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Our Favourite Camping Hacks

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Camping hacks are usually discovered by experienced campers who need to be resourceful. They can definitely come in handy for anybody who is planning a camping trip. If you know of any camping hacks that are not on this list, share them with us in the Trailer Parks Canada Facebook Group, and we might publish them in an upcoming issue of Trailer Parks Canada: The Magazine.

Our Favourite Camping Hacks

Homemade Lantern

Water jug lantern

Lighting can be a major issue in the dark nights of fall. Although flashlights help, they can be problematic as the lighting that they provide does not cover a lot of area. If you find yourself needing a better lighting source, this homemade lantern is great for ambient lighting.

All you need for this hack is a headlamp and a gallon jug of water. If you do not have a gallon jug, any large translucent bottle will work. Strap the headlamp to the jug so that the light beam is facing inwards. When the light hits the water in the jug, the light will spread so that the jug is glowing.

This trick is great for setting up the inside of a tent at night, cleaning a picnic table, starting a campfire, or even playing cards.



Corn Chips can be used as Kindling

Corn chips as kindling

Sometimes kindling can be difficult to find, and you have to be resourceful. However, some of the items that you may have packed can be the perfect solution.

Corn chips are very common camping snacks. Campers often enjoy these tasty treats as they sit around the campfire. Not everyone knows that they might even be more enjoyable when they are in the campfire. Throwing a handful of these chips into your fire will do a great job maintaining your flame. This is because they contain starches, chemicals, and oils that are highly flammable.

Use Garbage Bag as Liner

Avoiding wet clothing and camping supplies is very important to keep you comfortable and safe on a camping excursion. Wet clothing can result in a chill which can lead to a possible cold. This is why it is very important to protect all of your belongings, and make sure that your backpack is lined.

Luckily, a garbage bag offers the perfect solution to this issue. Simply line the inside of your backpack with the garbage bag before you put all of your items inside. This trick is perfect for backcountry camping and hiking trips. Canadian weather can be hard to predict so it is always best to be prepared for any circumstance.

Use Water Jugs as Ice Packs

Packing ice for a camping trip can be frustrating. It often melts very quickly and can get the rest of your food wet and soggy. As an alternative to buying ice and pouring it into your cooler, freeze gallon jugs of water instead.

Jugs will not crack when frozen and have built-in room for expansion when they freeze. They are big spaces for keeping items cold and having a couple of them in your cooler will keep food and beverages fresh during your trip. Another great thing about this hack is that after it melts, you will have a ton of drinking water.