A journey into the great outdoors is among the only adventures in life where you can temporarily pause life's responsibilities, unleash your wild spirit, build a campfire, and sleep under the stars in a low-cost, high-value environment. There's nothing quite like finding the perfect spot, pitching your tent among the beautiful scenery, and drifting off to sleep to the soothing sounds of nature with a belly full of s'mores.
As your adventure comes to an end and it's time to pack up and head back to the daily grind, there are a few important rules to remember for keeping your gear in great shape for future camping trips — and keeping your impact on nature to a bare minimum.
Below you'll find camping tips for beginners to help you stick to the "Leave No Trace" principle for preserving the wilderness.
If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Forest fires are potentially devastating and can claim lives and homes while causing great harm to the environment. If you're ready to head out but your fire is still burning, use a stick or shovel to separate the wood from the embers to help slow the fire down. Then slowly pour water on the fire until it's completely extinguished and the steam hissing stops. Stir up the ash to check for any remaining burning embers underneath, and repeat the process until it's fully out.
Bring more trash bags than you think you'll need, and pack a few reusable, sealable ones specifically for cleanup. Having bags ready for garbage, recyclables, and even damp or dirty gear makes it far easier to pack out everything you brought in without scrambling at the last minute.
Some people use sticks, which should stay at the campsite (or get added to the kindling for your next campfire), while others bring their own metal marshmallow pokers. If left untended after the s'mores feast, you could be facing a sticky ride home, transferring gunky residue around the car and potentially inviting ants and other insects.
If you've been camping or hiking for several days, dealt with inclement weather, or gotten seriously dirty, don't forget to bag up your camping shoes before you head home. This cuts down on the car cleaning job waiting for you at the end of the trip. Nobody wants to scrape caked mud and dirt out of their vehicle when they'd rather be catching up on life and unpacking.
If you brought the gear for a full culinary adventure, responsible cleanup is a must for both safety and the environment. Let your cooking oil cool completely before disposing of it to avoid burns. Once cool, pour it into a non-breakable container with a resealable lid and place it in a trash container. If one isn't available, take the oil with you to dispose of it properly or reuse later. Avoid breakable or unsealed containers. They can make a mess and attract wildlife, which creates problems for the next group of campers.
A musty odor when you pull out your tent usually means mold or mildew developed from storing it wet or dirty (it can also be the smell of the tent's waterproof coating breaking down over time). Modern tents are built from durable, weather-resistant synthetic materials, but they still need regular cleaning and maintenance to last for years of adventures.
This matters most if you've camped in rain or mud. Avoid bleach or other harsh chemicals, which can damage the fabric, and skip the pressure washer as it's easy to blow out the seams.
Here's a great tent cleaning method.
The "Leave No Trace" principle is essential to preserving the natural environment we love. Make sure you're not bringing environmental hazards or harsh chemicals to your campsite, even for cleanup purposes.
Simple Green's line of all-purpose cleaners works great on sap, dirt, and grime, and has earned the EPA Safer Choice label, meaning every ingredient has been reviewed by EPA scientists. It safely cleans camping gear like your sleeping bag, shoes, cooking equipment, and tent, without leaving behind harsh residue or affecting water repellency.
Make a final all-hands pass around the campsite to check for any items or trash that may have been overlooked. It's a good idea to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect on the great outdoor experience you just had before the long haul home.
And of course, "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints" is the Golden Rule of the outdoor enthusiast. Stick to it.
