Travel
20 Camping Hacks To Take Your Trip To The Next Level
These hacks are going to make your next camping trip seriously epic - especially #3 and #12!
Kalli Sarkin
05.25.18

Camping is so much fun. With summer right around the corner, it is almost camping season! The adventurous activity can, however, be quite frustrating, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience.

Here are 20 camping hacks that will take your trip to the next level.

Save yourself a lot of stress by checking out these tricks before your next excursion.

Foam Floor Tiles

A Little Campy
Source:
A Little Campy

These pieces fit together perfectly, and the fact that they come apart makes them super portable. Place them on the bottom of your tent for a softer floor. You’ll be able to sleep so much easier.

Instant Lantern

Listorama
Source:
Listorama

Not having access to electricity can be hard for some people. If you aren’t the type to fall asleep when the sun goes down, you’ll love this instant lantern. Strap a head lamp to a gallon jug of water, and you’ll have plenty of light.

DIY Paint Lantern

Lindsay & Drew
Source:
Lindsay & Drew

For an even cooler lantern, try adding a splash of color. Paint the inside of a mason jar with non-toxic, glow-in-the-dark paint. You’ll have a beautiful light set up that your kids will love.

Tin-Can Bread

The Ready Store
Source:
The Ready Store

Bake your bread inside a can to make it even more portable. Follow this link for yummy recipes like banana bread and sandwich bread. Making lunch will be a breeze!

Know Your Poisons

Medicine Net
Source:
Medicine Net

Trust me, you DO NOT want to come into contact with poisonous plants on your camping trip. Study up on these plants before you go. That way you won’t have any unpleasant surprises on your trip.

DIY Tick Deterrent

Mommypotamus
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Mommypotamus

Sure, you could buy some weird-smelling repellant from the stores. But it will be cheaper, healthier, and more pleasant to make it on your own. Mix one part tea tree oil and two parts water into a spray bottle. Spray it onto your shoes, socks, and the ends of your pants.

Modified Match Holder

Craftaholics Anonymous
Source:
Craftaholics Anonymous

Striking a match can be quite an ordeal, but you can make your life a lot easier with a modified match holder. Stick sandpaper onto the top of your match container. Be sure to get strike-anywhere matches, and enjoy camping by a fire.

TP Holder

Field and Stream
Source:
Field and Stream

Toilet paper is not very easy to transport. It can get squashed, dampened, and ripped up. Keep your TP in tact by repurposing an old coffee can.

Store Spices

Skruben
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Skruben

Empty Tic-Tac boxes make the perfect containers to store spices. They are stackable, portable, and easy to keep together. The best part is that the opening slot allows you to spice up your meals without dumping out way too much of each flavor.

Seat Hammocks

Hayneedle
Source:
Hayneedle

If you are doing a little car camping, you are going to want these seat hammocks. They look SO fun and relaxing. You can buy yours here.

Travel Coffee Bags

SC Johnson
Source:
SC Johnson

If you can’t go a day without your coffee, this hack is for you. Scoop up some coffee grounds and place them into a coffee filter. Tie it up with a tea bag, and store it away. Now you can make your coffee just like you would make tea.

Candle Stakes

A Subtle Revelry
Source:
A Subtle Revelry

Who says camping can’t be romantic? You can create a beautiful scene using candles and craft dowels. Set them up, and watch the fire dance across the candles.

Single Use Soap

Beth Anne Creates
Source:
Beth Anne Creates

If you love using bars of soap, you know that they aren’t exactly portable. The soap will get squishy and sticky if you try to re-pack it after using it. Instead, use a vegetable peeler to break up the soap into single-use leaves. Problem solved.

Hand-Washing Station

No Meals on Wheels
Source:
No Meals on Wheels

It’s nice to be able to wash your hands, especially while camping. Make a portable hand-washing station using a laundry-detergent dispenser. Fill it up with water, and use it just like a faucet.

Hang Pots and Pans

Pinterest
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Pinterest

If you plan to use pots and pans on your trip, hang them around a tree. Tie a belt around a tree trunk, and hang the kitchenware using hooks. This will be so much more cleanly than stacking the cookware on the ground.

Mini First Aid Kit

Chasing Green
Source:
Chasing Green

It is a good idea to keep first aid supplies on hand. Use an old prescription bottle or an Altoids tin to keep necessities like bandages and gauze pads. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be prepared.

Portable Lanterns

Instructables
Source:
Instructables

Make your own little oil lamp to keep the fun going after the sun has set. Modify a travel-sized shampoo bottle so you can always have a little light. Find the full tutorial here.

Keep Mosquitoes Out

The Fertile Garden
Source:
The Fertile Garden

Dealing with mosquitoes has to be the worst part of camping. Fortunately, all you need are a few bundles of sage to keep these pests away. Add them to your campfire, and relax in peace.

Biodegradable Trail Markers

Tower Magazine
Source:
Tower Magazine

Whenever you hike, it is a good idea to mark your trail. Nothing ruins an adventure like getting hopelessly lost. Use biodegradable tape to minimize your impact on the environment.

Camp-Style Toilet

Root Simple
Source:
Root Simple

Going in nature isn’t for everyone. You can make your own camping toilet using a bucket and a crate. Find the full tutorial here.

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