15 Hacks to Make Your Next Camping Trip a Success
Camping is one of those experiences that can swing wildly between peaceful and chaotic. One minute you’re roasting marshmallows under the stars, the next you’re scrambling to keep your tent from blowing away in a surprise storm. The good news? A few simple tricks can make the whole thing a lot smoother and a lot more fun. Whether you're a seasoned camper or it's your first time unrolling a sleeping bag, these ten hacks are simple, helpful, and unique. You’ll never camp the same way again!
Freeze Your Drinking Water Bottles
Instead of packing your cooler with loose ice or icepacks that turn into a soggy mess, freeze a few big bottles of drinking water before you go. They’ll act like icepacks and keep your food cold for a long time, and once they melt, you’ve got clean, cold drinking water. It saves space, keeps your cooler cleaner, and means less trash and fewer trips to the water spigot for refills. Plus, frozen water bottles can double as makeshift pillows in a pinch (not the coziest, but works in an emergency).
Pack a “Last-Minute Bin”
This is a simple trick that I swear by. The night before you leave, keep a plastic bin or tote bag near the door or in the trunk of your car for last-minute add-ins: chargers, snacks, medicine, sunglasses, or even extra socks. You’ll always think of a few final things that you forgot to grab right before hitting the road. So instead of stuffing them into random bags, toss them into this bin. It helps keep things a bit more organized and a little less chaotic when you’re rushing to get out the door.
Bring a Cheap Doormat
No one talks about how grimy your tent can get, but we’ve all experienced it. A $5 doormat outside your tent entrance catches dirt, pine needles, and sand from your feet or shoes before it gets in your sleeping bag. Even better, bring two doormats, one for outside and one for just inside the tent flap. Your future, clean-self will thank you when you’re not shaking sand out of your sleeping bag at midnight.
Use Microfiber Towels for Everything
Forget packing bulky cotton towels. Microfiber ones are lightweight, dry super fast, and work for everything, from drying dishes to cleaning your face to wiping dew off your tent. They take up hardly any space and don’t hold onto that musty smell that regular towels get. Sadly, they won’t replace a beach towel if you plan to go swimming, but it’s one of those small swaps that just make everything a little easier.
DIY Fire Starters That Actually Work
Forget the store-bought ones. Dryer lint stuffed inside a cardboard toilet paper roll or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly are excellent fire starters that cost basically nothing. Store them in a ziplock bag to keep things from getting messy and you’re good to go. When it’s damp or your wood is stubborn, these little things make all the difference. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to light a fire with something you made yourself. If you want more tips for how to make your own fire starters, check out this article.
A Simple Trick for Tent Warmth
If you're camping in a spot where nights get cold, this one’s a lifesaver: Fill a sturdy reusable water bottle, like a Nalgene bottle, with boiling water before bed, then toss it into the bottom of your sleeping bag. It acts like a mini heater for hours. Just be sure the lid is tight and it’s a sturdy bottle, not some soft plastic thing. It’s amazing how something so simple can take the edge off a chilly night.
Eat Real Meals Without a Full Kitchen
You don’t need a full camp stove setup to eat well. The secret is prepping meals at home before you leave: chili frozen in a bag, pasta salad in a jar, pancake mix in a squeeze bottle. Make things that you can reheat over the fire or eat cold if you’re low on energy. Take pre-cut veggies for example: just wrap them in foil with oil and seasoning, toss them into the coals and you’ve got dinner. I’ve got a ton of great camping recipes for you to check out here as well! Don’t overcomplicate it. Just think warm, simple, and satisfying.
Keep a “Midnight Essentials” Pouch in Your Tent
Ever had to dig around the pockets of your tent looking for a flashlight or run to the bathroom in the dark? Keep a small pouch hanging near your head with a flashlight, toilet paper, lip balm, and any other essentials that you don’t want to have to fumble around for at 3 a.m. It might sound overly organized, but it’s honestly super comforting to know where all your stuff is once you’re zipped in for the night.
Dry Bag For Electronics
It’s easy for stuff to get wet when you’re camping. Rainstorms happen, stuff gets dropped, and people spill things. Keep your phone, wallet, and battery pack in a dry bag like the kind kayakers use and you won’t have to stress. It’s also a good place to put important things like car keys or your ID. If the weather turns ugly or your stuff gets shuffled around, it’s nice to not have to worry about water damage on top of everything else.
Leave No Trace, But Leave a Little Kindness
This isn’t a gear trick, but it’s absolutely something that more people should do. When you're packing up, take an extra minute to pick up a few bits of trash that aren't yours. And if you have some left over, leave some firewood for the next camper. A little kindness and respect go a long way outdoors. You never know what kind of day someone else is having, but there is always something you can do to make their day a little brighter.
Glow Sticks for Night Markers
When the sun goes down at camp, it gets dark fast. Use glow sticks to mark things like tent zippers, things that are easy to trip over like tent stakes, and paths to the bathroom. They’re cheap, waterproof, and way less harsh on your eyes at 2 am than a flashlight. You can also loop a glowstick onto your kid’s (or dog’s) belt loop so they’re easier to keep an eye on. It’s a small safety thing that makes a big difference when you’re navigating in the dark.
Line Your Pack or Bin With a Trash Bag
This one's simple but smart. Before packing your clothes or gear into a backpack or plastic storage bin, line it with a big trash bag. If it rains or your bin tips over in a puddle, your stuff has a better chance at staying dry. The trash bag also doubles as an emergency poncho or makeshift laundry bag. It’s not the most glamorous hack on this list, but it is incredibly useful.
A Folding Camp Stool Beats a Log
It sounds like a luxury, but bringing a lightweight folding camp stool can save your knees, back, and mood while camping. Sitting on the ground or leaning on rocks gets old real quick, especially after a long day of hiking or while cooking. Plus, stools take up way less space than a full camping chair and can be used as a mini table. It’s one of those things you don't think you need until you use it once. There’s no going back!
Store Your Toilet Paper in a Coffee Can
Toilet paper is one of those things that you absolutely don’t want to get wet or squashed in your bag. Stick it in an empty coffee can or plastic peanut butter jar to keep it dry, clean, and easy to find. You can even cut a slit in the side and pull it out like tissues. It doesn’t sound glamorous, but trust me, when nature calls, you’ll be grateful.
Journal One Line a Day
Camping gives your brain a chance to escape the distractions of everyday life and slow down a little. Bring a tiny notebook and write one sentence each night before bed. Just one. Something you saw, felt, laughed at, or learned. No pressure, but over time, those little notes become something really special. It’s easy to forget the details of a trip once you’re back in regular life. This is a way to make sure you never lose all the amazing memories you made out in nature.
Camping Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need to be a hardcore survivalist to enjoy a camping trip. With a few practical hacks and some tweaks to your packing list, you can take all the stress out of camping and focus on just having fun. No trip will go perfectly, as it’s inevitable that something will leak, or you'll forget the bug spray, but that’s okay. Learn from your mistakes, try out some of these hacks, and have a great camping trip!