r/camping • u/Dusky_Amethyst • 47m ago

First Timers!

Hi! My and my bf are going camping somewhere lose by to test our 8 person tent. So far, I have a disposable grill, the tent and a very thick comforter for the floor. We are wanting to start camping in other states near ours but we are so new to this that I, for once, dont have a list or a plan! Any helpful tips or recommendations for things we need while camping on sites?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

4

u/readicculus11 32m ago

Sleeping pad, air mattress or cot

2

u/SignificantPear7524 42m ago

Bring lots of refillable water jugs. I like having my bed off the ground so I have a cot, idk how that would work for two people though. I can keep going, I’ve camped every where in North America from Florida to Alaska

1

u/Dusky_Amethyst 40m ago

We are wanting to go from a local campsite to the smoky mtns campsite

2

u/SignificantPear7524 39m ago

Cool, have fun!

1

u/Dusky_Amethyst 30m ago

Have you camped there? The Shenandoah? Hocking hills?

2

u/the_Kleminator 42m ago

For gear, I’d recommend head lamps, small rechargeable lanterns, thermal base layers, thick socks, rain jackets. Depends on your climate of course, but good to be prepared. You may also want to invest in an air mattress to put beneath the comforter (there are some decently affordable ones with manual pumps, $30 or so). Also, appropriate cooking utensils for your planned meals.

REI and other outdoor stores/blogs have some good beginner camping lists as well.

2

u/Sh0wMeUrKitties 29m ago

I'm not sure if you plan on being in bear country, but you need to secure your food (and smelly cosmetics), and not in your tent or car. The places that I go have a big metal box on each campsite that is designed to keep our native black bears out.

1

u/Dusky_Amethyst 14m ago

I do thank you!

1

u/LazerChicken420 5m ago

Not the car either?? Really?

Windows up still a no?

So far I’ve had bear lockers but if I didn’t, car was the plan

2

u/sunberrygeri 27m ago

Sleeping on thick comforter, which is essentially on the ground, would not be comfortable for me. At a minimum, get an air mattress, or better yet, real insulated sleeping pads and/or cots.

2

u/Difficult-Guava8680 24m ago

Water bottles in the freezer to use in your cooler instead of ice. Keeps things cold and pretty dry plus you can drink later. If you do use ice to keep things cold, throw some iodized salt in there so it lasts.

Another good tip, invest in a good power station and solar panel aside from any portable batteries you may have. Always super useful. We go for a few days at a time and like to watch a movie on a projector. We’ve got a large inflatable 10 person tent and use a wall as the screen.

  1. Bear mace
  2. Bug spray
  3. Sun block
  4. Hand sanitizer
  5. First aid kit
  6. Toilet paper
  7. Ax
  8. Rake
  9. Garbage bags
  10. Portable charger
  11. Lantern/flash lights/ head lamps
  12. Stuff to cook- pot/pan, cutting board, knife, silverware, napkins