There’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot the can opener three hours from the nearest town.
Camping should be a reset button. A chance to escape the noise and get back to what really matters. But sometimes, the small frustrations can pile up. A lumpy tent floor. Soggy matches. Pesky mosquitos. It can turn a peaceful getaway into a stressful chore. I get it. I’ve spent a lot of my life learning how to replace bad habits with good ones, and a big part of that was learning to be prepared.
When I was overhauling my life, losing over 110 pounds and kicking habits like binge eating and laziness, I realized that success wasn’t about grand gestures. It was about small, smart choices that made the right thing the easy thing. It was about preparation. The same exact principle applies to having a great time outdoors. A little planning goes a long way. It lets you focus on the crackle of the fire and the stars overhead instead of stressing over what went wrong.
So, I’ve put together a list of 20 of my favorite camping hacks. These are simple tricks I’ve learned that make life in the woods easier, comfier, and a lot more fun.
Camp Kitchen Genius
Food just tastes better outside. But cooking over a fire or on a camp stove can be tricky. These hacks will make you feel like a pro.
- Pre-Crack Your Eggs. Don’t risk a carton of broken eggs. Crack them at home into a sealed water bottle or jar. Just give it a shake and pour when you’re ready to scramble. Easy cleanup.
- Instant Pancake Mix. Do the same thing with pancake mix. Put the dry ingredients in a bottle or a zip-top bag. At the campsite, just add water, shake it up, and pour directly onto the griddle.
- Corn Chip Kindling. This sounds weird but it works. Salty, oily corn chips (like Fritos or Doritos) are fantastic fire starters. They catch fire easily and burn long enough to get your kindling going.
- Tic-Tac Spice Rack. Don’t bring your whole spice cabinet. Clean out an old tic-tac container and fill it with your favorite blend. It’s perfect for salt and pepper or a pre-mixed steak rub.
- Freeze Your Water. Instead of packing ice packs that just become water, freeze a few gallon jugs or water bottles. They act as giant ice blocks to keep your cooler cold. As they melt, you’ll have plenty of cold drinking water.
Cozy Tent, Happy Camper
A good night’s sleep is crucial. Your tent is your home away from home, so make it comfortable.
- DIY Lantern. Turn your headlamp into a lantern. Just strap it around a full, clear gallon jug of water with the light facing inward. It creates a soft, ambient glow that lights up the whole tent.
- Foam Tile Flooring. Those interlocking foam tiles for kids' playrooms are amazing for a tent floor. They add a layer of insulation and padding that makes a huge difference. No more sleeping on a stray rock.
- Stay Toasty Warm. On a cold night, boil some water before bed. Pour it carefully into a hard-plastic water bottle (like a Nalgene) and screw the lid on tight. Toss it into the bottom of your sleeping bag. It’s a personal heater that will last for hours.
- Sage for Mosquitoes. Keep the bugs away from your campsite. Throw a bundle of sage into your campfire. The smoke smells nice to us but mosquitos can’t stand it.
- Deodorant on Bug Bites. If a mosquito does get you, rub a little stick deodorant on the bite. The aluminum salts in it can help stop the itching and reduce swelling.
Smart Packing and Organization
A clean and organized campsite is a happy campsite. A little bit of order reduces stress so you can actually relax.
- Duct Tape on Deck. Duct tape can fix almost anything. Instead of bringing the whole bulky roll, wrap a good amount of it around your water bottle or a lighter. It’s there when you need it, but it takes up no extra space.
- The Ultimate Checklist. Make a reusable camping checklist. Type it up, laminate it, and use a dry-erase marker to check things off. You’ll never forget the tent poles or coffee pot again.
- Shoe Organizer Kitchen. Hang a cheap, over-the-door shoe organizer from a tree or your car door. The pockets are perfect for holding cooking utensils, plates, spices, and cleaning supplies.
- Belt Hanger. Need a place to hang pots, pans, or wet towels to dry? Strap a belt tightly around a tree trunk. You can use the buckle and holes to hang things with S-hooks.
- Roll Your Clothes. When packing your duffel bag, roll your clothes instead of folding them. It saves a surprising amount of space and helps prevent major wrinkles.
Little Hacks for Big Problems
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Here are a few final tricks to keep in your back pocket.
- DIY Hand-Washing Station. Bring a large water jug that has a spigot. Set it on the edge of a picnic table with a bar of soap in a mesh bag hanging from the handle. Instant hand-washing station.
- Waterproof Your Matches. You can waterproof matches by dipping the heads in melted wax or clear nail polish. To use them, just scratch off the wax.
- Sandpaper for Matches. Speaking of matches, glue a small piece of sandpaper to the inside lid of your matchbox or a waterproof container. Now you always have a strike strip.
- Single-Use Soap. Don’t want to deal with a slimy, wet bar of soap? Use a vegetable peeler at home to shave off thin slivers from a bar. Each sliver is good for one or two hand washings.
- Solar-Powered Ambiance. A cheap set of solar-powered string lights can make your campsite feel magical. They charge all day in the sun and provide a nice, soft light all evening without draining batteries.
Getting outdoors is one of the best ways I’ve found to connect with God and appreciate the beautiful world He made. It’s a chance to simplify and find peace away from the daily grind. With a few of these hacks, you can spend less time struggling and more time soaking it all in.
So, what’s the one camping hack you can’t live without? Let me know. Maybe I’ll add it to my list.
