Good camping isn't about having the most gear.
Camping, gear, and the places worth driving to. No sponsored gear lists from people who've never slept in the rain.
5 chapters
Start with these three
Printable checklistCar Camping for Beginners: A Simple SetupCar camping is the easiest way to start: drive in, set up next to the car, and bring the comforts of home. A simple gear list, a first-trip plan, and mistakes to avoid.
Printable checklistSleeping Bag Temperature Ratings ExplainedA '20-degree bag' doesn't mean you'll be comfortable at 20 degrees. What comfort, limit and extreme ratings really mean, how to pick a bag for fall and winter, and how to sleep warmer in the one you have.
Printable checklistLeave No Trace in Plain WordsThe seven Leave No Trace principles, in plain words, with what they look like at a real campsite: trash, fires, toilet trips, wildlife and noise.Tips: quick answers
01TipsHow to Start a Campfire When Everything Is WetWet wood? Find the dry inside, make feather sticks and kindling, and build the fire off the ground. Includes how to put it out fully.Do you want a cabin or a tent when the overnight low is near freezing?
Near freezing, a tent can work if your bag and pad are rated for it. Here's how to decide between a tent and a cabin for your group.
Read the guide →How cold does a campsite get the last weekend of October?
Typical overnight lows for the last weekend of October, by region and elevation, plus how to pick a sleeping bag and pad for the cold.
Read the guide →What do you wear to trick-or-treat when you still need a winter coat?
Learn how to dress kids for cold trick-or-treating: size-up costumes, warm layers, mittens, and boots that work over a winter coat.
Read the guide →What do you add to a normal packing list for a Halloween camping weekend?
Add five Halloween bins to your usual camping list: costumes, battery lights, outdoor decorations, candy storage, and cold-night sleep gear.
Read the guide →Are campfires and Halloween decorations a fire problem?
Decorations near a campfire or hot light can ignite. Get safe spacing rules, light and cord tips, costume advice, and how to check burn bans.
Read the guide →Latest guides
04Camp CookingCan You Bake a Pumpkin Pie in a Dutch Oven at the Campsite
02Gear & PowerLED vs. Gas Lanterns at the Campsite: Which One Goes Where
01TipsHow Much Firewood Do You Need for a Three-Night Camping Trip
01TipsHow to Dry a Wet Tent and Sleeping Bag Before You Pack Up
02Gear & PowerA power station gift for a camper: the two numbers to check
05RV & CamperHow Much Propane Does a Camper Furnace Use on a Cold Night