Wondering where to head for this summer? a disneyland, national park, Vegas, New York, Florida beaches or more. Well! you can have them all and even more with a camping road trip. Don’t worry about the hassles of expensive hotels when you can mesmerize your family with some stupendous camping areas. Confused; How to plan a camping road trip when you are an amateur at this.
We have all the details and much more for a wonderful and perfect family camping road trip. Hit the road in your pic-up or an RV, explore the countryside, enjoy sight seeing at various places around, and no compromise or limit to outdoor fun you can pursue. A family trip is the most endearing way to connect with your family and enjoy the spontaneity of teenage camping fun. Let adventure take up the thoroughly planned vacation title, bring unexpected fun to your family gathering and explore the unknown and unseen.
Remember the things you need to camp for a camping trip, by discussing and making list well in advance.
Benefits of a perfect family camping road trip:
As amazing and enthusing it sounds, the family camping road trip are a perfect get away from the huddles of normalcy. It is a much needed break from your monotonous life, and since it brings a lot of amazing and spontaneous adventure it is “a-must-go-for-every-family” activity. There are amazing fun things to do while camping which makes them the most popular ones for summer time. Some of its benefits are:
1- A family camping road trip is an inexpensive form of perfect vacation. As all you spend is a routine for food which you prepare mostly, minimal expenses for the stay at a camp site in your own tent or RV, a few on the gas which is not even comparable to the airfares.
2- A family camping road trip is educational as it teaches from essential life skills to survival skills and practical life training. And with museums and Zoo or conventional centers in the nearby cities you can boost up your knowledge too
3- Children learn to connect with nature and explore the natural surrounding. Let the kids connect with nature and the serene surrounding. These are the most critical of things they will learn which will benefit in their life ahead.
4- Amid the trip you have all the comforts of home and the fun is unlimited too
5- A perfect blend of both worlds; tourist by the day and local camper by night
6- Your plans are as volatile as you wish them to be. Change them anytime depending on your choice and you don’t have to worry about the expenses as they happen when you drive and not which place you head to
7- Enjoy multiple places in one single trip, and connect with every place in a unique way
8- Know about the culture and traditions of a place by seeing the local side and not wandering the touristy way.
How to plan a camping road trip:
Though the camping road trips are all about spontaneity and no major plans, but this doesn’t imply on the things you would have to set in place. You may opt out from visiting a place but planning for the stuff you would carry, things you may see, stuff you would need for a camp and other necessary information regarding the route and safety must be planned ahead of time. Some tips on how to plan a camping road trip include:
1- Plan the route ahead of time: Have your GPS and the old school maps both in place. Make a list of places you would see, and write down their complete addresses. Also download some offline maps of major places as most areas the GPS signal does not come. It is always better to check the route at home and then make a travel plan of visiting places around
2- Plan adequate stops: When you plan the travel by road keep ample stops in between, a long day in the car does not suffice our purpose if outdoor fun. Keep it short and more with outdoor fun rather than stuck up driving
3- Do not opt for longer distances: Distances can kill the enthusiasm and fun you have planned. After driving so many hours you wont find any energy to relax and enjoy the outdoors
4- Plan the places you wish to stop by: Keep exploring the areas around and fix up the places you wish to see during the camping road trip. Do visit the most famous things to do of these areas and keep full days for exploring the city
5- Make sure to plan the camping grounds with restrooms: It may not be possible everytime but if you have a choice pick the ones with restroom options. This will keep yourself hygienic and stress free.
6- Get to your campsite before dark: It is always better to go when the sunshines. Specially when you have to set it up, it gets difficult and unsafe trying to find your space in the dark.
7- Reserve your campgrounds ahead of time: Waiting till the last moment may leave you without a spot
8- Bring ample food and beverages along: This will help you stay energized and fit all through the camping trip
9- Notify your bank before leaving for the trip: Banks freeze your account when there are expenses done from various cities. When you are traveling you would use the credit car to buy gas, food and other stuff so its better to inform the bank than stay a few days without money
10- Have your car services a week in advance: Be sure to mention to the service agent that your would travel those many miles in coming weeks, for they can check for any upcoming needs.
The all essential camping trip checklist:
Prepare yourself well in advance and keep this camping trip checklist handy, for you don’t want to miss any important item.
1- An airy tent with rain fly and footprint: Buy or rent them, these would help in getting a safe and cosy nights sleep. Also rain and storms are unpredictable so be prepared for them too
2- Sleeping bags: Inflatable or rolled up, try to get one sleeping bag for each of the campers. Be sure to take the pillows and blankets and some more extra for weather changes.
3- Camp towels and napkins: Carry sufficient camp towels and napkins. These would be quick drying and would not take up a lot of space.
4- Fold up camping chairs and hammock: Carry ample chairs and a few hammocks for the fun filled and relaxing leisure time amid the nature.
5- Hot and cold bags: To carry the food items, beverages and save the extra foods for later
6- Bags for laptop, DSLR, chargers and cords: Be sure to pack them all up in perfect bags not to damage them during the trip. Keep extra battery and power bank both charged up.
7- Canvas tote and duffel: These would help in organizing stuff while you open at one campsite and again reload for proceeding ahead.
8- Day backpacks: When you go out exploring the city around, you must have a big enough day backpacks which will quickly grab the essentials for those times
9- Bin for kitchen items: All food items and spices, oil, dressing etc must be organized in a separate kitchen bin. Be sure to mark them if you are taking in a ziplok or small travel case
10- Tool box: Keep a tool box handy for setting up tent and other works during your camping trip. It must have knife, pliers and more too
11- Lantern and headlamp: These are very important for the night times and if you have to get around the camp area
12- Insect repellant: A handy bug spray must be kept in all luggage items and be sure to spray when you are in the camping arena
13- Bear spray: These bear sprays are 100% effective and they have saves quite a few in past. be sure to keep them handy. Keep checking campsite details and alerts for more
14- Umbrella and rain jackets: A rainy day forecast may or may not adequate but keep your weather wear handy. Also wind breakers as you never know what camp site conditions are like
15- Wipes and sanitizers: Antibacterial wipes and sanitizers will be needed the most if you pan to cook all meals and stay at a campsite without restrooms.
16- Paper towels: For a bounty has been my most important packing essential for any and every trip.
17- Soap and shampoo: Try for dry shampoo if you wont have ample shower places. Keep soap handy. Remember camping beauty tips to look good
18- Music and other entertainment: Get your bluetooth charged and your playlist ready ahead of the trip.
19- Tablecloth, plates, cups, cutlery, tableware, cooking utensils, knives, peeler, boiling pots, wine bottles and bottle opener, beer, oven mitts, handy grill, fuel and mini burner, wash cloth, dish cloth, tub for dishwashing
20- Carry ample clothes: Do bring all weather ones too, keep the fabrics which are quick drying
21-Shoes: Bring boots, sneakers and flip flops for all kinds of daily needs
22- Beanie or sun hat and a good sunscreen
23- Swim suit and other water gears for kayaking, tubing and other water fun
24- Fishing gear, bike and helmets
25- MOST IMPORTANT ONE “A MEDICAL OR FIRST AID BOX” To keep your family health and safety intact. Be sure to call 911 for any emergency.
Do keep this checklist handy for all the years ahead, and keep adding more based on your own experiences and needs. The above compilation on How to plan the perfect family camping road trip is to help all the amateurs and pro too, for keeping the camping trip checklist prepared. It helps in improving the experience and fun all through our vacation.
Check campnavigator resources for more insights, your preferred partner for all the camping needs.
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By Minu Manisha
