A Camping Primer

Climate
Where are you headed? Sunny beaches, shady forest, or snow-capped mountains? It makes all the difference to campers because clothing, tents, food and cooking gear, and almost everything else can be sufficient in one situation and inadequate in another. Newcomers may want to start in moderate climes, where nighttime temperatures don't drop below freezing or desert sun won't bake you to a crisp. Camping does not have to expose you to risks or huge physical effort, but as your skills develop, you may want to try something more adventurous.

Car Camping or Backpacking?
State and national parks have beautiful campsites where you can park your car and set up your gear a few feet away on cleared, flat tent sites with fireplaces and picnic tables. No hiking and hauling required. For people with small children or disabilities, this is an excellent option. You may have to walk a few minutes to the well or the outhouse, but there will be neighbors to meet and campfires with songs, marshmallows, and laughter. Backpackers go for the opposite pleasures, hoisting their households on their backs, hoofing it as far as time and muscles allow. Beginners will want to choose hiking trails carefully (learn to read a topographic map to see what ups and downs lie ahead) and will definitely want local advice from park rangers. Regulations may allow camping anywhere or only on strictly controlled sites: Follow the rules.
Solo or with the Gang?
If it's solitude you want, choose a park with widely dispersed campsites, out of sight and earshot of each other. Camping alone is not recommended for beginners, but going out with a partner is a terrific way to refresh a friendship. Living in close quarters, depending on each other, means campers must be like sailors: respectful of each other's space and highly trustworthy. Social camping, usually in state parks that welcome car campers, can be lots of fun. Using several nearby sites, an extended family or club can gather for a weekend in the woods or at the beach. Just remember, this isn't a backyard barbecue. After dark, relative quiet should prevail, and when leaving, a special effort to clean up is de rigueur.

The Test Run
The best place to practice camping is the backyard. Next best is a weekend outing allowing plenty of time to set up and to fiddle with camp stoves and other gizmos that might be problematic in the dark. Give every item a test run. Be prepared to fix whatever breaks. A repair kit is as important as a first aid kit. Once you have the rhythm down pat, longer outings will look attractive. Some campgrounds rent space for the whole season, some have limits of a few days, and popular backcountry campsites may limit backpackers to a night or two. Consult park rangers to make a good plan.

Types of Campgrounds
Campgrounds come in many types and all sizes. Commercial campgrounds are often quirky mom and pop affairs (some pristine, some not), but if you like predictability, try a franchise like KOA ("Kampgrounds of America"). Although the campsites may be treeless plots carved out of a former cornfield, there will usually be a clean rest room, maybe a shower, and potable water. A little research can turn up delicious state parks with handsome sites, good facilities, and modest fees. National Parks, National Forests, some National Wildlife Refuges, and some Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties in western states have both campgrounds and isolated sites. Reservations are frequently required.

Backcountry Permits
Access to the wilderness in many federal parks and forests is regulated to limit the number of people using trails and campsites. In popular parks like Sequoia, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains and others, backcountry permits are required. Start calling months or weeks in advance: In some cases reservations are available way ahead of your visit. Most parks save a few spots for late arrivals, but this is not a good risk if you're driving far or have a limited window of opportunity. Backcountry permits require your acknowledgment of fire and garbage removal rules and usually provide warnings about potential dangers (bears, snakes, ticks, mud slides, difficult water crossings). Make a first aid course one of your first investments before heading out to the wilds.

Self-Planning or an Outfitter?
Unsure about whether you will enjoy camping? Try it out with a hiking or camping club first, where they provide the equipment. Assembling everything you need for shelter, cooking, first aid and more can be daunting and expensive if you plunge into it all at once. Outdoor outfitters often rent equipment, too—another good way for beginners to make a start. If you get hooked, you'll soon find that a side benefit to camping is shopping for camping and backpacking gear. Fun to do on-line during the winter (product ratings are all on the web) or at the local outfitter's store on a rainy weekend afternoon.

Costs
Like everything else, you can buy camping and backpacking gear in the Cadillac or the used car version. This is not a fashion show, although good breathable fabric rain gear is a must. It's best to put your dollars into good hiking boots, well-fitted backpack, sturdy tent, cozy sleeping bag, and reliable camp stove. Beyond that, patch it together. Cruise the tag sales, check the used equipment section at the outfitter store, or borrow from friends until your own expeditionary force is ready for Everest…or the local park.