Mix

Dinner

• Simple charcuterie boards with meat and cheese
• Brats
• Mini guacamole cups with tortilla chips
• Hummus with veggies
• Pre-made tamales with a side of roasted tomatoes
• Dehydrated camp meals
• Hot dogs
• Pre-made soups

Snacks

• Granola bars or protein bars
• Trail mix
• Fig bars
• Chocolate – Now we are talking!
• Jerky sticks
• Sliced mango
• Kettle salt & vinegar chips – my husband’s favorite.
• Any kind of crackers
• Fruit

Don’t forget to keep snacks close in the car for your road trip. Yes, road trips are an excuse to eat junk food.

Are you looking for easy gluten-free camping meals? Here are 15 easy gluten-free camping meals I always make.

Water

Make sure to bring plenty of potable water to drink. The standard rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water per person per day. This allows you to have fresh water to drink and water to clean.

We always pre-fill a 7-gallon water jug at home.

Check the campground facilities ahead of time to see if there is also a freshwater supply to drink and wash dishes.

We LOVE our UST FlexWare collapsible bins to wash dishes.

Once you have purchased or borrowed all your gear, you will want to find a place to camp. Keep reading to find out how to find camping spots near you.

Guide To Car Camping

For your first camping trip, we recommend planning a location ahead of time close to where you live to make things enjoyable and more straightforward. This is why we recommend car camping during your first time camping. Plus, car camping allows you to haul as much as you feel comfortable in your car to get familiar with the camping process.

How To Find Camping Near You

There are lots of different options and types of areas to search for camping. Start by searching the internet for the following places near you.

• State Parks
• National Forest
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• National Parks
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• Public Campgrounds – such as KOAs

Nowadays, most places will let you select a campsite ahead of time unless you are on public lands. Campgrounds hosted by any federal agencies (national parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) will let you book ahead through recreation.gov. Most state parks have websites to book ahead as well.

Check out these 10 free apps we use to find hikes, campgrounds & road trips.

Tent Camping Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Below is a summary of the 10 most important tent camping tips for beginners.

1. Research camping gear before purchasing.
2. Practice setting up your new tent before the trip.
3. Check to be sure your tent is waterproof.
4. Select a camping location before arrival.
5. Consider camping during less busy times, like during the week – we do this!
6. Consider what the campground offers for amenities such as bathrooms and showers before arrival.
7. Make your first trip overnight closer to home.
8. Check the weather before you go.
9. Pack snacks and easy meal ideas.
10. Keep your campsite clean and clear of food and trash, and know the quiet hours.

Beginner Camping Tips for Staying Warm

Below are some tips we have learned along the way to stay warm while camping if it gets cold. Knowing how to get warm is so important because being cold just sucks…

The information below includes great tent camping tips to know as beginners.

• Warm your sleeping bag by filling a Nalgene bottle with hot water – one of the best camping tips ever!
• Wear layers
• Sleep with socks on
• Put the rain fly on
• Use a sleeping bag rated for cooler temperatures
• Down layers are warm, comfortable, and just plain awesome.

Beginner Tent Camping Tips for Staying Cool

No one likes being too hot! Below are tips to stay cool while camping.

• Leave the rain fly off for air circulation
• Wear light-wicking clothes
• Have a light sleeping bag or silk sack
• Bring a battery-powered portable fan

Quick Note on Camp Safety

Consider the weather while preparing for your trip. Check the weather before you go on your first camping trip adventure. Be aware of your environment and any potential plants, animals, or bugs to avoid.

Let someone close to you know where you are going and when you plan on returning.

Be sure to practice Leave No Trace while camping and adventuring outdoors.

Final Thoughts on Tent Camping for Beginners

Now you are equipped with all the basic tent camping gear essentials you should have, personal items to bring along, how to practice good hygiene, what to eat during a camping trip, how to find camping near you, along with tent camping tips and tricks!

We hope this guide to camping helps you plan memorable trips for years to come.

Happy Camping!

Ashlee & Pablo

Get More Camping Info:

• 25 Best Amazon Camping Gear Must-Haves
• Camping Gifts: 25 Gift Ideas to Make Happy Campers
• The Best Car Camping Mattress for Your SUV or Truck

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