Tent Camping at a Designated Site
Camping can be the best way to recharge and connect with nature while seeing some of the most beautiful parts of our great state. But it can also be daunting to get started!
The gear needed for each trip may change based on the time of year, climate, terrain, and situation. Before investing in essential, or necessary, gear, you should consider:
- where you will be camping most frequently
- what season you will be camping in most frequently
- how you plan to pack/transport your gear
- how many campers are you accomodating
The OWN Pro Staff has offered some recommendations for entry level camping gear for a few of the essential categories.
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SLEEPING GEAR
Camping Tent
There are so many tent options on the market! It can be very overwhelming. Think back to your answers above. Where are you camping? What season? How are you transporting? (car vs carrying) How many people are you accomodating?
Let’s break down our tent recommendations down by how many can fit and that may help you narrow down your options.
2 Person Tents
4 Person Tents
6+ Person Tents
Tarp
Once you’ve determined the tent that will work best, it may be worthwhile to find a tarp that would fit under the tent to act as a barrier between the ground and tent floor. A tarp can also come in handy in various other scenarios while outdoors. For example, if the weather turns bad and you need to cover wood or other gear that may get wet.
Sleeping Bags
Some campers spend money on an actual sleeping bag, like those who are camping in colder weather but some campers choose to just bring a lightweight blanket due to the season. When choosing which sleeping bag to invest in, be sure to consider if you have future plans to hike and camp–meaning you’ll need to carry the bag for long distances. There are some very efficient options that could work in multiple scenarios. If you are in the market for a basic sleeping bag, here are some of the OWN Pro Staff’s recommendations:
Sleeping Pad + Pillow
If you are wanting an enjoyable camping experience, getting a good nights rest with a sleeping pad, or mattress, is a must! It’s also important to bring a pillow that is supportive. Both of these items can be purchased as inflatable so they will pack flat and light.
LIGHTING
Lighting is so important and often forgotten when first-time campers are preparing for their trips. Having enough lights for your adventures and knowing how to keep them charged will make your trip less stressful and safer. Lanterns work very well for stationery use. But campers should also consider packing a headlamp option for hands-free use. Below are a few options to consider.
MISCELLANEOUS
Once you’ve packed your basic gear, here are some items that would be good for those ‘oh no’ moments you hope never happen…but inevitably will.
These are just a few basics that will make your camping experiences a little better. We hope you get that first trip under your belt, learn a little along the way and most importantly… enjoy your time outdoors!
Stay tuned for other camping scenario recommendations from the Outdoor Women of Nashville Pro Staff!
Happy Trails!