17 Camping Hacks

DIY lantern

 

It seems every time that I camp somewhere I decide that there was something that I should have done different to make my trip a little better.  I’m sure this happens to most people.  That’s why we get to be better and better campers with each trip as our experience widens.  The following are ideas that I came across on the internet that might make your next camping trip (presumably the Kalalau Trail) a little better.

If you have experience with any of these ideas or if you have ideas of your own, please share in the comments below.

To continue to the first Hack click the “Tic-Tac containers” link below.

Use old Tic-Tac containers to store different spices to cook with.

 

 

Cooking crescent rolls over a campfire is a great way to enjoy them.  Yum Yum!

 

Baked bread in a can helps to keep it from getting smashed on your hike.  A large #10 can or divide the recipe into smaller cans for smaller pieces.  Find recipes for sandwich bread and banana bread here.

 

Strap your head lamp to your water container in order to create ambient light to fill your whole tent.

 

Use an old coffee can to protect & dispense TP

Using a 2-person sleeping bag can save space and hassle.  You can pick one up for pretty cheap.

 

Click here to shop for a 2-person sleeping bag.

Cut up a straw and fill the pieces up with antibiotic ointment or toothpaste for single-use packets.  Use a lighter to seal up the ends.

 

Make travel coffee bags out of coffee filters and dental floss.  Place a scoop of coffee grounds into a coffee filter and tie it up with dental floss. When you’re ready to brew, just make it like you would make tea in a teabag!

 

Paint the inside of a jar with non-toxic glow-in-the-dark paint and light up the whole area.  Read the directions here.

Use a vegetable peeler to make single-use soap strips so you don’t have to keep the slimy soap after every use.

 

 

Use a belt and hooks to hang up your pots and pans to dry or in between uses.

 

Pack a mini first-aid kit into an old prescription bottle.

 

You can also use old Altoids tins.

 

Make an easy to carry fire starter with a cardboard egg carton and match light charcoal.

Charge your phone while on the trail.  Must have to keep your cell phone camera charged while on the trail.   Click here to shop for solar chargers.

Can’t find kindling?  Use Doritos!

Make pocket-sized oil lamps out of travel-size or hotel toiletry shampoo bottles.

 

Cook canned cinnamon rolls in hollowed-out orange peels over a campfire.  Yum!

 

You can find directions to how to make these here.

Continue: Camping Gear