7 USEFUL CAMPING HACKS AND TIPS

These are my TOP camping hacks and tips for staying organized with food and packing when you go car camping!
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[@ddemo2613]

Great advice. a couple other tips I have learned over the years. Bring a 12 feet of nylon rope and a couple of cloth pins. You can string the rope between two trees. Perfect clothes line to hang all types of things to dry, towels, swimming trunks etc. Make sure to string the rope in an area where nobody will be walking at night, so they can not hurt themselves in the dark. Also the dollar store is your best friend for disposable camping items (not cooking pots / pans) Each spring I buy two of the door mats. Place one in front of your tent entrance and the other right inside your tent. I can take my boots off outside my tent and place them right inside. This prevents the majority of dirt from you shoes getting inside the tent. The dollar store is also great for purchasing camping dish towels, wash clothes, oven-mits etc. By the end of the season if they are pretty trashed, just throw them away. Always bring a couple small boxes of wooden matches to start a fire or light lamps. Stash them not only in the camping tote box but also your glove box of your car. Just incase your camping gear gets soaking wet from rain you still have dry matches in the car. Also I am sure this has been discussed in other videos, ALWAYS have a well stocked first aid kit that is purchased from a commercial store (Walmart, Target etc). If you have one from previous year, always check the expiration date on the medications before going camping. I can not tell you how many times we have had to use the first aid kit at 10:00 PM in the pitch dark (burns on hand, cut a finger, fishing lurer mishap etc..) Finally this tip is for the ladies from my wife: always bring a baseball cap; you don't have to worry about how your hair looks starting day 2 of camping. Apparently Smoky the Bear might make an appearance at your camp site and you want to look your best....

[@lalitadouch3663]

omg how long did this take to write

[@shilligan]

Rope is great but I find the outdoorsy cords are often coated in a plastic and I find it so difficult to keep them tied! I've converted to bungees so I never have to worry about my clothes line falling 🙃

[@missmarymary6506]

⁰ absolutely a first aid kit is necessary however the pre-package ones at places like Target and walmary t give you very few supplies they give you a variety but just a few of everything for about $15 you can go to Dollar tree get Ace bandages ibuprofen antibacterial cream burn cream calamine lotion antiseptic and alcohol both wipes and bottles along with antacids tablets and liquid eye drops nasal spray .. scissors gauze pads and medical tape .. you get a lot more volume a lot more variety and you can put it in a Dollar tree tackle tool or pencil box it lasts longer and you can customize it to your own family's needs

[@lisacaroline4973]

@@shilligan Go learn your knots!! So so many useful knots out there and when you learn them you feel like a boss who can do so much with your ropes. My husband loves doing all kinds of fancy knots.

[@lisacaroline4973]

Thanks for your advice too :) good idea having 2 mats. Gonna try that out.

[@Liv2Pnt]

Those Talenti gelato containers are the only thing I've ever been able to put sliced/diced onions in that didn't stink up my fridge. They're great!!

[@reneel6390]

I use the Talenti Containers too. I have a campground/ hotel hack for laundry runs. I put dryer sheets around the inside wall of the container. In the middle, I put a snack bag with $12.00 worth of quarters then 6 tide pods. I keep it in a duffle bag with a trash bag for dirty clothes. When the clean clothes get washed and dried, fold and place in duffle. Makes vacations a little easier!😊

[@rexnicious]

HIGHLY recommend Rubbermaid branded plastic totes for pantry foods. They can be a bit difficult to open (but that’s good when you have a pack of raccoons trying to get into it in the middle of the night because you forgot to put the container in the car. Ask me how I know that....) They managed to drag it 20 feet into the woods, but couldn’t get it open, so I still had coffee and breakfast the next morning.

[@amanda.outside]

Wow! That's another benefit of the bin system! It keeps critters out. I've had mice find there way into my car even when it closed and locked, and with the bins, they can't get into my food!

[@janinedear-barlow]

I wonder if they sell them in the UK?

[@kaybree6738]

@@amanda.outside then maybe keep matches in the glove box in chew- proof containers.

[@lisacaroline4973]

@@amanda.outside I've had a mouse in my car as well.. just terrible lol! Hearing him scurrying around under the seats while we're driving!! And my husband blaming me like I let it in and the bag of chips and other food in the car was my fault as if I should have known a mouse would want to get in and eat it! I left the car door open at night for a few minutes while I was going in and out and he figures thats when the mouse got in.

[@carmenmartinez2882]

@@lisacaroline4973 I picked up a marmot, you know they’re going to chew the wires. It wasn’t easy to get it out from under the car.

[@debbyhowell4751]

I use tic tac containers to put my spices in. Plenty of spice and very little space.

[@amanda.outside]

That's perfect!

[@Tk-iz2ws]

For shorter camping trips the extra large straws hold an ample amount of salt, pepper or herbs.

[@Eqmastery]

I feel this this video has single-handedly saved me SO much space and time

[@amanda.outside]

YES! 🤗 That was my goal!

[@mikecollins8241]

Hacks on Hacks: #2 bring your pancake mix or whatever premeasured and write the amount of water needed on outside of container. When you are ready to make add water and shake, pour into pan. #? Add salt to your ice/ frozen water bottles; it will freeze at a lower temp (use chest freezer if you have one!) and last longer. Not an internet rumor, I've tested this myself :) Bring 2 smaller tubs for gear: one has all your "camp" needs like cook kit, tools, TP, and keep everything but food in it. Tub #2 is for DRY FOOD ONLY! Trust me, you don't want to eat food that tastes like soap! A few small kitchen/ face towels are always handy...Finally, bring a small notebook, always good to jot down random thoughts/ ideas, but mostly to make a list of stuff to bring next time/ you forgot! LOL, look at this BEFORE your next trip...

[@shawnas464]

Have a designated spot right up front in the garage for camping gear. If you camp with others and want privacy you can put up clothes line and hang colorful sarongs. (Buy a few each time you’re in the thrift store thru out the year). shower tent with a hot water heater pan in the bottom, a small folding side table with a dish pan of warm water and a cup to pour it over your head is awesome for an easy shower at the end of the day. Stick a bar of soap in a knee high sheer sock and tie it to the handle of a 5 gal. water jug for hand washing. Hand towel on the other handle. I have a million more lol!

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

this is exactly how we do it! we have a few bins with all the essentials including some long shelf life food items that just always stay in there. when we leave for a camping trip all we need to think about is the food we are bringing and water. when we get back all just gets off loaded right back into the garage cabinets. it makes it so much less of a task to go camping when you have your "bug out" stuff ready to go so you can just have fun and not be wracking your brain every time trying to make sure you are taking everything you need. over time we have actually found we need LESS stuff than we used to take, like by far. it feels really good to just throw a few bins and a tent in the back of the truck load a cooler and go, knowing with certainty you have what you need.

[@bobouzala]

Thanks for all the tips Amanda sounds like you are ready to rock!!Sorry about leaving so many comments, I just got rolling after reading all the different comments. One last tip - I like to use thick plastic body bags, Not the expensive body bags with the zippers, just the cheap ones with thick plastic. They’re great for go-bags, a liner for your backpack, a ground cloth for your tent, or some thick plastic to sit on and stay dry.

[@susankritzik9555]

We have a single drawer unit from Container Store that I use for cooking items. You can put your cutting board on top for food prep, open the drawer for utensils, knives, etc. It is super convenient and so easy to access.

[@peppat27]

Those Indian pouches are so great for camping. We love them too. I'm also a big one to make ahead soups or chili or a pot of beans for a hearty and easy dinner. Love the idea of freezing water bottles. And yes!!! Bins and baggies are the best. We keep our sleeping bags and pillows and blankets in big bins too. Keeps everything dry in the back of the pick-up if it rains on the way and then they double as tables in the tent.

[@amanda.outside]

I love the idea of making soup or chili at home, especially for colder camping trips! Thanks for sharing!

[@bobouzala]

Double bag everything

[@garychristison5773]

Camping hack 8, sitting on a sturdy cooler is comfortable enough.

[@rachelleigh157]

Amen! ❤

[@Just_yourlocalkolomobo]

MhM

[@JimBananas]

True but why suffer. A camping chair is essential for getting comfortable and staying up late by the fire 😁

[@normacasto8370]

Like yeti cooler 😉

[@PatrickConlon]

A gallon gatorade container is a must try. Thanks for sharing useful hacks.

[@MadLivin]

Gatorade container? Oh those bigger ones?

[@wes326]

I fill up soda bottles with a mixture of non-toxic RV antifreeze and water. Freezes and thaws around 10 degrees F. Keeps frozen items frozen or can be used as an ice extender. Thanks for sharing.

[@thevideostump46239]

CampIng hack # 9. Use your windshield reflector (or a piece of Reflectix) over your cooler and it will help keep it, well cooler.. Great idea's, thanks...

[@tracymacpherson9028]

I have spent years camping with the Boy Scouts (and now Scouts BSA), teaching merit badges and more. Amanda's tips, hacks, recipes, and more should be included in the "Scout Manual". Since then, I have moved onto Ultra Light Backpacking; again, Amanda provides a lot of fun and new ideas. Great educational videos, advice, and ideas. Amanda: In two weeks I will be one of the instructors for "Women in the Outdoors" hosted by the Palmetto Trail (South Carolina), I will be sharing your website as a reliable resource. Thanks for the videos and info.

[@raewashington9928]

The only thing I would do differently, is pre-cut the veggies. That what I do on our camping trips. Makes it so much easier and faster when cooking.. Loved all the hacks!

[@amanda.outside]

Pre-cutting veggies a great idea! I do that sometimes for shorter trips and it definitely makes things easier when camp cooking!

[@jhoonhp8923]

+1 for pre-cut food. I like to put them in reusable bags

[@Orangeshebert]

I’ve been camping off and on for 40 years. It’s just me and my dogs now. Recently I went on a 5 day trip and it was so simple to just load a bin or two and be on my way. It wasn’t always that easy. I recommend and agree with all that your suggestions.

[@ednapuckett1042]

I freeze the small water bottles but I like the larger bottle idea. I also keep a roll of quarters in my glove box.

[@MadLivin]

Yeah I love that, I do that too. I hate dealing with ice. Thinking about a small 12v fridge actually 😊 Great video! Thanks

[@WrongIsThis]

Great video. I use the bins the way you do. Easy to load/unload and racoons cant get in them. One time a racoon ate my entire bag of doritos. Another good tip is to pre measure ingredients for each meal. Protien bottles are great for pancake mix-pre measure, add water, shake and pour. Plastic egg holders work great. Hard boil eggs at home before you leave. I grew up in CA (bear country), DO NOT STORE FOOD IN THE CAR OR TENT. Bears will eat anything. A friend of mine got his jeep torn apart because the bear wanted to eat toothpaste. Trash is another talking point. Burn all paper products to save room. A Trasharoo is great to keep trash out of your vehicle. Burn excess food, bones, fat to keep animals and bees away. Hope this helps. Thanks for the great tips!

[@MadLivin]

Totally agree..

[@janinedear-barlow]

How did it get in the car? (we don't have bear in England) did it get through the metal or the glass? Where do you store your food?

[@WrongIsThis]

@@janinedear-barlow They usually use their claws and pry the doors open. Sometimes they get on top and stomp on the roof until a window breaks. In bear country you can often find bear proof storage bins. If not, you should hang food from a tree branch.

[@janinedear-barlow]

@@WrongIsThis oh really?! That really shows how strong they must be! 😰 Actually I remember on the film brother Bear they hung the fish from a tree.

[@shawnas464]

My hubby hates trash burning. Totally his pet peeve. We tried doing it when he was gone for a walk but he smelled it!

[@maryeckert9936]

Love the idea with the stash bags. I usually take gallon ziplock bags and organize into bins also.

[@cheyenneamc]

I love camping. This video shows “glamping”, which I also love!!!

[@lisacaroline4973]

Lolol

[@brennanworthy6043]

I have used the frozen water bottle in the cooler for years now. Works so good.

[@randymccallister3964]

Wow some great tips here. I've always tent camped but this year I tried making my Mazda Suv my camping vehicle. It was awesome. I am a over packer and your hacks saved space and so much time re-packing every adventure. It's so nice just to grab and go knowing what I need is already packed, what a stress saver. Thank you so much.

[@naturegirl5681]

I label my bins. Tent -outdoor and kitchen. Just pack them and when I get to the campsite know where to distribute them and have everything I need.

[@EvieVermont]

I use a recycled plastic wet wipe container as m "bag of bags"-- used to have a bag designated for bags/all sizes from small sandwich to kitchen garbage. Now I do the small bags in the wet wipe container, smaller clears in a huge ziplock I can see through and larger bags in a white kitchen bag. Makes it simpler; esp in near darkness so we aren't digging around in a bag for another one!

[@amanda.outside]

Thanks for watching! What do you think of these tips? Which one was your favorite? Let me know below!

[@MadLivin]

Yay thanks!! Love the tips. I really like the water bottle/ice trick, I do that a lot but might switch to a 12v fridge

[@PinayTruckerGIRLUSA]

What a great tips! Thinking about my first camping!

[@bobouzala]

Pee around the perimeter of your campsite to keep the critters away

[@jerryprice5484]

We came late to the bin idea but it's probably one of the best hacks. We have one devoted strictly to food and cooking stuff, another to tent set-up gear, and another to general camping gear. I've also got them marked as far as what's in them and the order they come out of the car. An excellent time saver.

[@triciakesting9337]

Thank you for your fast short video. I loved it, keep up the good work.

[@juanmcastro-granger586]

Love your ideas!!! Super helpful!

[@hellobritt2484]

These hacks are the best! This year I will be camping for the first time with my little daughter so any tips help so much

[@Chriztina97]

Stasher bags are great. I use a bin system as well. It makes things so much easier and less stressful.

[@amanda.outside]

I agree!

[@dianebliquez4852]

Not feeling my best today but I am excited for our camping trip to Idaho this week and your videos are calming and keeping me entertained as I am just trying to chill out between tasks today. Looking forward to using my cast iron pot again with your recipes over our campfire!

[@thirstymercfan]

Great Tips Amanda, I bought stasher bags ons your recommendation and they are really good. I use these all the time at home too. The gelato containers I use something similar old Gatorade powder containers are great twist top and super light. They are coloured also which is nice it keeps the sunlight blocked. I use them for a first aid kit I keep in the car. Love the water bottle tip

[@amanda.outside]

I'm so glad you like the Stasher bags! Thank you for commenting!

[@phillipphifer8283]

Thanks for making these hacks and tips videos. My S.O. and I are about to start our adventure in camping and I started researching ideas on how to stay organized.

[@chizaa8]

Your channel is gold, so glad you were on my recommended page!

[@mendyviola]

I use small multicolored canvas zip up tool bags labeled with write-on clothing labels for small tools and supplies that easily get buried in a larger bin (batteries, fire starting, small hand tools, water filtration, feminine hygiene supplies, cordage, cutting, carabiners, etc). After awhile, you associate the color of the bag with what is in them that you need without having to rummage for small items in a larger bin. My other favorite hack is to get a larger duffel bag for your tent and related tools to set up the tent. I keep the tent, ground cloth, hammer, extra stakes, etc in the larger duffle bag. I can grab it and everting I need to pitch the tent is in that one bag. Bonus is that if you can get your tent back into the stuff sack, you can just put it in the duffle.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Amanda, thank you for sharing this very informative video. You pointed out some great tips and hacks. All the best to you for your good health and safety. 🤗

[@KoreanBabowithJemma]

Omg.. I just started camping with my toddler and husband! This video helps me alot~

[@mirroredsouls888]

Great tips. My mom used to bring frozen water in the cooler when I was younger and totally forgot that hack!

[@idkwhtimduin]

This will help declutter and save room for the family camping trip thanks!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome! Have a great trip!

[@simonspencer1911]

really helpful thanks Amanda. Esp large bottle of water from freezer for cooler box.

[@SeanandSamsAdventures]

I love my stasher bags!! They are so great!!

[@claudineb777]

Very informative. I love camping. I have been camping for years (car camping and canoe camping with portage).

[@theFrugalDuo]

I absolutely love all of your awesome camping tips!!

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you! Glad you like them! 🤗

[@sykezadventures]

Thanks for the tips! my family love to go outdoor and space is an issue.

[@reesedinardo522]

I love the gelato jar hack! I have tons of them and I've never thought about using them this way!

[@dontbeabeachmyrtle3871]

I've been using them for a few years. I take some good gone and wipe off the brown lettering. Love those containers

[@mandy3486]

My sister loves that Gelato and never throws the jars away. We have a ton of them. They're awesome and they do well in the dishwasher!

[@fawnvigil6727]

Awesome! Thank you

[@robmontier639]

I freeze cartons of fruit juice, Simply drink when thawed!

[@ThisAdventureFamily]

I really enjoyed these tips ! Thanks so much !

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome! I'm so glad they were helpful!

[@kimmoyliniemi4546]

Another hack: freeze some of the food You going to bring. That way You dont need to bring ice. You keep the cool without ice.

[@samcassell3758]

loved it! thanks

[@annac4883]

Hi I only start watching your videos yesterday and wow I have so many thing I won’t to go and do. All I won’t to go and do Is cook outside thank you for all the ideas 😊

[@laureljaneg]

My ex and I had bins for our camping stuff always ready to go. Love the hack of adding the Indian food.

[@ivettecolon4258]

Already got that..some other stuff need to pick up can food must have and preparation . You know what I mean tuna fish really love ..got 2 have it my eggs maybe later cold cuts ..hey thanks for the tips. And sharing

[@neiloppa2620]

great tips!

[@The123doglovers]

Awesome 😎 thank you

[@justinmartinez6828]

Your video offered some good ideas especially for the people that are new to camping . I might add that we have had the containers specific with our camp cookware and a separate bin for dry goods and have done it that way for along time but we discovered one of the best camp items is a pantry . We bought a 6 pocket pantry and love being able to take our stuff out of the containers when camping as we found it does get cumbersome digging through the containers and the counter on to can be used as a prep area or we use it as a bar prep area for adult cocktails.

[@juliabrown5948]

I'm not sure what you mean by pantry but we love using a 9 or 12 pocket over the door shoe organizer. They are really ready to hang up on any tree or outside area and keep all your little non perishable necessities handy!

[@tonyabrookes9931]

I'm curious what you mean by pantry. Can you describe it further? Thanks!

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Very helpful! Thank you for sharing!

[@amanda.outside]

You are so welcome!

[@devinm524]

I'm floored, I go solo camping all the time and I love to cook and I learned a lot of great tips still! I keep a stock of batteries in an empty Peanut butter container if I may add one of my favorites, its when you are starting out, don't try and get fancy with a coffee press, either go with instant coffee (starbucks has individual packets they sell in most stores called 'Via') or get a reusable tea bag and use it with coffee, or you can try to do those One-cup filters I personally stick with the instant coffee, sometimes there is already so much to do in the morning, and the good fishing/hiking hours go quick, I don't want to be messing with coffee items to get going while I'm making breakfast

[@toots1114]

Great video, we love our stasher bags! My favorite tip is freezing the water, something I learned through both your video and personal trial and error. I hadn't considered packing pre packaged foods like lentils, what a simple solutions. Thanks Amanda, love the channel!

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you so much for watching! I'm so glad you like the stasher bags and found these tips helpful! 🤗

[@bobouzala]

I like to use collapsible water bottles (Platypus) to ice up, but I guess that’s just the hiker in me trying to save as much space as possible.

[@trippingtheroad_liaandkevin]

Thanks for sharing! Great :)

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Always love your videos! Blessings

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you Betty!

[@heatherstruempf7778]

I love the tip about filling up a gallon sized jug from Gatorade. I can't find sugar free Gatorade in the gallon size so I just got a gallon of water instead.

[@sharonbetts7209]

I really miss being able to have a campfire. Here in Washington I think its been 4 to 5 years since we have been able to. Love the idea of ready to go meals on the fly. Great idea.

[@carmenmartinez2882]

I love campfires too, unfortunately at the moment is necessary to have fire bans.

[@YllawMoto]

Great tips will try it on our next camp thanks for the tricks awesome!

[@sarahoflonecrowadventures9493]

I really enjoy those bags. We have recently gotten into hot tenting and have quite a bit of leftovers and the Tupperware takes up so much room. I will be picking up some of those bags. Good tips!

[@amanda.outside]

The reusable bags are so great! They’re super durable and easy to clean. I hope you like them!

[@gregderoeck3231]

I really wish I had found this video before this past weekend, when my kids and I went car camping for a couple days. The organization aspect is so important, especially with little ones. Thank you for the tips - I'm definitely going to take advantage of these things next time!

[@dianelombard899]

Me too😀

[@carolynlewis9019]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@miahoover9225]

I had a cooler I used to store rolls, chips and cookies. I put a couple silica gel packs in to keep things from getting damp or stale.

[@pandvsims]

Excellent advise.

[@ricardog8206]

Great video!

[@MaryAmesMitchell]

Good ideas. I've been saving those gelato containers for years. I love them.

[@richardleesaner4382]

Tank you so much for your post in that I bought the yeti like you have for my car camping thank you that was a good

[@rolandsalazar9562]

This was a nice video....thanks for the fun and helpful info 🙏🏼⛺️😎

[@amanda.outside]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@monikawritingcomeseasier2637]

Awesome thanks 👍🙏

[@ShawnLivesInItaly]

Thanks for your camping tips - cool

[@nmartin5551]

I do like your tips. Wish I enjoyed cooking as much as you do!

[@chrisallmand1805]

Loving your channel 💯

[@israelpreciado4053]

thanks for the helpful video helped so much and relieved a lot of unwanted stress

[@mytimebytony2315]

i love the last one, i do it, its hard to forget something because its already in there!

[@ParulJoshi20]

Great great advice on using an ice bottle for the cooler

[@PastorPeewee20]

Great video thanks Amanda

[@amieck7094]

Thank you so helpful!!!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!

[@johnwilliams640]

Amanda sure did enjoy ya video. Thanks..

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Those Stasher bags are perfect, need to buy some for our gear.

[@amanda.outside]

They are awesome! I seriously love them and use them for so many things!

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Nice video. I like the hacks. Great recommendations. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.

[@amanda.outside]

I'm so glad you liked the hacks! Thanks for watching!

[@sherrysvesnik7711]

Good advice. Thank you!!

[@julyb2]

Thank you for showing the time stamps!

[@ranch3518]

Big Fan. I love your videos. very informative, and we have learned a lot from them.

[@amanda.outside]

Yay! Thank you so much for watching and I'm so happy my videos are helpful! 😁

[@thjonez]

big yes

[@arlenesolis024]

Thanx for the tips. 👌

[@LS-tj9pi]

This was actually very helpful.

[@erict5878]

good stuff!

[@lhumpy190]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ppll1930]

Thank you so much helpful ☺ 😊 😀

[@dyanicarruthers867]

Tip: if you freeze ocean salt water in a bottle, it lasts way longer frozen than normal water! :)

[@berniflynn145]

good information.