Camping

Camping means sleeping outdoors, usually in a tent, hammock, or vehicle setup, often at a designated campground or backcountry site. A typical car-camping trip includes shelter, sleeping pad and bag rated for the season, a stove or fire for cooking where allowed, food stored away from wildlife, and layers for cool nights. Campgrounds provide toilets and sometimes water; backcountry camping requires carrying everything in and out, including trash. Leave No Trace principles guide where to pitch, how to handle waste, and how to minimize impact.^[1][2]

Begin at a developed campground with restrooms and drinking water. Borrow or rent a tent and practice setting it up at home first. Pack a sleeping pad and bag appropriate for nighttime lows, a headlamp, and simple meals you can cook on a camp stove. Check fire rules and reservation requirements. Arrive before dark on your first trip. After a few front-country nights, try a short backpacking overnight if you want more solitude. Keep the first menu simple and the gear list short.^[1]