Beginner Camping Information - Frequently Asked Questions

A. For some, it's being outdoors and enjoying nature. For others, it's for the sense of achievement or social aspect. In any case, you can get a lot out of camping when you do it right.

A. Absolutely. Thousands of people bring their children tent camping. In fact, many children fondly remember their camping with their parents. It's also one of the best ways to spend quality time as a family. It's safe as long as you have good knowledge of camping.

A. Usually it's safe. That depends on the type of camping your doing. It's even more safe when you camp within your level and ability.

A. There's all sorts of camping... tent, backpack, winter, canoe, bike touring, car, horse, hunting, base camping... and the list goes on. See the Camping Information section below for more details.

A. Generally tent base camping, but we cover the other types of camping for beginners to show what else is out there.

Q. I hear a lot about backpack camping. Should I start out with this as a beginner.

A. No. Backpack camping requires advances skills that most beginners haven't developed yet. If you don't know much about camping yet, or you're not sure if you like camping, stick with base camping before moving up to advanced camping like backpacking. The information BeginnerCampingTips.com provides also gets into the reasons why beginners shouldn't start with backpacking.

When you think of a camping trip you may picture yourself in a tent at a local campground. While this is a classic type of camping, it is not the only way in which you can enjoy camping. There are actually eight different types of camping that range from canoe to recreational vehicle camping. It is important to understand what types of camping options are available as well as the differences between these fun filled options.

There are three main categories of camping which include tent camping, backpacking, and recreational vehicle camping. These three diverse categories of camping enable campers of every background, interest level, and time constraint to enjoy a camping trip. Let’s take a look at each camping category in more detail to determine which type of camping will suit your needs.

TENT CAMPING: Tent camping involves camping in a tent at a campground, national park, or in the wilderness. Camping tents come in a variety of sizes and intended uses. For example, there are All-Season tents, Three-Season tents, and Winter/Mountaineering tents which are used in tent camping. Tent camping is great for individuals and families that want to experience nature for a few days or long stretches of time. You can hike trails and explore the wilderness while pitching your tent for the night.

Tent camping requires a great deal of equipment as you will need to bring a tent, camping gear such as clothing and sleeping bags, camp cookware, food, and camp safety items. Tent camping requires an initial investment in a tent and camping supplies, but is an affordable option and is fun for the entire family. Tent camping is also versatile in comfort level. For example, you can pitch a tent in a remote wilderness area and create your own campfire and bathroom. Or you can pitch a tent in a local park that has campfire pits and restrooms available.

BACKPACKING: Backpacking presents a different camping experience. Backpacking is for the physically fit person as you must carry all your camping supplies in your backpack. Backpacking allows you to explore nature, but you must rely on only what you can fit and carry in your backpack. Backpacking enthusiasts range from day backpackers that hike on lake trails to extreme backpackers that climb mountains. Each type of backpacking has individual camping gear needs. Basically, backpacking requires expensive specialized gear that is lightweight.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CAMPING: Recreational vehicle camping (RV) is for campers that wish to have the comforts of home during their camping trip. RV camping encompasses camping in a popup tent /folding trailer that you tow behind your car, hard-sided trailers, and recreational vehicles known as motor homes. Popup tent/folding trailers are the least expensive of recreational vehicle camping options.

Popup tent/folding trailers are advantageous in that you can use these in both a tent campground and RV park. Popup tent/folding trailers enable you to have a comfortable sleeping area and more protection than a tent. You can travel a greater distance in your popup tent/folding camper than traditional tent camping because you will use your car to pull it. Popup tent/folding trailers are great for individuals and families that wish to take a long camping trip such as the entire summer. Popup tent/folding trailers provide flexibility in your camping experience.

Another form of recreational vehicle camping is to camp in a hard-sided trailers. Hard-sided trailers are trailers that are fully upright when you tow them. Picture a pickup truck towing a hard-sided trailer that you can stand upright in and it extends over the bed of the truck. This type of trailer provides more creature comforts then a Popup tent/folding trailer because your sleeping area is already set up. Plus, hard-sided trailers often have stoves, refrigerators, and a bathroom. A disadvantage to hard-sided trailers is that you must have a strong enough vehicle to properly tow the trailer. Your gas mileage may decrease significantly due to the weight of the trailer. This can cost you money at the gas pump.

Another form of recreational vehicle camping is to travel in a RV. A RV offers all the comforts of your home including a bathroom, shower, oven, stove, refrigerator, air conditioning, TV, stereo, etc. Traveling in a RV is fun for anyone that wishes to see the country. For example, many families spend vacations traveling in their RV across the United States. They are able to experience such national treasures as the Grand Canyon and Great Lakes all without leaving the comforts of home behind. Many senior citizens spend retirement traveling in a RV. While RV camping has many benefits, it does have drawbacks as well. A RV can cost several thousand dollars initially and maintenance can become pricey. In addition, some RV campgrounds are crowded and don’t offer a rustic camping experience.

SPECIALIZED CAMPING: Camping is filled with activities such as hiking and canoeing. Often times these activities are incorporated into tent camping. However, some campers wish to focus solely on the activity and base their camping around that activity. Specialized camping can include canoe, snowshoe, mountain biking, and car camping. Let’s take a look at each specialized area more closely.

1. Canoe Camping: Canoe camping enables you to admire the great outdoors while paddling down rivers, streams, and lakes. You can purchase an all-purpose canoe or a specialized canoe that can hold a heavy load. It is important to find the appropriate size canoe. An 18 foot canoe is designed for a family of four along with their camping gear. Canoe camping requires careful planning, practice, and waterproof gear. Canoe camping is geared towards experienced campers or under the supervision of an experienced camper. You will need to understand how to fix your canoe in case an emergency arises, especially on a long canoe trip. However, short canoe trips are feasible for many families.

2. Snowshoe Camping: Snowshoe camping occurs in winter climates. Snowshoe camping is for the outdoor adventurer that is physically able to handle the demands of snowshoeing as well as dealing with the blustery winter elements. Snowshoe camping often occurs in the mountains and thus a Winter/Mountaineering tent is necessary. Snowshoe camping entails a significant amount of planning, preparation, and knowledge. Snowshoe campers must know how to deal with cold weather injuries and how to battle against the elements. Specialized camping gear is necessary and can become quite costly.

3. Mountain Biking Camping: Mountain biking can be a fun activity for the entire family when you go on a tent camping trip. A major advantage to mountain biking is that campers of all ages and fitness levels can take part. Some campers prefer to mountain bike while toting all their camping gear instead of biking as a side activity. If you participate in Mountain Biking Camping then it is crucial that you find a quality, well fitting mountain bike. Mountain bikes can cost several hundred dollars or more, but the investment is well worth it. You will need to purchase bicycle safety equipment (i.e. Helmet and tools) as well as racks to hold your camping gear. Mountain Biking Camping is for campers that can live without the comforts of home.

4. Car Camping: Car camping entails packing up your car and heading straight to the campsite. Car camping is flexible in that you can quickly head out of town for a weekend car camping trip and the ease of travel is beneficial for older campers as well. The supplies and camping gear you bring for car camping depends on the activities you will enjoy and length of the camping trip. For example, you may wish to spend two days and one night camping. You can pack your sleeping bags, food supplies, and camping gear and drive to your campsite. You can park your car, hike for the day, sleep in your sleeping bags (or car) at night, and then head home the next day. Car camping can be a less expensive and fun camping option.

To find out more on how to be better prepared for your camping trip from
start to finish, get your expert advice from "The Beginner's Guide To Getting You Started With Comfortable Tent Camping In 12 Easy Affordable Steps"