What are the Best Tips for Camping and Hiking?

The best tips for camping and hiking typically involve taking along the right equipment and food, wearing appropriate clothing, and being safe overall. People who go camping and hiking may need to carefully plan ahead before venturing out. Lots of things should initially be considered, such as the area in which the camping or hiking excursion will occur, what the weather will be like, and the duration of the trip. A person who plans carefully for camping or hiking and takes along the appropriate gear may be more likely to have a successful, satisfying journey as opposed to someone who ventures out spontaneously without considering these things.

Camping trips require different equipment depending on whether or not a person is tent camping or camping inside an RV, also known as a recreational vehicle. In general, tent camping requires a tent, proper gear to set the tent up, and either a cot or sleeping bag and pillow to use at night. If a person is camping in an RV, a tent won't be necessary and regular blankets can typically be used in place of sleeping bags.

Regardless of whether or not a person camps in a tent or an RV, he will need food and a way to cook it. Camping in a tent means cooking outdoors, so a portable grill or cook stove might be appropriate, whereas RV's typically come equipped with miniature kitchens; people often still use portable grills outdoors when they camp in RVs, however.

The proper clothing is also important with both camping and hiking. How a person dresses and the clothes he takes along with him when camping should depend mostly on the weather, and comfort might also be a factor. Camping and hiking both normally require a person to be exposed to the elements, which means nicer things should probably be left at home in favor of older clothes that it won't hurt to get dirty. When a person is hiking, he should also wear good quality hiking boots that won't hurt his feet as well as clothes that are made of synthetic fibers rather than from cotton. Synthetic material is considered superior to cotton for hiking and other outdoor activities because it can help wick away sweat from the body without absorbing it and becoming heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Safety is probably the most important thing for people to consider before going camping and hiking. Both of these outdoor activities occasionally present the threat of exposure to wildlife, weather emergencies relating to sudden changes in temperature, and the possibility of becoming lost. People who go camping or hiking should familiarize themselves beforehand on what to do if they encounter potentially dangerous wildlife, how to treat snake and any serious insect bites, and keep with them at all times a map and compass in the event that they get lost. Lots of insect repellent, sunscreen, and proper clothing for both extreme heat and cold should typically be taken along on camping and hiking trips.