These tips are most applicable to people who are planning on going on a hiking adventure (i.e. where you take all your gear with you on your back). If you are going to be driving to a central campsite that you will stay at every night of your trip, check out our general camping tips page.

Don’t Become Mission Impossible

Hide and go seek may have been great fun when you were a kid, but it’s not so fun when people can’t find you on your planned hiking route when you need them to. Always let friends and family know the route you will be taking – be especially clear about where your final destination will be. This way, if something does happen to you and you don’t make it back in time, rescue parties will know where to look. I’m sure you’ve seen news reports where hikers’ lives have been tragically lost. I’m sure you’ve also seen some great rescue stories too. There are things that you can do to drastically improve your situation if you become lost or hurt. If you are going to be hiking for any great distance or in dangerous areas, it’s a good idea to bring an EPIRB or PLB to let rescuers know where you are if you do become lost or hurt. It’s also a great idea to have a small first aid kit and space blanket to help you to survive longer.

Be Water Wise

Having enough water for your hike is the most important thing you can do! It is a pain to carry water (it’s not the lightest stuff in the world), but the last thing you want to happen is to become dehydrated. The best hikes are ones where you know that you can replenish your water supply along the way. Even so, if possible, you should plan to take enough water so as not to have to rely on this (preferably at least half a gallon – 2L – a day). If you are planning on using water from sources along your hike, you should either boil it before using it or bring some water purification tablets or both! This will ensure that it is safe for you to use – you usually don’t know where that water has come from. A great way of carrying your water is to have a large, light water canister in your pack and some light, durable, reusable water bottles with you that are easy to carry either on the outside of your pack or (preferably) on your waist.

Food For a (Hi)King

In this day and age, you can get all sorts of tasty meals to take with you on a decent hiking trip. Dehydrated meals are a great option for dinner. Do not bring meals in a can! When you’re hiking, you want the weight in your pack to be as little as possible. Canned meals add a considerable amount of weight to your pack and it is difficult to take your “can trash” with you after it has been used. Always remember to take your trash with you when you leave! Pre-packaged meals for breakfast and lunch and small snack packs and fruit packs are great. The main thing is to try to choose foods that are in packaging that is light, so that it is not an issue carrying the packaging when you’ve finished stuffing your face. Make sure you bring some snack foods that give you lasting energy while you’re hiking during the day such as beef jerky, nuts and/or some trail mix. Always take your trash away with you (I can’t emphasize this enough) – a camp site should be left in better condition after you leave than what it was when you got there.

Getting Equipped

There are some things that you need to have in order to have a great hike. This includes having a suitable backpack, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, tent/swag, clothing and footwear. All of these items should be as light as possible – it’s worth spending a little more if it’s going to mean less weight on your back. In general, you get what you pay for with hiking equipment. Make sure that these items are suitable for the weather you are going to encounter. It’s not worth bringing lots of warm clothing if you’re hiking in the middle of summer. Always test out your equipment and know how to use it and/or make sure it is working before you go on your trip. The last thing you want to be doing after getting to a campsite is working out how to put up your tent or figuring out how to get your camp stove going!

Camp Fire Safety

If you are going to a campsite you have not been to before, you should find out beforehand whether camp fires are allowed at the site and if there are designated camp fire areas. In many locations there are also fire restrictions and/or fire bans during some times of the year (e.g. in the summertime). The best way to do this is via contacting the park ranger or local fire authorities. If you are allowed to have a camp fire and you are planning on building one, always take plenty of safety precautions. Clear the area around the fire – at least 15-20 feet (4.5-6m) around the fire should be clear. Be vigilant and keep an eye out for any embers that may light up surrounding brush. Be wise as to whether a fire is a good idea if there is a lot of wind. If you are camping in the summertime (or any time of year really), take note of any smoke off in the distance. Fires can spread very quickly and overtake you in no time.

Weather Update-athon

Nobody wants to go hiking in bad weather, but sometimes Mother Nature can throw some surprises our way. It’s a great idea to be as up to date with the weather as possible, starting by checking forecasts every day in the week leading up to when you plan on leaving for your hiking trip. That way, it will become more obvious as the date gets closer whether it will be worthwhile postponing your trip. If possible, check the latest weather information on the day you are leaving. If there is any possibility of bad weather coming at some point during your hike, you can make sure that you have equipment to deal with it packed before you leave. That way your trip is less likely to be miserable if bad weather comes – you’re prepared for it already.

Clothing Backup

Another way to be prepared is to have an extra set of clothes packed. These should be packed in a waterproof pouch/bag as a backup. Often times when hiking, we can get into situations where our clothes get either wet or very soiled, making it difficult to keep wearing them for a period of time while they dry, sometimes even for the remainder of your hike! This is where having backup clothing comes in handy.

The Most Important Advice of All….

Have fun! Being in the outdoors can be and should be great fun. Being prepared goes a long way towards making this possible. Hopefully these tips have helped you for your next trip. Getting out into the great outdoors is a wonderful way of de-stressing and having a great time while you’re at it. Enjoy!