Before you go glamping, it’s a good idea to know the basics. You don’t want to be the person who shows up at your friend’s cute cabin in the woods only to realize that you forgot an important item like a stove or lantern.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of tips and tricks from some of my favorite outdoor enthusiasts.
Keep It Small
We know that it’s tempting to bring every piece of clothing you own, but don’t be tempted. You want to make sure there’s room in your car and in your tent for your sleeping bag, which should be the most important thing on the list not only can it keep you warm at night, but it also keeps out any pesky bugs that might bite if they get the opportunity.
Also essential: bug spray and sunscreen because even if you’re staying in a camper van with air conditioning and electricity, there will still be mosquitoes around.
The last thing anyone wants is a bad case of poison ivy or an allergic reaction from something else during their trip!
Bring A Four-Season Tent
When you’re on a glamping trip, you want to be able to enjoy the outdoors all year long. A tent that can withstand any weather condition is essential.
A four-season tent is designed so that it can be used in any season and withstand rain, wind, and snow. This type of tent is great for camping in the mountains or on the beach during summer or winter conditions (or both).
Bring A Comfortable Cot
Your cot is your bed and comfort is key when it comes to a good night’s sleep. A cot will keep you away from bugs and critters, which makes it the perfect addition to your glamping experience.
In addition to being more comfortable than the ground, a cot can also be setup in seconds! If you’re not sure what kind of cot works best for camping with kids or lovers, check out our guide on how to choose the right one!
Find The Right Sleeping Bag
Choosing the right sleeping bag is essential for a good night’s rest on your glamping trip. You want to choose one that is appropriate for the season and climate you’ll be staying in, as well as any other activities you plan to do during your getaway (like hiking or fishing).
Sleeping bags are rated by both temperature and weight, so it’s important to consider both factors when choosing what kind of sleeping bag to bring with you.
For example, if you’re going camping in 40-degree weather but don’t plan on doing any other outdoor activities besides hiking and fishing, then a lightweight 20 degree sleeping bag would be ideal.
If instead you’re planning on camping in high altitudes where nights can get very cold and windy even during summer months (as they do here in Colorado), then a heavier 0 degree mummy-style sleeping bag would be more appropriate because it can keep out more cold air than its lighter counterparts.
Use An Air Mattress (And Bring The Pump)
Most people who enjoy glamping recommend bringing an air mattress, and they’re right. They’re more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and they can be taken with you wherever you go.
You’ll need to bring a pump to inflate it, but if you don’t have one already purchased or borrowed from a friend, no worries we’ve got some great recommendations for pumps that will fit in your backpack!
Make sure to check which size of pump is compatible with your air mattress before bringing it along though; some models require extension cords that aren’t included with purchase.
Bring A Lantern And Extra Batteries
Don’t forget the lantern and extra batteries. This one is crucial, especially if you are camping for more than one night. A good lantern is worth the investment because it will light up your tent at night when everyone else needs to sleep.
The number of batteries you’ll need depends on how long you’re staying: short trips require less; longer adventures mean more.
You may want to bring a couple packs so that if one set runs out, you can switch over without having to go out into the middle of nowhere in the dark trying to find an open store where they sell batteries or worse yet, without being able to find them at all!
Create An Outdoor Living Room
Tablecloth:
Tie the tablecloth to two trees and you have an instant picnic area for your guests. Or, use it as a table cloth for your outdoor dining experience, which is just as festive.
Rug:
If there’s only room for one tent on site, place some rugs near it to create a cozy seating area while you wait for dinner preparations to finish up inside the tent. Rugs are also great because they absorb moisture, protect the ground and make sitting on grass or dirt more comfortable—these benefits will be especially important if you plan on having kids around!
Portable speaker:
Bring along a portable music player so that your guests can listen to their favorite tunes while relaxing in their chairs or hammocks!
This will help keep them entertained during down time between activities, like preparing food or cleaning up after dinner prep work has been completed (or even during meal times).
You might also want to consider bringing along some extra batteries so everyone can enjoy themselves without worrying about running out of power halfway through an evening spent outdoors.
Make Your Meals Ahead Of Time
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have enough food for your trip. If you’re staying in a tent, then it’s probably going to be pretty hot and humid outside.
Unless you’re planning on eating brick-oven pizza every day, that means bringing along lots of ice packs to keep your food cool.
Make sure that the cooler has room for everything you need, including utensils and spices (for if someone wants tacos).
When shopping for ingredients: keep in mind what types of meals will be easiest to prepare with camping equipment grilled meats are always an easy choice!
Stay Organized With A Packing Checklist
It’s easy to get excited about the prospect of a glamping trip, and before you know it, you have a suitcase full of clothing and gear that may or may not be essential.
To avoid overpacking, make sure your packing checklist includes everything you need for your entire trip and make multiple copies so everyone in the party can share one.
Give each person in your group a checklist tailored to their needs, ensuring that no one gets left behind because they forgot something crucial like sunscreen or their toothbrush!
Take Toys And Tools For Every Season
When prepping for any camping trip, it’s important to have the right tools and toys for every season. The following are some of our favorites:
Hammock: When you’re trying to relax and take in nature, nothing is more perfect than lying back on a hammock with your favorite book or Kindle.
Portable Grill: Whether you like burgers or brats, this grill will keep your meals hot and fresh while giving them that grilled flavor you love so much.
Fishing Pole: You can never be too careful when it comes to fishing—you never know what might bite! Having a fishing pole is also handy if you want to try catching some fish but aren’t quite sure how (or don’t want) to go all-out with gear like rods, reels and bait.
Picnic Basket/Tote Bag: Bring along some delicious goodies like sandwiches or trail mix packed in old-fashioned containers like mason jars or tin cans (try making them yourself!).
If there are kids present who may get hungry during the day but don’t want anything too heavy on their stomachs before dinner time rolls around again then having something lighter would work great here as well since they tend not eat as much anyway when outdoors due their excitement about everything else happening around them instead!
Relax And Enjoy The Outdoors!
This is the time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and let go of all your worries. You should also try to take advantage of this opportunity to spend some quality time with your family and friends while they’re still around.
It can be easy to get caught up in the moment and feel like you have too much work on your plate when you’re trying to throw a glamping trip together last minute, but remember that this isn’t just about surviving it’s about enjoying yourself!
Make sure everyone has fun by making sure they bring their favorite snacks or activities along with them, so they can enjoy themselves as well.
If there are kids involved, don’t forget their sleeping bags (or air mattresses) so they’re comfortable sleeping at night after having spent all day exploring nature together in search for squirrels or whatever else it is that kids do these days!
Glamping Is Not As Hard As You Might Think
Glamping may seem like a daunting undertaking, but it’s actually not as hard as you might think. The first step is to determine what kind of glamping experience you want. Do you want to spend most of your time inside the tent? Or will you be spending more time outside, enjoying nature and enjoying all that glamping has to offer?
If this is going to be a vacation for two people, then it would be best to bring along a small tent that doesn’t take up much space in the car or on your camping site.
This way, everything fits together nicely without having any wrinkles or creases in your bedding. When it comes down to choosing between sleeping indoors or outdoors (or maybe even both), I always recommend bringing along an air mattress instead of using a cot because they’re easier to inflate and deflate when necessary!
Finally: don’t forget about weather conditions! If there’s rain expected during your trip then make sure these are accounted for when packing everything up so nothing gets wet out there in nature.”
Conclusion
We hope these tips have given you some inspiration, and shown you that glamping can be easy and fun.
It’s about having a good time in nature with your friends or family, so don’t stress too much about what to bring or how to set up your camp.
I’m Hellen James, and I am a camping enthusiast. I’ve been camping since I was a kid and have always loved it the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer!
