120+ Camping Hacks for Your Next Trip

Katherine Hill // April 16

Planning a campout? The Miss Pursuit team knows a thing or two about the outdoors. Use these time-saving tips and camping hacks to spend more time enjoying nature and less time setting up camp. Take note of these essential tips for your next camping trip!

20 Camping Hacks for Your Next Trip

Camping Hacks

Jessica Manuell:

  • Pre-cook meals and freeze them. Helps keep things cold in the cooler too.
  • If you don't mind eating scrambled eggs, crack them into a Nalgene bottle for transport.
  • A dedicated pair of socks to sleep in will help dry out/keep your feet warm.
  • Pack a small dustpan/broom into the tent bag to keep the tent tidy.
  • Heavy-duty pie tins (not aluminum) double as plates/skillets.
Read More: The Miss Pursuit Guide to Camping Gear

Stephanie Rustad:

  • Pre-make breakfast burritos, wrap them in tin foil, and just heat them up on the fire or grill!
  • Always pack extra socks and rain gear.
  • Use totes rather than suitcases or duffle bags. They pack easily and keep everything dry.

Chelsea Hansler:

  • Pre-made meals in tinfoil are ready to throw on the grill/fire.
  • Battery-operated/solar lights are a must or even glow sticks.
  • Pack spices in pill containers.
  • Bring a rope and clothespins for a clothesline.
  • A water jug or used laundry soap jug for hand washing.

Bridget Blake:

  • Use a headlamp as a tent light by hanging it up inside. If you have a jug of water you can wrap it around there to illuminate like a lantern.
  • Tea Tree oil to keep ticks away
  • Bundle of sage over the fire to keep mosquitos away (can we tell I don't like bugs??)

Laura Coppola:

  • For camping with a little one, I set up a pack-n-play. I tried the little baby tents when she was younger and that didn't go well. I also hear you can blow up a little pool and use that for a toddler bed. I might test that out this summer.
  • Create a meal plan and sort all ingredients into separate small bags. Put them all into one gallon-sized bag and label it with the day you will use it.
  • Keep a smaller cooler with the food you need to access easily during the day (snacks, sandwiches, etc.)
  • Make Pudgy Pies!

Want 100 more camping hacks? Giddy up.

Certainly! Here's a list of 100 camping hacks to make your outdoor adventures more enjoyable and hassle-free:

  1. Use a Tic Tac container to store your spices.
  2. Create a DIY lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  3. Use Doritos or Fritos as fire starters.
  4. Pack individual portions of pancake batter in plastic bags for easy breakfasts.
  5. Wrap duct tape around your water bottle or trekking pole for emergencies.
  6. Use a shoe organizer to store camping supplies.
  7. Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs in your cooler.
  8. Make single-use soap leaves by drying liquid soap on wax paper.
  9. Store eggs in a plastic water bottle for easy transport.
  10. Use a belt clip to hang your lantern from your tent ceiling.
  11. Place a foam floor tile outside your tent to keep dirt out.
  12. Turn a headlamp into a lantern by strapping it around a gallon jug of water.
  13. Create a makeshift pillow by stuffing clothes into a stuff sack.
  14. Use a mesh laundry bag to dry dishes and store utensils.
  15. Wrap a glow stick around your water jug for ambient lighting.
  16. Keep matches dry by storing them in a waterproof container, such as a film canister.
  17. Use a mesh bag to store and transport dirty dishes.
  18. Make a DIY camping stove using a tuna can and cardboard.
  19. Fill a sock with rice and microwave it for a makeshift hand warmer.
  20. Use a belt as a makeshift clothesline.
  21. Store spices in Tic Tac containers for lightweight seasoning options.
  22. Hang a shoe organizer on a tree to keep campsite clutter-free.
  23. Bring along a small tarp for makeshift rain shelter or ground cover.
  24. Use a pool noodle to pad the edges of your cooler to conserve ice.
  25. Create a mini first aid kit by repurposing an Altoids tin.
  26. Use a carabiner to hang wet towels or clothes from your backpack.
  27. Make a lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  28. Keep your toiletries organized in a hanging toiletry bag.
  29. Use an old belt as a makeshift strap for gear repair.
  30. Pack clothes in gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep them dry.
  31. Use a solar-powered charger to keep your devices charged.
  32. Create a DIY campfire starter by filling a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint and wax.
  33. Use an empty coffee can as a makeshift toilet paper dispenser.
  34. Make a DIY camping stove using a tuna can and rubbing alcohol.
  35. Use a binder clip to repair a broken tent pole.
  36. Freeze water in gallon-sized bags to use as ice packs in your cooler.
  37. Use a mesh laundry bag to store and transport firewood.
  38. Pack a multi-tool for quick repairs and adjustments.
  39. Use a small plastic container as a portable sink for washing dishes.
  40. Make a makeshift lantern by strapping a headlamp to a gallon jug of water.
  41. Keep your feet warm at night by filling water bottles with hot water and placing them in your sleeping bag.
  42. Use a pool noodle to pad the straps of your backpack for added comfort.
  43. Hang a shoe organizer inside your tent to keep small items organized.
  44. Use a bungee cord to secure your cooler lid and prevent animals from getting in.
  45. Use a travel-size toothpaste container to store and transport condiments.
  46. Pack a deck of cards or travel-sized games for entertainment.
  47. Use a carabiner to hang a lantern from your tent ceiling.
  48. Keep your matches dry by storing them in a waterproof container.
  49. Create a makeshift lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  50. Use a pool noodle to pad the edges of your cooler and conserve ice.
  51. Bring along a small tarp for extra rain protection.
  52. Use a mesh laundry bag to store and transport dirty dishes.
  53. Pack clothes in gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep them dry.
  54. Use a binder clip to repair a broken tent pole.
  55. Freeze water in gallon-sized bags to use as ice packs in your cooler.
  56. Use a plastic container as a portable sink for washing dishes.
  57. Make a DIY camping stove using a tuna can and rubbing alcohol.
  58. Use a pool noodle to pad the straps of your backpack for added comfort.
  59. Keep your feet warm at night by filling water bottles with hot water and placing them in your sleeping bag.
  60. Hang a shoe organizer inside your tent to keep small items organized.
  61. Use a bungee cord to secure your cooler lid and prevent animals from getting in.
  62. Pack a deck of cards or travel-sized games for entertainment.
  63. Use a carabiner to hang a lantern from your tent ceiling.
  64. Create a makeshift lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  65. Use a pool noodle to pad the edges of your cooler and conserve ice.
  66. Bring along a small tarp for extra rain protection.
  67. Use a mesh laundry bag to store and transport dirty dishes.
  68. Pack clothes in gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep them dry.
  69. Use a binder clip to repair a broken tent pole.
  70. Freeze water in gallon-sized bags to use as ice packs in your cooler.
  71. Use a plastic container as a portable sink for washing dishes.
  72. Make a DIY camping stove using a tuna can and rubbing alcohol.
  73. Use a pool noodle to pad the straps of your backpack for added comfort.
  74. Keep your feet warm at night by filling water bottles with hot water and placing them in your sleeping bag.
  75. Hang a shoe organizer inside your tent to keep small items organized.
  76. Use a bungee cord to secure your cooler lid and prevent animals from getting in.
  77. Pack a deck of cards or travel-sized games for entertainment.
  78. Use a carabiner to hang a lantern from your tent ceiling.
  79. Create a makeshift lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  80. Use a pool noodle to pad the edges of your cooler and conserve ice.
  81. Bring along a small tarp for extra rain protection.
  82. Use a mesh laundry bag to store and transport dirty dishes.
  83. Pack clothes in gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep them dry.
  84. Use a binder clip to repair a broken tent pole.
  85. Freeze water in gallon-sized bags to use as ice packs in your cooler.
  86. Use a plastic container as a portable sink for washing dishes.
  87. Make a DIY camping stove using a tuna can and rubbing alcohol.
  88. Use a pool noodle to pad the straps of your backpack for added comfort.
  89. Keep your feet warm at night by filling water bottles with hot water and placing them in your sleeping bag.
  90. Hang a shoe organizer inside your tent to keep small items organized.
  91. Use a bungee cord to secure your cooler lid and prevent animals from getting in.
  92. Pack a deck of cards or travel-sized games for entertainment.
  93. Use a carabiner to hang a lantern from your tent ceiling.
  94. Create a makeshift lantern by strapping a headlamp to a water jug.
  95. Use a pool noodle to pad the edges of your cooler and conserve ice.
  96. Bring along a small tarp for extra rain protection.
  97. Use a mesh laundry bag to store and transport dirty dishes.
  98. Pack clothes in gallon-sized Ziploc bags to keep them dry.
  99. Use a binder clip to repair a broken tent pole.
  100. Freeze water in gallon-sized bags to use as ice packs in your cooler.

What are your best camping hacks?

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About the Author

Katherine Hill

Katherine has preferred city life and the concrete jungle to life in the outdoors, but as her family has grown, she has learned the power of nature and is now the one introducing this lifestyle to her little ones. Katherine is just starting this journey into the great outdoors and can't wait to see what adventures await!