Spending a few days out in the wilderness with just the wildlife, trees and the stars is what most people are looking for when they go camping. However, for those that haven’t been very often, it can become a nightmare; especially if they aren’t well-prepared.

Part of a successful camping trip is making sure you have all the things you need before you travel. If you leave something behind, then there won’t be a store nearby to get one.

Sleeping Bags

A sleeping bag is certainly an essential item on your camping checklist. Even if you are traveling in a hot climate, the temperature at night can plummet, so you need something to keep you warm.

You can get various thicknesses of sleeping bag depending on the place you are camping. You can also get specialized double sleeping bags and ‘onesie’ types that allow you to move your legs independently.

Cooking Equipment

The world of camping has changed a great deal since the campfire and a pot on the top. However, it is still important to have the essentials with you in the first instance. While you can make fire with just wood and kindling, that doesn’t mean that you would want to do it. Make sure you have something with you that can help you start a fire.

You also need something to cook with; you can get some sophisticated cooking stoves and burners that make quick work of cooking in the wild. Most run from butane, which must be handled properly to prevent an accident. It can also be a nice idea to have a way to wash your cookware afterwards; there are some neat portable sink units that can also serve as a washing station for you.

Lighting

Lighting is an essential item for many reasons; it isn’t just to help you see at night in the tent, it can also be good if there are problems outside at night that you need to sort out. It is also a good way to attract attention if you are in trouble. However, you need to be careful of your power supply if it isn’t solar powered.

You also want a light that is tough enough to survive in the outdoor conditions. You can find the best tactical flashlights for the job on sites such as Best Tactical Flashlights, who review many types.

Water

Depending on where you are camping and how long you plan to stay, you should always take enough water to see you through. Bear in mind that you will also need to wash unless there is a clear stream nearby.

It is a good idea also to take some sort of water purification device with you. If something goes wrong and you run out of water, this could be a life saver.

Camping is an exciting and inspiring thing that will make you feel closer to nature. Just make sure that you have all the basic equipment with you before you travel.