How to Spend One Really Great Night in the Woods
Hear me out: tents are little hotels you can take anywhere.
I love camping. I’ve tried to pinpoint what exactly about it makes me return to the woods over and over again. Is it enjoying the quiet mornings when you roll out of your tent for a cup of tea, just listening to the birds as they greet the day? Maybe hiking all afternoon and returning back to camp for a hearty stew? Or sitting around a glowing fire well into the the night, feasting on dessert?
Perhaps it’s feeling one step closer to being a true Baba Yaga-like creature of the woods. Or, it could be the snacks, which have a perpetual hold on me. Big shrug!
I know camping’s not for everyone. I get some looks when I meet new folks who are shocked at how much time I actively spend in the woods or trying to get back into them. It reminds me that not everyone has had a great experience sleeping in a tent. What about a redo?
Each June kicks off The Great American Campout, an annual summer campaign started by the National Wildlife Federation back in 2004. It’s a simple idea: encourage people to go camping for one night to see what nature has to offer. They might just fall in love with the woods and turn into stewards of the land themselves — or at least have a greater appreciation for the outdoors.
I’ll be honest. It would be a lie to say every camping trip I’ve ever been on has been amazing — cue the montage of soaking wet tent and sleeping bag in the Smoky Mountains, forgotten bug spray in the deep woods, a nearby camper leaving their RV generator running all night in the Rockies, and a camping companion forgetting all the food miles from town.
But going out there gave me a chance to really see the Milky Way in complete darkness, to experience the thrill of butterfly swarms in the backcountry, and the sense of achievement that came with launching my own bear bag high up in a tree despite being 5’0” and generally unathletic.
Intrigued but hesitant? I say go for it. And to support your interest in testing out your new camping hobby, I share with you five tips for having a really great night in the woods.
You don’t have to go far to have a good time. Prepping for a night at camp can be a little overwhelming — you’re finding a sleeping bag, planning meals and packing a cooler, and learning to set up a tent. Keep it simple by staying within 30 minutes of home. This gives you more time to get your campsite set up just how you like it before the sun goes down, and if catastrophe strikes, you can always leave!
Don’t get bogged down with a Pinterest board. There are a ton of lists out there that will have you pack everything under the sun into your car for a basic overnight camp. Start with the essentials: shelter (aka a tent), a way to make a fire, bug spray, a light source, and food and water. Build from there. (Some beginning campers don’t even cook at camp, and you don’t have to either — pack sandwiches or pick up a pizza on your way out of town.)
I’m going to be honest with you: there will be at least one raccoon, and it will attempt to steal something. Bags of marshmallows are a top choice. What does this mean for you? Keep food items locked away in your vehicle (never in your tent), and avoid leaving trash out. Because it will be torn open and strewn everywhere come morning.
In the days leading up to any campout, I’m watching the weather. At this stage of camping, I tend to go despite rain or uncomfortable temps, though I’m not at all suggesting that for first-time campers. Getting soaked or sweating profusely on your first camping trip does not typically inspire returns.
This is a non-negotiable. Camp dessert is a lil treat that is possibly the best part of the experience. Plus, a good dessert fixes everything that goes wrong: a fight with tent poles, grumpy kids, and getting back to camp late after a too-long hike.
You’ve got this, Outdoor Humans! Let me know in the comments how your first camp goes!