48.2 million households camped at least once in 2020. What’s stopping you from doing it too? Camping is a great way to connect with the great outdoors and bond with your loved ones.

Camping doesn’t need to be an extreme form of “roughing it.” In fact, there are many ways that you can make your camping experience fun, doable, and simple!

Camping can be your best vacation yet. Not convinced? Read on to find out how to plan an unforgettable camping getaway!

Set Your Budget

First and foremost, you have to consider how much money you want to spend.

Many times, people want to camp to connect with the outdoors but also to save money on hotels. While camping may be less money when it comes to booking your campsite, there are still other costs to consider.

You will need to invest money in renting or buying gear, food, tents, and any permits necessary for the camping site you choose.

This doesn’t mean that camping is going to be extremely expensive. You just need to plan out your getaway budget ahead of time so you don’t go overboard.

Pick Your Place

It’s important to research the many campsites available before diving in. Unfortunately, while it may be tempting to just run out into the woods and pick a place that might not be legal in most areas.

Some areas are protected from camping due to conservation efforts or trespassing laws. This is why you should find a park or campsite to reserve a spot at. This way, you will ensure you aren’t breaking any laws and that the place you set up is prepared for campers.

Do Your Research

It may seem easy to just jump right into camping, but you will want to do hefty research first. Your research should comprise of finding out the ins and outs of the campsite you stay at and the necessary gear for the climate.

This can make or break your camping vacation. If you aren’t properly prepared for the climate, you risk freezing or getting heat stroke.

Depending on where you are staying, you may need different types of gear and clothing. It is important to be prepared for the daytime climate and nighttime climates. It may be wise to even call the campsite ahead of time and ask questions about the environment.

Choose Your Activities

It’s important to have an itinerary set for your stay at the camp. Depending on the place you choose, there may be many activities that you can choose from.

Sometimes, they may even offer group hikes or wildlife tours. This is a great way to connect with other people during your vacation and make new friends.

If the site doesn’t have a lot of activities, then you will want to plan other activities outside of the campsite.

There are lots of good hiking trails and fishing spots around most campsites. You will want to map out what trails you want to accomplish and see if you can find a map for the area to follow.

If the campsite itself doesn’t offer activities, you can still call them beforehand and ask about what most campers like to do during their stay. They should have a list of popular activities or trails for you to choose from.

Pack Light

It is important to pack light, especially if you have to walk a distance from your car to the campsite. You can still have a good camping experience while packing light.

Only bring what you will absolutely need. This will involve a backpack filled with clothes, food, a tent if you aren’t staying at a cabin, gear, and a first aid kit. Try not to pack things that you aren’t sure you’ll need.

Over-packing will only cause extra exhaustion on your part when you are carrying everything around. Packing light will help save your energy and keep your budget tight.

Stay Cautious

It’s important to be aware of local camping guidelines, regulations, and any safety hazards around the site.

You will want to research the area you are staying in for what kind of wildlife you may encounter. Depending on the animals in the area, you will need to take precautions to protect your food, gear, and loved ones.

You will also need to be sure you abide by any policies the campsite has to protect its wildlife. There may be certain regulations in place when it comes to hunting and fishing, so check with the campsite ahead of time on what you will need to follow.

Reusable Items

To help conservation efforts, it’s a good idea to use reusable items like dishes, utensils, water bottles, etc… This is because there won’t be any risk of garbage getting tossed aside and polluting the wildlife.

Using reusable items will also save you on trash during your trip. If you use disposable silverware or dishes, you will have piles and piles of trash by the end of your vacation.

Disposing of the trash may be hard and you may accidentally leave remnants of it behind. This can cause harm to the environment. Instead, save yourself energy and save the environment by doing a sustainable camping trip.

Set the Mood

It’s important to follow regulations and policies, but it’s also essential to set the mood.

This will be especially important if you are on a romantic camping trip with your partner. Add some candles to your backpack and comfort foods to make the getaway sweet and special. Pack lots of comfortable blankets and pillows too.

You can even string up some cozy fairy lights around your tent or campsite to set a romantic ambiance.

Nature itself is very romantic for your special getaway, but brainstorm some things that your partner may appreciate you bringing.

Technology Free

An important part of camping is leaving technology behind so you can connect with the great outdoors and bond with your loved ones.

So, leave any electronics in the car or turn them off during your stay. You should keep at least one device on you at all times for emergency purposes. Make emergency calls the only reason for keeping that device.

All other devices and electronics should be stored away so you can enjoy your camping experience. Having electronics with you will take away from the raw experience of enjoying the outdoors.

If you are camping with a loved one, hold each other accountable for staying off of technology. Luckily, most camping sites won’t always have wifi or service, so that will be helpful in keeping you on track.

Take Lots of Pictures

It’s important to capture the memories you make while camping! This will help ensure the experience truly is unforgettable.

It’s easy to take pictures on your phone, but since you’ll be phone-free for the trip, you can purchase a disposable camera. Or, you can invest in a digital camera and make that the only exception for electronics on your trip.

Polaroid cameras are also a great option for camping because they print instant pictures. This way, you can look through all your photos immediately. You can even bring a book to display them safely while you are there.

Taking lots of pictures to capture the precious moments will be essential in your camping getaway.

Camping Getaway vs. Glamping Getaway

You may be thinking that camping sound impossible, but you can opt for glamping instead! Glamping is glamorous camping and is more luxurious.

Rather than staying in a tent, glamping involves staying in a sturdy shelter, like a cabin. Normally this will also have an indoor bathroom for your convenience, which many people prefer over using the outdoors.

Glamping like zion luxury camping can give you the feel of the great outdoors without “roughing it.” This means you can have a warm shower in the morning before you start your day, rather than skipping out on showers like most campers. You also won’t need to worry about getting heat stroke or freezing since you will be in a temperature-controlled shelter.

Glamping in a controlled shelter also offers more protection from rabid wildlife. If this is something that concerns you, then you may want to opt for glamping over camping.

If you want a more raw and authentic experience, then you may want to stick with normal camping. This is a great way to gain an appreciation for your environment and work on your own survival skills!

Plan Your Camping Getaway Today!

You know everything you need to plan an unforgettable camping getaway. So, start right now! Plan an experience that you and your loved ones will never forget.

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