Camping Essentials

Planning a camping trip this summer? Check out our guide, which includes suggestions on how to build a fire, the best campfire cuisine, how to safely camp alone, and more.

a tea kettle hangs over an open campfire

By Experience Life Staff | Experience LifeJune 14, 2022

A picture of a roaring campfire next to a river.

Learn This Skill

How to Build a Campfire

By Kaelyn Riley

A few basic instructions are all you need to light up your next outdoor adventure.

Preparation

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace principles help us protect and care for our wild spaces.

a woman hiking on a nature trails sprays her legs with repellant

7 Ways to Protect Yourself From Ticks

Protect yourself this tick season with these tips.

Backpacking 101

Heather Balogh Rochfort shares insights from her new book, Backpacking 101, on planning the ultimate backcountry trip — and 10 essential items to pack.

Wilderness Lessons: Developing Outdoor Survival Skills

Can you make a fire without matches? Build a shelter with no tools? Track a small animal across a forest? At today's wilderness and survival schools, these skills aren't lost arts. They're tomorrow's lesson plans.

a person stands by a mountain lake at night

6 Night-Hiking Tips

Hiking after dark heightens the senses in wonderful ways. Learn about the the skills you need to undertake this adventure.

How to Prepare for a Long-Distance Hiking Trip

Here's how to expore the nation’s most pristine long-distance hiking trails — and discover your inner strength along the way.

grilled shrimp and veggies in a foil pack

5 Foil-Pack Meals

Perfect for camping, grilling, or a mess-free meal in your kitchen, these foil packets are simple and satisfying.

Campfire Cuisine

Yes, you can camp out and still create healthy, whole-food meals.

Searching for Solitude in Joshua Tree National Park

An Experience Life editor travels to Joshua Tree in search of quiet. She finds something else.

National Treasures

The National Park Service turns 100 this year. Celebrate this forever-young centenarian by exploring the remarkable places it protects.

a person stands on a rocky shore line at sunset

9 Hidden Gems of our National Park System

Escape into nature and step back in time to explore some of the less-visited treasures in our national park system.

Almost Roughing It: Glamping

Not a fan of hardcore camping? "Glamping" gets you out in nature — without sacrificing the comforts of home.

No-Fuss Getaways

Yearning for a taste of the great outdoors without the camping hassles? Residence-based vacation packages combine the comforts of home with the thrill of a new locale.

Parent and child sitting on side of the highway

4 Road-Trip Routes

These classic road trips are packed with history and adventure. You might just be inspired to spend more time out of your car than in it.

Experience Life Staff

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How to Hike the Appalachian Trail

By Berit Thorkelson

Feeling like a nice little 2,000-mile walk? Just one foot in front of the other will get you started down one of the most beautiful, varied and challenging trails in the country.

a mom and son look at each other through a magnifying glass

Travel

Small-Scale Family Adventures: Fun Ideas to Get Your Kids Outside More

By Maya Bacon

Not every family outing has to be a big-deal production. Here’s how to get your kids off the couch and into nature the low-key way.

Personal Development | Sustainability

Going It Alone

By Heidi Wachter

New editions of kayaking pioneer Audrey Sutherland’s classic books provide inspiration for anyone looking to make a solo journey.