How To Get Started Tent Camping: Simple Tips for First-Timers

Tent camping is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature. It might seem daunting as you will need to buy some equipment, but it does not have to be complicated. There are only a few essential gear and considerations, making camping a very accessible activity. You can easily add camping nights to a road trip through scenic places.

You could start off with a minimalistic tent camping set-up, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It might be surprising just how little you need! If you have friends who need a push to go on their first tent camping trip, these tips might help to simplify the thought process.

1. Go tent camping during the warmer seasons

Depending on your destination, it is usually easier to go tent camping during the warmer seasons. This is because summer camping equipment is relatively cheaper and more lightweight. You do not need highly technical equipment to be able to enjoy the camping experience. For example, a summer sleeping bag will be enough.

You can also consider fall or spring seasons where the weather is still mild. There are usually more campsites available during the warmer seasons too. This is also the period where there is a lot to do in the vicinity such as hiking, fishing, or going out on a boat.

If you think you’ll be able to handle the cold and have the right gear for cold-weather camping, check out these places in Northern California for winter camping.

2. Buy or rent a waterproof camping tent (with a groundsheet)

Having a waterproof tent will make or break your camp tenting experience. It is the difference between sleeping soundly and panicking in the middle of the night as you feel a drop of water on your face. Even for an entry level tent, this is something you should not skimp on.

Tents that come with a rain fly will have a better chance of keeping rain out from the tent’s mesh screens. Although some tent listings claim to have weather-sealed seams, do check the reviews to see if they are true. Amazon is a great place for this and you can easily find the popular tents that have been tried and tested.

A ground sheet also offers additional protection from moisture. It will come in handy in case the base of your tent has any tears, or if it is not fully waterproof.

3. Choose an established campsite with amenities

For your first tent camping experience, it helps to have the amenities you need at your campsite. Established campsites near national parks and famous scenery usually have toilets nearby and a fireplace. They also have marked out camping spaces that are accessible via car.

In places that are known to attract wildlife, the campsites often provide canisters for you to store your food. You might even get to preorder firewood or rent equipment to your campsite so that you don’t need to bring all of it with you. Catalina Island is one of the places that offer this service.

Some of the popular campsites get booked very early on, so make sure you check the dates and look out for when they are available for booking. In the US, you can browse your options on Reserve America. If you want to have a bit more amenities, private campsites could be a good option for first timers. They might provide hot water and better toilets.

4. Get a portable gas stove and cooking equipment

One of the bonding experiences during a tent camping trip is cooking and eating together. You will need a portable gas stove and some basic cooking equipment for this. This minimally includes a pot, utensils, and bowls for sharing the food.

The easiest thing to prepare is instant noodles – which happens to be a guilty pleasure for so many. Alternatively, you can get some ready-to-eat packets where you just need to add boiling water.

You might also want to make coffee in the morning, so don’t forget to bring enough gas for the expected cooking duration. Lastly, bring along some environment-safe soap to wash up after eating.

5. Arrive at your campsite before it’s dark

Everything is easier in the day, such as setting up your tent and cooking. If you arrive 1-2 hours before sunset you will have daylight for playing games and enjoying the evening scenery. Somehow the day feels longer when you finish setting up and preparing dinner early. Once it gets dark, you also need to rely on torches or lamps so it’s not very convenient for most people.

6. Secure your food outside the tent

Animals are always drawn to scents, especially food smells, wherever you go. Look out for any advisory that cautions you about the animals that might be in the area. For example, you might encounter squirrels, raccoons, ravens, and even bears. There have even been stories of bears disturbing tents because of the smell of food inside. Yosemite National Park is one of the places that is strict about the use of proper food storage.

The best way to avoid such surprises is to look for campsites with bear boxes provided. Alternatively, you can buy a bear canister and place it 100 meters from your tent, or learn how to hang them on trees.

Even when you are right at the campsite, smaller animals like ravens can get to your food the moment you turn away. Make sure you store them securely, and avoid leaving plastic bags of food on the table.

7. Prepare lamps or lanterns

Bring along a lamp or some lanterns that help with creating ambient lighting. Although a phone torch works, it might consume a lot of precious battery as you leave it on through the night. Part of the experience is having a nice set up that makes it feel cosy. For example, you can put up fairy lights or place lamps on the floor leading to your tent.

Having a tent lamp that you can leave on is also convenient for when more than 1 person needs the light in the tent. Imagine having to share the headlamps, or having to continually shine a torchlight as you look for things in your bags. You could also get a carabiner that allows you to hang the lamp from the top of your tent.

8. Bring portable chargers for your phone and camera

You might not have access to a power source when you are tent camping. Aside from charging your phone and camera in the car, you could also use a portable charger. There are some that get recharged by solar energy, so it is useful when you are outdoors for an extended period.

9. Keep your tent camping packing list simple

If this is your first time tent camping, you don’t need a lot to be happy with the experience. You only need to be warm and dry with a full belly. Keeping your packing list simple will also help to reduce the barrier you may have in your mind regarding camping.

Here are some of the essentials you will need for your first tent camping trip, including some of those mentioned earlier.

• Waterproof tent and ground sheet
• Sleeping bag
• Portable gas stove
• Pot and utensils
• Instant noodles, coffee or freeze-dried meals
• Marshmallows or other snacks
• Environmentally-friendly dishwashing soap
• Lights, lamps or lanterns
• Bear canister (if not provided by the campsite)
• Portable chargers
• Clean clothes to sleep in
• Backpack for any hikes
• Water bottle

Read more:

• An Easy Camping Starter Kit: Everything You Need For Weekends
• How to Plan an Awesome Weekend Camping Trip + Packing Checklist
• Why is Camping Gear So Expensive? Reasons To Buy Them Now

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10. Go with an open mind

Last of all, keep and open mind and be spontaneous when you are tent camping. For example, you can ask others for help if you can’t figure out how to start a fire. There was one time we didn’t manage to get a fire going due to the damp firewood. When we asked the neighbouring campers for tips, they invited us to join them instead. We had a really good time getting to know each other through that.

Consider camping in a variety of places and countries too – such as camping along the lakes of Hokkaido, or the mountain huts of Switzerland. You get to experience different camping cultures and go off the beaten track from the usual tourist destinations.

Finally, if you decide you really like camping, the next step is to start going on some easy backpacking trips.