With the rising costs of vacations these days, many people are looking for fun-filled ways to cut costs. One popular such vacation is to go beach camping at your favorite lake, ocean, or river. Going beach camping is most certainly a fun-filled way to spend a week if you plan for what you will be facing, and have the things you need. Beach camping can be a nightmare without these things. Here are some tips to help your next beach camping experience go smoothly:
1. If you are going on your first beach camping trip, you should probably go during the summer months. The weather can be a bear during other seasons, and you are going to be learning as you go to a degree. Start out with a nice, sunny weekend for your first trip. Also, make sure that you pick an easily accessible campsite so that you can retreat if needed. Beach camping is not made for everyone, and you should have a backup plan if it is not for you.
2. Make sure you check with the campsite to see if you need a permit. Many places require that you register with the ranger station. Also, you may need reservations in the more populated areas. While inquiring about this, make sure you also ask about campfires. Some places allow them while others do not. Find one that does, as fire will be very valuable to you on your beach camping trip.
3. When you are packing your supplies, be sure to consider the weight of your backpack. This is particularly important on beach camping sites that require a long hike. You should pack accordingly. The primary items you will need are water (or a filter for fresh water), tent, sleeping bags, stove, lighters, pot and pan, towels, and silverware. Also a good outdoors camping knife is suggested.
4. Some other important items include first aid kits, sunscreen, rope, flashlight, ponchos, and a tarp. Also, a compass is invaluable as well as a map. Ziploc bags are great for storing trash and other items. Pack plenty of aluminum foil.
5. When you are cooking over an open fire, use the aluminum foil to keep your food tidy after cooking. It also helps the food to cook evenly.
6. Remember the tides when you are beach camping. You do not want to set up your campsite or tent where the water will overcome you. Stay in the clearly dry sandy areas.
7. Make sure you pop your tent in a place that is flat. Remove any and all objects that might jab your back in the night such as stones, shells, or sticks. The flatter and clearer the site, the better you will sleep.
8. Use the bathroom far from your beach camping site. Also, be sure to bury any waste and burn the toilet paper used. Never bury trash or items that will not burn. This is an ecological nightmare, and the same thing as littering. That also goes for throwing the stuff in the water while fishing.
9. Learn about the local wildlife. If you are camping in an area frequented by bears, then you will want to know what to do in each situation. Learn about all dangerous wildlife in the area, and have a plan in place before you ever even go to the campsite. Knowing what to do can be a lifesaving skill.
10. Climb out of that tent just before sunrise to see the most beautiful thing in the world. Watching the sun come up over a body of water is one of the most gorgeous sights on Earth.
Image Credited To Flickr User Brian Teutsch
