The smell of campfire, the sound of songbirds, the feeling of freedom that comes with sleeping under the stars- that’s what camping is all about. Research suggests that spending time in nature is good for your mental and physical health. Getting away from the stress of daily life and spending a few days outdoors is a great way to relax and reconnect with nature. The best way to do this is to go on a camping trip.
It can be both exciting and a little scary to go camping for the first time. You may not know what you need, where to go, or how to start. If you are ready to give camping a try, start by reading our beginner’s guide to camping in the Berkshires.
Planning your camping trip is similar to planning any other vacation. You need to determine when and where you are going, how long you will be there, and how you are getting there.
Different locations will offer different camping conditions at different times of the year. Weather, site availability, and distance from the road (or your home) will impact your experience. It’s also important to check out your campground policies and FAQs beforehand so you can have the best experience possible.
Beginner’s Tip:
Choose a campground close to home. Not only does this reduce travel time, but the familiar landscape can help ease anxieties about trying something new.
Are you looking for a single-night trial, a weekend away, or a week-long retreat? Not only will you need to know the duration of your trip in order to reserve a campsite, but it will also be a big factor in determining what to pack.
Beginner’s Tip: Start small and work your way up to longer trips. Anticipating what you’ll need for a single night or weekend is far less stressful than planning for a week or more.
There are many ways to camp, including tent camping, RV camping, glamorous camping (glamping), and car camping, just to name a few. The supplies and equipment you need will depend heavily on the type of camping you are doing. For our purposes, we will focus on tent camping, as it is a popular option for camping in the Berkshires.
Beginner’s Tip: Consider renting or borrowing camping equipment for your first few trips. Not only will you save money, but it can help you decide what equipment you want to invest in for the future.
You can’t control the weather, but you can predict it with the help of weather forecasts. Temperature fluctuations and sudden showers will occasionally happen, but that’s okay! Look up the weather forecast and typical weather patterns for the season. Do your best to plan accordingly, or reschedule if needed.
Beginner’s Tip: Always, always, always plan for rain and cold nights. You won’t regret bringing an extra jacket or tarp if you don’t need it, but you will regret leaving it behind if you do need it.
There are many factors that will impact the supplies and equipment you’ll need on your trip, but there are some basics you can always anticipate.
Basic Supplies Include:
Many modern campgrounds have restrooms you can use, but others do not. Knowing what amenities are available will also impact what you should pack.
Beginner’s Tip: Use a camping checklist to make sure you bring everything you need. It’s hard to anticipate what you’ll need, especially if you're new to camping.
Congratulations! You made it to the campsite. Now you have to set everything up. Here's how to everything laid out.
The first thing you should do when you get to your campsite is set up your tent. It may be tempting to explore the area or light the fire first, but shelter should be your first priority. Setting up a tent in the dark is not fun, especially if you are new to camping. Once your tent is up (and secured to the ground) you can set up the rest of your base camp around it. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from the campground employees! They are there to help you out.
Beginner’s Tip: Practice before you get there. Pitching tents and lighting campfires are skills that have to be developed. Try setting up your tent in your living room a few times before your trip.
There’s so much you can do in the great outdoors. Some obvious activities that accompany camping are hiking, telling campfire stories, and stargazing, but that’s not all!
Our favorite camping activities:
Many campgrounds like ours also have an activity center and a pool to enjoy. Check out your campgrounds in advance to know what you can do during your stay.
Beginner’s Tip: Don’t overthink it. Keep it simple and keep it analog - leave your devices at home. The whole point of camping is to reconnect with nature, so do that.
Leaving the campsite in the same (or better) condition than how you found it is standard camping etiquette. Not only is it courteous to leave a beautiful site behind for others to enjoy, but it’s important for the environment.
Remember to:
Remember that you’ve come to enjoy the beauty of nature. In order to preserve that beauty for the years to come we have to take care of it. A single spark from an improperly extinguished fire or a small oil spill is all it can take to leave a permanent scar on the environment.
Beginner’s Tip: Start packing up as early as you can. You can always stick around and enjoy the scenery after you pack, but you don’t want to pack up in the dark.
If you are looking for the perfect place to go camping in the Berkshires, come see us at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. Our experienced staff is ready to help you make the most of your camping experience.
Our beautiful campsites were designed with every level of camper in mind. From primitive tent sites to Delux sites with electricity and water to full hookup RV spots- we have it all! Our amenities also include clean restrooms with showers, a pool, field games, an activity center, and special events like live music and crafts!
Camp with us at Mt. Greylock Park and see what camping should be.
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