How To Plan A Camping Trip

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The best camping tips are the ones that make camping simple and fun!

When you know how to plan a camping trip, you spend a little time doing some pre-planning so you can totally relax and camp comfortably on your adventure!

How to plan a camping trip by CampingForFoodies is a beautiful scene in Yosemite National Park with orange, green and yellow autumn trees along the glistening water of the Merced River, in the background light clouds and mist hug the rock walls and the foreground includes a man-built stone wall of a quaint bridge over the river with text over the image reading how to plan camping trips.

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Simple And Organized Camping Trip Planning

Answering a few questions will help you use a camping planner to design your perfect trip.


Who

Who are you going camping with?

Are you doing a couple camping trip, family trip with kids, group camping trip with adults, guys trip with the buddies, girls glamping adventure or just going solo?

Will you be camping with any animals?

Who and how many people you are camping with impacts many of the decisions you need to make in the planning process.

Hey ladies, if you need help with a camping glamping plan, we have DIY glamping ideas that are cute, simple and fast!      


What

What do you want to camp in?

Will you be in a tent, RV or a cabin?

Are there restrictions or limitations based on your choice?

For example, many National Parks have length limitations on camping sites for RVs.

Some campsites and cabins have a maximum number of guests and parking spaces for vehicles.

Pets are not always welcome so check for restrictions during your planning phase if you want to bring your furry family members.

If you are camping in an RV, make sure you get your FREE copy of our RV tool kit checklist too.


When

What is the timing for your trip?

When do you want to go?

How long will you stay?

How much time will you devote to traveling?

How far in advance are reservations required?

Remember, popular campgrounds are booked months in advance so start planning as early as possible so you are not disappointed.

I created a long-term advanced RV trip planner the year we took our summer camping vacation in Yosemite National Park.


Where

Where do you want to go?

When you decide if your excursion will be a short weekend camping trip or a long camping road trip, you can begin to consider your destination.

Think about the distance the campground is from your home and the travel time required to get there and back.

Your logistics planning should also include your travel days.

We have a personal rule … 1 for 1.

That means for every hour of travel, we need to stay one night.

For example, if we drive 4 hours to get somewhere, we plan a family camping trip that will be at least 5 days/4 nights.

The longer the drive, the more you will need road trip food ideas and travel snacks as well as games to play on a road trip for the journey.

Also think about the travel route you intend to take.

Is there an alternate route in case of road closures, emergencies etc.?

Do you want to stay at a campsite in a National Park campground, in a National Forest campsite or at a private RV park, campground or on private land?

If you are planning to find a campground where no reservations are required … do you have a backup plan if there is no availability upon your arrival?

Don’t forget that first-come, first-served dispersed campsites are usually lacking in amenities.

Things like picnic tables, running water and electricity may not be available so you’ll need to be prepared by bringing your own camp gear to be self-sufficient.

If you are only slightly familiar with boondocking … or have no experience with it at all, we can help you!


Why

Why are you going on this trip?

Do you want to experience outdoor activities and magnificent hiking trails?

Do you want to participate in water activities like boating, fishing and swimming?

Do you just want to relax in the great outdoors and pitch a tent with your sleeping bags?

Are you thinking you want some RV road trip ideas for sightseeing, local experiences, unusual attractions, restaurants and special events?


How

How will you pack for your trip?

What will you need for your meals, gear and clothing?

It is a good idea to carry all your normal gear like a camping stove, camping propane, cooking and eating utensils as well as a fully-stocked first aid kit.

Use our FREE printable camping checklist to help you remember everything you need to pack.


Cost

Determine your budget for the entire trip and stick with it.

There is nothing worse than paying on a credit card for a trip long after the fun is over because you didn’t budget properly!

The expenses you should plan for include…

Fuel

Make sure you budget for the fuel you will be using for the travel portion of your journey but also for the fuel you will be using at and around your camping destination.

Lodging

Calculate your anticipated campsite fees including extra charges for hookups, water/waste, showers, laundry, firewood etc.

Rentals

If you are renting vehicles or gear, include a budget line item for those.

For example, you might be renting an RV … be sure you know how the charges are calculated … especially mileage as well as refundable and non-refundable fees for things like cleaning.

If you are renting camping equipment like tents, kitchen sets, linens … understand the terms of the contract and how fees are calculated.

Be aware of rental return date and time requirements so you are not charged overages.

Entrance Fees

This is especially important if you are staying in National Parks or National Recreation Areas.

The entrance gate fee is usually charged separately from the campsite/lodging costs.

It may be cost effective to get an annual pass if you will be staying long enough and will be entering/exiting the gate multiple times during your trip.

Activities, Mementos and Gifts

Excursions can be the highlight of a trip … but … they can bust a budget if they are unplanned.

Many popular tours must be reserved and fully paid for well in advance of your trip.

But, be prepared for last minute options with a little extra cash for interesting day trips, fee-assessed projects and fun souvenirs.

Finally, don’t forget about the gift you will be getting for your house-sitter and pet-sitter back home.

Food & Drinks

Your camp meals budget line item should include the camping meal plan items you will be preparing yourself … as well as snacks and meals you will be eating out at local establishments.

Those $5 ice cream cones add up fast if you are not paying attention to your cash!

Need new ideas for fun, easy and delicious camping food, we got them for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert!

Miscellaneous Expenses

You never know what unexpected costs you might incur.

It is a good idea to have “emergency money” that is there if you need it but not used if you don’t.


Planning A Camping Trip Checklist For A Particular Season

All camping trips require certain gear and planning but each season of the year has particular essentials.

Use our seasonal camping checklists for specifics on camping during the winter, spring, summer and fall seasons as well as individual holidays.

Getting Ready For Your Trips With The Best Seasonal Camping Checklists by CampingForFoodies is an image of a small trailer being towed through the redwoods on a shady road above text reading camping seasonal checklist with an image below the text of a small wooden framed black chalkboard with white chalk writing of boxes and lines with check marks.

Apps For Planning Camping Trips

We do like digitally unplugging on our camping trips but we use our devices for camping-specific stuff like traveling, finding camping destinations, activities, hiking trails, fishing, bird watching, health and safety etc.

Here are the best camping apps for planning every aspect of your trips.

The Best Camping Apps For RV And Tent Camping by CampingForFoodies is a photo of an iphone sitting on a wooden board with various camping app icons lit up on the screen.

Unplanned Camping Trips

If advanced planning is out of the question for some reason, we have tips on how to go last minute camping and make it a wonderful experience!

Last Minute Camping by CampingForFoodies

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If you need camping recipes and menu ideas, you can find them here at the Camping For Foodies Camping Recipes list.

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