As travelers begin gearing up for summer camping, Recreation.gov, the government’s centralized travel planning platform and reservation system of choice for 14 federal agencies, is sharing their top five tips to help campers prepare for upcoming summer travel and arrive ready at the campsites across the country:

1. Sleeping Bag and Pad – Pull your sleeping bag out of its stuff sack or unroll your bag and let it breathe. This allows the bag to retain the loft and insulating properties that you’ll be relying on during those cool summer nights. Check to see that the zipper works properly and that there are no holes in the bag.
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3. Tent and Footprint – Check for wear and tear on your tents before arriving to the campsite. Ensure you also have tent stakes for those windy nights and consider waterproofing your tent if weather may be a concern. A tent footprint is highly recommended for camping adventures, as it helps avoid wear and tear to the bottom of the tent and provides another layer of insulation.
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5. Lighting and Camp Stove – Check your headlamp or flashlight for working batteries and ensure the bulb is still functioning. As always, check local fire restrictions in the area prior to heading out on your adventure, as conditions may require you to take precautions when using this type of equipment.
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7. First Aid and Personal Safety – Be sure your first aid kit is replenished with antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, a snakebite kit, pain relievers and sunscreen. You should also have a map of the campground area and compass to ensure you are familiar with your surroundings.
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9. Grub Tubs and Food Storage – Anything needed while cooking meals in camp should be stored in a grub tub. Anything in this tub that is scented can be tempting for the local wildlife when camping, so ensure you are following the campground’s food storage recommendations such as using food lockers or bear canisters.