Are you considering going outdoors for your next weekend getaway? For any outdoor adventure, there are some details you may want to take into consideration. While planning a big trip may initially seem daunting, our hope is to arm you with some ideas and resources that will lessen the stress and make your next outdoor adventure memorable!

Step one: Where would you like to go?
National Parks & Forests are a great starting point! Instagram and personal recommendations can also be good resources for finding your go-to location. Regardless of where you’d like to go or what you want to do, take into consideration the time needed for driving, activities, as well as small things like bathroom breaks and meals. Also, consider how much gas will be used on your trip. Because of high gas prices, this may become a larger portion of your budget than anticipated. After deciding on your perfect location, take some time to research common plants and animals you may encounter, such as poison oak/ivy, ticks or bears. In these cases, you may wish to wear a pair of long pants or perhaps even bring a can of bear spray. Finally, consider the cell service where you’ll be going. Downloading offline Google Maps or bringing a physical map may be good options for when you know you’ll be entering remote areas or spots without cell service.

Step two: Logistics
If you are going to a national or state park, how much is the entry fee? National forests often require an Adventure Pass to park your vehicle, or a beach may have paid parking. For overnight trips, will you stay in a hotel, Airbnb, campsite or Dispersed Camping? Each of these may have different fees and/or restrictions and many will need to be booked far before your desired trip date (most campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance). Alongside this, weather and climate should determine where and how you camp. In the chance of snow, some remote roads might be closed. Also, winter camping can be more dangerous and uncomfortable and possibly have limited connections to civilization. You may also need winter tires, snow chains or a vehicle with high ground clearance in order to access certain areas. Whatever the case, check in with the local ranger station or government agency to be prepared.

Step three: Packing
Aside from deciding which clothes to bring that best fit the weather and activity, you should think of the level of sleeping gear, bathroom options and cooking options for your camping situation. While a hotel may have breakfast options, a pre-made bed and running water, a dispersed campground will require you to bring your own (BYO) everything. Gear can be rented at the SRWC’s Rock Wall and Outdoor Adventure Shop or bought from a local outdoor shop like Sports Basement. Some locations have activity-specific rentals, ski gear or paddle boards, for example, if transportation is an issue. Finally, be sure to accurately predict how much food you will need. One important thing to note is that you may want more food than a typical “serving size.” In any case, it doesn’t hurt to have a little too much food!