How to Camp Properly? Useful Tips on Gear, Food, and Campsites

Warmer weather is coming, beautiful evenings are becoming more frequent, nature has come back to life, and with it our desire to go camping outdoors. What is a better relaxation and detox from these stressful days than a night spent under the stars, the crackling of a fire ringing in your ears, silence from the noise of the city, and the calm radiating from nature, which could hardly wait for us. 

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” John Muir

I believe I'm not the only one who has been thinking for a while about heading out into nature to camp somewhere, but then the thought arises whether I actually know everything that would be good to bring along.

Of course, it sounds funny, since all you need is a tent, good mood and some sausages. If you're going for more days, it's not that simple. Sausages all day probably won't be your best friend after a few days. But let's take it step by step, what is even more important than knowing what to pack?

Table of contents:

Where can you camp in Slovakia and where is it forbidden?

TOP 10 campsites in Slovakia

What to pack for a camping trip

Tips to improve even the best camping trip

How to dress for a camping trip

Camping with children

What to eat while camping

Do you know what Glamping is?

Where can you camp in Slovakia and where is it forbidden?

Yes, it is really most important to know where you can camp. In Slovakia, we have quite limited options for this type of vacation. There are several factors that can make it unpleasant for you. And now I don't mean bad weather or unpleasant companions. You should know where exactly you can camp. We distinguish 4 basic zone divisions: 

• Zone 1 - valid throughout Slovakia
• CHKO - protected landscape areas
• Zones 3-5 - in this area, movement is permitted only from sunrise to sunset and both bivouacking and camping are prohibited
• National reserves and monuments - as we might guess, these have the strictest bans, which really should not be violated

Based on this division, you will be able to determine more precisely where you can set up your tent “town”. We exclusively recommend only the first and second zones, as this follows from the Nature Conservation Act

Most prohibited areas

It is explicitly forbidden to bivouac and camp in National Parks, these are the following 9: Vysoké Tatry, Nízke Tatry, Malá Fatra, Slovenský raj, Muránska planina, Pieninský národný park, Poloniny, Veľká Fatra, Slovenský kras. Therefore, plan your trip in advance. Mark out the places your hiking route will lead through and above all focus on some mountain cottage or shelter where you can spend the night.

A mobile phone, which we all have at hand, can also help with this. Download the camp.cz app (available for Android and iOS as well), thanks to which you'll win your camping trip without a fine. In it, you'll find contacts for campsites, opening hours, types of accommodation in your area, and navigation on how to get to them. 

Hiding in the forest, despite the law, can mean a hefty fine. That's why you should avoid it. If you're lucky, you might find a friendly cottage owner who will let you set up your tent on their land, but never do it without permission.

Unfortunately, when it comes to freedom of movement in nature, we're still a bit behind our neighbors, the Czechs, who have more options for camping. Especially more public shelters or cabins meant for overnight stays.

Designated fire pit areas

If you manage to find a spot to set up camp, keep in mind another condition. Your camping must not endanger animals or damage nature. The second important point is that you must not make a fire anywhere other than in designated spots. You can't just decide that this looks nice, so you'll light a fire here. Yes, this is also forbidden and could cost you a considerable amount of money. If someone reports you or a fire or other damage to nature occurs as a result.

 If you meet all the mentioned conditions, camping can begin.

TOP 10 campsites in Slovakia

As an option, you also have camping in official areas designated for this purpose. There you can set up your tents wherever you want. You can focus, for example, on these areas: Spiš, Fatra, Orava, Tatras, Zemplínska Šírava. We've also picked for you the TOP 10 campsites: 

1. Mara Camping in Liptovský Trnovec

2. Kemp Bojnice in Rudno

3. Autocamp Goralský Dvor near Červený Kláštor, under the Haligovské Skaly cliffs

4. Green Kemp Slnečné Skaly Rajecké Teplice

5. Camping park Karpaty

6. Route E-58 Camp near Košice

7. Campsite Sedliacky Dvor

8. Autocamp Tatranská Štrba near Štrbské Pleso

9. Kemp Bopa in Banská Bystrica

10. Camping & Glamping Slovakia located near Čebovce
     

What to pack for camping 

If you've chosen a spot for camping, the more enjoyable part begins, and that's packing. Do you think you know everything you need to pack? We might surprise you, but there are more than enough things you'll need for camping.

1. Tent

If you have a new tent, always try it out beforehand. It might happen that you find out it's torn, you don't know how to fold it, or you're missing components. 

Choosing a tent is very important, because it will be your home and roof over your head for several days. The water column should be around 2500mm, but it's recommended to go up to 3000mm instead. So that it doesn't happen that the tent leaks and you wake up in a puddle in the morning.

2. Sleeping pad and sleeping bag

Whether you consider yourself more demanding or not, a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag are needed by everyone. Without them, camping in a tent can be really uncomfortable. This way you can avoid a “broken” back from pebbles or chattering teeth. So definitely don't underestimate the choice of these items either, as they can only benefit you. 

The best choice is a three-season sleeping bag, which can withstand cooler conditions as well. Pay attention to the temperatures that manufacturers guarantee. If you place it on the aforementioned sleeping pad, you'll have comfort and warmth taken care of.

You don't need to overdress inside the sleeping bag, you just need some merino or thermal underwear and socks, that way you will maintain the best temperature. If you are still cold, this can be solved with warm water in a bottle popped into the sleeping bag. 

3. Pillow

Let's be honest, sleeping without a pillow is indeed healthier, but who actually sleeps without one? Most of us have a favorite pillow and it should be an essential part of your camping gear. 

4. Light

Light is also an important aid for tent camping. We recommend not taking just one light, but two to be safe. It doesn't hurt to also have a flashlight, or a headlamp or a lantern. You'll thank it for hassle-free nighttime wandering.

5. Spare stakes and poles

You're setting up the tent and in your excitement you managed to break a pole, or the dog ran off somewhere with a stake. So what do you do now? Exactly for this case, it's necessary to have spare partswith you, without which you won't get far when setting up a tent. Unless you're extra skilled and can whittle some helpers out of wood. However, that won't guarantee the tent's stability. 

6. Camping furniture

For greater comfort and convenience during the days, it's good to also have this type of furniture. For some, a classic blanket and a bit of open space is enough. But it's certainly more comfortable to have camping chairs and a table on hand and use the blanket only as a cover during an evening sit-down.

7. Axe

Without it, it's hard to get anywhere when starting a fire. Splitting wood without an axe can be quite difficult. Besides processing wood, it can also come in handy as a hammer, for driving in tent stakes. 

8. Plastic bags and sacks

We all know well that we must not damage nature. It's a duty to collect your waste, so always keep bags on hand.

You can use smaller bags when you get some clothing dirty or your shoes get muddy. You can easily put them in a bag and stow them in your backpack. 

9. Cooking supplies

For cooking outdoors, we recommend using a camping stove, a gas burner or a portable grill. These are all small handy helpers, without which you won't be able to cook. If you're at a campsite, try to look around, there's usually a makeshift kitchen available. And if there's some fast food too, then you've hit the jackpot. 

But if you're out in real wilderness, you need to secure tools that will allow you to cook. In this category, we would definitely include: 

• a canteen, a canister with clean water

• a pan or a pot

• a cutting board

• at least one quality knife

• a cooking spoon 

• a can opener or a multifunctional knife

• food wrap

• cutlery and cups

• a thermos

• kitchen or other reliable towels

• dish sponges and detergent

• a windbreak, which can be purchased and can help you when cooking on windy days

Tips to improve even the best camping trip

We'll also mention a few gadgets you might not have expected, but from now on they'll become an indispensable part of your camping gear. Let's get into it.

• a map of the area - in case you're not in a camping village, it will serve you as GPS

• a whistle, a bell - whether for your orientation, rescue, or even against bears

• car fridge, cooler box - a well-chilled beer and fresh, fragrant meat are always a great choice

• clothespins with a cord 

• paper tissues, toilet paper, wet wipes - not only for children, but also for makeshift hygiene or sticky or dirty hands

• cosmetics and other personal hygiene items

• mini soap bars for quickly washing your hands

• matches in a waterproof case and a lighter - without them it will be difficult to start a fire, even though we have various fire strikers or ordinary stones, though it will probably be easier with a lighter

• cotton balls soaked in wax - they will help you start a fire without any trouble, it's basically something like Pe-Po

• spare batteries for your headlamp and flashlight 

• repellent, an insect net - we all know how annoying mosquitoes can be

• home address - in case of emergency, it's good to have a note with your name and address among your personal belongings

• first aid kit, or a car first aid kit - it's important to have them on hand, along with some basic medicines that can help you (e.g. activated charcoal) and especially anti-allergy medication (for example for bees), or your personal medication that you can't do without

• a small broom and dustpan - when you bring in more dirt, dust, or debris, it's good to know how to remove it

• folding sink for dishes

• water bottle and food containers 

• water purification system - in case you forget to bring water, these can help water filters - an easily available water treatment system, obtainable online, usually dosed as 1 teaspoon per 5 liters, or disinfection tablets

• pen, pencil, paper, board games, books

• sunscreen - it can be very unpleasant to get sunburned under strong sun and then sleep in a sleeping bag. Not to mention that you'll have a hard time finding after-sun cream or effective sour cream

• ball, badminton set, and an inflatable (if you're heading to the water)

• a good group of friends - it's best when someone can play a musical instrument and you can all sing together by the evening campfire campfire sing-along hits.

How to dress for camping

Let's not forget about functional clothing. We're not going to a fashion show after all, ladies. 

Be sure to check the weather in advance, so you don't unnecessarily pack suitcases full of things you won't even use. It's important to realize what kind of holiday you're going on. Camping is about being comfortable throughout the day while also being ready for “action”. What type of functional underwear might come in handy for you?

• merino or thermal underwear - a clean set for each day spent on holiday

• functional socks, or perhaps some thicker, warmer, fuzzier ones (for the night, probably especially for the ladies)

• the aforementioned functional clothing, pants and a t-shirt that won't make you sweat and will keep you dry in case of getting wet

• an insulating layer, something “on top” that you put on in the evening chill, ideally some fleece or another favorite hoodie

• warm, waterproof jacket 

• waterproof clothing - raincoat, rubber boots (it's not a bad idea to have a tarp on hand)

• hiking boots, but pay attention to the choice, because you will spend most of your time in them, and it's not very pleasant to walk with blisters 

• some lighter footwear that you can change into on site

• headgear (bandana, thinner hat, cap, hat)

When you pack all this, you will experience comfort and comfort throughout the whole camping trip. There is nothing worse than not being prepared for every kind of weather. 

Camping with children

I can't imagine a better way to teach children how to behave in nature than camping. Today's era is different from how it used to be, we don't need to fool ourselves about that. And that's exactly why it doesn't hurt to take them away from computers for a while. You need to pack them up, leave tablets and phones at home, and set off for an adventure that they may not even know yet in the real world. 

But how to go about it?

To start, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try it out with the children, for example at grandma's in the garden. Feel free to do it during the day too, so they know what it's about, what to prepare for. They get familiar with the tent and with this new kind of “sleepover”. At the very least, you can find out that it's not working out for you and avoid a long trip somewhere far away. 

Realize that children need much more things to pack than you do. Their body temperature isn't maintained as well as yours, and caring for their comfort is also a bit more thorough. That's why everything you already have packed, pack twice as much. Children manage to get dirty much more easily. If you have small children, then you surely know best what all they need. Diapers, wet wipes, changing pads, possibly a travel crib, etc.

6 tips for games with children in nature

Don't forget board games or some other toys to keep them entertained. In greater enthusiasm, you can even prepare some program that you'll go through with them.

• You can prepare some animal tracks that you'll guess together with them. Or plants or mushrooms, which you can examine together.

• A good tip that can help you later when starting the evening fire is a tower. Just gather as many sticks as possible, fallen from trees, and stack them into square shapes, thereby creating as tall a tower as possible. You can even make it a competition. And if you want, you can also use pebbles for this tower, which you can also stack on top of each other. 

• If you have a rope and a multitool knife on hand, which shouldn't be missing from your gear, then you can look around the area and collect some interesting chestnuts, pinecones, feathers or nuts. Then you can create beautiful “Indian” necklaces.

• Forest basketball, you don't need to use a ball for this, pebbles or pinecones and one smaller bucket will do. The point of the game will be who hits the “basket”.

• Look together for the flattest and largest pebbles, and then you can nicely paint. They certainly won't take a better souvenir from there. 

If you have little rascals, you can make a spear with them. But only under your supervision. If you're more skilled, you can try a whistle or a whip for Easter.
 

What to eat when camping

Camping at a campsite can be made easier by this part of the plan when there are food stalls at your campsite. But what if there aren't any? As we mentioned above, then you need to take a burner, pots and everything that goes with it. 

What food to take on a camping trip

The basic rule is to take non-perishable food that won't spoil from day to day. For the first day, take a ready-made meal. Whether it's some schnitzels in bread, meatballs or sausages, or simply highly nutritious and tasty ready-made meals, for which you only need a self-heating pouch.

List of non-perishable foods:

• Salt, sugar and all the spices you use at home, cocoa and honey

• Oil or lard

• Tea and coffee are probably a given, but it's also good to have milk, and for that we recommend powdered milk

• Rice and pasta are a good basis, but you can diversify your menu with quinoa, bulgur, couscous, millet or red lentils, eggs (but carefully, so they stay whole)

• An excellent helper is potatoes (wrap them in foil and pop them into the embers, just add butter and salt), onion, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers (both fresh and pickled), garlic

• Fruit instead of sweets (apples, pears, tangerines, bananas)

• Among meat products, great choices are sausages, frankfurters, salami and bacon. You need to think about whether you have a fridge on hand. If not, take only non-perishable salamis or bacon, or hard cheese.

• Canned food of all flavors is a good helper, whether it's meat, vegetable or some pâtés, sauces in jars, but also think about sweet flavors, so for example jam or pudding shouldn't be missing

• Don't forget bread, sponge biscuits, bundt cakes, cakes or savory scones

Cereals, oatmeal and grain porridge can form the basis of your breakfast.

If you stick to this list, I believe you'll be able to prepare practically anything that will please your taste buds while also providing energy. If you're in the forest, you can find some ingredients right there. I mean fruit and berries, mushrooms (with these, only rely on certainty), plant food, but also, for example, fish.

Tips for cooking in nature

As we already mentioned, you can use everything you have on hand. And “voilà” a quality meal is ready. So we offer you a few recipe tips:

• a side dish made from young beech leaves 

• backwoods hot dogs - the basis is backwoods dough, for which we need 500g of all-purpose flour, 300ml of lukewarm water, 100ml of oil, a pinch of salt and about a quarter of a cube of yeast.

• potato pancakes - for this outdoor treat, prepare 1kg of potatoes, 2 eggs, a spice mix for potato pancakes and flour as needed

• živánska delicacy - if you prefer dishes without meat, for this vegetarian delicacy you'll need 1kg of potatoes, 300g of tofu (of your choice), 100g of red onion, 150g of zucchini, 150g of red or yellow pepper, salt, ground red paprika to taste, caraway, black pepper

• nettle risotto

• hobo potatoes - a simple recipe for everyone, just boil the potatoes in their skins, then add them to a pan with bacon and grated cheese

However, if you're up for bigger “treats”, we recommend checking out how it's done in an original way by Ľubomír Šmindák, whom you might know as Chef from the woods.

Check whether you've packed the most essential items on the camping list:

Do you know what glamping is?

New times call for new solutions. And glamping is one of them, perfectly suited for those who want to experience nature firsthand, but also love their luxury and comfort. 

So let's imagine that we're out in nature, enjoying its beauty and everything it offers, but instead of sleeping on “hard ground”, we'll go to our modern-day dwelling (for example, a treehouse). 

Glamping offers us modern camping with the option of staying in the most modern facilities, equal to hotels. These luxurious cabins provide us with full amenities. From soft beds, a kitchen counter, to a couch with a TV. You'll feel right at home, but you can say you're out in nature and enjoying it to the fullest. 

Given today's luxurious era, it's quite an expected development, don't you think?

Source: sazp.sk