How To Pack for an Extended-Stay Camping Trip
Embarking on an extended camping trip is a thrilling adventure, especially when taking an RV. Camping allows you to connect with nature, explore new destinations, and enjoy simple pleasures. Whether you’ve taken an extended-stay trip before or this is your first time, there are a few things to remember while packing. In this blog, Rjourney will enlighten you with the benefits of an extended-stay RV camping trip, help you find the best travel destinations, teach you what to pack, and how to find memorable activities.
Benefits of an Extended-Stay RV Camping Trip
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, extended-stay camping has many benefits. Even if you aren’t, you can appreciate the beauty of these types of trips. The following are just a few of the many benefits of extended-stay camping.
- It’s cost-effective: Extended-stay camping is more cost-effective than staying in hotels or renting a vacation home. With the right equipment and planning, you can enjoy long-term camping affordably.
- You stay close to nature: Spending an extended period in nature allows you to fully immerse yourself in the natural world. As long as you plan your trip, you’ll have the opportunity to hear the soothing sounds of birds, see clear starry night skies, and relax by the campfire.
- Opportunity for adventure: Long-term camping provides many opportunities for you to have an adventure. Whether fishing, kayaking, or exploring new areas, there’s always something exciting to do.
- You can disconnect and relax: Extended-stay camping in an RV is an excellent way to disconnect from the fast-paced world. It offers you a chance to relax and recharge.
- Community: When you stay at an RV camp for a long period, you get to know other campers around you. Typically, people who stay in RV camps long term grow a community and create friendships.
With all the benefits of long-term camping, it’s an easy choice to find extended-stay camping near you or somewhere on the other side of the country!
How To Pack For Long-Term RV Camping
Packing for a long-term trip can sometimes seem more challenging than packing for a shorter trip, but with careful planning, you can ensure you have everything you need. Keep in mind that you don’t need to pack your entire life for extended trips as you’ll likely have the ability to replenish and wash anything you run out of.
Clothing
The types of clothing you bring can make or break how comfortable you feel during your trip. Take the time to consider packing these items, especially if you’re expecting rainy or chilly weather.
- Enough clothing to last the duration of your trip. If you’re packing for a trip longer than a month and you know there will be laundry facilities, you can also pack enough clothes for half of your trip and wash clothes every few weeks throughout your trip. Doing this can save you a lot of room if you’re limited on space.
- Rain gear and even snow gear depending on the season and climate.
- Layers to accommodate any fluctuations in the temperature
- Comfortable shoes for walking and hiking
- Extra socks
- Laundry bag
- Hats, gloves, coats, and boots
Cooking and Kitchen Supplies
Your RV might already be equipped with the appropriate kitchen supplies to cook while camping, but before you leave for your trip, make sure you have the following:
- Cookware, including pots, pans, and utensils
- Plates and bowls
- Cooking utensils, including a spatula and tongs
- Food storage containers
- Dish soap and sponges
Food and Water
When you’re camping, you never know if the water you have access to is safe to drink. Because of this, it’s essential to bring the following:
- Water containers (Always bring more than you think you’ll need)
- Water filtration device
- Water purification tablets
In addition to bringing along fresh produce and a few ready-to-eat meals, you should also get non-perishable items, such as canned goods and dried fruits. That way, if there are any issues with the appliances in your RV, you’ll still have access to food. Non-perishable items are also great to have when you’re out hiking and need a quick boost of energy.
Personal Essentials
Bringing your personal essentials can help you feel clean and put together and ensure optimal hygiene and health throughout your trip. Personal essentials include:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap
- Towels and washcloths
- Toilet paper
- First-aid kit
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications you might need
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Entertainment Items
Although the great outdoors is typically entertainment enough, sometimes you might want other forms of entertainment while on your trip. Here are some items that might be fun to bring along.
- Books or an e-reader
- Board games and playing cards
- Camera to create a photo album
- Binoculars
- Art and craft supplies
Finding Activities for Your Long-Term Camping Trip
Long-term camping near you or somewhere across the country can allow you to try different activities you wouldn’t in your normal day-to-day life. When you stay somewhere for a long time, you can immerse yourself in the community and explore the surrounding area. Here are some ways to discover exciting things to do during your extended camping trip.
- Find local attractions. Research the area where you plan to camp and make a list of local attractions. These could include hiking trails, national parks, museums, and historical sights.
- Community events. Check if the local community has any events during your stay, such as festivals and other gatherings. This is a great way to connect with the locals in the community.
- Meet fellow campers. One of the best ways to learn about nearby activities is to meet other campers and get their insights. They could have recommendations for must-see places and activities.
- Plan a day trip. When you go on an extended-stay camping trip, you don’t necessarily have to stay within the confines of the town you’re staying in. You can take a day trip to a nearby town or city to explore.
Best Destinations for Long-Term RV Camping
There are many destinations you can travel to across the country. Each state offers a unique natural beauty. At Rjourney, we have locations from Washington to Pennslyvania, all offering the opportunity to get away from daily life for a weekend for a few weeks at a time.
At Rjourney, you can expect clean bathrooms, kid- and pet-friendly campgrounds, well-kept RV resort parks, and WiFi and cable at each location. Contact us today to learn more about our availability and the amenities we offer at each location!