The Best Camping Tipscamping gear
First Time Camping!
Going Camping for the First Time?
Camping with family and friends is a wonderful way to enjoy our beautiful world outdoors and to get closer to nature! This website gives you many camping tips to make sure you have a great camping experience! We include ideas that begin with planning through to the end when it is time to clean up and pack.
here to get our free printable checklist! Use the list to make sure you will have everything you need! Visit our Checklist page for more!
The main things you will need to take are your tent or RV for shelter, a bed/sleeping bag and good food. Include a camp stove—unless you plan to cook all meals over the fire—and a cooler for keeping the food fresh. When the sun goes down you will be in the dark, so you will want a flashlight and a lantern. The rest of the camping equipment is optional and what you bring depends on the level of comfort you want. 
Having the right gear and equipment makes any job easier. Click on the topics below and in the menu on the right to see tips and recommendations for the best camping gear!
re you find your way in the dark and keep your hands free
Th
e meals can be anything from roasting hot dogs over your campfire using sticks found in the woods to a gourmet meal prepared on the camp stove. Many folks enjoy the excitement of preparing the best meal ever and make it one of the activities for the day! We all know that the food prepared outside at camp always taste better! If you plan to cook over the campfire or will be bringing your camp stove, be sure you have all the tools you need to make every meal a success! The cooking links offer many tips and tricks to make the cooking chore easier. We also include many camping recipes that you can use to prepare a great meal. Click on these links to get started on planning your meals:
- Tips for planning the meals
- Free Recipes!
- Great camping cookbooks! Some are eBooks so you can download them now!
Whether you want to rough it or if you prefer a few more comforts of home, plan ahead to make sure that your camping experience is everything you expect. To be sure you always bring everything you will need (and when you’re camping you do bring everything you will need!) use the checklist. Click here to get our checklist! Add to it and make it your own to include everything you will need to ensure you have a wonderful time camping under the stars!
Camping means different things to different people. It takes on many forms, from “roughing it” in the wilderness where you hike to your campsite carrying all of your equipment, to “luxury” camping where you pull up with your RV and hook up. In between is the ever popular “tent camping”, where you arrive at the campground to your assigned campsite. The campsite may offer a fire pit and picnic table and have restroom and shower amenities close by. This is a safe option that is especially good for families or newcomers enjoying their first camping trip.
Camping is a great way to stretch the vacation budget. The cost of campsite are usually much less than a hotel, and preparing meals at the campsite provides even more money-saving options.
We have created this website, and it includes input from friends who love to camp. Send any questions about this website to info@thebestcampingtips.com. There are no sponsorships or paid topic insertions included on this website. However, if you purchase something from the merchants featured on this website we may receive a commission for traffic directed from our site. These commissions are also compensation for our opinions and analysis on products and services offered by these merchants. We give our honest opinions and findings based on our research and experiences. All views expressed are our own. All product claim, stats, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
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Sleeping Bags — Insulation
Sleeping Bag Insulation
Down and synthetic are the two choices for sleeping bag insulation.
Down provides the most warmth and is great for staying warm in cold weather camping. It is very durable and lightweight. But it will take longer to dry than synthetic, so if you expect situations where it will get wet then opt for synthetic. Down is also more expensive. With proper care and cleaning it will last a lifetime.
The synthetic sleeping bags are easy to care for. They are resistant to moisture, but if they do get wet will dry quickly, just put it out in the sun for a while. Most can be machine washed. These bags are heavier and bulkier than the down bag. Loft describes the fluffiness of your bag. The more fluffed it is the softer it will be! The fluffiness also affects how warm you will be in the bag. The fluffed up bag creates hundreds of pockets of dead air space within the insulation. As your body heat warms the inside of the bag these air pockets will insulate and slow the heat loss.
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A large range of options are available for any budget, as you have choices weight, durability and price. Many choices of synthetic are available today. Some of the more popular ones are Polarguard®, Primaloft®, Thinsulate®, and Thermolite®. Other names are also on the market, all having the same basic characteristics of synthetic fill.
Do you have a preference? Tell us about the best choice for you in the comments below. Visit our page “The Best Sleeping Bags” for more things to consider when selecting that new bag for your next camping trip!
Find Some Great Sleeping Bags, with either Down or Synthetic Fill
There are many brands of quality sleeping bags available. Below are just a few of the excellent sleeping bags available today. Click on the image or link for each to learn more about each bag pictured. Agnes makes a great sleeping bag, as we haven’t met anyone who didn’t love their Agnes sleeping bag! Eureka, Marmot and Kelty also make a quality product.
Many merchants offer a wide choice. Some of our favorites are Campmor and Gander Mountain. They offer a large assortment of quality sleeping bags. Amazon
Synthetic Fill Sleeping Bags |
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 The full-length zipper enables the Kelty Tumbler to be zipped together with a second bag to make a double wide bag Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag You’ll flip over the versatility of the Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag! Featuring varying insulation levels on opposite sides of the bag, this lightweight bag keeps you comfortable on the 50 degree side and warm and cozy on the 30 degree side. It’s ideal for summer backpacking and camping in the mountains where nighttime temperatures can be unpredictable. … [More] Price: $67.99 Buy Now |
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 Rugged, spacious, and comfortable, the Rifle River sleeping bag from Gander Mountain delivers a warm, comfortable night’s sleep to weary adventurers. GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas This bag is rugged and comfortable with a soft flannel lining. This large rectangular bag gives you extra space for a roomier fit. The canvas shell is extremely durable and prepares you for all your outdoor adventures while the synthetic fill keeps you warm! |
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 THe Big Agnes double includes a built in pillow pocket to hold a pillow Big Agnes Big Creek 30 Degree Sleeping Bag This Big Agnes double wide is perfect for two people who enjoy 3-season camping! Each person has a no-draft collar to seal around the neck and keep the cold air out. The SL90 synthetic insulation is lightweight and will keep you warm. This is a great bag for 3-season camping. … [More] Price: $239.95 Buy Now |
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 The Spectro features Synthesis, Eureka’s performance synthetic insulation, inside durable and lightweight fabrics. Eureka Spero 20 Degree Technical Mummy Sleeping Bag The Eureka Spero 20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag features a performance shape and shingle-style construction, for maximum warmth in a minimal package, for extended time on the trail.-… [More] Price: $103.92 Buy Now |
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 The North Face Dolomite Youth … perfect for your young adventurer! The North Face Dolomite 20 Degree Youth Sleeping Bag. The North Face Dolomite 20 Degree Youth Sleeping Bag has a youth-specific fit but all the performance of the adult bags. This 20 degree, synthetic, rectangular bag unzips flat for campground versatility…. [More] Price: $69.96 Buy Now
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 The Coleman Adjustable — When it’s hot, just cover up with the lightweight sheet. As it cools, swap it out for the traditional sleeping bag experience. Coleman Adjustable Comfort 30-70 Degree Sleeping Bag From 30-70 degrees the Coleman Adjustable Comfort Sleeping Bag has got you covered. . Multiple layers allow you to sleep comfortably from 30 to 70 degrees and anywhere in between… [More] Price: $49.99 Buy Now
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Down Filled Sleeping Bags |
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 Big Agnes has redesigned the bag to be taller across the top so you can roll over more freely (side sleepers rejoice!). Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag The Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag is for adventurous women who aren’t willing to compromise on comfort or performance. As part of Big Agnes’s System bag line, the newly designed Roxy Ann combines a roomier contour shape with a narrower pad sleeve to provide an overall more comfortable and cozier sleeping experience than ever before…[More] Price: $279.95 Buy Now |
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 The Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed has an oversized integrated comforter sealing the opening. Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed 2-Season Bag Sleep in the wild like you do at home with a comforter. The Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed 2-Season Sleeping Bag is a zipperless sleeping bag that yoy enter via a large top opening… [More] Price: $249.98 Buy Now
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 The Marmot Always Summer is just over two packable pounds, yet it doesn’t skimp on features. Marmot Always Summer 40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag For traveling light in summer, the ultra-light Marmot Always Summer 40 Degree Down Bag provides reliable transport to dreamland…. [More] Price: $189.98
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 With the Kelty Tuck you can easily pull one or both feet out on warmer nights, or keep it zipped tight for toasty toes when the temperature drops. Kelty Tuck 20/EN 22 Sleeping Bag Light and compressible, the Kelty Tuck 20/EN 22 Sleeping Bag includes the Comfort Tuck Zipper System for easy temperature regulation and a better night’s sleep…. [More] Price: $89.95
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We have created this website, and it includes input from friends who love to camp. Send any questions about this website to info@thebestcampingtips.com. There are no sponsorships or paid topic insertions included on this website. However, if you purchase something from the merchants featured on this website we may receive a commission for traffic directed from our site. These commissions are also compensation for our opinion and analysis on products and services offered by these merchants. We give our honest opinions and findings based on our research and experiences. All views expressed are our own. All product claim, stats, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
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Sleeping Bags — Shape
The Best Shape … Rectangular, Barrel, Mummy
The common shapes for sleeping bags are rectangular, semi-rectangular or barrel, and mummy.
The rectangular bags give you the most room to toss and turn. With the extra space they are also the most comfortable, so are great for summer camping when you don’t need to worry about keeping warm. The extra space inside the bag becomes more space for keeping warm with body heat when used in cooler temperatures. They are also great for the kids slumber parties.
The semi-rectangular or barrel falls between the rectangular and the mummy. These bags are tapered at the feet and expand at the shoulders to give you more upper body room. The extra space around the shoulders becomes a compromise in cooler weather as you have that extra airspace to keep warm.
The mummy bags are designed for and are the best for keeping you warm! The narrow taper at the feet expands to the shoulders, and then it narrows around your neck and head, where the hood will keep your head warm. Some may find the hood uncomfortable, but for cold weather the hood is essential as we lose up to 40% of our body heat through the head. Look for a hood that is soft next to your face and not too constricting. Extra padding in the hood will also add to your sleeping comfort.
These three sleeping bag shapes come in many different sizes and styles that allow for different body types, sleeping habits, and the sleeping environment. Kid sleeping bags can also be found with each of these shapes.
Select the Best Sleeping Bag for you! There are many brands of quality sleeping bags available. Below are just a few of the excellent sleeping bags available today. Click on the image or link for each to learn more about each bag pictured. Agnes makes a great sleeping bag, as we haven’t met anyone who didn’t love their Agnes sleeping bag! Eureka, Marmot and Kelty also make a quality product.
Leave a comment, tell us about your favorite sleeping bag!
Learn more about options to consider when picking the best bag for you at The Best Camping Tips’ page on Sleeping Bags.
Rectangular Sleeping Bags |
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| Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag
You’ll flip over the versatility of the Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag! Featuring varying synthetic insulation levels on opposite sides of the bag, this lightweight bag keeps you comfortable on the 50 degree side and warm and cozy on the 30 degree side. It’s ideal for summer backpacking and camping in the mountains where nighttime temperatures can be unpredictable. Simply flip the bag over to get more or less warmth where you most want it. The full-length zipper enables it to be zipped together with a second bag to make a double wide bag….. [More] Price: $67.99 Buy Now |
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 GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas Rectangular sleeping bag GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas This bag is rugged and comfortable with a soft flannel lining. This large rectangular bag gives you extra space for a roomier fit. The canvas shell is extremely durable and prepares you for all your outdoor adventures while the synthetic fill keeps you warm! This bag has a full-sized hood, and it has draw cords so you can cinch up the top and hood to retain more heat. |
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 North Face Dolomite 2S Sleeping Bag The North Face Dolomite is a very lightweight sleeping bag with synthetic fill that will keep you warm as it has a great warmth-to-weight ratio. It includes an internal zippered pocket to keep small things close by. The bag also comes with a roll-top stuff sack. |
Barrel and Mummy Sleeping Bags |
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Big Agnes Big Creek 30 Degree Sleeping Bag This Big Agnes double wide is perfect for two people who enjoy 3-season camping! Each person has a no-draft collar to seal around the neck and keep the cold air out. The SL90 synthetic insulation is lightweight and will keep you warm. This is a great bag for 3-season camping. … [More] Price: $239.95 Buy Now |
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Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag The Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag is for adventurous women who aren’t willing to compromise on comfort or performance. As part of Big Agnes’s System bag line, which unites the bag with a sleeping pad (sold separately), the newly designed Roxy Ann combines a roomier contour shape with a narrower pad sleeve to provide an overall more comfortable and cozier sleeping experience than ever before. The new shape provides more insulation next to your body for more efficient heat distribution…. [More] Price: $279.95 Buy Now |
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The Big Agnes Whiskey Park Sleeping bags are cut wide and tall. They’re ideal for campers of a larger stature, or for folks who just want more room to move around at night. Ideal for hunting camps, base camping, or budget-minded road tripping…. [More] Price: $144.96 Buy Now |
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 Eureka Casper 15 Degree The Eureka Casper bag keeps you warm and comfy when the temperatures drop! It includes an internal pocket to keep your necessities close, and hook and loop closures to keep your items in place. The fill is a polyester blend. |
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 Kelty Cosmic Down 41 Sleeping Bag Get more out of your warm weather nights with the Kelty Cosmic Down 41 Sleeping Bag. This revolutionary water-resistant down fill stays drier, lofts better and dries faster…. [More] Price: $139.95 Buy Now |
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Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag The Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Down Mummy Sleeping Bag features SpiraFil synthetic insulation, a super, high-loft insulation that is incredibly warm and comfortable. Dual zippers allow you to fold down the top, making getting in and out of your bag nice and easy. This perennial favorite is loaded with features, at a great price…. [More] Price: $99.98 Buy Now |
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 Marmot Atom 40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag The Marmot Atom Down Sleeping Bag’s ultra-light design and highest quality, water-resistant down have given it cult status among alpinists as a bivy bag on extreme climbs, but its comfortable, silky fabric make it a great bag for warm-weather camping on casual summer road trips as well…. [More] Price: $279.98 Buy Now |
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 Big Agnes Buffalo Park 40 Degree Sleeping Bag The Big Agnes Buffalo Park is an oversized rectangular bag designed for big guys or those that just want more space. It offers warmth to 40 degrees and protection from moisture with Thermolite® Quallofil synthetic insulation… [More] Price: $104.96 Buy Now |
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Fall Camping
Fall Camping – the BEST Camping Season!
No matter where you are, fall is one of the best times for camping! The evenings are cool, the days are beautiful! If you’re in the northern part of the world you are blessed with a magnificent display of warm harvest colors, while those of youus in the southern part of the world are blessed with the renewal of a season of new growth and awesome beauty!
Lets get going!!!
Planning remains the key. The main thing to consider is the variation in temperatures, and be ready for changes in the weather. In other words pack extra clothes to keep warm!
- A three-season tent will keep you warm at night. Be sure to close all openings to keep out any cool drafts and keep all body heat in. Visit our page for selecting tents by clicking HERE.
- Take a sleeping bag designed to keep in body heat – one that closes up around the shoulders and your face. Learn more about sleeping bags for the seasons by clicking HERE.
- Dress in layers of clothing. Start with something fitting close but comfortable to your skin, like long underwear. This will decrease the size of the air pockets next to your skin that you need to keep warm. Layer so you can adjust based on the temps for that day or evening. Be sure to bring a hat or stocking cap, as the head is one of the first places where we lose body heat. Place the clothes you plan to wear tomorrow in your sleeping bag tonight so it will be warm when you dress.
Keep up your energy with a hearty meal prepared in your camp kitchen or over the campfire. Prepare food ahead of time to make the chore easier at the campsite. And be sure to drink plenty of water, even though the temps may be cool!
With the right preparations and bringing the right camping gear the fall season can become your favorite time to go camping!
Looking for the best hiking trails to see the fall colors? See the 10 Best Fall Hiking Trails in the US for magnificent views for taking in autumn’s colors. If you are in the vicinity of any of these hikes be sure to take the time to just look and be surrounded by the beauty of nature!
We have created this website, and it includes input from friends who love to camp. Send any questions about this website to info@thebestcampingtips.com. There are no sponsorships or paid topic insertions included on this website. However, if you purchase something from the merchants featured on this website we may receive a commission for traffic directed from our site. These commissions are also compensation for our opinion and analysis on products and services offered by these merchants. We give our honest opinions and findings based on our research and experiences. All views expressed are our own. All product claim, stats, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
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Today’s Best Bargains!
Today’s Best Bargains!
Gander Mountain deals!
Gander Mountain offers free shipping with no minimum purchase required! They also will give you $5.00 off for every $50.00 spent!
Big sale at Camping World!!!
Up to 50% off Camping & Tailgating Gear
Inventory Reduction Sale! Save Up To 50% Off!
Here are just a few of the great deals available now!
Visit their site by clicking on any of the links above to see all of their bargains!
The Sportsman’s Guide
Find deals at the Sportsman’s Guide for camping gear and also see what they have for your other outdoor fun activities as well!
- Sportsman’s Guide Favorites! Save Big on Our Favorite Deals at Sportsman’s Guide
- Take $9 Off Your Order of $90 Coupon Code SGSAVE0214
We have created this website, and it includes input from friends who love to camp. Send any questions about this website to info@thebestcampingtips.com. There are no sponsorships or paid topic insertions included on this website. However, if you purchase something from the merchants featured on this website we may receive a commission for traffic directed from our site. These commissions are also compensation for our opinion and analysis on products and services offered by these merchants. We give our honest opinions and findings based on our research and experiences. All views expressed are our own. All product claim, stats, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
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Camping Supplies Checklist
Got Everything You Will Need?
Camping Checklist – make sure you got everything packed!
The most useful tool for planning your camping vacation is the checklist. Use the camping checklist below to identify everything you will need. You will have all your camping gear, everything for your meals along with everything needed to prepare the meals in the campsite kitchen, everything needed to build a fire, and all games and pass time activities.
Download the Camping Checklist by clicking here to get a printout of this list. Print it and save the Word.docx format document so you can modify it to include anything else based on your personal experiences and preferences. Hang it on your garage wall where you will see it while you pack your vehicle. You can even replace the pics on it with pictures from your own camping excursions!
Are we missing anything? Leave a comment below!
Shelter Coleman Montana 8 – 16×7 – 8 Person Tent
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Sleeping Accommodations
Why put a couple of zippers between you? Double up with the Coleman The Tandem 2 Person… [More] Price: $89.99 Buy Now
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Lights Princeton Tec Quad headlamp
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Outdoor Campsite Comfort Alps Chip Table
If you are looking for a table that’s quick and easy to set up, the Alps Chip Table is … [More] Price: $29.97 Buy Now |
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Cooking Gear
The focus of any camp kitchen is the Coleman Dual-Fuel Standard Compact 2-Burner Stove…. [More] Price: $119.00 Buy Now
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ToolsSee the Campers Toolbox post on this site. Be sure to include the following:
AMK’s Adventure First Aid Family Kit provides families with essential supplies for a 1-… [More] Price: $24.99 Buy Now
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FireSee the Starting a Campfire post on this site  The fire is roaring!
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Safety
The Silva Ranger 515 Compass and Ranger 515CLQ compass deliver superior accuracy, even in th… [More] Price: $42.93 Buy Now
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Kitchen Supplies
Enamelware blends old-fashioned charm and functionality into one sturdy package. The Pioneer 16 Piece Blue Enamelware Camp Set.. [More] Price: $89.99 Buy Now |
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FoodGroceries for all meals planned, include extras:
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