Camping Hacks From Experienced Campers

Tough labels for soft bags

If you carry around soft-sided bags like camping duffels, sports bags and tool cases, you’ll want labels that stand up to being squashed, mashed, soaked, yanked, dropped and rolled around. Nylon webbing or short lengths of tie-down straps are great choices. Just tie the webbing around the handle of your bag and label it using a waterproof marker.

Swiss army tinker

Though sharp folding knives are great for camping and fishing, the knife that remains relevant to every creative outdoor hack is the classic Swiss Army Tinker. It’s affordable, so losing it isn’t traumatic; it’s light and compact, and the Phillips-head screwdriver is very useful, whether indoors or outdoors. It’s not perfect and could have a sharper edge, but it finds near-ubiquitous use in DIY camping hacks.

PVC knife holders

Carrying kitchen knives safely for picnics and camping trips is challenging. An intuitive camping hack is to create a knife holder using PVC pipes and caps. Glue a cap on one end of the PVC pipe with the unglued end of the cap marked with an X to know where it opens.

Slip-free drink holders

To solve the slipping problem with drinks, you can drill a hole in the arm of a chair with a 3-in. hole saw. Take two short lengths of heavy-duty strapping, cross them at the bottom and use two-part epoxy glue to attach the straps under the arm. This should hold your drink in place without the risk of creating a mess.

Grill on the go

A lot of grills are called portable—usually that means they’re just small. But Char-Broil’s rugged Grill2Go can actually be hauled around. It has a sturdy base, a top that snaps closed for transport, and it runs on portable propane bottles. For those big grill-outs, it can run on larger propane tanks using an optional hose and adapter. It comes with an infrared grill surface, which makes sense because of the close proximity of the burners to the grate. It’s a perfect grill for camping, tailgating and road trips.

Sharpener for fishing gear

Diamond stick sharpeners are a great camping hack if you want to keep things in your fishing kit sharp. Hooks and pocket knives sharpen up fast and you can cut lines and clean fish. With how compact they are, this DIY camping gear modification is the ideal choice for any angler and outdoor enthusiast.

Spring sledding

A sled slides over grass, sand and even gravel with ease, making sleds the obvious choice for campers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to haul camping gear easily. A plastic snow sled is great because of its relatively low cost and high durability.

Camper’s classic

Want to take along a small amount of duct tape just in case? Duct tape’s versatility is great for tent leaks or jacket rips. Wrap some around a water bottle or any other cylindrical object, and there it’ll be, right at hand.

DIY Camping Gear Hacks for the Perfect Campsite and Easy Storage

It doesn’t take too much effort to turn your outdoor campsite into a comfortable yet functional sojourn. A few intuitive tricks and camper storage hacks can make your trip memorable.

Rechargeable lantern on the go

Portable lanterns can illuminate your nighttime stroll or your dinner table when you’re eating out under the stars. Get a rechargeable LED lantern that lasts hours on a charge, perfect for a night of camping.

Backwoods repair gear

Whether you’re canoeing, backpacking or fishing, as a DIYer, you must carry a repair kit wherever you go. Though items may vary, there are a few standard objects. Duct tape, paracord, zip ties and a multi-tool are obvious choices. Uncommon items like a small aluminum tube that can slide over a broken tent pole can be a trip saver. Additionally, magnifiers can help with viewing repair sites and thin wire is another useful item. Wrap it, twist it or sew with it. It’s strong, heat proof and doesn’t stretch.

Knot-free tie-downs

Securing a load of lumber, a kayak, camping gear and other stuff on your vehicle with rope can be a pain for unskilled knotologists. It’s even more of a pain when it’s time to untie the knots. The Figure 9 by Nite Ize makes tasks fast and easy. Wrap the rope around the aluminum bracket and it’ll be held securely. Figure 9 also works great on rope used for pitching tents and holding down tarps. The small tie secures 50-lb. loads. The large tie secures 150 lbs.

Tarp tie-downs

Most tarps always seem like they’re always either too big or too small. The grommets are never in the right place for tying down and they tear out if the wind blows. The Grabbit Tool Co. has a cool system for dealing with all these headaches. The EZ Grabbit Tarp Tie Down lets you splice together enough tarps to build a circus tent or just cover a big woodpile. Another style, the Dog Bone, lets you attach a tarp to a structure for example, to make a lean-to or to weatherproof after a roof tear-off.

Fishing rod storage

Whether you buy fancy storage racks or make your own, either way, you’re giving up precious wall or tent space. Here’s a quick camping storage hack: screw short sections of wire shelving to your ceiling. If the handles don’t fit, just clip out some of the wire with bolt cutters. Your rods will be safely out of the way until your next fishing trip. You can also use PVC pipe for fishing rod storage as a more portable solution when you’re planning your next outdoor expedition.

Fishing rod organizer

A simple fishing rod organizer should be your go-to. All you need is a length of 3-in.-diameter PVC pipe and a foam swimming pool noodle for this storage system. Drill 1-in. holes spaced every 4 in. in the PVC pipe. Cut slits in the foam noodle, spacing them 4 in. apart. Line up the pool noodle on the wall so that at least two of the slits sit over studs. Pull those slits apart, slide in a fender washer and screw the noodle to the wall with 2-in. screws. Then screw the PVC pipe to the wall beneath it at a comfortable height and insert your fishing rods.

Camping Safety Tricks

From camping survival essentials to prepare you for every emergency to having supplies for your trip, ensuring you have these items on your checklist will guarantee a safe trip.

First-aid kit and extras

Besides the usual first-aid supplies that have bandages, OTC medicines, antiseptic, water purifying tablets and wipes, you will also want to carry blister pads, insect repellent sprays and ointments, a whistle and some activated charcoal.

Waterproof your camping gear

Waterproofing is key to the safety of all your gear. Be liberal with resealable bags and pack your electronics, clothing and matches in them. You can also use plastic sheets to make your bags waterproof.

Use tarps

Multi-use tarps are great for covering the ground and are especially useful for wet conditions. Apart from ground coverings and rain shelters, tarps are great for providing shade in hot conditions and can cover firewood to keep it dry.

Bring solar-powered lights

Whether you choose to use a solar lantern or string lights, these options are clean and eco-friendly ways to illuminate your campsite or tent. Solar powered lighting allows you to not rely on batteries and offers a reliable lighting solution for your outdoors trip.

Keep odors at bay

A small packet of baking soda or hanging a dryer sheet within your tent can help you quickly clear the tent off odors, helping you remain comfortable in its confines.

Food Prep Shortcuts Every Camper Must Know

With these creative outdoor hacks, cooking can be a breeze when you’re out in the wild. Don’t be afraid to get creative and settle for what works for you.

Keep your food portioned and ready

Having pre-chopped vegetables, meat and pre-proportioned spice mixes can help you remain organized. Meal-prep goes a long way and can help you save time and effort while you’re out there camping.

Freeze meals for easy access and storage

You can freeze meals like pasta, stew and curries to take with you on your trip. Use freezer safe bags and they’ll be perfectly stored within a cooler. Reheat frozen meals over a campfire.

Pizza to go

For the person who loves to make pizza, there are propane-powered pizza ovens easy to take camping, to the beach, tailgating or your weekend place.

Beer can chicken accessories

Open a can of beer or soda, put it in the middle of the grill and stick a chicken (egg-laying side down) over the can. The liquid in the can keeps the meat moist and impart some flavor. The Beer Can Chicken Holder from Old Smokey Products is an especially great tool. The rack supports the chicken and has a wide base to prevent rollovers.

Ingredients for multi-use purposes

Canned beans, rice, eggs and tortilla wraps are versatile ingredients. They’re easy to work with and can be used in various dishes.

FAQ

What are the best ways to start a campfire quickly?

The easiest method uses lint or cotton dipped in petroleum jelly. Add tinder or dry sticks into the mix and you can start a campfire quickly. Place them at the base and the firewood above for the best results.

How can I organize gear effectively while camping?

Use clearly labeled packets or bins for sorting your gear. Sort them by category based on cooking, sleeping, fishing etc. Pack items you use frequently at the top and use carabiners to keep flashlights and water bottles within reach.

How can I make camping with kids easier?

Keeping children involved in interesting tasks is a great option. Plan scavenger hunts and small games to keep them entertained. Pack snacks, easy-to-carry toys and comfort items like blankets.

Sources

• Amazon – “Charbroil® Grill2Go X200 Amplifier Cooking Technology 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Stainless Steel Grill – 21401734”
• Amazon – “EZ Grabbit Tarp Tie Down (12-Pack) (Yellow)”
• Amazon – “Old Smokey Beer Can Chicken Holder”
• NPS – “Camping”
• FS USDA – “Camping”
• Smokey Bear – “Campfire Safety”
• NPS – “Finding and Setting Up a Campsite”
• Seek Outside – “Camping Knots You Should Know”