How Old Do You Have To Be To Go Camping? [Answer Here]

Camping is a fun activity for people of all ages. Suppose you teach a child from a young age to love the outdoors, love animals, and care for nature. You will give them a better chance of growing into enlightened, happy people who will always feel in touch with the world and its beauties. Yet, keep in mind that youngsters are not allowed to go camping alone – at least not until they turn 18!

But instead of focusing on the negative sides of not being able to camp alone as a youngster, I want to tell you more about all the fun camping activities you can do with your family or friends.

If you want to know more about camping and its alternative options for young people, stick around for the duration of this guide.

Can You Go Camping Without Your Parents?

You can go camping without your parents, but there is a catch – you have to be older than 18 years. As long as you are of legal age, you can go wherever you want to.

Youngsters are not allowed to camp alone because their parents are responsible for them until they turn 18. Should anything happen to the children, it will be the parents who will be held accountable.

If you want to go to campsites or national parks alone, you must be of legal age. Then, you can do whatever you want, wherever you want. Still, keep in mind that you need to follow the directions provided by the particular campsite you plan to visit. Otherwise, you risk getting thrown out of the campgrounds.

These are only some things you should remember when you plan a camping trip. Adult supervision or approval can be obligatory, but not always. So, make sure that you check the rules for your country and the campsite you want to visit.

How Old Should You Be To Go Camping Without Parents (Alone)?

You will need adult supervision when camping until the age of 18. This is the rule in most countries, but some countries may have a different legal age. So, it is best to check the legal age for the country you are interested in visiting or where you live.

When you are of legal age, you can start camping alone. Then, you can visit any campgrounds you like. You are considered an adult, and you can take care of yourself without putting yourself in danger. Still, you have to be careful not to risk your safety or the safety of your group.

If you are going to hike during the camping trip, you need good shoes and equipment. Then, you need a tent and food and water. Also, you need to know how to heat yourself up and how to protect yourself from wild animals. Their natural habitat is nature and the site you will be visiting, so you have to be respectful and cautious about invading their space.

If you keep all these things in mind, you will be in store for the adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy the beauties of the wilderness and, if you are over 18, your time away from your parents.

Camping For Under 18?

If you want to camp and are still under 18 years of age, you will have to resort to camping with your parents or other supervision. That can also be fun, especially if your parents or adult supervisors are into camping and hiking. You will have a swell time in the wilderness, national forests, or even a local park with a camping group like that!

Another option to consider is going to a campsite that allows underage children and teenagers to stay without their parents. You will most likely need written consent from your parents to go there, while you may also need to be a part of a camping or scout group. With those kinds of groups, you will be able to camp as often as every weekend.

These types of sites often offer other types of supervision. For example, there will be camp counselors and camp directors. They will ensure that you have everything you need and that you are protected.

Things to Know Before Camping

No matter when or where you are going to camp, you need to know several things. These things are crucial for your trip and can make or break it. Aside from the fact you need to be of legal age, these are also things that you need to be mindful of. So, let’s see what should be a part of every camping trip preparation, starting with the actual planning!

Do some planning before the trip

When planning a camping trip, you need to do a certain amount of preparation and planning. You first need to think of the campsite you want to visit. Most camps require you to take a trip, so you have to plan a means of transportation.

Then, you need to check if you need campground reservations. Due to the pandemic, some camping grounds have stopped working in the past few years. So, call and check if your desired destination is open to visitors.

Check the weather forecast

Before you decide to go on a camping trip, it is wise to check the weather forecast. That way, you can know what to expect on your journey. If the forecast says that it will be raining the entire weekend, it might be better to postpone the trip.

If might also want to postpone the trip if you're going to camp during very hot summer weather. That kind of weather is not good – you might get sunburns, dehydration, or nausea from too much heat. Take everything into consideration if you want to have a good trip!

Consider what camping gear you might need

When going camping in nature, you need to have special gear like waterproof clothes and shoes. Then, you need a special tent and perhaps a hammock to relax in. When cold weather camping, you need to take a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and special clothes to keep you warm.

But the most important of all is the good shoes. If you want to hike during the camping trip, you will need these shoes. They might take a bit of an investment, but it will be worth it.

Take a change of clothes

Imagine camping in a national forest and waking up to see yourself and your tent covered in morning dew. You will need to spend the day in wet clothes or throw on some new clothes. This is why it is wise to take a change of clothes whenever you go camping.

Take enough food and water

As for water, check whether there are springs or taps anywhere near the campsite. If you can refill your bottles with drinkable water, you do not need to take that much from home. Otherwise, you will need to stack up on water as it is necessary for all types of trips.

Take food and snacks that do not weigh that much and do not take that long to prepare. The food should be able to stay out of the fridge, while you should also be able to cook it on a campfire.

Still, remember to keep the food away from your campsite or tent because some wild animals might pick up the smell and decide to visit you. So, you have to be safe!

Learn how to make a campfire

You cannot go camping without knowing how to start and put out a campfire. It is necessary to have one as you will need it for lightning, warmth, and cooking food. If you do not want to have a fire to cook on, you should bring ready-made meals from home and rely solely on them.

Learn how to put out a campfire

If you decide to start a campfire, you must also know how to put it out afterward. The fire should be controlled as you do not want it to spread. Once you are done using the fire, wait around for it to die down.

You should do the same when leaving the campsite - stick around until you are sure there is no chance for the fire to reignite. Consider putting dirt and rocks over the firepit as another safety measure.

No littering allowed!

Finally, I want to inform new and experienced campers that leaving your trash behind when camping is a big no-no. Even if there are no trashcans around, you must not dispose of the waste at the campground. You should take it with you and throw it in the first trashcan you come across.

The only things you can leave behind are vegetables, fruits, and peels. These things can serve as food for animals once you leave the campground.

Wrap-Up

Everything you need to know about camping when you are still not of legal age. I hope you got the answers to all your questions, but if you have any other questions, please share them in the comment section below!

Remember that you must have some kind of adult or parental supervision if you are underage. Once you turn 18, you will be able to start camping alone. Before you get to that age, try to make the most of the time you have to go camping with your parents or friends.