Planning for a Camping Trip
Posted BY Ian under camping-advice
Getting to your camp site
It is obviously important that you know where you are going and where you intend to stay. It is not always necessary to book ahead for campsites but if you intend arriving late at night, it may be worth doing so in order not to find yourselves or your vehicles locked out.You can find lists of campsites, often with reviews from previous campers, online. It is worth checking these as there may be pointers to issues which you had not considered. There should also be a map of the local area or at least instructions to help you over those last few kilometres - the worst ones and the ones you'll be doing when most tired.
Choose a good date to go
You may not have total flexibility over dates particularly when trying to co-ordinate a number of people. You should still try to avoid peak times as you will find the experience less worthwhile and potentially more expensive.Rules and regulations
Many campsites, especially those in national parks, have rules that you should follow. You can only be sure what these rules are if you actually seek them out. There may be procedures for you to follow for washing up and for disposing of waste and other rules about noise, spacing between individual pitches or areas for certain types of campers. If you don't follow the rules you may find yourselves asked to leave, or to pay for more space than you really need.Other rules or regulations may apply to the area surrounding your camp site or to the area where you intend to spend your days. For instance, there may be restrictions on rock climbing during nesting periods. Be sure to check if any of these apply. The camp warden will often be able to advise. Otherwise, check with websites of the sport or activity concerned.
Prepare for the worst
If you plan to take sufficient equipment to cope with all realistic outcomes then you should avoid a disastrous trip. OK - it is important not to take too much along but you should take bad weather kit even when the forecast looks good as well as some first aid equipment and extra cash or money supply.Small groups are best
It is fun to go camping with others but be aware that large groups tend to have a negative impact on other campers. If you do want or have to go as a large group try to keep yourselves to one area of the campsite and ensure that you do not dominate any facilities.Small groups allow more interaction for all participants. Large groups tend to be dominated by the noisy, and not always most personable, individuals.
If you are there camping in a large group more to be together during the day times then consider splitting into smaller units and only meeting up when necessary.