Beginner's Guide to Tent Camping: How to Camp and Where

How to Select and Buy Camping Equipment for a Trip

Beginner's Guide to Tent Camping.
There's something enchanting about sleeping in a tent under the stars and hearing the breeze, the gentle rain, and the wildlife. Your dining room is a serene forest, a soft meadow, or a nearby tranquil lake.

Besides being enchanting and fun, camping is usually far less expensive than staying in a hotel. For example, camping near the shores of Hawaii is usually anywhere from free to $5 per night, while staying in a hotel near the shore often costs between $300 and $800 per night. Camping is a very economical recreation.

Getting started. Decide what kind of camping you'll do
Different types of tent camping require varying amounts of equipment. For example, less equipment is required for a camping trip to a park with sophisticated amenities such as a recreation center, showers, flush toilets, cooking grills, and faucets with drinkable water scattered throughout the grounds, and other luxuries. More equipment is needed for primitive or wilderness camping where there are no toilets, water faucets, cooking grills, or bath houses.

Additionally, different gear is required for cold-weather tent camping versus mild-weather tent camping. Some tents are built to withstand high winds and cold temperatures, other are built for wet climates with the ability to protect against an unremitting pounding rain or sleet.

For backpacking or for those who must travel by air to get to their camp site, special ultra-lightweight gear is essential.

The focus of this article is for the beginner tent camper. Thus, specialized equipment for harsh weather, primitive environments, or ultra lightweight needs is outside the scope of this article. Those new to camping should select a park or campground that provides drinking water and restrooms.

For those who are "testing out" camping, and are uncertain as to whether or not camping will be something they add to their usual summer activities, gear can be rented, or very inexpensive gear can be purchased at a large discount store.