6 Hacks for a Clean and Organized Campsite
Spending multiple nights beneath the stars, sometimes in less-than-ideal weather conditions, can make it difficult to maintain a clean and organized campsite.
However, keeping a tidy camp is essential for both practical and environmental reasons and, thankfully, there are a few simple ways campers can achieve this. Incorporating these six hacks into your camping routine can transform your campsite from just a place to rest your head at night to a well-organized and inviting basecamp that brings comfort to your home in the outdoors.
Research the Campsite’s Facilities Beforehand
If you’re car camping and staying in designated campsites, familiarize yourself with the available amenities to help streamline your trip planning. This is true for backcountry sites too, as some have bear caches, tent pads and pit toilets, while others don’t. This will allow you to pack accordingly, bringing only the necessary gear and supplies. For instance, if your campground is equipped with a kitchen shelter, you may choose to leave behind extra camp chairs or cooking equipment to help keep a more organized and clutter-free campsite.
Use a Checklist
Use a checklist to stay organized when packing and ensure all essential gear is accounted for. Making a list of items can also help resist the urge to overpack. If you’re camping with a larger group, a checklist can serve as a tool to track each item throughout your trip. By checking off items as they’re being used and repacked, you can minimize the chances of misplacing or leaving them behind. Check out Explore’s e-store for handy and packable camping gear.
Organize With Bins
If you’re car camping, keep your belongings neatly organized and easily accessible by using clear bins that stack well, allowing you to see their contents at a glance. To avoid the hassle of opening multiple bins when looking for specific items, categorize your belongings, keeping cooking utensils and cutlery in one and frequently used items like first aid kits, sunscreen and headlamps in another, for example.
Consider storing food and drink items in separate coolers as well, as drinks are generally accessed more often. When it’s time to prepare a meal, you can easily retrieve the bins containing food and utensils. Consider labeling your bins, especially if they’re not transparent and include a list of their contents on the top and sides of each. If you have the space at home, you can even leave some bins packed so you’re ready to go for your next camping trip.
Pack and Load Strategically
When preparing to pack your gear into your backpack or load it into your car, consider the sequence in which you’ll need these items—this will streamline the setup of your campsite. Items loaded into your car first will be the last to be unloaded, so ensure that items like sleeping bags and mats are packed into the car before the tent. This way, you can conveniently access and set up the tent as soon as you reach your campsite without sifting through other gear first.
Keep Dirt Out
Starting with a clean campsite is key to maintaining its cleanliness throughout your trip. Before pitching your tent, lay down a tent footprint, also known as a groundsheet, ground cloth or tarp. Typically made of lightweight yet durable materials like polyethylene and ripstop nylon, these are placed beneath your tent to provide an additional barrier between the tent floor and the ground to protect the bottom of the tent from damage caused by rough terrain, roots, sharp rocks and sticks. It also helps keep your tent clean by acting as a shield against dirt and moisture.
Before entering your tent, shake out any dirt and debris from your clothing, backpacks and gear and consider keeping a shoe mat at the entrance, which serves as a designated spot to wipe and take off your shoes before stepping inside.
My Pick: Columbia Footprint
Set up a Trash Station
An often-overlooked aspect of camping is bringing along a proper solution for managing trash. Instead of haphazardly stuffing snack wrappers into jacket and pant pockets, consider setting up a trash station at your campsite to keep it all in one place, making it convenient to dispose of and reducing the risk of attracting unwanted critters. For a simple and eco-friendly option, reuse Ziploc or grocery store bags, or consider investing in a lightweight and spring-loaded pop-up trash can, which can be easily set up in seconds and packed away flat when not in use. Having a proper solution for managing trash helps maintain a clean and organized campsite while minimizing environmental impact.
My Pick: Waterside Collapsible Bucket
