A Beginner’s Guide to Camping in Style
With spring having officially arrived, the time has come for putting away the winter coats and starting the search for the best camping near Salem, Oregon.
Camping offers a great way to experience the majestic beauty offered by the Pacific Northwest. From the breathtaking views of the Oregon Coast to the quite majesty of the Painted Hills, Oregon has no shortage of stunning vistas and amazing views to see. By electing to camp outdoors, you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of your time in the car, as most of Oregon’s scenic views sit far outside of most of the major cities.
However, if you’ve haven’t been searching for the best camping near Salem, Oregon, or haven’t camped at all, you might find the idea of spending a night outside a little intimidating. Fortunately, the camping industry has tailored itself to meet the needs of most any camper. So in case the idea of glamping – glamorous camping – appeals to you more than say a Bear Grylls style survivalist adventure, we have a few tips for how inexperience campers can feel safe, comfortable and in their element.
Select Your Campsite with Care
Campsite, like hotels, have different rules. Some allow all pets, while others only allow animals of certain sizes or no pets at all. Some are kid friendly, and include playgrounds and areas for them to run around and play. Others are deep in the woods and feature only enough space to set up your camping equipment. Most importantly, not every campsite will include facilities like showers and toilets. If you’re not comfortable answering nature’s call in nature or using a squat toilet, you may be in for quite a shock in your camping trip isn’t properly planned.
As a beginner camper, it’s best to book a campsite with high quality facilities and a nearby town so you have plenty of options for buying supplies should you forget something important. There’s nothing wrong with picking a campsite with plenty of amenities, especially if camping with young children. Better that everybody enjoys their time camping the first time out rather than having a difficult experience nobody wants to repeat.
Buy a Quality Tent
How comfortable your night sleeping under the stars will greatly depend on the type of tent you decide to purchase. A quick trip to the local sporting goods store will show you that tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When selecting the right tent for you and the family, it’s often a good idea to pick one that’s a size or two bigger than the number of people who will actually be using it. Not only will this provide enough room for you to store some of your gear, it will also ensure you and your tent partner don’t spend the night sleeping on top of each other.
Yes, You Will Need a Sleeping Bag
Because we spend most of our time indoors in air conditioned homes at night, it’s easy to forget just how cold it can get outside during the middle of the night, even during the spring and summer months. Whatever time of year you decide to go camping it’s a good idea to always bring a sleeping bag to help keep you comfortable during those nights when the temperature drops.
When selecting the right sleep bag, make sure to check its temperature rating to ensure it will keep you at a comfortable temperature for the time of year you decide to camp. Some bags are designed for winter camping, which would be like wearing a woolen sweater to baseball game in July if that’s your only bag to use during the summer months. If you don’t want to wake up sweating and feeling dehydrated, buying the right sleeping bag for the appropriate time of year is a must.
Pick Up the Right Gear
You don’t need to feel uncomfortable when camping. Having the little things covered can transform a camping experience from unpleasant to a family favorite. Battery packs for mobile devices, camping lights and portable cooking equipment are all examples of accessories that can make it a little easier to “rough it.”
Practice Makes Perfect
One of the most important tips any new camper can learn is to practice pitching your tent. Don’t wait until you’re at the campsite to discover you don’t have all of the tools or the know-how to assemble your tent. Additionally, by practicing you’ll have a better idea of how to assemble your tent should the weather turn against you. Trying to assemble a tent at dusk or in the rain is far more doable if you have experience.