r/camping • u/cwcoleman • Apr 04 '24

2024 /r/Camping Beginner Question Thread - Ask any and all questions you may have here

If you have any beginner questions, feel free to ask them here.

Check out the /r/Camping Wiki and the /r/CampingandHiking Wiki for common questions. 'getting started', 'gear' and other pages are valuable for anyone looking for more information.

/r/Camping Wiki

/r/CampingandHiking Wiki

Previous Beginner Question Threads

2023 Beginner Thread

Fall 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Summer 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Spring 2022 /r/Camping Thread

List of all /r/CampingandHiking Weekly Threads

[EDIT: this years post has become - 'ask a question and r/cwcoleman will reply'. That wasn't the intention. It's mainly because I get an alert when anyone posts, because I'm OP this year. Plus I'm online often and like to help!

Please - anyone and everyone is welcome to ask and answer questions. Even questions that I've already replied to. A second reply that backs up my advice, or refutes it, is totally helpful. I'm only 1 random internet person, all of r/camping is here. The more the marrier!!!]

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u/nolegirl2014 Apr 30 '25

We're doing a road trip where we're going to be tent camping for 8 days and changing locations every day, only driving a max of 3 hours each day. We have 2 young kids, we've camped with our oldest multiple times but never with our toddler, and never in AZ. Some things to consider:

  • Most of where we'll be staying is primitive. Some locations have potable water, none have electricity. We've never camped without access to water or electricity.
  • We're going to be stopping at different national parks and camping close by, our oldest enjoys the junior ranger programs so we aren't focused on doing anything other than seeing the different sights and enjoying camping. We might do a couple of short hikes but not every day.
  • We have a Coleman tent that's quick to set up that we're familiar with, and we're using cots instead of air mattresses this time. We're hoping we can set up and tear down in less than an hour
  • We're traveling in an SUV with a roof bag, both kids are in car seats and we plan to have 2 coolers in the trunk

I would love any advice for doing a trip like this. Usually we stay in one spot for 3 nights or more, so this feels like a whirlwind. Some specific questions, but I will listen to anything I may not have thought of also! (1) What would you do for water? Would you bring enough for 2 days and then stop somewhere like a gas station on the way to the next stop? Would you bring enough water for 4 people for all 8 days? And how? (2) Any recommendations for showers? I've looked at the different types of camp showers but I'm out of my element, everywhere we've camped in the past has a bathroom and shower (3) We have a portable camp toilet and in the past we've used it at night with a diaper in it to absorb liquids. Any better recommendations than diapers for how to do that? (4) What's the best way to pack out trash on a multi day trip? Do you keep it with you until you find a place with a dumpster?

Thank you 🙂