Camping in South Dakota? Here Are Items to Bring to Make Your Trip Memorable
Camping can be a wonderful break from the chaotic pace of everyday life. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature, turn off the phone, and simply be. Of course, a camping trip can quickly get messy or uncomfortable if you don’t come prepared. With that in mind, the following will examine a few items you might want to bring with you on your next camping trip. The focus of this article will be on camping in South Dakota, but many of these suggestions will apply to other locations as well. Just be sure to research what the weather is like and what local animals you need to be wary of before you finalize your camping shopping list.
Waterproof Tent
If you’re camping, you’re going to need a place to sleep. A tent is the most common choice for camping, but many campgrounds offer cabins as well. You can also seek out a camper van or some other vehicle. This being said, part of the camping experience is sleeping in a tent. When selecting the one you bring, keep in mind how many people need to sleep within the tent (and how many tents are required if you have more people than tent space). You’re looking for something that’s waterproof as even if it’s not supposed to rain as dew gathers in the evening, dampness can make for some uncomfortable sleeping. Make sure you know how to set up the tent properly to prevent bugs from getting in. If you’ve never set up a tent before, you might need to watch an online tutorial. Even if you have lots of experience setting up a tent, aim to arrive at the campground in the daylight so that you can see what you’re doing as you set it up. Putting a tent together in the dark is a serious challenge. There are lots of little pieces that need to go in teeny places and parts that are almost identical but different.
You’re also going to want enough blankets, pillows, and mattress pads for everyone to have a comfortable night’s sleep. Don't forget that nights in South Dakota can be very cold, therefore getting a tent stove could also be a smart investment to gain some precious comfort. If you’re older than twenty, and you think you can sleep without some sort of back support and you don’t do this regularly, you’re almost certainly wrong. Don’t ruin the trip by giving yourself a sore back on the first night.
Waterproof Footwear
Sticking with the waterproof theme for a moment, you want to ensure that you have waterproof footwear available. You want to be able to hike and wander until your heart’s content (using proper safety precautions, of course), and you can’t do that if your socks are getting soaked, and your feet are itchy. One of the most vital aspects of enjoying all day outdoors is keeping your feet protected and dry. If you’re planning on doing some serious trekking, make sure that the footwear you choose can handle that and offers adequate ankle support.
A First-Aid Kit
While you hope that no aspect of your trip goes awry, you want to be prepared in the event that it does. This means you need to tell someone where you’re going when you expect to be back, and any routes you intend on taking. This also mean you need a fully stocked first-aid kit. Make sure that if you’re using an older kit, you check the expiry date on all the items involved. Not everything works well past its expiry date, and it’s easy to forget to check the dates on items you use rarely.
Food And Drinks
Figure out how much water and food you and your travel companions need, and bring a bit more than that. It’s easy to get hungry when you spend the whole day hiking and swimming; you can work up quite the appetite. Ensure that you also bring all necessary items for cooking over an open fire, including pots and pans. You also want to have garbage storage prepared so that you don’t leave behind any garbage when you leave. You also need proper storage containers that can be fully sealed so that your food doesn’t attract the attention of local wildlife.
Beyond the necessary sustenance required to keep everyone from getting hungry, you might also want to bring fun snacks. If you’re bringing alcohol, make sure that everyone follows proper safety precautions when drinking (you don’t want drunk people rowing a canoe without a life jacket, for instance). Likewise, if you’re partaking in anything smoking-related like cigarettes or marijuana, make sure that you’re up to date on the fire protocols in your area. In dryer seasons, there can be precautions put in place to help reduce the risk of fire. You also want to ensure that what you’re doing is legal where you are; the regulations regarding South Dakota marijuana have changed recently. You are allowed to have a certain amount per person, so make sure that you know what the limits are and are meeting them.
Weather Appropriate Clothing
Read the expected weather beforehand, but be prepared for the weather report to be wrong. You want to dress in light layers so you can add things and take things away with relative ease, helping you get yourself to the right temperature no matter the weather. There’s a fantastic Danish proverb that states: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad outfits. Bring more than you think you need as clothes can get wet or dirty easily when you’re outside.
Appropriate Safety Devices And Licences
If you’re going to be partaking in activities that have required safety devices, you’re going to want to pack those. Things like lifejackets if you’re going to be participating in watersports, are key. If you’re going to partake in a licensed activity like fishing or hunting, you should have all the appropriate paperwork with you.
Stuff For A Rainy Day
While, hopefully, you’ve planned your trip on a nice weather day, you want to bring along some things that can help you deal with poor weather. Take a novel you’ve always wanted to read and a deck of cards. Consider board games if you have enough players.
The above information should help you prepare for a lovely camping trip in South Dakota. If you take any medications, be sure to bring them, and consider packing supplies for your hobbies. Make sure that everyone attending the trip has what they need to be comfortable and safe. Have fun!
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