There’s nothing better than getting back to basics and spending some time in Mother Nature. Camping gives you a wonderful opportunity to break free from the stresses of day-to-day life and really enjoy the simpler things. It lets you gain a real appreciation for our planet and can help lift your spirits in remarkable ways.
But, why spend just a weekend camping? Why not spend a week in the great outdoors – or even longer? Imagine the experiences you will be able to have when you remove yourself from all of the distractions of a modern lifestyle, like technology, traffic, and the constant hustle and bustle.
Of course, if you’re planning on “roughing it” for an extended period of time, you are going to want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. While being in nature can certainly be beneficial, the lack of creature comforts could end up making your experience much less pleasant that it can be. Here’s a look at some tips that will help you make your campsite comfortable for the long haul.
Choose the Right Location
Location, location, location! This isn’t just a term that applies to buying real estate; it also makes a huge difference in the comfort of your camping experience.
Make sure you choose a campsite in the most optimal location. Think about how close it is to the public bathrooms, water spigots, and other facilities that could improve your comfort such as first-aid and a general store. You want to be within close enough proximity so that you can easily access these facilities. However, you don’t want to be so close that your campsite will be disturbed by other campers who will also be using them.
Plan Before You Build
Make sure you have a good plan before you set up your site. It might help to create a blueprint, so-to-speak, of the campsite before you start setting up. For example, looking at the shade and sun exposure of the site will help you determine where to set up your tent (the last thing you want is to wake up with the sun blaring in your face or cooking you when you want to take a mid-afternoon snooze). You also want to figure out where to place things like your camp stove, a fire pit, a barbecue, a seating area, a spot for playing games, and so on. The better your layout, the more comfortable you will be. Of course, you can make changes as needed, but do you really want to deal with breaking everything down and setting it back up?
Add in the Extras
There are some pretty obvious items that you’re going to want to bring along when you’re camping. However, if you’re camping for a long period of time, you will want to bring some extras that you probably wouldn’t take along on a short excursion, such as an outdoor wood burning stove and a canopy.
Firstly, make sure you pack those extra items in your gear. You don’t want to end up not having them available when you get to your site. Secondly, once you have established the basics of your campsite – the location of your tent and dining area, for example – you can then add in those extras, placing them in spots that will allow you to make the most of them.
Summary
Long-term camping can be a very rewarding experience, so long as you plan for your comfort properly. Keep these tips in mind and you will be able to be as comfortable as possible and get the most out of your long term camping experience.
