Camping for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started

Ok, so you’ve decided you might want to start camping. But you don’t know where to start or what to do. I have created this guide about camping for beginners that will tell you everything you need to know to start camping including what gear/equipment you need, how to plan a camping trip, how to go to the bathroom, and all the other important details.

There are a few different kinds of camping, and the kind you choose will determine what gear you bring. Choose the one that you think you would enjoy the most! This article will focus on tent camping (not RV camping, etc.), which involves bringing your own tent that you sleep in for at least one night.

If you are new to hiking, camping, and backpacking and need help about how to begin, check out my guides:

Additionally, for a list of the gear I personally use and have relied on for 7+ years, check out my Backpacking Gear List.

Different types of (tent) camping:
How to find campsites
- How to find campgrounds
- Useful tips for finding and picking a wild camping spot:
Camping Gear
Food for Camping
Best time to go camping
Toiletries (how to go to the bathroom)
Lighting Campfires
Making camping more comfortable
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Camping Resources

Different types of (tent) camping:

Camping at Campgrounds

Camping at campgrounds refers to setting up camp in designated areas specifically designed for recreational camping. This is the most popular type of camping and the easiest. These campgrounds are typically managed by government agencies, private organizations, or commercial entities and offer facilities and amenities such as designated campsites, restrooms, fire pits, picnic tables, potable water sources, and sometimes showers, wifi, and other amenities.

A lot of campgrounds are accessible with a vehicle, meaning you don’t have to hike to the campsite carrying all of your gear. This makes camping easy for everyone, especially beginners.

Benefits of camping at a campground:

Amenities such as tables, restrooms, and sometimes wifi
A suitable place to set up your tent
Having your vehicle means you can bring bulky/heavy items without having to carry them (that means your full size pillow from your bed and a cooler full of food and snackies!)
Some are easily accessible by car (helpful for campers of all experience levels and physical abilities) Located near popular attractions, trailheads, or scenic areas
Safety and security (often have hosts or staff)

Downsides of staying at a campground:

Not Free: A lot of campsites charge a nightly rate per person, per vehicle, per campsite, or per tent. This price ranges in accordance with location and season, and could be anywhere from a few dollars to more than $50 per person.

Reservation Requirements: Popular campgrounds often require advance reservations, especially during peak season, holidays, or weekends. Securing a campsite reservation may require planning and booking well in advance, limiting spontaneity for last-minute camping trips.

Rules and Regulations: Campgrounds may have rules and regulations governing camper behavior, including restrictions on pets, campfires, noise levels, and other activities. Campers must adhere to these rules to ensure a harmonious camping experience and avoid potential conflicts with campground staff or other campers.

Limited Privacy and Space: Campgrounds may offer less privacy and space compared to wild camping or dispersed camping areas. Campsites are typically arranged in close proximity to one another, and campers may have limited opportunities to find secluded or remote campsites within the campground.

Crowds and Noise: Campgrounds can be crowded, especially during peak season or holidays, which really detracts from the whole “being in nature” thing. Usually, people are well behaved and considerate, but sometimes they can be either oblivious to the noise they are creating or so self-centered that they just don’t care. Either way, listening to someone’s shitty music through their car speakers or hearing them snoring all night is enough to ruin my experience.

Overall, camping at campgrounds offers a convenient and comfortable camping experience with access to facilities and amenities, but it may lack the solitude and immersion in nature found in more remote camping settings. Campers should consider their preferences, camping goals, and logistical needs when choosing between campground camping and other camping options.

Wild Camping

Wild camping, also known as backcountry camping, free camping, or dispersed camping, refers to setting up camp in remote or undeveloped areas outside of designated campgrounds or established campsites. Unlike camping in campgrounds, wild camping involves pitching tents or setting up shelters in natural surroundings, often with minimal or no facilities.

The rules about wild camping vary by location (country, state, province, park, land area, etc.). For example, in the US, most land is either private or owned by government agencies. Therefore, most trails and campsites will be in State or National Parks, and permits or reservations are usually required.

In Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark and Sweden, the common right of access means you can wild camp on open land (with a few rules), but in Germany and Italy, wild camping is pretty strictly prohibited. Places like Albania don’t seem to have any rules about wild camping, especially none that are widely recognized and enforced, which shows how much they care about someone pitching a tent somewhere in nature- they don’t even care enough to think about it, much less to create rules around it.

Benefits of Wild Camping:

Camp in remote and secluded locations (usually only accessible on foot)
Connection with nature and break from the chaos of modern life (and other people)
Freedom and flexibility to set up camp wherever regulations permit, without the constraints of reservations, campsite fees, or designated check-in times
More quiet, peaceful, and calming
Opportunities for better views and locations

Downsides of Wild Camping:

Lack of Amenities: Wild camping typically lacks amenities such as potable water sources and trash disposal, requiring campers to practice Leave No Trace principles.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Wild camping regulations vary by location and may be subject to restrictions or permit requirements, especially on public lands or in protected areas. Each country/ state/ park has their own rules, so campers must familiarize themselves with local regulations and obtain necessary permits or permissions before camping in a particular area. This information can be found on the website for the place you want to camp or an online camping forum.

Minimal Comfort and Convenience: Compared to established campsites, wild camping may lack comfort and convenience amenities such as restroom facilities, fire rings, or picnic tables. However, I actually prefer peeing in the woods than in a gross bathroom, and the ground works well for a table, so this isn’t really a downside for me.

Overall, wild camping offers a unique and adventurous camping experience for those seeking solitude, immersion in nature, and the freedom to explore remote landscapes. However, it requires planning, preparation, and adherence to Leave No Trace principles to minimize environmental impact and ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.

Backyard Camping

Backyard camping, as the name suggests, refers to setting up your tent and camping in your own backyard or outdoor space, rather than venturing into a remote wilderness area or designated campground.

This is ideal for both beginners and experienced campers because first and foremost, it allows you to test your gear. You can practice setting up your tent and test out your sleeping pad. It will also help you solidify your packing list, because anything that you forget you can easily grab from your house and remember for next time (like a lighter for igniting your cooking stove!). Camping at home will help beginners get comfortable with basic camping duties and familiarize themselves with camping routines in a controlled and familiar environment.

camping for beginners trail sign state park

How to find campsites

There are several places to find campsites, which will vary based on your location and preferences. You can find a campsite in a campground that you drive to, or you can hike along a trail to a campsite in the backcountry. If you decide you want to hike to a campsite, read Choosing a Hiking Trail for Beginners: 8 Easy Steps.

How to find campgrounds

Campgrounds and permitted wild campsites can be found in National and State parks in most countries, as well as private campsites (owned by an individual and open to the public). To find campsites and all of the details about how to visit them, go to the park’s website. These websites include all information about the campgrounds, including how to get there, amenities, rules, and any necessary permits or fees.

If you are going to be backpacking in a park (such as the Mount Rainier National Park), the wild campsites that are available are designated by the Park’s Department. All of the information about these campsites can be found on the park’s website.

If you are wild camping outside of a park (such as on a road trip through the Atacama Desert in Chile) and are looking for places to set up a tent and camp, the app iOverlander is a really great resource for finding good wild camping spots. These campsites are user created, often with concise but useful information about the specific location.

Additionally, a simple internet search for “campgrounds [destination] or [near me]” should yield useful results.

Useful tips for finding and picking a wild camping spot:

Choose a site that is as far away and out of sight from roads and civilization as possible. This is for the comfort of you and others, and for your own safety. If people can’t see or hear you, they’re unable to bother you.
Find a place with some natural protection from the wind, such as near boulders, trees, or hillsides.
Try to camp near a water source so you have plenty of drinking and cooking water. However, don’t be closer than 200 feet in case it swells with rain and potentially makes for a bad surprise in the middle of the night.
Avoid spots where rain could gather as this could lead to a soaking wet sleeping bag – not fun!
Pick somewhere on an even floor: avoid bumps, slopes, roots, rocks or anything sharp underneath.
If it’s hot, pitch your tent so the door/opening is facing the breeze for the best ventilation. Otherwise, opt for the best view.

camping for beginners tent hiking backpacking — not a good spot to set up the tent…. the rain caused this flat part to flood

Camping Gear

Camping in a tent isn’t actually all that complicated. There are a few main items that you will need which will remain consistent whether you’re spending one night or seven nights outside. To see all the specific gear I personally use, check out my Perfected Backpacking Gear Checklist.

Here are the basic and most fundamental gear items you need for tent camping:

Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Pillow
Cooking stove (and gas canister)
Cooking pot and utensil
Water purifier
Food and water
Toiletries (bug spray, sunblock, etc.)
Appropriate clothing/shoes

If you have never gone camping and are unsure if you will like it, I would suggest borrowing or renting gear in the beginning. Good quality and lightweight gear is expensive, so dropping hundreds of dollars on a hobby you’re unsure you will keep doing is not advisable. Ask some friends or check out online forums for gear exchanges. Additionally, if you do end up purchasing gear, see if you can get secondhand or thrifted gear.

There are several places where you can find free or used camping gear:

Online Marketplaces: Websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Freecycle often have listings for free or discounted camping gear. You can search for items in your local area and connect with individuals who are giving away or selling used camping equipment at a reduced price.

Gear Swaps and Outdoor Forums: Many outdoor enthusiasts participate in gear swaps or online forums where they buy, sell, or trade used camping gear. Websites like GearTrade and Reddit’s /r/GearTrade are popular platforms for finding affordable outdoor gear from other enthusiasts.

Outdoor Gear Rental Programs: Some outdoor gear rental companies offer used or discounted gear for sale after it has been retired from their rental inventory. These items are typically well-maintained and may be available at a fraction of the cost of new gear.

Thrift Stores and Garage Sales: Thrift stores and garage sales can be treasure troves for finding affordable camping gear. Keep an eye out for items like tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and camping cookware at discounted prices.

Community Groups and Buy/Sell/Trade Events: Local community groups, outdoor clubs, or buy/sell/trade events may offer opportunities to buy, sell, or swap used camping gear with other outdoor enthusiasts in your area.

Friends and Family: Don’t forget to reach out to friends, family members, or acquaintances who may have unused camping gear sitting in their garage or attic. They may be willing to lend or give away gear that they no longer need.

By exploring these options, you can often find affordable or even free camping gear to outfit your outdoor adventures without breaking the bank. Just be sure to inspect used gear carefully for any signs of damage before making a purchase.

If you want to purchase your own gear because you plan on using it a lot, I recommend buying as high quality and lightweight gear as you can afford. The lighter the gear is, the more expensive it tends to be. However, it should last several years, so it’s worth it to have a super warm and lightweight sleeping bag if you’re going to use it several times a year for a decade. I have had most of my gear for 7+ years.

To see all the gear I personally use, check out my Perfected Backpacking Gear Checklist.

camping for beginners food meals dinner hiking backpacking

Food for Camping

The food you will bring camping will be different based on whether you are driving to the campsite or hiking. If you are driving and will be able to park your vehicle next to your tent (car camping), you are not limited by size, weight, or quantity of food you can bring. This means that you can bring whatever food you want. If there is a firepit and a grill at your campsite, you might want to bring foods that you can cook on that rather than your camping stove (like corn on the cob!).

If you are hiking to your campsite (backpacking), the food you bring will have to be carefully planned to ensure it is not too heavy or bulky and will be enough for the length of your trip.

The subject of camping/backpacking food is large enough to warrant its own article, so I have written a guide for the Best Healthy & Easy Camping/ Backpacking Meal Ideas – DIY, Vegan. This guide covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, as well as things not to bring and other things to consider.

I typically eat oatmeal for breakfast, topped with various nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. For lunch, I make wraps with tortillas, vegetables, and a spread like hummus. For dinner, pasta is a regular occurrence when I don’t want to eat a freeze dried backpacking meal (which I love but are expensive).

Best time to go camping

Camping for beginners is best suited for warmer weather, making summer the best time to go. However, the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer excellent camping conditions and often beautiful views of seasonal plants and colors.

Climate and weather: plan your camping trip for days that are forecasted to have pleasant temperatures and minimal chance of inclement weather or rain. Camping in the rain, snow or storms is possible, but probably not the most fun for a beginner.
Wildlife: different times of the year bring different wildlife. Some months might have more insects or mosquitoes (annoying) or migratory birds (awesome). Some months might be the breeding season for certain animals (like deers or bears). This might be something you’re trying to avoid or specifically go for.
Other people: for a quieter camping experience, avoid peak seasons, holidays and weekends. This is particularly important if you’re wild camping and need to find discrete, quiet locations. The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are good times to go camping, especially as you gain experience.
Camping permits: some areas may only allow camping at certain times of year. A lot of trails and campsites are closed during the winter due to snowfall, or when there is wildfire or avalanche risk. Be sure to check the specific location you’re going to ensure it is open and you can legally and safely camp there.

camping for beginners campfire hiking backpacking

Toiletries (how to go to the bathroom)

To go to the bathroom while camping, there are a few ways to handle it. The easiest way is to just squat (or stand) and then drip dry- no toilet paper, just give yourself a little shake and pull your pants back up. Make sure to do this away from your campsite and the trail.

You can also bring a little bit of toilet paper and TWO plastic bags- one to keep unused toilet paper in, the other to keep the used toilet paper in (DO NOT LEAVE TOILET PAPER IN THE WOODS! It needs to be packed back out with you. LEAVE NO TRACE). The best method is to use a pee cloth, like this Kula Cloth that I have. It’s made using antimicrobial materials. You simply use it to wipe (pee) and then clip it onto the outside of your backpack. I have used mine on 7-day backpacking trips and it didn’t smell or “get disgusting”. 10/10 highly recommend.

For other stuff, dig a small hole, do your business, then bury it. You should never poop closer than 200 feet to a stream or river to avoid contaminating natural water sources. Bring a small packet of baby wipes to use to clean yourself. And again, these need to be placed in a plastic bag and carried out with you. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN NATURE.

Lighting Campfires

The risk with campfires are wildfires. This is not something to fuck around with.

If there’s one thing more important in camping than Leave No Trace, it’s to be very careful with campfires. National and state parks in the USA have very specific and strict rules about campfires, and they should be followed without exception.

If you’re at a campground, make sure you follow their rules on fires – even if they’re allowed, you should still be cautious. Keep the fire small inside a pit or designated area. If you’re camping in the wild, adhere to burn seasons and regulations.

Make sure the fire is 100% extinguished before you go to sleep or leave the campsite.

If you are a beginner and you don’t have much outdoor experience, it’s probably safer to avoid fire completely – wildfires can be devastating. I personally rarely, if ever, start a fire when I am camping.

camping for beginners night sky stars galaxy

Making camping more comfortable

People often assume that camping is uncomfortable because you’re “roughing it” and “sleeping outside”. But this doesn’t have to be true! If you have the appropriate gear for your trip, you should not feel like you are enduring the outdoors, you should feel like you are experiencing it.

Bring the right gear that’s suited to your trip
Bring warm/cool enough clothes
Go pee before you go to sleep
Bring sandals that are easy to slip on and off (keep them by the door of your tent)
Keep your headlamp and water bottle easily accessible
If you’re a light sleeper, think about taking earplugs and even an eye mask
Choose a really beautiful place that you are happy to spend time in
Bring enough food that you are happy to be eating (to include snackies and treats)
Bring an activity such as a book, journal, cards, or sketchbook
Make sure you have some insect repellent (no one likes being swarmed and bitten by mosquitos)

Frequently Asked Questions

The most expensive part of camping is the gear. If you are new to camping and are still unsure if this is a hobby you want to commit to, I would highly recommend borrowing or buying used gear. There are many places to buy used camping gear online, ranging from REI’s used section to facebook marketplace. There are organizations that collect and sell used gear, with the proceeds going to a good cause like conservation.

You can get affordable camping gear by buying used, which will alleviate most of the costs associated with camping. The other costs include any permits and fees for the campsite, food, and gas to drive there (or public transit). Other than that, the point of camping is to be outdoors, where money is meaningless.

Bring it back out with you (in a plastic bag). Yes, all of it. That includes apple cores, banana skins, cigarette butts etc. Nothing should be left, no matter how small it is, even if it’s biodegradable.

Cooking inside your tent is not advised for a few reasons: 1) the lack of ventilation from the flame could cause a buildup of fumes like carbon monoxide. 2) the flame from the stove could burn your tent, sleeping bag, or clothing. 3) you could spill and damage/ruin your tent and other gear. 4) you could burn yourself and cause an accident.

As a beginner learning how to camp, you should start with one night in your backyard to test your equipment and check your packing list. Once you’re ready to venture to a campground, plan a 2-3 night stay. Having your car nearby will allow you a sense of safety and comfort. Once you feel comfortable with this, you can work your way up to backpacking, where you hike into a wild campsite in the wilderness and stay for as many nights as you want (1 – 7 nights).

Check out my YouTube videos about various camping trips I have done!