How to Plan a Camping Trip in 5 Easy Steps

How to Plan a Camping Trip in 5 Easy Steps

Camping is incredibly popular with nearly 80 million people going on camping trips each year. For some, it’s an opportunity to unplug from the always-on, always-connected world or high-speed Internet access.

Others use it as a way to reconnect with nature. For many, though, it’s a rare opportunity for uninterrupted family time. All of that works out fine for experienced campers.

If you’ve never gone camping before, though, the particulars of how to plan a camping trip can feel a little daunting. Don’t worry, though, it’s easier than you thought. Keep reading for five easy steps that will help you plan your next camping trip.

1. Consider Activities

Before you even consider destinations, you must consider what activities you want to do while camping. Different campgrounds offer you access to different opportunities.

Do you want great hiking trails? Planning on doing some rafting or canoeing? Do you need kid-friendly activities?

Pinning down the things you want to do will make picking a destination much easier.

2. Destination Selection

Once you narrow down your activities list, you can think about your destination. If you don’t have a particular destination in mind, the good news is that you can find campsites across the country that will meet your needs.

If you know other people who went camping recently, ask for recommendations. If not, you can look for campgrounds that meet your needs online. Even better, you can also find reviews for them.

3. Food Planning

You should spend some time thinking about the menu for your trip. What to eat camping will not resemble what to eat when at home. Unless you’re picking a campground with cabins, electricity, and in-cabin fridges, you’ll need food that holds up well at room temperatures.

That means canned goods, dried meats, nuts, hearty fruits, and hearty vegetables. Spend some time planning your meals to ensure you’ll bring enough food for the whole trip.

4. Pick Your Equipment

There is always a question about what to bring camping. It depends on the on-site facilities, but there are some things you should always bring, such as:

  • First Aid Kit
  • Rain or cold weather clothes
  • Flashlights
  • A multitool and an ax

Make a camping checklist so you don’t forget anything. Wondering what else to bring? You can see more here.

5. Reserve Your Spot

If you’re in the camping for beginners crowd, reserving your spot is high on the camping tips list. Campgrounds fill up fast for the nice weather. Reserving your spot ensures you’ll have somewhere to set up when you arrive.

How to Plan a Camping Trip that Goes Well

The issue of how to plan a camping trip that goes well starts with essential planning. You must figure out what you plan on doing, and where you’ll do it.

Once you get those out of the way, things get easier. Knowing those things helps you figure out what to bring camping in terms of food and equipment. Just make sure you reserve your spot at the campground.

Looking for more trip tips or ideas? Check out the articles in our Travel section.

Image Attribution:
Adobe Stock royalty-free image #109001915, ‘Young campers setting up the tent at the forest.’ uploaded by SolisImages, standard license purchased from ; file retrieved on July 22nd, 2019. License details available at – image is licensed under the Adobe Stock Standard License.

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