Common Beginner Camping Mistakes (And Why They’re Normal)
Everyone remembers their first few camping trips.
Not because everything went perfectly — but because it didn’t.
Most camping mistakes don’t come from carelessness. They come from inexperience. From not knowing what you don’t know yet. And that’s okay. Every experienced camper has a list of lessons they learned the hard way.
These are a few of mine.
If you recognize yourself in any of them, you’re not doing it wrong — you’re learning.
Not Bringing Enough Water
This one sits high on the list for a reason.
On one of my early trips, I brought a single case of water for a three-night, two-day camping trip. I figured it would be plenty. I wasn’t thinking about how much time I’d be outdoors, moving around, cooking, and sitting near a fire.
I ran out by the second morning and had to drive 45 minutes just to buy more.
When you’re camping, you’re outside constantly. You sweat more than you realize. You drink more without noticing. And water isn’t just for drinking — it’s for cooking, cleaning, and brushing your teeth.
A good rule of thumb is to always bring more water than you think you’ll need. Running out turns a relaxing trip into a logistical problem fast.
Only Bringing One Way to Start a Fire
I once showed up with a single lighter.
It worked fine at first — until it didn’t.
Trying to start a fire while your only lighter sputters and quits is frustrating, especially as daylight fades. Wind, moisture, and wear can all affect lighters and matches.
Now I always bring extras. More than one lighter. Sometimes matches as backup. Fire is a core part of camping comfort — warmth, cooking, light, and atmosphere — and it deserves redundancy.
It’s a simple fix that prevents a lot of stress.
Assuming Firewood Will Be Easy to Find
Another lesson learned the hard way.
I once planned to gather firewood near the campground instead of bringing my own. It seemed reasonable — after all, there were plenty of woods around.
What I didn’t consider was that everyone else had the same idea.
By the time I started looking, all the good, dry wood had already been picked over. What was left was damp, rotten, or unusable.
These days, I recommend bringing at least some firewood with you. If you plan to gather more, research nearby sources ahead of time — local vendors, campground rules, or designated collection areas.
Firewood is usually easy to find, but only if you plan for it.
Overcomplicating Meals
This is a mistake a lot of people make, especially early on.
I used to load the cooler with ingredients for full meals and then spend a huge portion of the trip preparing food. Cooking became the focus instead of something that supported the experience.
Camping meals don’t need to be complicated to be good.
The best change I ever made was prepping meals before leaving home. Chop vegetables. Marinate meat. Bag everything ahead of time. The less work you have to do at camp, the more time you have to relax.
Camping should feel slower — not busier.
Forgetting Extra Tent Stakes
Tent stakes break. They bend. They disappear into the ground. It happens more often than people expect.
I’ve bent and broken more tent stakes than I can count. And not having extras can put a real damper on your trip, especially if the ground is hard or rocky.
Always bring extra stakes. They don’t take up much space, and they can save you a lot of frustration.
Not Securing the Tent Properly
This is one I’ve seen countless times — especially in windy conditions.
As a wildland firefighter, I’ve watched wind pick up overnight and turn unsecured tents into rolling tumbleweeds. You could literally sit there and watch tents blow across camp.
Even if the weather looks calm when you set up, conditions can change quickly.
Take the extra time to properly stake and secure your tent. Use guy lines. Angle stakes correctly. Check tension before turning in for the night.
A secure tent means better sleep and fewer surprises.
Expecting Everything to Go Smoothly
This might be the most important one.
Early on, I expected camping trips to go according to plan. When something didn’t work out, it felt like failure.
But camping doesn’t work that way.
Weather changes. Plans shift. Gear doesn’t always cooperate. And that’s not a sign you’re bad at camping — it’s part of the experience.
The sooner you accept that things won’t always go perfectly, the more enjoyable camping becomes.
Why These Mistakes Matter (And Why They’re Okay)
Every mistake teaches something:
- Not enough water teaches preparation
- Fire issues teach redundancy
- Food mistakes teach simplicity
- Wind teaches respect
These lessons stick because you felt them.
And once you learn them, camping gets easier. More comfortable. More enjoyable.
You don’t need to know everything before you start. You just need to start.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to camping, you’re going to make mistakes. Everyone does.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress.
Each trip teaches you something new about comfort, preparation, and yourself. And over time, those lessons turn into confidence.
Camping isn’t about doing everything right the first time.
It’s about learning, adapting, and coming back a little more prepared than before.
And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to work.