The Top 12 Beginner Camping Mistakes (And How To Dodge Them)

If you've never been camping before, you might feel a little intimidated.

I'm here to tell you – that's okay!

Everyone's first camping trip is bound to be a learning experience. It's highly likely that you'll mess something up, or that your excursion won't be picture perfect.

But, that's no excuse to skip the trip and stay inside. Instead, read this article to learn what most beginner campers get wrong.

Showing Up Late

The first time you go camping, you might be tempted to leave for the campsite in the evening, to make it there just in time for a delicious camping dinner. Maybe you've got things to do during the day, or packing takes longer than expected.

Perhaps one of your little ones has an "accident" that takes hours to clean up.

Either way, there are a million excuses for arriving at the campsite late.

My suggestion is to show up early – no matter what.

I learned this one the hard way. We once tried to get into a first-come, first-served campground on a national holiday weekend, and the entire campground was full by 3pm.

We ended up camping at a dispersed site 40 minutes away.

So if the campground doesn't take reservations, treat "early" as the morning, not the afternoon. And on a holiday weekend, have a backup spot picked out before you leave home.

Arriving early matters even more when you want to go hiking. No one wants to hike in the dark.

Plus, some areas get rain in the afternoon, which makes hiking that much more dangerous.

On top of that, it's pretty challenging to set up a tent in the dark. Pitching a tent is hard enough as it is (with all the poles and such).

It's even worse when you have to do it while holding a flashlight in your mouth.

Get to the campsite early so you can avoid this mess. And make sure you have a plan for setting up camp when you arrive.

Over-Packing

Throughout this article (and on the rest of my site), you'll notice I recommend a lot of gear. That's because there's a ton of items you could buy, depending on your situation, goals, and activities.

However, don't feel the need to buy every single shiny object you see. Sure, there are some necessities, like the Ten Essentials.

But there's no reason to spend thousands of dollars on fancy camping equipment for your first trip.

Most people can get by with a tent, a sleeping bag/pad, emergency supplies, food, and a stove. That's it.

You don't really need extras like a backpacking knife or walkie talkies. That comes later, once you've been bitten by the camping bug.

Beginners should be doubly prudent about their spending. It's possible you go camping and absolutely hate it.

Don't spend all of your money on gear that you're not sure you'll use.

Under-Packing

On the other hand, it's also possible to under-pack.

Maybe you don't bring enough water or food, or you think you'll be able to sleep on the ground without a pad (please don't try this).

Deciding how much gear to bring is definitely a balancing act.

Over-pack, and you'll waste your money. Under-pack, and your camping trip will be miserable.

A simple rule for a first trip: cover sleep, shelter, food, water and safety properly, and treat everything else as optional.

This is something you'll also learn with experience, so don't worry if you miss the mark on your first trip.

Also, you can prevent financial blunders by using these tips to save on camping gear.

Mismatching Your Tent Size

One of the greatest outdoor travesties is how tent manufacturers designate their tents. Walk into any gear store, and you'll see that tents are rated by how many people they can fit.

You'll see 1-person tents all the way up to 12-person tents.

At first glance, you might think that a 4-person tent would be able to fit…four people. This is correct, but only if those four people want to be packed to the gills, sleeping elbow-to-elbow.

That's why I recommend sizing up by two people for car camping. This breathing room allows you to stretch your legs and have additional room for your backpacks.

For example, don't expect your "2-person tent" to be sufficient space for you and your spouse. In that case, a 4-person tent would be a much more suitable choice (here are some of my top picks).

This way, you don't end up sleeping like sardines on your first camping trip.

Cooking On The Campfire

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is depending on cooking on the campfire.

If you've never built a campfire before, you might think it'll be easy. All you gotta do is throw a bunch of wood down, light a few matches, and throw some steaks on…right?

Wrong. Believe it or not, building a campfire is hard!

The first time you build one, it'll likely be the size of a chihuahua.

I hate to break it to you, but you're not going to cook the world's perfect steak on such a small (and unpredictable) fire. Even if the steak does cook, it'll probably be burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.

There's also a chance you won't be allowed a fire at all. Fire restrictions are common in dry months, so check before you go.

You can fix all of this by bringing a lightweight camping stove. These portable tools allow you to cook like a pro without needing the whole kitchen.

Wingin' Where You're Headed

A typical line I hear from eager first-timers is that "we don't know where we're going…we'll just figure it out when we get there!" Ha.

If you're just going for a quick 2-hour hike in the foothills, sure. You might be able to "just wing it."

However, if you're going on a longer or harder hike, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the map. You never know when the trail will get faint, or the markers will become less obvious.

That being said, make sure you know how to read them. Getting lost is more common than you'd think.

That's why it's worthwhile to learn how to use a compass. The basics don't take long to pick up, and they can seriously save your butt.

If you're camping, you'll also want to pick where you're setting up camp.

Many parks have different policies on where you're allowed to camp, and some aren't even open at certain times of year.

Prepare yourself accordingly, so you don't end up like this guy (skip to 1:46 for a good laugh):

Not Checking How You'll Pay

Don't assume the park takes the kind of payment you have on you.

Some campgrounds and entrance stations still run on cash, often with a self-pay envelope and no way to make change. Others have gone the opposite way and no longer accept cash at all.

So check the park's or campground's website before you leave, and bring a card plus some small bills to cover both.

A little cash also comes in handy for firewood, ice, or buying some bug spray off your next-door neighbor in case you forget something.

Forgetting To Test Equipment

Here's a not-so-uncommon story. You bring your gear, unpack your bag, and spend the next 3 hours fumbling through instructions.

That is NO way to spend your precious vacation time.

Before leaving for your trip, make sure you familiarize yourself with your gear. Take items out of their boxes and give them a test drive.

That way you know what you're doing by the time you hit the park.

The #1 piece of equipment to test is your tent. Even for pros like me, pitching a tent is not easy.

This task becomes 100x harder when the wind is blowing, the dogs are barking, and the kids are running around like banshees.

Set it up once in the backyard or a park first. You'll also find out whether any stakes, poles or guylines are missing while you can still do something about it.

So, make sure you test out your gear before you leave. Check the batteries in your flashlights, light the stove once, and make sure you're ready to roll.

Underestimating How Cold It Gets

If you've never slept outside before, you might not know how cold it gets at night.

Even if you've checked the forecast, many people underestimate how cold it feels when you're lying still outside for eight hours.

It does get cold. Thankfully, layering your clothes is an easy fix.

Pack extra hoodies, sweatpants, warm socks and a hat to keep you and your loved ones toasty at night.

What's under you matters as much as what's on top of you. A sleeping pad keeps the cold ground from pulling the heat out of you.

On top of that, there are plenty of cold-weather sleeping bags available that will keep you much, much warmer than a few blankets. Check the temperature rating against the overnight low where you're going.

Whatever you do, don't try to be Mr. Tough Guy sleeping in a T-shirt and boxers. You will get cold!

Feeding The Birds (Or Bears)

When you're a beginner, the last thing you want is to get woken up by wildlife going through your food.

To keep you and your family sleeping safe 'n' sound, put away all your food at night, along with trash and anything scented, like toothpaste and sunscreen. Never keep any of it in your tent.

In most campgrounds, sealed bins inside a locked car will keep out raccoons, squirrels and birds.

Bear country is different. Some parks don't allow food to be left in vehicles and require you to use the food lockers provided or a bear-resistant container.

The National Park Service says to always check the regulations for the park you're visiting.

There's also the classic technique of hanging your food from a tree, shown in the video above. It's allowed in some areas and not in others, so check before you rely on it.

For more on this, see our guides to camping in bear country and staying safe around bears.

Ignoring Worst-Case Scenarios

You've got your food, snacks, a tent, and gear, but are you prepared for worst-case scenarios?

Although camping is enjoyed by millions, there are still plenty of ways for things to go wrong. You could get lost, sunburnt, cut, or eaten alive by mosquitos.

Thankfully, there's a tried & true list of must-haves that covers you for most emergencies.

Referred to as "The Ten Essentials," they are:

Navigation
Sun Protection
Insulation
Illumination
First-aid
Fire
Tools
Food
Water
Shelter

Campers who want to learn more about this packing checklist can click here.

It's also worth telling someone at home where you're going and when you plan to be back, especially if you won't have cell service.

Not Bringing Enough Water

Last but not least, bring plenty of water. Without a tap at your disposal, it's a lot harder to come by.

Check whether your campground has drinking water before you go. If it doesn't, or you aren't sure, bring a few gallon jugs.

Remember that you need water for cooking and washing up, not only for drinking.

This is even more crucial if you're doing physical activities like hiking. You lose a lot of water through sweat, especially in the heat, so carry more than you think you'll need.

Grocery stores sell gallon jugs cheaply, so really, there's no excuse.

Have Fun!

Above all of these tips, don't forget to have fun!

Camping can be overwhelming, but follow these tips and you'll enjoy yourself a lot more.

Don't get caught up in the noise. Prepare yourself, pack your gear, and go make memories.

More Beginner Camping:

Sources

National Park Service: Storing Food