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Let’s Be Honest About Camping
Camping sounds real cute until you’re sweating through your drawers, swatting at a wasp the size of a toddler, and arguing over how to start a fire. It’s supposed to be peaceful, but sometimes it feels like Mother Nature is personally trying to ruin your weekend. Don’t worry—I got your back. Here’s how to enjoy camping without crying in a tent.
Pick a Campsite That Won’t Test Your Faith
Not all campsites are created equal. If you’re new to the outdoor life, skip the deep-woods survival experience. Go somewhere with actual bathrooms, maybe even a picnic table and a little store nearby for “emergencies” (like when your lighter won’t light and you need a s’mores fix). Check reviews, look at photos, and don’t be afraid to ask other campers what they recommend.
Pack Like You’ve Got Some Sense
No, you don’t need twelve pairs of leggings or your air fryer, but you do need the basics. Make a checklist and stick to it:
- Bug spray (the real deal, not that gentle “herbal” mist)
- Flashlights and backup batteries
- First-aid kit (because someone will get a blister, scrape or cut)
- Wet wipes (God’s gift to campers)
- Extra snacks (hangry campers are dangerous)
And for the love of all things good, pack layers. The woods don’t care about your weather app.
Don’t Try to Be a Wilderness Chef
You are not filming a survival cooking show. Keep meals simple—think foil packet dinners, hot dogs on a stick, or even cold sandwiches. Want to impress someone? Toast a marshmallow to golden perfection. That’s all it takes. Anything more and you’re just inviting stress and raccoons.
Set Up Camp Before Sundown
This ain’t a horror movie. Set up your tent while there’s still light in the sky. Nothing tests a relationship like trying to assemble a tent in the dark while your headlamp keeps blinding the other person. Give yourself a buffer. You’ll thank yourself when you’re chillin’ by the fire instead of hollering, “Where’s the dang pole?!”
Accept That Nature is…Well, Nature
You’re gonna get dirty. You might get rained on. Something will go wrong. But if you go in with a sense of humor and low expectations, you’ll have a way better time. Think of every mishap as a story you can laugh about later—or post about once your phone gets service again.
Make Peace With Bugs, Sorta
Listen, you’re in their house. But that doesn’t mean you have to invite them into your sleeping bag. Zip up the tent. Shake out your shoes. Burn sage if you have to. Just don’t spend the whole trip screaming every time something with wings buzzes by. Campers who panic over bugs are the reason other campers drink.
Plan for Fun, But Don’t Overdo It
You don’t need an itinerary packed tighter than a Walmart parking lot on a Friday night. Go for a hike, maybe play cards, and definitely roast some marshmallows. Leave room for naps in a hammock or sittin’ by the fire doing absolutely nothing. That’s where the real magic happens.
Know When to Call It
If the weather turns ugly, your tent leaks, or someone’s allergic to everything, it’s okay to pack up and head home early. Camping is supposed to be fun, not a test of survival. There’s no shame in admitting you’ve had enough. Grab a shower, crank the AC, and try again another time.
Final Thought: You Can Do This (Probably)
Camping doesn’t have to make you question all your life choices. With a little preparation and a whole lotta patience, it can actually be pretty amazing. And if nothing else, you’ll get a story out of it—and maybe a mosquito bite in the shape of Texas.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.