14 Best Camping Hacks For Beginners That Actually Make Your First Trip Easier
Looking for the best camping hacks for beginners? Most people who are new to camping are not really searching for “hacks.” They just want to avoid the stuff that makes a first trip miserable, like freezing all night, or struggling to set up a tent before dark.
I know that learning curve well because I have been through it myself. On my first few trips, I assumed a thick sleeping bag would be enough to keep me warm, and I learned pretty quickly that was not true. It’s been 8 years since my first camping trip, and I’ve spent a lot more time figuring out what really matters at camp.
This guide covers the best camping hacks for beginners that truly make a difference, so you can skip some of the trial and error and get to the point where camping starts to feel easy.
This article uses affiliate links where I make a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This article was sponsored by Little Kamper, but thoughts and opinions are my own.
My top beginner camping gear picks
If you’re just getting started, these are the five camping items I think make the biggest difference in staying warm, getting organized, and keeping your trip simple. You can also browse more of my camping gear recommendations if you’re still narrowing down what is actually worth buying first.
Sleeping pad
This is the first thing I would upgrade if you are cold at night. I learned pretty quickly that a sleeping bag alone was not enough, especially once I started camping in cooler weather. An insulating sleeping pad made a much bigger difference than I expected.
Merino wool base layers
Having one clean, dry set of clothes just for sleeping helps so much on cold nights. We use Smartwool base layers for this, and they have become one of the simplest ways to stay warmer and more comfortable at camp.
Little Kamper
If you’re using a camp stove, Little Kamper helps simplify the fuel side of your setup. You use the propane cylinder as usual, then exchange it later instead of dealing with the hassle of disposable canisters after the trip. You can find my detailed Little Kamper review here.
Headlamp or rechargeable camp lantern
A good light makes setup, cooking, and nighttime routines way easier. I especially like rechargeable headlamps now because it is less annoying than dealing with extra batteries or realizing your light is dying halfway through the trip.
Storage bins
Simple bins make camp setup feel much less chaotic. We use ours for kitchen gear and smaller camping essentials, and it helps a lot to be able to carry things from the car in grouped categories instead of digging through random loose bags.
1. Practice setting up your tent at home
Practicing with a new tent at home saves a lot of frustration later. It is much easier to figure out poles, clips, and the rain fly beforehand than at camp when you’re miles away.
We always do a practice run now if we have a new tent because I would rather deal with the learning curve at home than at the campsite. Even if the tent looks simple in the bag, there is usually something that takes longer than expected the first time.
It also helps you catch what is missing before the trip. If the stakes are not packed, or you realize the tent works better with a mallet, you can fix that ahead of time instead of improvising at camp. My tent camping tips for first-timers go into more detail on what is actually worth bringing and what can wait.
2. Get to camp two to three hours before sunset
I try to get to the campsite two to three hours before sunset because I know I like having some daylight left for setup and dinner. Campgrounds, especially in the forest, can start feeling dark earlier than you expect.
Getting there earlier also means you are not trying to cook for the first time in the dark, which is one of those things that always sounds easier than it actually is.
This is especially helpful if you are still new to camping and do not have a super dialed-in routine yet. A little extra daylight gives you room to figure things out, make small mistakes without stress, and actually enjoy the campsite before the evening starts.
3. Follow a simple camp setup routine
When we get to camp, I like having a simple setup order so we’re not just pulling random things out of the car and making a mess. It makes the whole campsite feel functional faster, and it helps me feel a lot less scattered at the start of the trip.
Create a clean landing zone first
One of the first things we set up is our camp chairs so we have a clean place to put things that is not the ground or the picnic table. After that, we usually bring the kitchen gear over and get it onto the picnic table in preparation for dinner.
Pitch your tent before you relax
Then we focus on getting the tent up once we’ve had a minute to settle in. I think this helps a lot when you’re new to camping because the hardest part is often that everything feels like it needs to happen at once. Having a basic order makes setup feel more manageable and keeps the campsite from turning into a pile of bags, jackets, and loose gear.
Use storage bins to keep camp organized
Simple storage bins help with this too, especially for kitchen gear and smaller camping essentials. Ours are nothing fancy, just cheap bins from Target that make it easier to group things together, carry them from the car, and find what we need without digging through loose bags. For something more sturdy and with a clear top lid, check out these Gregory Packing Bins.
To reduce the amount of items you need to stash away, I recommend making the switch to Little Kamper’s 1 lb propane tanks. These are part of an exchange programme where all you need to do is bring your empty tank to a nearby retailer and exchange it for a full one. That way, you don’t have to come home to a mountain of propane tank waste that ends up getting collected in landfills.
Reduce waste with Little Kamper’s propane tanks – find out more here
4. Put the rain fly on right away
I usually put the rain fly on right away, even if the weather looks mostly fine. It is easy to skip when the forecast looks clear, especially in California. But if the temperature drops, the wind picks up, or the weather shifts overnight, it is a lot nicer to already have it on than to be messing with it in the dark.
I also like the rain fly for comfort, not just weather protection. By evening, I usually want the tent to feel a little more covered and cozy, especially when changing clothes or winding down for the night.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly tent that makes this kind of setup pretty straightforward, the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent with Footprint is a good fit because it includes a full-coverage rainfly and is designed for easy setup. This was our very first tent (an older model actually), and we’ve even taken it for backpacking trips.
5. Make sure your ground sheet stays tucked in
A ground sheet or tent footprint can help protect the bottom of your tent, but only if it is set up properly. One beginner mistake to avoid is letting it stick out past the edges of the tent, because that can collect rainwater and leave you with a wetter setup instead of a drier one.
When we set up camp, the ground sheet goes down first and then the tent goes right on top. If any part is sticking out, I try to tuck it back under before we finish pitching everything. It is a small detail, but this matters a lot if you are expecting rain.
6. Prioritize your sleep setup if you get cold
If there is one thing I would tell beginner campers not to overlook, it is their sleep setup. A lot of first camping trips go sideways because people focus on the sleeping bag and ignore everything else.
If staying warm is one of your biggest concerns, I also put together a cold weather camping gear guide that goes deeper into the pieces that actually make a difference at night.
Don’t rely on your sleeping bag alone
I used to think a thicker sleeping bag would solve the problem, but after a few cold nights, I realized that was only part of it. The sleeping pad mattered just as much, and not having enough insulation underneath me was a big reason I was still cold.
That really clicked for me after camping my first summer trip when the nighttime temperatures were only in the 60s. I was still cold, even with a sleeping bag that seemed like it should be fine. That was the point where I stopped guessing and started paying more attention to what actually helps you stay warm at camp.
Prioritize insulation through your sleeping pad
For me, the biggest upgrade was getting a warmer sleeping pad. If you want a good value option, I’d look at the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad. It has a thick, cushier feel, and when it’s on sale, it can be a really solid value for the price.
A better pad made much more of a difference for me than I expected, especially compared with just relying on a thicker sleeping bag. You should look out for the r-value and I like to aim for more than 4.5.
Pack dry base layers just for sleeping
One thing that has helped me a lot on colder trips is keeping a separate set of clothes just for sleeping. If your clothes are even a little damp from the day, those cold spots are probably going to stay with you the entire night.
We use Smartwool base layers as our sleeping clothes now, and that has made a big difference in comfort. This is also one of the easiest fixes if you tend to get cold camping because merino wool retains warmth effectively.
Use hand warmers as a backup
We sometimes bring hand warmers on colder trips, but I think of them more as a bonus than the actual solution. If your sleeping pad is not warm enough or you go to bed in damp clothes, a little extra heat is only going to do so much.
Once the basics are dialed in, though, small warmth boosts can make a cold night more cozy. Tossing a hand warmer into your sleeping bag gives you a little pocket of heat, which is especially nice when you first get into bed. This is one of the best camping hacks for beginners if you tend to sleep cold.
7. Simplify your camp kitchen from the start
One of the easiest ways to make beginner camping more enjoyable is to keep your camp kitchen setup simple. I think a lot of people imagine they are going to cook full meals at camp, but once you get there, you usually want something easy.
When we first started camping, we relied a lot on freeze-dried meals because they were the simplest option. Just add hot water and you are done. Mountain House breakfast skillets were also an easy one for mornings because they tasted like real scrambled eggs.
Prep your meals before the trip
Anything you can do before the trip will make camp cooking feel easier once you get there. That is why I like meals that need very little prep at camp. If I can bring something that is already cooked, already chopped, or just needs to be heated up, I know I am much more likely to actually enjoy dinner instead of feeling like I am doing chores outside.
Trader Joe’s fried rice is a good example of this because most of the work is already done for you. The same goes for instant noodles or anything you can portion out at home so you are not digging through packaging or needing to use multiple mixing bowls at the campsite.
Another fun tip for breakfast is that you can pre-mix your pancake batter and just pour it out onto the stove, or if you are planning to make scrambled eggs, you can also pre-mix these. I’ve also seen some people pre-mixing French toast ingredients and I think that’s a great idea.
Simplify your camp stove setup
If you’re using a camp stove, it helps to keep that setup as simple as possible so you’re not also dealing with what to do with an empty canister after the trip.
That is one reason I like Little Kamper for beginner camping. You use it like a standard 1 lb propane tank, then exchange it when it is empty, which makes that part of camp cooking feel a bit more straightforward. I think that is especially nice when you are still figuring out the basics and do not want a bunch of extra little tasks after the trip.
All you need to do is go to the Little Kamper website, type in your postal code, and check out the retailers that are closest to your location. You can also suggest retailers, as they are actively adding more partners. For me, the closest location was an REI, and it works perfectly because I go there often to get gear supplies before my trips anyway.
8. Don’t overdo camp dishwashing on short trips
Cleaning up at camp does not have to look like doing your whole kitchen sink routine outside.
Keep cleanup easier than you think it needs to be
We keep it pretty simple instead of insisting on using soap every single time we need to wash. We wipe things down, rinse what we need to, and do a more proper wash once we get home.
If we are only staying one night, we are usually more focused on enjoying the campfire and each other’s company, than trying to deep-clean every plate and pan in the dark.
Bring a collapsible basin for easier cleanup
One thing that helps a lot is having a collapsible basin so you can carry water from the spigot and do a quick soak without needing to take multiple trips. We also bring a sponge, scraper, and a few kitchen towels, which is usually enough for basic cleanup at camp.
9. Pack your gear by category
Another hack that helps a lot with beginner camping is keeping related gear together instead of packing everything wherever it fits. It makes loading the car easier, and it also makes setup at camp feel much less chaotic because you already know where things are.
Because we live in a small apartment, we keep our camping gear pretty compact at home. Our tent-related gear, sleeping pads, camp chairs, tarp, and poles all go into one large duffel bag. Then our kitchen gear goes into separate bins, which makes it much easier to grab what we need without digging through a pile of random stuff.
I like this system because it works both at home and at the campsite. When we get there, I can bring the kitchen bin straight to the picnic table, keep the tent gear together, and avoid that feeling of having loose items scattered everywhere. I can’t recommend this system enough.
If you like having things written out ahead of time, my camping planning workbook is helpful for keeping gear, meals, and trip details a little more organized.
10. Keep your nighttime essentials within reach
I always keep a few basics close by in the tent: my headlamp, water bottle, phone, portable charger. If the campsite has a great view, I keep my camera close by too for sunset photos in the morning.
I also like keeping tomorrow’s clothes somewhere easy to grab, and sometimes I will even tuck them into my sleeping bag so they are not freezing in the morning. It is a small thing, but it makes getting dressed a lot less miserable on colder trips.
11. Do a quick campsite reset before bed
Doing a quick reset before bed makes you feel more relaxed when it’s time to go to bed. For us, that usually means putting food away in the food container (if required), dealing with any trash, and making sure that the campfire is completely put out.
I always make sure I have my headlamp before I get into the tent, because that is one of the most annoying things to look for in the dark if you suddenly need it. We sometimes also pack away some of the things we don’t need to avoid overwhelm the next day.
California Camping Workbook
Use my Editable-Canva Templates to help you plan your camping trip in 60 minutes
12. Skip camp gadgets you don’t really need
One mistake I would avoid as a beginner is bringing too many little extras that sound fun but do not actually make camping easier. I used to think things like battery-powered fairy lights would add to the experience, but in reality they just became one more thing to charge and keep track of.
Switch to rechargeable camp lighting
These days I prefer rechargeable lighting because it feels much easier to manage. We use the BioLite Solar String Lights that has three lighting modes, and it is actually much brighter than I expected. It covers a wider area too, which makes it a lot more useful than the smaller decorative lights we used to bring.
One of my favorite ways to use it is hanging it between trees so the whole campsite feels a little more lit up at night. It is practical, but it also makes camp feel more inviting. We always end up with people staring at our campsite when it is set up, and I think they would agree that we have a pretty cosy setup.
The best part is that it is solar rechargeable too, which makes it especially useful on longer trips. You can have it charging while you’re driving or just leave it out during the day.
13. Think twice before buying double sleeping gear
At first, we thought a double sleeping pad and double sleeping bag would be the most practical setup for camping as a couple. In theory, it sounds like a fun way to camp. However in practice, the one we got was not warm enough or versatile enough for what we needed.
That became more obvious once we started thinking about camping beyond just easy car camping trips. We wanted gear that could work in more situations, and individual sleeping gear just made a lot more sense. There are usually more lightweight, warmer, and more practical options when you are looking at one-person pieces instead of double-sized setups.
If you’re hoping to get into backpacking eventually, you might want to plan your gear with that in mind. Here’s my guide to beginner backpacking gear so you can get a head start.
14. Don’t overpack clothes or over-plan food
One thing I’ve learned is that I usually need less than I think I do. When we first started camping, I packed more clothes because I assumed I’d want to change more often, but most of the time I ended up wearing the same warm layers and just wishing I had packed a little more simply.
Food was similar. We used to bring more ingredients and more meal ideas than we actually needed. By the end of the trip, we’d come home with leftovers because we were too tired or too lazy to make everything we had planned.
Now I try to keep both clothes and meals a lot more realistic. That usually means fewer outfit changes, simpler dinners, and only bringing what we know we’ll actually use.
Focus on these beginner camping hacks for your first trip
Camping can feel complicated as a beginner, and you might feel like you need some hacks in order to have a great time. But that’s not really the case and everyone camps a little bit differently.
For me, the biggest things are pretty simple: an insulating sleeping pad, dry clothes to sleep in, enough daylight for setup, and a basic system for keeping gear organized. Those are the things that have made the biggest difference in whether a trip feels comfortable or just like a lot of work.
Don’t worry about trying to build the perfect campsite right away. In the end, most of the best beginner camping tips come down to making things simpler, not adding more. Once those basics feel easy, you’ll enjoy camping so much that you’ll want to do it again.
