Knowing some of the best camping hacks can make a big difference in your overall experience. Some are just for quality of life, but others will keep you safe!
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting out, we’re sure that you’ll find a few on this list that you haven’t tried before.
1. Keep Your Travel Mug and Lid Together
Never lose your mug lid again by simply tying it to the handle with a string. This small adjustment saves you from having to place the lid on potentially dirty surfaces. It’s especially helpful during those early morning coffee runs.
2. Create Long-Lasting Ice Packs
Instead of filling your cooler with bags of ice that quickly melt into a watery mess, freeze gallon jugs of water. These homemade ice blocks last longer than loose ice, and as they melt, you’ll have fresh drinking water ready to use. This hack addresses two camping essentials at once: keeping food cold and providing drinking water.
3. Organize Your Camping Knives in PVC Storage
Make your own knife holders using PVC pipes for safe and organized storage. Cut the pipes to size and cap both ends, using glue on one end and tape on the other. This creates a secure, waterproof container that keeps your blades protected and organized.
4. Build a Simple Camping Toilet
Create a portable toilet using a 5-gallon bucket, a pool noodle, and a trash liner. Cut the pool noodle to fit around the bucket’s rim for comfort. This simple solution can make your camping experience much more comfortable when facilities aren’t available.
5. Mix Your Own Natural Tick Repellent
Combine two parts water with one part tea tree oil in a spray bottle for an effective tick deterrent. This natural solution can be safely sprayed on pant cuffs, socks, and shoes. It’s safe for both children and pets since it contains no harsh chemicals.
6. Stop Ants with Water Trays
Keep ants away from your camping table by placing trays of water under each table leg. This simple barrier prevents ants from climbing up and reaching your food. It’s an easy solution that uses minimal resources.
7. Transform Trekking Poles into a Camera Tripod
Turn your trekking poles into a camera mount by tying a stick between them. While it might look unconventional, this DIY tripod works great for capturing your camping memories. You’ll save money and pack space by using gear you already have.
8. Quick-Dry Wet Shoes
When your shoes get soaked, remove the insoles and stuff them with dry clothes or newspaper. The dry material will help absorb moisture from the shoes. This method helps prevent having to start your next day’s adventure with wet footwear.
9. Share Body Heat with a Double Sleeping Bag
A double sleeping bag is an excellent investment for camping with a partner. With two people generating heat in one bag, you’ll stay much warmer than in separate bags. The shared body heat makes a significant difference in cold weather.
10. Purify Water with a Handkerchief Filter
Create a simple water filter using a clean handkerchief and some charcoal. Place the handkerchief over your container before filling it with water to filter out larger particles. This basic filtration system can help clean water when other options aren’t available.
11. Store Food in Gelato Containers
Gelato containers make excellent camping storage with their durable construction and leakproof lids. They’re perfect for storing dry goods and protecting them from moisture. These containers are also stackable, making efficient use of your storage space.
12. Cool Your Tent with a DIY Air Conditioner
Create a simple cooling system using a styrofoam cooler, battery-powered fan, and ice. Cut holes for the fan and vents, then fill with ice blocks. This makeshift air conditioner can provide welcome relief on hot camping days.
13. Illuminate Your Campsite with Solar Lights
Place solar stake lights around your campsite to create easy nighttime navigation paths. These inexpensive lights charge during the day and provide helpful illumination at night. They’re especially useful for marking the path to bathroom facilities.
14. Use Mesh Bags for Dish Drying
Hang a mesh laundry bag to dry your dishes after washing. This keeps your clean dishes off the ground and allows them to air dry efficiently. The mesh material ensures good airflow for faster drying.
15. Designate Special Sleeping Socks
Keep one pair of socks specifically for sleeping to ensure warm, clean feet at bedtime. These socks should never leave your sleeping bag. Having dedicated sleeping socks helps your body differentiate between daytime activities and nighttime rest.
16. Create a Camp Handwashing Station
Transform an empty detergent bottle with a spigot into a convenient handwashing station. Place it on a picnic table with a bucket underneath to catch water. This setup makes hand hygiene much more convenient when you’re away from facilities.
17. Repel Insects with Dryer Sheets
Keep gnats and other insects at bay by placing dryer sheets around your campsite. Put one in your tent and keep another in your pocket. Not only do they repel bugs, but they’ll also keep your camping gear smelling fresh.
18. Create Tree Storage with Belt and Hooks
Loop a belt around a tree and hang hooks from it for an instant storage solution. This works great for hanging pots, pans, and utensils while they dry. Keep the cooking surface facing away from the tree bark to prevent bugs from making a home in your cookware.
19. Create a Lantern from a Headlamp
Make an ambient light source by strapping your headlamp to a jug of water with the beam facing inward. The water disperses the light, creating a gentle glow that illuminates your space. This works best with slightly cloudy plastic jugs rather than completely clear ones.
20. Pack Spices in Straw Segments
Cut plastic straws into short segments, seal one end with heat, fill with spices, and seal the other end. This creates waterproof, portable spice packets that take up minimal space. Make longer segments if you need more of a particular spice.
21. Pre-Crack Eggs for Easy Transport
Crack eggs into a water bottle before your trip to prevent breakage and make cooking easier. You can even pre-mix them with milk and seasonings if you plan to make scrambled eggs. Store these in your cooler to keep them fresh.
22. Waterproof with Garbage Bag Liner
Line your backpack with a garbage bag before packing to keep contents dry. This simple trick costs pennies but can save your gear from getting soaked. It’s crucial for keeping clothes and sleeping bags dry in wet weather.
23. Warm Tomorrow’s Clothes
Put tomorrow’s clothes in your sleeping bag while you sleep. Your body heat will warm them up overnight. This makes changing in the cold morning much more pleasant.
24. Prevent Soot Build-up on Cookware
Before cooking over a fire, coat the outside of your pots and pans with soap. The soap prevents soot from sticking, making cleanup much easier. A quick rinse reveals clean, shiny cookware.
25. Use Bread Tags as Clothespins
Save bread tags to use as lightweight, compact clothespins. They take up minimal space in your pack but work effectively to secure items to a clothesline. This is especially useful when camping with family and dealing with multiple people’s laundry.
26. Cook in Orange Peels
Use orange peels as natural cooking vessels over the campfire. After eating the orange, fill the peel with your choice of batter, wrap in foil, and place in the coals. This works great for muffins and cinnamon rolls, adding a subtle citrus flavor.
27. Make Emergency Grommets with Rocks
Create makeshift grommets by wrapping a rock in the corner of your tarp and tying rope around it. This provides a secure anchor point when you’ve lost or damaged your regular grommets. It’s a reliable backup solution that uses materials you can find anywhere.
28. Add a Hot Water Bottle to Your Sleeping Bag
Fill a water bottle with hot water just before bed and place it at the foot of your sleeping bag. This provides long-lasting warmth for cold feet. Make sure to use a quality water bottle to prevent any leaks.
29. Create Single-Use Soap Strips
Use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips of soap for individual use. Store the strips in a plastic bag and grab one when needed. This prevents having to pack wet, slimy soap bars after use.
30. Improve Match Storage
Glue sandpaper inside your match holder’s lid for a reliable striking surface. This ensures your matches will light when needed and keeps the striking surface dry. Use a waterproof container to protect both matches and striking surface.
31. Mark Your Tent Lines
Add colored tape or flags to tent lines to prevent tripping hazards. This is especially important during nighttime trips to the bathroom. It’s a simple safety measure that can prevent accidents around camp.
32. Cover Food with Shower Caps
Use shower caps as food covers to keep insects away from your meals. The elastic edges fit perfectly around most bowls and plates. They’re lightweight, reusable, and take up minimal storage space.
33. Layer Pajamas Under Evening Clothes
Wear your pajamas under your regular clothes while sitting around the campfire. You’ll already be warm when it’s time for bed. This eliminates the need to change in the cold.
34. Add Sage to Your Campfire
Toss sage into your campfire to help repel mosquitoes. Let it smolder at the edge of the fire for a longer-lasting effect. This natural repellent works best during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
35. Make a Clothes Pillow
Use your sleeping bag stuff sack filled with soft clothes as a pillow. This saves space in your pack and puts your clothes to dual use. Make sure sleeves are unrolled and socks aren’t balled up to prevent lumps.
36. Save a Wet Phone with Rice
If your phone gets wet, place it in a bag of rice right away. The rice helps absorb moisture and can potentially save your device. Remember to remove the battery if possible before placing it in the rice.
37. Save Space with Toilet Paper
Remove the cardboard center from toilet paper rolls before packing. This allows you to flatten the rolls and pack more efficiently. You’ll be able to fit twice as much toilet paper in the same space.
38. Restore Sleeping Bag Loft
Add a few tennis balls to the dryer when fluffing your sleeping bag. This helps restore the loft and maintain the bag’s insulating properties. It’s an easy way to keep your sleeping bag performing at its best.
39. Use a Snow Sled for Transport
Bring a plastic snow sled to help transport your gear from car to campsite. The sled easily slides over various terrain types including grass and gravel. This is especially useful when camping with heavy coolers or equipment.
40. Waterproof Shoes with Beeswax
Rub beeswax over your shoes to create a waterproof barrier. Allow the wax to dry, using campfire heat if needed. This simple treatment can help keep your feet dry during wet conditions.
41. Create Paracord Storage Solutions
Use paracord and carabiners to create hanging storage systems in your tent or at your campsite. Tie loops or knots at intervals to prevent items from sliding. This keeps your gear organized and off the ground.
42. Use Corn Chips as Fire Starter
Keep a bag of corn chips or Doritos handy as they make excellent fire starters. The oils in the chips help them burn steadily. This dual-purpose item serves as both a snack and a fire starter.
Remember, the best camping hacks are the ones that solve real problems while keeping your pack light and your campsite organized. These solutions use common items in creative ways to make your outdoor experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.
43. Vacuum Seal Your Food
Vacuum seal food items before your trip to keep them fresh longer. This method also creates more space in your cooler. It helps keep food organized and prevents spills.
44. Maintain Tent Zippers
Rub candle wax on tent zippers to keep them operating smoothly. This prevents frustrating snags and extends the life of your tent. Apply the wax before your trip for best results.
45. Protect Meat with Cabbage Leaves
Wrap meat in cabbage leaves before cooking over the fire. The moisture in the leaves prevents burning and helps keep the meat juicy. It’s a natural way to protect your food while it cooks.
46. Create DIY Fire Starters
Make your own fire starters using common household items:
- Pack dryer lint in wax-filled egg cartons
- Stuff dryer lint into empty toilet paper rolls
- Coat cotton balls with petroleum jelly
- Dip cotton pads in wax
- Pack trick birthday candles
- Bring hand sanitizer for emergencies
47. Build a Simple Campfire Grill
Create a basic grill using a cooling rack, foil pan, and charcoal. This lightweight solution works great for basic grilling needs. It’s perfect when you don’t want to transport a full-size grill.
