13 Mistakes New Campers Most Often Make

Spend time in a tent, outdoors, under the stars, disconnecting from the daily grind and roasting marshmallows by the fire. At this time of year, many people start making plans for hikes, RV trips, and campfires... until they realize they've never camped before and don't really know where to start. Here's how to behave in a tent campground: Reader's Digest.

Mistakes happen to everyone, but they're especially common among newcomers, especially as this type of recreation becomes increasingly popular. According to the KOA Camping and Outdoor Industry Report 2026, more than 2,2 million people will camp for the first time in 2025. This continues a steady growth: the number of such trips has increased by 23% since 2015. A huge number of people are encountering the unspoken rules and peculiarities of camping for the first time.

If you don't know kindling from tent pegs yet, don't worry. We've studied the most common mistakes and compiled tips from the pros: Dan Yates, founder of the campground booking service Pitchup; Don Walker, deputy campground manager at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky; and Caleb Hartung, founder and CEO of Campspot.

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Learn how to use your equipment before you go

Yates recalls arriving at a campsite late one night, completely dark, and still with his tent in the box.

“Pitching up a six-person tent for the first time, straight out of the package, in the light of the headlights, while everyone else watches in irritation—that’s not something I’d want to repeat,” he admitted.

It's best to get your gear sorted out beforehand. Read the instructions, check that all the parts are in place, and try setting up the tent at home, at least in the yard.

Buy firewood locally

Planning to prepare firewood in advance? Don't rush. Walker says many campgrounds prohibit bringing firewood from other states, and sometimes even restrict the use of locally grown firewood. The Nature Conservancy's Don't Move Firewood campaign recommends transporting firewood no further than 10-15 kilometers from the cutting site to prevent the spread of harmful insects that can harm trees.

Before your trip, it's best to check local regulations and pest threats. Buy firewood locally—at a store or directly at the campsite. And never cut down living trees for firewood.

Handle the fire strictly according to the rules

It's not just about choosing the right firewood. If you're camping, only light fires in designated areas. Fire starters are acceptable, but choose eco-friendly options and avoid plastic and bottle caps, which produce unpleasant odors and smoke.

The most important thing is to always completely extinguish the fire before leaving or going to bed. Never leave it unattended.

Consider important things

A tent and a sleeping bag aren't all you need. Walker recommends taking a durable flysheet. It's a versatile item: it can be used to cover a leaky tent, protect firewood from moisture, or create a shelter from the sun.

Other important items are often forgotten: extra water, cutlery, hand sanitizer, dish soap, insect repellent, and sunscreen. If you're traveling to a remote location, take cash—there may be no internet access for payment, but the cash can be useful for buying food or firewood.

Make a preliminary plan

Beginners shouldn't rely on luck during peak season. Book a spot in advance through services like Pitchup or Campspot. You don't have to travel far—there are often excellent options close to home.

For your first trip, it's best to choose a convenient location: for example, a state park with good trails and beaches or an RV site with hookups. It's best to avoid very remote and hard-to-reach places. If in doubt, consider choosing a cabin with decent bathroom facilities.

Think about entertainment

Camping really does bring people together, but don't expect everyone to suddenly start singing around the campfire. Bring non-device entertainment: a deck of cards, pencil and paper for games, headlamps for reading, or a guitar if you're feeling musical.

Follow food safety guidelines

Cooking outdoors is fun, but you're not alone. Leaving scraps or food out overnight attracts animals—a serious mistake. Avoid foods that melt easily, like chocolate bars. Use a cooler or cooler bag to store food and mask odors.

Ice is usually sold at campsites—it's one of the most popular items after firewood. The main rule: leave no trace behind and always take everything you bring home with you.

Cook simple food

Walker advises against attempting to cook complicated dishes. Food cooked over a fire is delicious, but attempts to create something elaborate often end in disappointment. It's better to stick to simple ingredients like potatoes or corn, which can be wrapped in foil and roasted in the coals.

Avoid large jars of sauces. Use individual serving bags or separate them into small bags at home. And be sure to take all trash with you if there are no containers on site.

Respect others

Camping is a shared space. Even in the most remote locations, it's important to be mindful of others. What seems normal to you (singing songs around the campfire, a loud barking dog, or noisy children at dawn) may be annoying to your neighbors. Be considerate of others' interests.

Gather a first aid kit

When you're outdoors, you need to rely on yourself. Take a first aid kit. You don't need to buy a ready-made one—you can put together your own: bandages, tweezers, a splinter needle, some thread, cortisone cream, alcohol wipes, antihistamines, ibuprofen, and a small bottle of aloe vera for bites and burns.

Prepare for bad weather

The lack of a backup plan is a sure sign of a newbie. This is especially true for precipitation—even a heavy downpour shouldn't ruin your trip. Bring extra clothes, food that doesn't require cooking over a fire, and bags to protect your belongings from moisture.

Be sure to bring dry socks—they make a big difference in how comfortable you sleep on a cold, rainy night.

Consider the needs of others

If the campsite has shared showers, be considerate of others. No one wants to be left without hot water. Don't linger in the shower, clean up after yourself, and be quiet. Dress appropriately and remember that there may be others nearby who can hear everything.

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Be flexible

And finally, don't take everything too seriously. Weather, traffic, and other small things can easily derail your plans, but they shouldn't ruin your vacation. It's important to be adaptable. This is one of the most important rules of camping: accept the circumstances and go with them.

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