Does the thought of laying in your tent listening to ocean waves thrill you? Follow these 7 Beach Camping Tips to help make your stay by the shore a great one.
Do Your Research On Where You Can Put Your Tent
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Turns out that many places do not allow you to camp directly on the beach. You can often find campsites that are located right beside beaches where tent and RV campers are welcome, though. Some quick Google searching will help narrow down the options.
If you find an area that allows on the beach camping, be sure to pay careful attention to tide patterns so as not to place your shelter in a spot likely to become inundated with water. Also, avoid camping on sand dunes as these are Mother Nature’s protective barriers.
Tie That Tent Down Good
Windy conditions often prevail at the beach. Make sure that your tent, and potentially you, don’t go tumbling down the sand by securing your shelter well. The easiest method is to tie rope through your tent anchor points and then tie other ends around sandbags or large, heavy rocks. You can make your own sandbags using large ziploc bags if need be.
For added security, you may wish to partially bury your “weights” in the sand. Just make sure that it is clear where they are so not a tripping hazard.
Keep The Sands From Migrating-Beach Camping Tips
Preventing sand from parking itself in your tent is one of the challenges of beach camping. Lay a mat right outside your tent to place your shoes on. Try to position the opening of your tent away from the primary direction the wind is blowing. Take care not to open and close your tent zippers with sandy hands.
Also, bring along a small broom and dustpan to clean up sand that despite your best efforts will still find its way into your tent.
Protect Yourself From The Sun’s Rays
Because hanging out in a beach environment often means more than usual exposure to the sun, be sure to protect yourself. A sun hat, polarized sunglasses, and clothing with built in SPF protection help. Also, don’t forget to use the sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Hydrate, Hydrate!
It is easy to get dehydrated at the beach without even realizing it. Especially during warmer times of year, dehydration can slip up on you quickly. Be sure to fill an insulated water bottle frequently and for hiking consider getting a Hydration Pack.
Tell Insects To Bug Off
Check out your tent before beach camping to make sure that there are no holes in your netting and that zippers are working properly. Also, be sure to wear bug repellent as the closeness to water just about guarantees mosquitoes and other critters.
One piece of equipment, that I have found particularly effective when sitting outdoors in a mosquito friendly environment is a Thermacell. It offers a a generous zone of protection from the “skeeters” and is lightweight and portable.
Like You’ve Never Been There
You may have heard the phrase Leave No Trace™ before. It refers to the concept of leaving as little lasting impact on the natural environment as you can. In regards to beach camping, the idea means packing out all your trash, staying in marked areas in campsites, and refraining from feeding the wildlife. I think of it as leaving things as good or better than you found them.
With a little planning and the right gear, your beach camping adventure will leave you asking how soon you can go again.
For More Camping Tips:
7 Pieces of Camping Gear Worth Every Penny
How To Clean Your Tent And Other Camping Gear
