Before you head on your next camping trip, it’s important to make sure you have the right gear for the type of camping you want to do. For those looking for a comfortable, easy way to camp without carrying heavy supplies, car camping is the best option. If you prefer a back-to-nature style with no access to running water or electricity, then tent or tarp camping is perfect for your needs.
Car Camping
If you’re only a few hours away from home, then car camping is the perfect option without sacrificing luxury. You’ll still be able to enjoy all the comforts of home in your tent. A car camping kit comes complete with a queen-size air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, lanterns and cooking supplies. Most of these kits also come with some sort of table and chairs to make eating easier. Kitchen supplies will include pots and pans, plates and utensils. You can even add on an electric grill or coffeemaker for that extra convenience you’re craving.
Tent Camping
If you don’t mind being away from civilization for a while, then tent camping is your best option. The only large items that can be carried with you are the essentials like a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and food. Most tent campers will find a useful cooking utensil handy in the form of a stick or branch placed over an open flame. You can also choose to bring along camping chairs to make eating more comfortable.
Once you have all the gear and supplies you need, it’s time to get started. While car camping kits come with dining utensils, most tent campers take their meals prepared in front of the fire using a ground cloth or tarp as their tablecloth.
An important thing to remember while camping is to be safe. Though car camping kits are convenient, you should still bring a first aid kit, flashlight and spare batteries. You’ll also want a compass or map in case you decide to hike into the woods for a more secluded spot. If you’re camping alone, definitely tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Choosing between car camping or tent camping could be one of the most important decisions when planning your next camping trip. The style of equipment you need will depend on how long you plan on being out in the wilderness and what type of activity level you wish to maintain during your trip.
But before you decide what type of camping will work best for you, take some time to review your skills. Do you have all the necessary skills? Is it too much to bite off? Or is it more manageable than you thought? Be honest as this will help maintain a realistic outlook on the type of trip that awaits.
What is car camping at Coachella?
Car Camping is the most common way to camp at Coachella, and it’s what most people think when they hear the words “Coachella Music Festival”. It is a “tent” camping experience for those who do not mind being fenced in. When you purchase a car camping pass you will get a wristband that allows you to come and go from your own tent for during the festival. If you have a vehicle but are not camping, you can also purchase a parking pass.
Tent Camping
Tent Camping is not as common as you would think it to be. Many do not understand the benefits of tent camping, but they are there and they have almost everything you need for a comfortable stay. Space is much more private than tents, and most people sleep better in a tent. Although it seems that there is no privacy, the campsite does have a “campground” feel to it, and there will be plenty of people around to help you if anything goes wrong. Most people who prefer tent camping will bring their own tents along with them, but make sure you know all about your gear before leaving home so that everything works as expected.
Tent Choice
Some things to consider when choosing a new tent: size, durability, weight (carrying it in), versatility (tightening up all tie-down points), weatherproofing (waterproof vs water-resistant tents) and general quality (canvas type).
When choosing a new tent, set up the tent in a relatively cool place which will help the new tent last longer, as these tents are more durable and have more stitching which holds it up better than cheaper tents.
Set up your tent on a level surface, particularly if you plan to use your new tent in some other way. Keep your tent away from uneven ground. You may find that putting a few rocks under it is helpful to level it out. If you plan to pitch your tent on uneven ground, use stakes to hold the legs up while putting up the flysheet (there is usually an included bag of one or two stakes).
Once your tent is level, put the poles through the loops to erect (straighten) the tent adding some stability to the structure as well as some rigidity.
Put up the rain fly at this point if that is what you have. Tarp-like covers can be left off until there is a real need for them, i.e. rain or other poor weather conditions.
Double-check that all tent pegs are in place and sturdy before taking the rest of your gear inside. Never place more than your body weight on the pegs. These pegs are there to support the tent and help keep it wind and watertight.
Sleeping Bag Choice
A sleeping bag is an item of camping gear used to keep warm while sleeping outdoors. Sleeping bags are typically rectangular in shape and consist of two layers, a lighter-weight synthetic or down-filled lining covered by an exterior shell of rip-stop nylon or similar sturdy fabric. The filling typically comprises feathers, loose fibres or another insulating material embedded in a pocket of air; this principle allows for much better insulation incomparably lighter fabrics than can be achieved with traditional quilting. In the case of down-filled bags, this lining can act as a temperature regulator; when it’s cold outside and the bag feels cold to the touch, it’s actually trapping a layer of warm air which helps to keep you warm. The shell protects this insulation from external moisture and damage, keeping the insulation dry and helping to maintain its low conductivity. Synthetic bags are much cheaper than down-filled ones, but over time tend to lose their insulative quality.
Everything You Need to Know About Tent Camping
Tent camping is a great option for those who want to get out into the wilderness and sleep under the stars. It can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a week without worrying about electricity or running water. If you fall in love with it, you can take your tent camping skills and use them for other outdoor activities like backpacking.
The first thing you’ll need is a tent. There are many different style options available, but make sure that it is big enough for everyone in your party to sleep comfortably. You’ll also need something soft to sleep on like a sleeping bag or air mattresses. There are also some lighter weight options for those who don’t mind a little extra weight. There are also several heavier duty air mattresses available that will keep you dry if the weather is questionable. Your tent must be set up just like your house so that you may feel very comfortable in it.
When you get to the campground, you’ll need to find a spot. Ensure that it is far enough away from the road so you don’t wake up to traffic bothering you and make sure there isn’t a lot of debris nearby that may interfere with your sleeping conditions. You can place your tent in the designated camping site or your own area since most people don’t care much about where they sleep as long as no one else sleeps near them.
You’ll also need outdoor gear like flashlights, water bottles, and extra clothing. Insect repellent will also help you sleep more comfortably and keep you from waking up with itching bites all over your body.
Just because you are in the backcountry doesn’t mean that you have to rough it when it comes to your food. Cooking will be much easier if you have a way to heat your food and if there is an open flame nearby. Thanks to fire restrictions, these types of stoves are not usually allowed, so your best bet is either a camp stove or small grill which can be used on the ground’s surface.
You’ll need to make sure that you bring plenty of food with you. The most common things that people eat are sandwiches, or hot dog buns, hot dogs, and hamburgers. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks as well as a small amount of ice for your drinks.
Just like camping in the city, this is a great way to make new friends. If you find yourself avoiding people at home, it will be easier to feel comfortable sharing your experience with them here and they can learn a lot from your experience as well.
Which is better?
It really depends on your needs for the trip. If you want to try out something new, you’ll probably be more interested in an RV. On the other hand, if you are into hiking and camping, then a tent might give you everything you need.
Either way, camping is a wonderful way to spend some time with family and friends while being outdoors and enjoying what nature has to offer. One of the benefits of camping is that no matter where you are using it, it will always feel like a trip to paradise!
When travelling we can experience some of the best times that a person can have. That is why people want to travel all over the place, just for the fun of it. Camping is one of the best ways to do that and know that you will enjoy yourself, without having to pay for it.
Camping is not just about getting away from civilization and staying by yourself, if you think about it; camping is an experience in itself! And when camping, there are different types of camping that you can choose from. For instance, if you are going on a family trip with kids or don’t have any relatives to go with, then an RV may be your best option.
Pros And Cons of Tent Camping
- You get your privacy
When you are camping in a tent, you will get your own personal space. That means there will be no one else around, except for other campers who also have tents. But if you are in an RV for example; it can sometimes be hard to have a good night’s sleep because there might be other people around who might make some noise while sleeping or watching TV.
- Easy to Packing
If you are choosing to go tent camping, it is easy to pack up all of your stuff and be prepared without a lot of trouble. Plus, if you are camping with a tent, then you do not need to worry about hauling the tent around with you because it will be folded up inside your car.
- You can have fun
If you prefer tents when it comes to camping out; then there are plenty of things that can be done with them. For example, there are many campsites where you can camp out with friends and set up a few tents for fun or privacy when it comes to sleeping if so desired.
- Less Expensive
If you are not worried about spending a lot of money on camping, you might want to consider choosing tent camping. Camping with an RV can be more expensive because you will have to pay for the fuel that is used, among other things. Also, if you choose to camp near the beach or anywhere else that might be more expensive; then you might not be able to enjoy it as much as you would like because the opportunity for you to have fun will be diminished.
- Safe
If you choose tent camping; then there is an added sense of security. If you are camping alone and know that there will be no one to assist you if someone tries to break into your tent then it can be dangerous. But if you are with a group of friends and your tents are nearby, then the possibility of someone breaking into one of the tents is less likely.
- Weather
If there is bad weather coming, it might be beneficial for you to consider camping with a tent because it has the ability to shield you from the horror elements. A lot of people choose to bring their RVs out into inclement weather because they do not have any other choice but campers can use their tents to stay dry or warm if they have to.
Pros And Cons of Coachella Car Camping
- Convenient
One of the biggest pros of car camping at Coachella is that everything is convenient. You don’t have to worry about where you’re going to go to the restroom or if it will be clean or what you’re going to do about showers. Everyone has a car, so why not use it as a shower? Just wait till you need gas and take a quick shower. Maybe not ideal for everyone but one of the many perks of car camping.
- No Convenience Fees
You don’t have to worry about paying for the convenience of the campground. They charge you a daily fee for all your utilities, water, trash, and everything else. The one thing you don’t have to worry about is the bathroom situation where you have to make sure to go before the concert ends or be stuck in line.
- No Flies And Mosquitoes
Another reason why you might want to tent camp at Coachella is that they might give out free mosquito spray for people that happen to camp with them in case of rain or little rain showers. However, at Coachella car camping there will be no flies and mosquitoes flying around your camp all day and night. You won’t have to worry about carrying spray with you and when you use it, it will be used on everyone because no people are camping next to you.
- No Time Commitment
You don’t have to drive from one side of the California desert to the other side to shower or go to the bathroom because it’s not far away by any means. You can just jump in your car and drive down the road for a quick clean up of yourself and get back in your car.
- No Dirty Showers
Most of the time, car campers are in and out of the concert and their campsite. However, if you go tent camping, you may not be able to leave your campsite at all during the day because it’s far away from a lot of things. So you will not only have to deal with other campers that come into your campsite and possibly steal your things but also the filthiness of the restrooms and shower facilities.
- Extra Features
Also, there are extra features for those that camp at Coachella. For example, tents have a stove inside them, so you can cook or heat your food and water for the day instead of going outside to do it. However, you would have to bring your own propane fire pit so that you can make food there. There is also an area of tents on each site with electricity for portable chargers and other devices.