Every year, thousands of people look for ways to get in touch with Mother Nature and the great outdoors. One of the best ways to do this is to turn off the television and go for a camping trip. In the United States, there are several parks that offer places for people to stay for a few nights and explore the area in its most natural state. Before you take off on such a trip, however, there are a few things to consider in order to ensure a safe, fun journey.
When it comes to equipment, make sure that you have a high quality tent and sleeping bags. Part of the beauty of being out in the wilderness is that there is no way to predict what will come your way, whether it’s weather or creatures of the area. Having a great tent is one of the most important parts of bracing this kind of environment, because you want to make sure that your safety is a priority. Preferably, you may want to get one that has a cover, which will help you avoid being stuck in a heavy downpour of rain or strong winds. You should also make sure that the tent will be big enough so that the number of people inside will be comfortable. Also, depending on the terrain, it is key to have decent sleeping bags to avoid back trouble and discomfort for your night outside. Some places have smoother ground than others, but the ground can be deceiving as to how hard it is to spend hours on.
As for food, it’s always wise to bring a long a lot of non-perishable items since refrigeration is generally not available outside. If you decide to bring some steaks or hot dogs to cook by the fire, a cooler would be the best way to go about bringing those with you. The most vital thing is to have somewhere to store your food that is able to be set away from where the tent is set up, because animals have been known to get into it. Having food around the area you sleep is an invitation to be woken up by some uninvited guests into your area. One of the best ways to avoid this is to keep all food in the vehicle you brought, at least over night. All scraps and trash that had been associated with eating need to be discarded or tightly wrapped up as another way to prevent animals from helping themselves to it.
Packing the right clothes is another thing that needs to be considered prior to leaving for your trip. Having durable shoes, jackets, and pants are more important than some people think. Depending on where you go, it can be very warm in a lot of areas — but that can change as soon as the sun sets, because the outside air can get extremely cold at night. Certain climates are also prone to seasonal storms and unexpected temperatures, so it’s important to make sure to pack in layers and always keep extra clothes nearby. Even though being in nature doesn’t have as much luxury or convenience when it comes to clothes, it is still possible to be prepared and have the attire you need for any kind of environment.
Most important of all, when departing the campgrounds you should not leave anything that you did not bring with you. The main reason people enjoy getting out into the heart of nature is to experience it for its wild and untouched surroundings. In order to keep these areas clean and natural, we all have to put forth a great and noble effort to leave the wilderness as it was when we found it. Of all the activities we can do outdoors, camping is one of the most wholesome and organic experiences in existence, and there are many places to visit. Be sure to visit your local state park website for certain rules and regulations of the area before departing off on your adventure.
Written by the staff at Quality RV, one of the leading camper dealers in Missouri. Quality RV serves the entire state of Missouri, from St. Louis to Kansas City, and enjoys sharing their travel experiences they take in their RV’s.