The 12 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Packing For A Camping Trip

It is no secret that Americans love camping. In fact, according to The Dyrt's 2023 Camping Report, there are over 80 million campers in the United States, with 7.2 million of those being first-timers. It is easy to see the appeal. Camping has enormous physical and mental health benefits, like relationship building and the learning of new skills. Still, with the number of newcomers increasing every year, there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to knowing exactly what to pack.

It doesn't matter if you're solo backpacking the Appalachian Trail or nestling for a week in one of America's numerous breathtaking campgrounds; you need to pack for the occasion. You need to think about things like lighting, first aid, food, water, clothing, weather protection, and footwear. Experienced campers will have detailed organizational packing systems in place. Beginners, however, will likely fall victim to some pretty big mistakes.

Packing mistakes can either be a mild nuisance or potentially life-threatening. Regardless, the degree to which a camper chooses to pack will impact their trip. We'll discuss exactly what these mistakes are, why they should be avoided, and how they can be fixed. 

This rule applies to all gear, new or used. Testing your gear before a trip will ensure that any kinks will be sorted out long before you reach the campsite. The timeframe in which to do this varies, but two days to a week of testing is sufficient. Doing it the night before or the day of is going to cause unnecessary stress. 

Always test gear that you are going to rely upon for essential functions. Set up your tent in the backyard when you know it's going to rain to make sure that there are no leaks. Light your camp stove and boil some water to make sure the stove is working. If you're a backpacker, check your pack for any structural problems like loose straps or fraying seams. It's also a good idea to take a walk with your loaded backpack to prepare your body for the hike ahead. If you've got new hiking shoes, test those out too.

Think of these tests as insurance. They may be aggravating to do, but you'll certainly be glad you've done them once you're camping. The very last thing you want is not to be able to cook because you didn't check the camp stove or wake up to water dripping on your head because you didn't bother to check the tent. Take the time to test your gear. You won't regret it.

Murphy's Law goes as such: if you don't have first aid when you go camping, you're going to get hurt. That is the plain truth. Of all the mistakes on this list, not packing first aid has to be among the biggest. Though most first aid kits are only equipped to treat minor injuries, that treatment could prevent further infection or increased injury down the line. We're going to hammer this home. You need to bring first aid with you when you go camping.

Far from being cumbersome, modern first aid kits are easily packable and come loaded with essentials like bandages, disinfecting wipes and creams, gauze rolls, blister pads, and tweezers. More intense options are available that include survivalist gear like emergency blankets, medicines, towels, whistles, and even flares. Most campers will only need the former, but those heading to remote areas would do well to purchase the latter.

Obviously, broken bones, deep wounds, or bites from animals like snakes require immediate professional medical attention. However, for cuts, bruises, bee stings, mosquito bites, bruises, and minor burns, a classic camping first aid kit is the way to go. Please do not forget it.

Anyone who has suffered from a sunburn or bug bite knows that, while not immediately life-threatening, they are nevertheless extremely annoying. Forgetting to bring sunscreen, however, is actually going to put you in more danger than not. As a general rule, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone wear a water-resistant sunscreen SPF 30 or higher. This base keeps your skin protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays the sun puts out. 

Bug spray, on the other hand, is excellent at keeping your camping trip itch-free. Most store-bought repellents rely on Deet and other chemicals to keep the bugs away. If you are chemically averse, you can use essential oils like citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, or sage. Whichever route you go, you'll be happy you remembered it. Few things are more annoying when camping than mosquitoes that won't leave you alone.

So, make sure you add bug spray and sunscreen to your list of essentials. Most come in manageably sized bottles, so you shouldn't have any trouble fitting them in amongst your other gear.

The hiking backpack holds all of the essentials that make a trip as enjoyable as possible. Your tent, spare clothes, first aid, food, and water bottles can all fit into a good backpack. The thing is, though, no matter how much you can squeeze into your backpack, if the gear isn't properly organized, your pack will be more hindrance than help.

Organizing your pack makes it easier to wear and makes camp set up and breakdown a breeze. Plus, when you know exactly where things are, you can find them a lot easier. Backpack packing is broken into four sections: bottom, middle back, middle front, and top. At the bottom of the pack goes your sleeping back and any middle-weight gear like bulk food. The middle back is for heavier items like tents and cookware. The middle front is for clothes and toiletries. The top is for lightweight, easy-to-grab essentials like first aid, water filters, and snacks.

Organizing your backpack in this way keeps the essentials close at hand while minimizing the time you would otherwise spend digging through your pack.

Bringing your favorite fragrance along when camping is not a common mistake, but it could have drastic consequences. You see, cologne and other enticing scents are not ones that occur naturally in the great outdoors. As a result, they are likely to bring a whole manner of different creatures curiously crawling into your tent. Bugs are certainly going to be aroused by whatever you're wearing, but that isn't going to be your biggest problem. Bears are.

Regardless of where you go camping in the United States, the likelihood of you running into a bear is a lot higher than you want to believe. The chances of an encounter increase if you bring along any of your favorite scented soaps or deodorants. Bears have an amazing sense of smell, and they will use that sense to seek out any smells they find interesting. This is usually reserved for food, but those bath soaps you brought from home are just as interesting.

For the safety of yourself and everyone else in camp, please avoid bringing anything scented with you. Smells travel a lot farther than you think they do and will very likely attract many unwanted visitors to your area.

You're not going to be wearing heels or ultra-expensive collector sneakers to the campsite. That would be impractical. The types of shoes you should be packing are ones that can stand up to the great outdoors without falling apart. Think hiking shoes or boots for wandering around the campsite and a pair of sturdy sandals or flip-flops to bring to the camp showers if they're available. 

Good camping footwear needs to be substantial for work, yet light enough not to be overbearing. Packing the right shoes is going to do wonders for your feet. You'll feel comfortable, and if you encounter puddles or more difficult terrain, your footwear will keep your feet dry as well as provide added stability. Plus, good shoes will also protect your feet from roots, insects, and other ground hazards.

None of these mistakes need to be made. All can be remedied with proper planning and good equipment. Still, if they are made, hopefully, the experience will teach you never to make them again. Happy camping.