Hocking Hills Tourism Association - Ohio Tourism and Travel Blog

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 12:15 PM PDT

A beginner’s guide to camping in Hocking Hills

While camping can be overwhelming for newcomers, coming armed with a foolproof checklist and the basic knowhow can make all the difference. Whether you’re in a tent or a trailer, the Hocking Hills State Park Campground and other area campsites make up some of the best camping in Ohio. Take some time to learn the basics before you book your next adventure.

Image courtesy of http://www.hockinghillscanoeing.com

1. Make a checklist. You’ll want to divide your checklists by category. Try shelter, bedding, cooking, personal, clothing, miscellaneous and a basic first aid kit.

2. Know how to start a campfire. You can use everything from commercial fire starters to egg cartons with shredded newspaper.

3. Learn first aid basics. Know how to use everything in your first aid kit. Make sure to inspect your kit before each trip and restock often. You may also want to consider taking CPR and first aid classes.

4. Meet your neighbors. Camping is a community. Taking the time to meet your neighbors is a fundamental part of camping – and sometimes the most memorable. Offer to help new arrivals unpack, set up camp or share your family’s grub.

5. Look after your campsite. While rules vary from site to site, there are a few common courtesies to keep in mind both for your neighbors and future campers. Be aware of firewood rules (whether you need to purchase it, not chopping down standing trees, etc.) and only use designated areas for fires; be a considerate smoker; don’t walk through others’ sites; and store food appropriately.

6. Use a timer for your lights. Always being conscientious of your neighbors also means not making others subject to your bedtime. When you have others sleeping close by, consider investing in an outdoor timer (like you would for Christmas lights) so you can set it and forget it and no one is disturbed by your lights.

7. Stay safe. While there are plenty of safety tips for camping in the Hocking Hills, remember the basics: never approach or surprise an animal at close range, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return, don’t hike alone or at night and stay on trails.

8. Store your food properly. How to pack food for a camping trip is often a big question mark for first timers. You should freeze or refrigerate cold food overnight, freeze juice boxes to use as ice packs to keep your food cold as the boxes thaw, keep all fruit and vegetables refrigerated before putting them into the cooler and freeze any meats that you are going to cook within a couple of days so they can thaw out slowly in the cooler. Always keep perishable foods stored in the cooler and wrap containers holding foods like dips and sauces in plastic bags to contain leaks. Keep nonperishables out of the cooler and in a separate bag, including trail mix, crackers, bread, peanut butter and canned fruits and vegetables.

9. Keep kids entertained. While children love camping and exploring the outdoors, you should always be mindful others’ space and peace. Teach kids about the invisible boundaries surrounding your campsite and campground rules. Take them ziplining, canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding or explore dozens of other things to do in Hocking Hills.

10. Leave the campsite clean. The last thing you should do after packing up to leave is clean the site. Many campers pride themselves on leaving the site cleaner than when they arrived. You can even get the kids involved by paying them a nickel for each piece of trash they pick up. For just a couple bucks, you can leave your campsite spotless.

If you’re ready to get lost in the Hills, check our campsite availability now or order your free Visitors Guide for more information.

Filed under: Vacations

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