Heading out to the woods for a weekend can be a fun diversion from a routine weekend. A successful trip involves planning out the goods and clothing you need to carry. Carry fewer supplies if you don’t have access to a vehicle or plan on walking a lot. When you get to the woods, choose your camping spot carefully. Secure your tent and other supplies so you can have a relaxing time in nature.

Part 1

Choosing a Pack and Shelter

1.  Pack a tent that will stand up to the weather. A sturdy camping tent is the quintessential element of most camping trips. For woodland camping, you need something waterproof. Look for a tent with an attached rainfly and vents you can open to facilitate air circulation.[1]

1. • Most tents designed for camping in the woods are 3-season tents, which means they can be used in all seasons except for winter.

   • If you do plan on camping in the winter, get a 4-season or winter shelter. These tents are heavier and more durable to compensate for tougher conditions.

2. 2
   Get a lighter tent if you plan on walking a lot. Keeping your tent lightweight is important if you need to carry it around for long distances. Smaller tents are lighter but typically house only 1 or 2 campers. Look for tents with lightweight aluminum poles. Tents with few zippers or storage spaces also save on weight.[2]

   • You can also lighten your load a little by leaving your tent stakes behind and securing the tent to natural features such as rocks, roots, or trees.

   • If you plan on car camping, which means driving to a campsite, bringing a heavy luxury tent isn’t a problem.

   • You may be able to go without a tent, such as if you are camping in an RV or plan on sleeping outdoors in the open air.

3. 3
   Get a waterproof tarp to keep your tent dry. Rain is a possibility when you’re in the woods, and a good tarp can provide some protection from it. You can often string up a tarp between the trees to drive water away from your campsite. Another option is to place a tarp underneath your tent in order to prevent moisture from leaking inside. Whatever you do, bring at least 1 tarp if you plan on camping outdoors.[3]

   • You can order tarps online or find them at most home improvement stores. Be sure to get rope or stakes if you plan on hanging a tarp.

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   Choose an insulated sleeping bag to keep yourself warm. Similar to tents, a variety of sleeping bags exist to cater to different camping experiences. A 3-season sleeping bag is suitable for most trips. Many sleeping bags are made out of synthetic materials, which makes them warm and durable. However, synthetic bags take up more space, which may be an issue as you pack.[4]

   • Bags filled with down feathers are warmer and can be a better option during cold nights. You can get a bag with water-resistant down, which is cheaper and not as insulating as traditional goose down.

   • If you camp a lot in the summer or winter, look for bags specifically for those seasons. Summer bags are lighter and more ventilated, while winter bags are heavier and more insulated.

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   Pick a lightweight backpack to carry your camping gear. Your choice of backpack determines how much gear you can carry. Backpacks themselves can feel quite weighty, so select yours carefully. Consider how long you plan on camping, what you need to bring, and how much you can carry.[5]

   • Like tents, bags have different weights. Packs with few pouches, zippers, and fabrics will be the lightest. You should test packs by wearing them to make sure they feel comfortable to you.

   • An overnight pack is good for a 1 or 2-day trip. Weekend packs are useful for trips 2 to 3 days long. Multiday and extended-trip packs can hold supplies for longer trips.

   • If you are able to make use of a vehicle, getting a great backpack is less important. Consider how far you plan on walking and what you need to carry after you park.

   • If you’re camping with other people, you can split up the gear between multiple bags.

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