Here's How To Camp Like A Pro (Even If You've Never Slept Outside Before)

You can pay for and reserve a campsite at Recreation.gov in advance and park your car right at the site.Related: 27 Borderline Genius Ideas For Anyone Who Camps With Their CarDispersed camping — which is camping anywhere outside a designated campground — is great if you want to steer clear of crowds, but you’ll likely have to pack out your trash, poop in the woods (more on that later), and build your own fire pit. Parking near your campsite will make things easier, but if you want to get away from the road, you can hike in a short distance.Parks often have different rules and restrictions for dispersed camping, so always check the guidelines before you go.Backpacking requires you to pack everything you need into a backpack and carry it to a camping spot (most likely dispersed). But if you have a long hike planned or are camping in the backcountry, you’ll need to camp near a water source and bring along a water filtration system. Yeti makes one that you can throw over your shoulder (or they even have a backpack version).If you’re camping near water or have running water at your campsite, all you’ll need to do is bring along a sponge, a towel, and some biodegradable dish soap — you can use Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap for everything (including your face). Instant coffee will be the lightest way to get your caffeine fix, or you can bring along a plastic drip coffee maker (this one weighs less than 3 ounces).If you were able to park your car nearby and have a lazy morning on the books, you can opt for eggs, bacon, and a French press-brewed mug of Joe.Related: 14 Camping Breakfast Recipes That'll Make Your Next Trip So Much BetterIt doesn’t matter if you’re car camping or high in the backcountry, a PB&J is easy to pre-make, wrap in tin foil, and pack along on any hike, fly fishing trip, or paddle board excursion.An energy bar, some pretzels, and a bag of gummies (my go-to) will keep you moving throughout the day.If you’re backpacking or you hiked to your camp spot, you’ll want to pick a meal that’s lightweight and simple.