The last time I was camping, camping, that is to say, hiking/canoeing/portaging into a State/National Parks I was about fifteen years old. I did a few weeks in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) with a few other kids and a few chaperons and had an amazing time doing it.

My state of Minnesota is absolutely covered in different areas like this, though this is probably the largest, single park in the state for outdoor sport.

Well this weekend, about ten years later, I got bit with the bug again, at least to the point where I made a reservation and bought a tent of my own for some weekend excursions while the weather is not snowing enough to enjoy a couple of days away from various social, familial obligations.

Here is my tent, a Kelty Discovery 2, set up in glorious negative space.

To start I am not going to be so ambitious in terms of my adventures, this is as much a consideration of my actual aptitude for the outdoors as it is a fiscal restraint. When I popped into REI yesterday, I sympathized with how my girlfriend must feel in Target in terms of stuff she wants but doesn't need. Emergency, tin-foily blanket? Check. Modern camping stoves? Check. 90,000 tool Swiss Army Knife? Most likely.

My reaction to just about every aisle in REI yesterday.

Both myself, and the balance of my credit card were surprised with the amount of restraint I showed, but considering the nerf/t-ball nature of my first camping trip, it was well and good. What I mean by this is I am first doing a night in a State Park rather than what is called dispersed camping in the forest.

For those who may not be familiar with the distinction, the former involves proximity to other campers, generally with a space for your car, camper or RV depending on your needs, generally there are some other amenities like showers and the like as well. The latter involves hiking into the woods to and camping as you please or at pre-set up campgrounds which the state has set up at various points sometimes with a latrine but a fire ring is generally provided in the interest of Smokey the Bear.

Not exactly roughing it, but I don't think it is too hard to see the appeal

As it stands my checklist is as follows:

In all honesty Bourbon should be a bit higher up on the list in terms of priorities, but you get the general idea. My first trip will be on the seventh of June, and I am really excited to get out and hopefully do a bit of swimming as well, but with the way the weather has been in Minnesota I am not sure the lakes will be warm enough even by then. Regardless, I'll be happy to do some quality alone time, staring at a fire and sipping.

I would love some advice for activities or tips and tricks from more experienced campers as well.

teddyoojo

Germany22369 Posts

May 19 2014 15:43 GMT

There is no "too cold".

-Dustin-

United States718 Posts

May 19 2014 15:45 GMT

I love to go camping I've always gone with my family in a group though. Just got back from our weekend trip was lots of fun. We live in Eastern Kentucky so we drive about 2 hours to an old dam on the river its a really cool place its about an hour off the main road through dirt and gravel so its not that crowded. There is no electricity, cell service, or running water so what you would normally expect from a camping trip.

It is kinda hard to find photos of the one we camp on but this gives you a general idea...
+ Show Spoiler +

We go to fish mostly you planning on doing any fishing?

Since we drive right to the camping spot we don't have to worry about carrying heavy stuff so we bring tons of food. Our checklist is usually something like:

1. Tents
2. Blankets + Clothes
3. Food
4. Chainsaw
5. Flashlights
6. Fishing gear
7. Whiskey
8. TP

I don't think we really fished that much this last trip just sat around the fire till night time and a few of us drunk some beer and bullshit the whole night. It was cold as hell though so we didn't want to leave the fire.

I'm not experienced by no means... but I always recommend some form of self defense just in case. Where we go is pretty sketchy from the people but also from bears. Pretty sure its a common thing in Minnesota as well as here to see bears. I always carry my handgun on me when we are out in the woods.

Another thing I wouldn't do if I was camping alone is drink to much Bourbon I usually just sip till I'm "buzzed" but if you are alone and something happens being buzzed could be dangerous. Of course this is more of out in the woods alone but if you are at one of the campsites with people around you it doesn't really matter.

ThomasjServo

15244 Posts

May 19 2014 15:59 GMT

On May 20 2014 00:43 teddyoojo wrote:
There is no "too cold".

I am no freeze baby, but there is for me when this Winter we had 47 days below zero Fahrenheit (-17 C) and an average temperature of 9 F (-12 C). I would be curious about winter camping, but I am dipping my toes in the water before jumping into that activity.

On May 20 2014 00:45 -Dustin- wrote:
I love to go camping I've always gone with my family in a group though. Just got back from our weekend trip was lots of fun. We live in Eastern Kentucky so we drive about 2 hours to an old dam on the river its a really cool place its about an hour off the main road through dirt and gravel so its not that crowded. There is no electricity, cell service, or running water so what you would normally expect from a camping trip.

It is kinda hard to find photos of the one we camp on but this gives you a general idea...
+ Show Spoiler +

I have never much been one for fishing, but I may come to appreciate it down the line. I think I should go buy a kids pole, I had a Snoopy one growing up I should look for, and just sit near the shore for kicks and giggles.

I'll probably get a knife but more for something to occupy my hands with whittling. These first few State Parks are pretty tame in terms of Wildlife. They are South of the cities about an hour or two away, and the majority of the Bear population is further North, which is also where the population of Minnesota tends to go a bit weird as well.

I'll probably be the strangest one in the camping area at first, last time I did something in this vein, it was mainly a few families with kids and older, folks in RVs going from state to state camping. Good advice though, not to polish off the whole bottle. XD

vult

United States9400 Posts

May 19 2014 16:37 GMT

Minnesota is beautiful camping country, so it's definitely a good place to start getting into fishing (but I am sure you already know that lol). I wish I lived out there because I would totally just disappear during the warm season to camp for an extended period of time.

I would say the most important thing is to make sure that you have enough resources to keep you fed and safe - covering the food/water/shelter needs is number one priority. Number two is fire-building and safety gear, and a way of getting food if you end up running out.

Bringing an axe would be a good idea as well. I remember going camping with my uncle as a kid and he would always pick out a tree to chop down during times when there was nothing to do. He was not the most rugged, lumberjack type, but he would work on one tree for a while just to get some energy out and make the nights more enjoyable and refreshing. It also helps with fire wood (lol).

Good luck and have fun on the trip, I know this isn't quality advice or anything, but I love camping and wish I had people around me to go with, but alas...

MysteryMeat1

United States3292 Posts

May 19 2014 17:31 GMT

I'm going camping on july 4th weekend. Two poeple in my church are getting married while we go camping. Should be fun and interesting. Never went to a camping wedding before.

Deleuze

United Kingdom2102 Posts

May 19 2014 21:23 GMT

Don't cut a tree down and burn it. The wood will be green and smoke very badly. Burn pale dead wood.

ThomasjServo

15244 Posts

May 19 2014 21:28 GMT

On May 20 2014 06:23 Deleuze wrote:
Don't cut a tree down and burn it. The wood will be green and smoke very badly. Burn pale dead wood.

I have watched my father bumble around enough fires growing up to know that was not the best idea. XD

StorrZerg

United States13919 Posts

May 19 2014 22:43 GMT

Feel free to send a pm if you have any questions. (I do a lot of camping )

Be sure to check if the area you are going is in "bear country"
If you are not in that area, then its pretty easy to just keep your food in your car while you do your activities and sleep at night. Things can get a bit hectic when the critters get in your tent. (ruining the tent most likely not to mention no more food)
If you are in bear country, things get a bit more tricky, but the important thing is to make sure you don't keep anything "smellable" in your car or tent and setting up a bear bag. Make sure to do some research on this stuff if you do go into bear country.

As for activities, hiking goes hand in hand with camping, swimming is a possibility, cooking on the camp fire vs using a cooking stove. (cooking on the fire is a lot easier to do when you car camp. As some of the things you could use weigh a lot. ) Pending where you camp, you could camp near a historical location, and that could fill your day plans.

If you want to do more back packing, but are unsure with the technicalities of it. I suggest going to a "car camping spot" and then "back pack" around a few miles and just come back to the car. Doing this will give you a safety net if you brought to little or to much. Allowing you to store your extra stuff in the car, or being able to pick something up you forgot.

Hope this helps.

ps
Know the area you are camping (kinda falls in with "am i in bear country?" ) Weather, insects?, location.
Tell people where you plan on camping, what you plan on doing. This really helps if a problem comes up.