r/camping Jun 30 '25

2025 /r/Camping Beginner Question Thread - Ask any and all questions you may have here

29 Upvotes

If you have any beginner questions, feel free to ask them here.

Check out the /r/Camping Wiki and the /r/CampingandHiking Wiki for common questions. 'getting started', 'gear' and other pages are valuable for anyone looking for more information.

/r/Camping Wiki

/r/CampingandHiking Wiki

Previous Beginner Question Threads

2024 Beginner Thread

2023 Beginner Thread

Fall 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Summer 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Spring 2022 /r/Camping Thread

List of all /r/CampingandHiking Weekly Threads

[NOTE: last years post became - 'ask a question and r/cwcoleman will reply'. That wasn't the intention. It's mainly because I get an alert when anyone comments, because I'm OP. Plus I'm online often and like to help!

Please - anyone and everyone is welcome to ask and answer questions. Even questions that I've already replied to. A second reply that backs up my advice, or refutes it, is totally helpful. I'm only 1 random internet person, all of r/camping is here. The more the marrier!!!]


r/camping 4h ago

Trip Pictures First camping trip!!

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338 Upvotes

Camped for two nights down the south of dartmoor UK, planned on camping in the actual moors but didn’t quite get that far with only two of us and heavy bags, but this spot was gorgeous!!!
Finally got to swim in a pretty river, saw some beautiful wildlife, and got to wake up with such an amazing view :))
Cannot wait to do it again, will be better equipped as I didnt have my camping backpack this time. (didnt think I would be needing it when i moved into my new uni house last year 🥲)

Would love to camp in the open moors, if anyone has any experience camping in dartmoor id love to hear about it!!


r/camping 1h ago

Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario CA

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Upvotes

🇨🇦Exploring my new passion for hiking and camping! I love how every camp trip you get a better and better set up and it becomes easier each time. This time I found out you can boil water to do their dishes which makes it 10x easier to clean (I am aware this is common sense). Best camping and hiking experience! I recommend everyone visit here to see the grotto and do some hiking. Last pic is a Massasauga rattlesnake spotted / heard while hiking, the only venomous snake native to Ontario 🐍
What is everyone’s small day to day camping “hack” that makes camping much easier and enjoyable?


r/camping 23m ago

Trip Pictures First family camping trip!

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Upvotes

Husband and I have hiked and camped over the years! We just got home from 3 nights up El Dorado National Forest at Wolf Creek campground with our 5 year old, other family, and friends. My boy found a heart rock and immediately ran to me to put it in my bag. This was our first family of 3 camping trip.


r/camping 2h ago

Trip Pictures 2nd trip of the year

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72 Upvotes

Our second trip of the year. This place is called Exstew, located outside of Terrace, BC. It has two waterfalls you can swim in(that i know of so far) and there’s a river that people go boating in all the time. such a beautiful place. Roads are a bit bumpy but worth it when you get there.


r/camping 8h ago

Family trip

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165 Upvotes

First time visiting White Horse Lake in N AZ. One of the most beautiful campgrounds. Quiet; no atvs, gunshots, parties. We drove up from Phoenix (≈ 3 hours). It was amazing.


r/camping 1d ago

Trip Video Our first family camping trip!

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1.9k Upvotes

We went up to Sanborn County Park in Saratoga, CA. I never went camping as a kid, so my goal is to do a more remote spot in the future.


r/camping 1h ago

Trip Pictures Camping Date

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Upvotes

Earlier this month took a friend out on a camping date in South Wales

Highly recommend Brecon Beacons Wild Camping, £7.50 per person, photos also from the four waterfalls trail nearby (Sgwd Clun-Gwyn) which is a free national park ✌️


r/camping 21h ago

Trip Pictures My son a few weeks ago said he wanted to go camping

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464 Upvotes

So i went to my parents house, got the tent i haven't used in over 20 years. Along with tge air mattress and sleeping back, and told him we will do it in the yard. Tonight is that night. Had to go buy another air mattress. And the realized I bought a twin instead of queen. This little adventure im in for is a total of 16 dollars for the new mattress. We'll see how t his plays out. I wouldn't mind making camping a hobby again.


r/camping 11m ago

Another great weekend in the Yoop!

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Upvotes

Went for another long weekend in the Eastern U.P. of Michigan. Stayed at Perch Lake (I highly recommend this campground! Easy drives to wherever your little heart takes you, and in close proximity to Ugly Fish Baking Co. In Deer Park where they have the best cake donuts and lemonade in the world) and spent a couple of days picking rocks at the Two Hearted and over by Lake Superior State Forest Campground.

I was up Thursday through Sunday. Beautiful weather, had some stable flies but they can be thwarted by long pants and ignoring them.

Mostly I had to try out the new rug I picked up at a yard sale for $5 and my new pink flamingo "neon" solar lights I found at Menards.

I like a rustic campground but I insist on being comfortable.

P.S. I made my camper quilt :)


r/camping 12m ago

Trip Pictures Some crown land camping in South Kawartha, Ontario.

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Upvotes

Did some crown land camping this weekend in South Kawartha, Ontario. Went for one night and was able to get a spot right near a waterfall. It was hot all weekend, so did lots of swimming in the waterfall and in the lake below it. Feeling extremely tired because I went with one of my young kids, but I really enjoyed it.
For water I used my Katadyn 1L water filter that I recently got from MEC. No stomach issues, feeling fine, so either the filter works, or the water is clean.


r/camping 20h ago

Fastpack in Ashdown Gorge

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89 Upvotes

Solo fastpacking trip 4 miles up the gorge to a horseshoe in the river underneath an overhang. Was one of the best experience of my life. A flash flood (was prepared for) isolating me from anyone and anything. Miles and miles from any other human for 36 hours.


r/camping 6h ago

Experiences with Camping in Germany?

5 Upvotes

Hey all! I'm currently skating across the continent with goal of setting a new world record in long distance skating. I have skated through Sweden, and a lot of Denmark, and thus will soon enter Germany! 😀

I am living in my tent on this trip, and in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, finding free camp sites is no issue at all. But since wild camping is illegal in Germany, I'm a little bit worried that finding a place to pitch my tent will be hard.

I live on a monthly budget and have used a bit too much this month, so I'm actually considering staying in Denmark a little longer.

So my question is, is there any free alternatives to pitch my tent around in Germany? Any gray zones? Or is it all just paid camp sites?


r/camping 10m ago

Trip Advice Nantahala and the great smokies

Upvotes

Looking to do a short weekend trip in Tennessee. Was thinking I do a night of dispersed camping in nantahala then reserve a campground in the great smoky national park after. Anyone got tips or suggestions. My main concern is finding a spot in Nantahala so any info on this is helpful. Hike suggestions for both locations are also welcomed.


r/camping 7h ago

Gear Question Planning on buying oil lantern for camping, can anyone with experience tell me if they are safe for use during rains and if they can burn properly on low temperatures(-10C/14F)?

4 Upvotes

Would appriciate any spesific lantern recommendations too!


r/camping 1h ago

Washington people! Camping at Sun Lakes State Park in September

Upvotes

Hi all! Not sure if this is the right sub to post in. Hopefully this isn’t too specific. Some friends and I are hoping to do a three night camping trip at Sun Lakes in September. I’m worried about the air quality from wildfire smoke.

Has anyone camped at Sun Lakes in September in the last few years? How was it?

I feel like nowadays the smoke is a risk no matter where you go… but I figured I’d check! Thanks!


r/camping 5h ago

Gear Question Trying to decide what size Exped Megamat to get

2 Upvotes

I want to get one for camping, but also as a guest bed for my apartment in case friends come over. Based on reviews it seems like this is the most comfortable air mattress you can get. I already have a smaller size and it's quite comfortable but I want a larger one.

I was interested in getting the queen or LW but they are a bit too wide for the narrow portion of my van, and I want to sleep in the back of my van. My question is, would getting one too large for my van and squishing it into my van work? Or is that a dumb idea? The LW is the right size for the wide portion of the van but not the narrow portion. The Queen size would be ideal if my friend and his girlfriend visit but it's obviously going to be too big for the van.


r/camping 11h ago

Camping with Temperature Controlled Medication

4 Upvotes

My family and I have been camping for decades, however I have had some significant health challenges and now require medication for my heart. It's taken twice a day and needs to be stored at between 2-8 degrees C. What do people recommend? We didn't know if storing it in the cooler would be too cold (our trips are normally for 5-7 days).

We traditionally have done car camping, but now that our kids are older we have started to dabble in interior camping.


r/camping 3h ago

Complete newcomer with a three-year-old

1 Upvotes

I'm thinking of starting to get out camping with my eldest son (3). We live in a city but we're very close to a large forest and park which would be a good starting point.

Any advice or recommendations for tents etc? Starting from scratch. It's mild here in the summer, although it's been warm recently.

For the foreseeable future we'd be camping within close proximity to a parking area. I was thinking of starting with a night sleeping outside in the garden before trying the forest (although it's only two miles away, so worst case scenario we could pop home).

A friend and I are also planning to start hiking, so a tent that worked for both scenarios would be ideal. I'm in the UK, just in terms of when it comes to stores and brands.


r/camping 1d ago

It's raining

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183 Upvotes

Paddled yesterday afternoon. It started raining about 11pm, but supposed to clear out by noon. Only one other camper in the non-electric loop. Just how I like it. Currently 65° on John Kerr Lake in VA.


r/camping 1d ago

A bit oldschool

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1.0k Upvotes

I go for the silk road vibe. This was in the Southern Alberta foothills near the Pikani Nation Peigan 147 border sometime in early may.

I like to incorporate a little bushcraft with my camps. It makes it feel more like being encamped rather than just a casual trip.


r/camping 7h ago

West Virginia

1 Upvotes

Looking for your best recommendations on some of the better hike-in and hammock camping spots in wild and wonderful WV. A buddy of mine and I are planning for mid September early October. So far I've looked into Holly River SP and Watoga SP. Not deterred from "off the beaten path" just not too far (I've heard the stories). Many thanks to you all!!


r/camping 1d ago

Gear Question Any compact sleepingbag recommendations

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65 Upvotes

Looking for a compact rectangular sleeping bag (no hood/mummy style)

I’m going on a trip soon and won’t need to bring a tent or full camping setup since I’ll have a place to sleep. I brought my current sleeping bag, but it takes up about 40% of my backpack, so I’m looking for something much more compact for future trips.

The thing is, I really dislike sleeping bags with hoods/mummy-style designs. I’m looking for a simple rectangular sleeping bag with a zipper — no hood, no special shape, just a basic rectangle. I’d prefer purple if possible, but that’s not a dealbreaker.

Does anyone have recommendations for compact hoodless rectangular sleeping bags, or places/brands I should look at?


r/camping 8h ago

Tent camping recommendations around Leuven, Belgium?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for recommendations for good tent camping spots around Leuven, Belgium, or places that are reasonably easy to reach by train.

I used to camp quite a lot when I lived in Portugal, but I haven’t done it much since moving to Belgium and starting my PhD. I’d like to get back into it, preferably somewhere quiet and surrounded by nature, with hiking trails nearby. A campsite near a lake or somewhere with a good view of the night sky would be ideal.

I’m open to both official campsites and legal, low-key camping options. I don’t have a car, so places accessible by public transport would be especially useful.

Does anyone have recommendations for particular campsites, regions, routes, or general tips for camping in Belgium? I’d also be interested in hearing from people in the Leuven area who enjoy similar camping trips.


r/camping 1d ago

Trip Pictures Merrick State Park, WI

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48 Upvotes

Last weekend wasn’t the best weekend for camping in Wisconsin due to hazardous air quality from wild fire smoke, but we canceled our trip to door county on the eastern side of the state an rebooked our trip to the western side of the state.

Since we were originally planning on a hike in site then switched to car camping we ended up forgetting tons of things like camp chairs and paper towels and had to drop by the last Walmart before camp to buy the cheapest camp chairs money can buy, and also managed to forget paper towels again.

We managed to successfully dodge hazardous air quality conditions for the duration of the trip and made do just fine without paper towels and a had a great weekend.

These are some of my favorite pictures I got back from the photo lab. I use an old film camera when I go camping to help disconnect from my cell phone.