10 Camping Hacks that are a MUST!

Going camping is awesome…but it’s even better when you have these simple and easy to do camping hacks! 

I can’t express how much we love camping. From the outdoor adventures to the endless moments of family bonding, camping is always (ALWAYS) on our radar. Luckily, we live in an amazing state where our state parks and conservation areas are beautiful and full of amazing outdoor activities. 

It’s nothing for us to load up the camper and just hit the road to get away from it all for a bit. In fact, those are some of the best camping trips ever.

We’ve met a lot of campers during our journey, and the one thing that I hear all the time is that “camping is actually quite a bit of work”. I couldn’t disagree more with that statement…Those folks just need to try a few of these camping hacks and they’ll think differently as well! 

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10 Camping Hacks that are a MUST!

Before embarking on your camping journey, make certain that you do your research to get prepared.

How do you make camping easier? 

Camping is actually relatively easy compared to other forms of vacation, but with camping hacks, it’ll be a breeze! Besides applying these hacks, you need to make certain that you plan ahead and book your camping reservations early. Camping is quite popular and the spots fill up rather quickly.

How can I have fun while camping?

Honestly, there is never a dull moment when camping. From hiking to biking, to fishing or just exploring out in the woods, there is literally an endless array of options that anyone can have fun doing. 

What do I need for a first time camping trip?

This is where many people fall into issues. They tend to overpack for their camping trip and everything suddenly becomes more “work” and less fun. Isn’t the point of camping to get away from it all? For your first time camping trip, remember the essentials. You’ll need:

• Bedding
• Shelter (tent, etc)
• Food
• Flashlights
• Bug spray
• Change of clothes

See how minimal you can really make it? If you want to spruce it up and add more, you can – but you don’t have to! 

Now that you know some basic camping info, let’s dive into these easy camping hacks!

Family Camping Hacks That Are Easy To Do

Think of these as simple camping tips for beginners!

• Understand the need to be minimal

Give each member of your family a duffle bag, and make it work. Clothes, swimming gear…you name it. If you overpack, it takes up too much space and if you’re tent camping, there isn’t a lot of room in your tent to have all your overflow. 

Be smart about what you pack. In the summer, you don’t need coats and in the winter, you do. Pretty simple, right?  If you aren’t going to be riding a horse, leave those cowboy boots for another day.  Be practical to save space.

• Always bring reusable water bottles

Part of going camping is to enjoy the beauty of the Earth, so don’t spend your money on plastic bottles that you’re just going to use and throw away.  Go green and save money by refilling plastic water bottles or use a refillable water mug.  We have these that we refill and take with us on the road and love them.  They are stainless steel, and they actually don’t “sweat” liquid off them.  I love them so much.  Plus, we use them over and over and over again.

• Pack something in addition to toilet paper

Two words:  Wet wipes.  I probably don’t need to explain this…but, in case you need a push in that direction..they are great for bathroom needs and also to wipe off surfaces to clean on the fly.  Plus, they store great and can be left in the camper for future needs and uses! I always have these stored in our camper that way we never forget them. (just don’t flush them down your camper toilet….they aren’t made for that!)

Like these RV camping hacks? Check out these other posts as well:

• 9 Gluten-Free Camping Food Ideas Your Family Will Love
• Thinking of going camping with dogs? You need these tips!
• Family Friendly Camping Games Perfect for Every Camping Adventure

• Understand that lighting the fire with quick starters is fine

I know that everyone loves the feeling of being able to start the campfire naturally, but Campfire quick starters are a lifesaver.  While we did fight this for a long time as well….we finally gave in and I’m so glad we did. Sometimes…nature happens and there are times when it rains.  That then means that the wood is too wet and just won’t light…so, having easy quick starters are so nice.  We use these, as they are all natural and can be cooked with, etc.,  We love them.  Give them a try, trust me.  Plus, again, they store great and I leave them in the camper for any future needs.

• Bring books for everyone in the family

I don’t know why, but the time during camping sends to slow down. And while that’s wonderful, you’ll want to have something to do during your downtime. Our go to?  Library books!!!!  Our reading game definitely increases even more than normal when we are camping.  Before each trip, we head to the library to stock up on books.  Saves money and makes an amazing rotation of new reads each and every time.

• Invest in board games that you can leave in your camper

Stock up on board games.  I have learned SO many new games!  Cribbage, Clumsy Thief, Chess, Lost Island...plus, we play a ton of others.  In our camper, we have about 12 games stored..you never know when the urge will strike to yell YAHTZEE.  And when it rains during camping?  Board games are a MUST.  I honestly do love to go to Amazon to look at games that are available.  Their options are endless and while they do cost money, they pay for themselves tenfold in a short short period of time.  (Especially when I’m winning! :-))

• Bring along a kitchen appliance or two

If you have the luxury of electricity when you’re camping, make use of it! We like to bake fresh bread while camping. Yep, this is a thing.  and IT. IS. AWESOME.  Imagine being outside, setting up your bread machine to make a loaf, going out and about for the day exploring, then coming back to have warm, fresh bread waiting for you.  Again, I know the bread machine is a cost, but it is so inexpensive to make bread, that it takes no time to recoup that cost.  And the types of bread that you can make?  White. Wheat. Sweet. Cinnamon. You name it.

And while we’re talking about electricity and appliances….don’t forget about your coffee maker! 

• Always have batteries available to use

This is so important. Always have rechargeable batteries on hand.  For flashlights especially.  Buy them, and then use them over and over again for the next year or more.  They are a lifesaver….and an Earth saver too!

• Use tubs with lids for storage

Organize your packed items into tubs.  Yep, simple big plastic tubs.  Have one tub be an “outdoor” tub to hold games, gloves, swimming stuff, etc.  Have a tub to hold “kitchen” items, etc.  Your tubs can be whatever you want them to be, but trust me when I say this will save a ton of time to have items in their certain places. Plus, when they have lids, you can store them outdoors no matter what the weather. 

• For items that you use a lot of, always have duplicates on hand

If possible, have duplicates of certain items that are left in your camper.  Items that I would recommend to have a second set of would be:

•  Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Salt/Pepper
• Lighter
• Pillows/Light Blankets
• Toilet Paper/Wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer/soap
• Toothbrushes/toothpaste
• Deck of cards
• Paper plates/napkins/utensils
• Trashbags/Recycle bags
• Storage containers

Having duplicates of these items saves a TON of packing time.  Add other items as needed to suit the needs of your family.  We camp quite a bit, so I typically leave S’mores ingredients in our camper, cereal, lifejackets/swim toys, sheets and blankets, heater/fan, dish soap, and other non-perishable food items.

and the best camping hacks food ever?

Drumroll….spreadable Hershey’s chocolate….SO. MUCH. BETTER. and easier to use with S’mores.  (and the raccoon who cleaned out the entire jar with its greedy little paw the night we left it outside MUST agree.   That jar was cleaned out entirely.  No trace left.)

These simple camping hacks anyone can do. In no time at all, you’ll be camping experts and touring around staying at al the campgrounds!

Do you have any simple camping hacks to share?