Camping beginners – all beginnings are hard, aren’t they?
The many different options you have when camping can quickly become overwhelming.
Here are 20 tips to help you have an unforgettable camping vacation.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a roof tent or a caravan – camping tips are always useful.
You can find a comprehensive guide to what you should look out for before your first camping vacation here: Camping beginners.
Camping Ratgeber:
Tip 1: Invest in good equipment
Investing in good camping equipment can make your trip more enjoyable, safer and more comfortable.
High-quality equipment, such as a comfortable tent, a comfortable sleeping pad and a warm sleeping bag, can improve your sleep and thus increase your overall comfort.
Robust equipment can increase protection from weather conditions, animals and other hazards.
Reliability is also important.
High-quality equipment is worthwhile because it is more durable.
Nevertheless, you should regularly replace and overhaul your equipment.
Some modern equipment is lighter and more compact than earlier models, making it easier to carry.
You should pay attention to this when buying your equipment:
- Invest in good camping equipment
- Good equipment improves comfort
- Robust equipment protects
- High-quality equipment is more durable
- Modern equipment is often lighter & more compact
If you’re wondering what you need, you’ll find a detailed list of suitable camping accessories here:
Or you can visit the Campwerk store, where you will find lots of equipment:
Tip 2: Plan your trip well
By carefully planning your camping trip, you can ensure that everything runs smoothly and you can enjoy your trip to the full.
Choose a campsite or region that suits your interests and needs.
Check the weather and availability of the campsites and decide on a period.
Pack all the equipment you need and obtain any missing items.
Plan your meals and get all the food and equipment you need.
Choose the best route to your campsite and plan transportation accordingly.
Emergency planning is also very important.
Emergencies can always happen.
Think about how much money you want to spend on your trip and plan your expenses accordingly.
To plan your camping trip properly, you should consider the following steps:
- Select destination
- Plan your travel time
- Check equipment
- Meal planning
- Traffic planning
- Emergency planning
- Budget planning
To ensure you have a relaxing vacation, you should watch out for these rookie mistakes when planning your trip:
Tip 3: Avoid overcrowding at the campsites
Many campers like to have some peace and quiet on vacation.
If it is compatible with school vacations or vacation times and your destination, you should go camping outside the high season.
This is when campsites are often overcrowded.
Instead, you can camp in the low season when there are fewer people.
You should also avoid weekends, as the campsite will be very busy again.
Instead, you can camp during the week when there are fewer people.
As a general rule, book your campsite as early as possible to make sure you have a pitch when you arrive.
If you haven’t booked early enough, you should look for alternatives nearby.
You can then use these if the campsite is full.
You should also consider how many people there are when booking.
Avoid camping in large groups, as these often take up the space of other campers and can lead to overcrowding.
To avoid overcrowding at campsites, you can follow these tips:
- Travel outside the high season
- Avoid weekends
- Beech early
- Explore alternative places
- Avoid large groups
Outside the main summer camping season, these three seasons are ideal:
Tip 4: Store your food safely
By storing your food safely, you can ensure that it stays fresh and edible while you’re camping.
Use airtight containers to keep your food fresh and keep insects and rodents away.
Keep perishable foods such as meat, dairy products and eggs in a cool box.
Tip!
You can also find one of these in our store: cool box 35L, cool box 40L or cool box 50L.
You should also not store food such as fruit and vegetables without packaging, as these can attract insects and rodents.
Store food in high cupboards or shelves to prevent rodents and insects from gaining access.
Dry foods such as nuts and cookies are best stored in tins.
If nothing really helps, you can also use protective devices such as mosquito nets or covers to protect food from insects and other environmental influences.
Or you can invest in a Campwerk Box M.
To store your food safely when camping, you can follow these steps:
- Use airtight containers
- Keep food cool
- Avoid unpackaged food
- Stow food up high
- Use cans
- Use protective devices
You can find out more about food here:
Tip 5: Check the weather before your trip
You should check the weather forecast before your trip so that you are prepared for the weather.
You should also consider how the weather may affect the camping experience, e.g. rain, strong winds or extreme heat.
For your safety, it would also be important to know if there is a risk of flooding in your destination area, especially if you plan to camp in a river course or near a body of water.
Make sure you have the right gear for the weather, including rain gear, sun protection and warm clothing for cold nights.
Be flexible with your travel plans and be prepared for changes in the weather.
If you are planning a camping trip, you should consider the following factors with regard to the weather:
- Check forecast
- Take weather conditions into account
- Suitable equipment
- Flexibility
- Danger of flooding
And if nothing helps and your vacation literally falls through because of the rain, you’ll find lots of tips here on how you can still have a great vacation:
Tip 6: Check your tent, car or caravan
Make sure that everything works and that any maintenance work has been carried out to avoid problems during the trip.
You should have all the necessary items on your packing list and check that they are properly stowed.
You should pay particular attention to safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, warning triangles and first aid kits.
You should also check that all electrical connections are working properly.
Before setting off, check again that you have all the necessary equipment for your tent, caravan or car.
By paying attention to these points, you can ensure that your tent, caravan or car is safe and reliable.
Before you start camping, you should consider the following factors for your tent, caravan or car:
- Checking the condition
- Maintenance
- Equipment
- Packing list
- Security
- Electrical connections
Find out what your car should have for camping here:
Tip 7: Use a sleeping pad & sleeping bag for comfort
If you want to have a comfortable and restful night when camping, then it’s best to pay attention to these points.
Choose a sleeping pad and sleeping bag that are suitable for your body size.
To ensure that your sleeping bag is suitable for the forecast temperatures, you should check the warmth rating of your sleeping bag.
In addition, your sleeping pad should of course be comfortable to sleep on.
Tip!
Have you heard of the Campwerk comfort mattress?
No?
Then take a look here: Self-inflating comfort mattress.
You should also consider the pack size and weight of your sleeping pad and sleeping bag so that they are light and easy to transport.
In addition, both should of course be waterproof and weatherproof.
Follow the cleaning instructions for your sleeping pad and sleeping bag to keep them clean and hygienic.
If you are planning a camping trip, you should consider the following factors for your sleeping pad and sleeping bag:
- Suitable size
- Heat rating
- Comfort
- Pack size & weight
- Water resistance
- Cleaning
Here you will find more tips on how to find the right sleeping bag and sleeping pad:
Tip 8: Use a flashlight or headlamp
Make sure you have enough light when camping and that your safety is guaranteed.
You should check in advance whether the lighting is light and easy to transport.
It is also helpful to take several light sources with you to be prepared for unforeseen situations.
Choose lighting that is bright enough to illuminate your pitch and the surrounding area.
Just be aware of your neighbors.
Make sure you have the right power source and that you have the necessary batteries or cables.
If you want to camp in damp or wet conditions, your lighting should definitely be waterproof.
But even otherwise, it can’t hurt if the outdoor light sources are waterproof in case of unannounced weather changes.
Also check that the lighting is safe to avoid fires and other accidents.
A certain energy efficiency is also an advantage so that the batteries or power source last long enough.
Did you know?
This camping lamp even doubles as a power bank for your cell phone or other electrical devices.
You can view it in the store here: Camping lamp.
When you’re camping, it’s important that you have suitable lighting.
You should consider the following factors when choosing your lighting:
- Brightness
- Power supply
- Mobility
- Water resistance
- Energy efficiency
- Security
You can find more tips on how to light your parking space properly here:
And here you can look around the store for clever lighting options:
Tip 9: Follow the rules & regulations of the campsite
We all want a clean campsite and a nice vacation.
By following rules and regulations, you can ensure that you and everyone else has a pleasant camping experience.
When registering, you should be on time out of courtesy.
If you can’t make it because you’re stuck in a traffic jam, for example, at least let the campsite staff know.
Observe the rules on noise pollution and stick to them.
Loud music is generally not appreciated by your neighbors.
Also observe the rules on lighting fires, waste disposal and pets.
Check how long you can stay on the campsite and whether there are any limits.
Look for your designated pitch and follow the signs.
That way, everything stays nice and tidy and everyone can have a great vacation.
It is important that you know and follow the rules and regulations of the campsite where you want to camp.
Here are some of the most important things to look out for:
- Registration
- Noise pollution
- Fireplaces
- Waste disposal
- Pets
- Length of stay
- Parking
You can read more tips here so that you are well prepared beforehand and find the right campsite:
Tip 10: Avoid loud noises at night
Avoiding loud noises at night on a campsite is important so as not to disturb the peace and quiet of other campers.
Many people camp to relax from the stress of everyday life and enjoy a peaceful environment.
Loud noises can spoil this relaxation and lead to conflicts.
You should also be aware that there may be nature lovers at the campsite who use the night’s rest to enjoy the sounds of nature.
It should also be noted that many campsites have rules against noise disturbance at night, which you should be sure to follow to avoid penalties.
To avoid loud noises, you should speak quietly, set music to a reasonable volume and switch off devices such as generators, televisions or loud music systems after a certain time of day.
At a glance:
- Less relaxation with loud noises
- Avoid conflicts by being quiet
- You can perceive nature in silence
- Campsites have rules against noise
- Therefore: speak quietly, turn down the music & switch off devices
Tip 11: Protect yourself and your equipment from the sun & rain
By following these measures, you can better protect yourself and your equipment from rain and moisture and make your camping trip more pleasant and comfortable.
Choose a campsite with well-developed infrastructure and shelters to protect you from the rain and wet.
Also use a waterproof tent or caravan with a sturdy roof and use good rain gear such as raincoats or ponchos to protect you from the rain.
Use a waterproof tarpaulin to protect your tent or equipment from the rain.
Store your equipment securely in waterproof containers or bags to prevent it from getting wet on the move.
Avoid using electronic devices such as cell phones or cameras in the rain.
Check your equipment regularly for leaks and damaged areas to ensure that everything is well protected from the wet at all times.
To protect yourself and your equipment from rain and moisture when camping, you can take the following measures:
- Choice of campsite with well-developed infrastructure & shelters
- Use of a waterproof tent or caravan with a stable roof
- Use of rain protection equipment such as raincoats or ponchos
- Protection with waterproof tarpaulin, waterproof containers & bags
- It is best not to use electronic devices in direct rain
- Check equipment regularly for leaks & damaged areas
Tip!
To avoid having to cram your equipment into the tent or roof tent, it’s worth getting an awning.
You can also find side walls for this in our store.
This will keep everything dry even when it rains: 180° awning side walls and 270° awning side walls.
Tip 12: Use running water with caution
If you have any doubts about whether the water is safe to drink, it is better to use purchased mineral water or contact the campsite staff for more information.
It is important that you have sufficient and safe drinking water to protect your health and comfort during your camping trip.
Fresh and drinkable water should not have an unpleasant odor.
Drinkable water should be clear and free of suspended solids and impurities.
There are simple tests you can carry out to check the quality of the water, such as water test sticks or kits.
There should be information about the quality of the water at the campsite.
In many countries there are rules and regulations to ensure the quality of drinking water.
There are some signs that can help you recognize if the water on a campsite is still drinkable:
- Odor
- Appearance
- Water quality test
- Public information
You can find out how to prepare your water safely for drinking here:
Tip 13: Dispose of your waste properly
By following these steps, you can help keep the campsite clean and tidy and make the camping experience enjoyable for you and others.
Use bin bags to collect all waste so that it can be disposed of properly and hygienically.
Separate biodegradable waste, such as food scraps, from non-degradable waste, such as plastic, aluminum and glass.
Use the bins provided at the campsite for each type of waste to ensure that it is disposed of properly.
Avoid dumping waste outside of bins as this can pollute the campsite and the environment.
Dispose of your garbage regularly to ensure that the campsite remains clean and tidy.
Tip!
You can easily collect your waste with a bin liner holder like this: special bin liner holder.
To dispose of waste properly when camping, you should follow these steps:
- Use bin liners
- Sort your garbage
- Use the right bins
- Avoid game deposits
- Dispose of your waste regularly
Tip 14: Avoid open fires when they are prohibited
By following these precautions, you can have a safe and enjoyable campfire experience while camping that protects the environment and enhances the camping experience.
Before lighting the fire, check the rules of the campsite and the location you are in.
Choose a safe place for your fire where it is not too close to trees, rows of tents or other buildings.
It may help to use a stone or concrete fire pit as this will keep the fire away from the surrounding ground and plants.
Only use dry wood to light and maintain the fire.
Damp wood produces smoke and can make the fire difficult to control.
Always monitor the fire when it is burning and extinguish it completely when you no longer need it.
Use water and a shovel to safely extinguish the fire and make sure it is completely out before you leave the fire pit.
Did you know?
You can even cook directly in the fire.
You can do this with a Dutch oven.
You can find them in different sizes here: Dutch oven ft3, loaf pan k4, Dutch oven ft4.5, Dutch oven 4.5 (without feet), Dutch oven ft6, Dutch oven 6qt (without feet), loaf pan k8, Dutch oven ft9, Dutch oven qt9 (without feet) and Dutch oven ft12.
If you want to make a campfire while camping, you should take the following precautions:
- Check the rules
- Choose a safe place
- Build a fireplace
- Use dry wood
- Monitor the fire
- Extinguish the fire safely
You can read more about fire on the campsite here:
Tip 15: Have a first aid kit to hand
For a basic first aid kit when camping, it is advisable to take the following items with you:
- Dressing material (plasters, bandages, compresses)
- Pain medication
- Scissors & tweezers
- Tick tweezers
- Cold pack or cooling pad
- Disinfectant
- Gauze bandages
- Flashlight
- Emergency whistle
- Thermometer
- Gloves
It is also advisable to carry a first aid guide or self-treatment manual for common camping injuries.
It is important to regularly replenish the supplies in your first aid kit and check that all items are still intact and have retained their functionality.
You can learn how to put together the right emergency kit here:
Tip 16: Find out about dangerous animals and plants
It is important to recognize poisonous plants and animals and avoid them to prevent poisoning, bites and stings.
In the event of poisoning, a bite or a sting, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
There are some poisonous animals and plants in Germany that you need to be aware of: You should watch out for these animals:
- Cross spiders
- Snakes (e.g. adder, asp viper)
- Wasps, hornets & bees
These plants are poisonous even on contact with the skin:
- Giant hogweed
- Poison ivy
- Aconite & Monkshood
Tip 17: Avoid camping in high-risk areas
You should inform yourself in advance about the specific dangers in the chosen camping area and take appropriate precautions to camp safely and minimize risks.
Wilderness areas and untouched natural landscapes have a higher probability of encountering wild animals.
If there are more wild animals in an area, you should stow food and waste well.
As a camper, you should also be careful here and not willfully damage nature.
You should generally be careful with open fires, but especially when it is hot, dry and very windy.
Especially in summer and in very dry areas, you should take care to avoid lighting fires or smoking.
On the other hand, you should also be careful in areas that are too humid.
Especially in rainy or stormy seasons, you should keep a safe distance from shores and coasts.
Also be careful of riverbank areas where you may encounter dangerous currents or other hazards when swimming or fishing.
You should keep these things in mind when choosing your camping location:
- Wilderness areas & untouched natural landscapes
- Avoid areas with lots of wild animals
- Forest fire risk in hot, dry & windy weather
- Areas near water during heavy rain & storms
Storage boxes are worthwhile so that you can store everything safely, keep animals away and protect your utensils from heat and moisture.
You can take a look at them here:
Tip 18: Keep the campsite clean & tidy
To keep everything neat and tidy, you should use separate bins for recycling and non-recycling waste.
You should also dispose of your garbage regularly and not throw it on the ground, as nobody wants to live on a dirty campsite.
When you are tidying up and cleaning, you should make sure that your cleaning products are biodegradable so as not to harm nature.
You should always treat green spaces and natural areas with care and not wantonly destroy them so that other campers can also enjoy the beauty of nature.
You should supervise your children or your dog in particular and teach them to treat nature with respect.
Tidiness and cleanliness also make your vacation more enjoyable.
Here you can find out the best way to do this:
- Separate waste containers for recycling & non-recycling waste
- Dispose of waste & avoid soil pollution
- Use biodegradable cleaning agents
- Careful handling of green spaces & natural areas
- Supervision of children & dogs at play
- For children: instructions on how to treat nature with respect
You can also tie the dog up so that it doesn’t run around freely on the campsite.
A:
Tip 19: Protect nature & treat it with respect
First of all, even if you go wild camping in Norway, for example, you should pay attention to the natural environment.
To avoid damaging it, it may make sense to go to a designated campsite.
If you are out in the wilderness, you should not deliberately damage any animals or plants and clean up fire pits properly.
Despite all the joys of nature, you should enjoy nature quietly, especially during the breeding season, so as not to disturb any animals.
A quick summary of the tips for you:
- Be careful when wild camping
- Choose a designated campsite
- Avoid damaging animals or plants
- Tidy up fireplaces properly
- Enjoy nature quietly, especially in breeding seasons
- Avoid making loud noises
Tip 20: Relax & enjoy nature
Don’t forget that camping is also about enjoying nature and relaxing.
You should also focus on your own needs.
Spend time outside in the fresh air, meditate, exercise, read a book or simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
Also plan enough time for relaxation and recreation into your daily routine.
Avoid stress factors such as noise and overcrowding by being active at certain times and withdrawing at other times.
Pay attention to your diet and drink enough water to feel balanced and refreshed.
Take responsibility for your own relaxation and enjoyment and you will make the most of your camping experience.
To maximize your relaxation at the campsite, you can follow these tips:
- Enjoy nature & relax
- Focus on your own needs
- Spend time in the fresh air, meditate, exercise, read, enjoy peace and quiet
- Plan time for relaxation & recreation
- Avoid stress factors such as noise and overcrowding
- Healthy diet, drink enough water
- Take responsibility for your own relaxation and enjoyment
- Best camping experience through active design
Camping for beginners: planning, packing & setting off
Perhaps you already have an idea of camping after these 20 tips, but would like to know more?
Here you will find a detailed guide for camping beginners so that you are well prepared and nothing goes wrong: