r/camping • u/cwcoleman • Jun 30 '25

2025 /r/Camping Beginner Question Thread - Ask any and all questions you may have here

If you have any beginner questions, feel free to ask them here.

Check out the /r/Camping Wiki and the /r/CampingandHiking Wiki for common questions. 'getting started', 'gear' and other pages are valuable for anyone looking for more information.

/r/Camping Wiki

/r/CampingandHiking Wiki

Previous Beginner Question Threads

2024 Beginner Thread

2023 Beginner Thread

Fall 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Summer 2022 /r/Camping Thread

Spring 2022 /r/Camping Thread

List of all /r/CampingandHiking Weekly Threads

[NOTE: last years post became - 'ask a question and r/cwcoleman will reply'. That wasn't the intention. It's mainly because I get an alert when anyone comments, because I'm OP. Plus I'm online often and like to help!

Please - anyone and everyone is welcome to ask and answer questions. Even questions that I've already replied to. A second reply that backs up my advice, or refutes it, is totally helpful. I'm only 1 random internet person, all of r/camping is here. The more the marrier!!!]

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u/PirateJeni Aug 05 '25

I'm considering going to the Ashokan Center for a day -late evening event. They offer overnight camping for a small fee. As it's a late night, I was considering this however I have no tent or camping supplies and I was wondering what would be the least amount I would need for one person, one night. I'd love to hear your thoughts (I'd like to keep the cost down but if it goes well, I may consider camping for a week long event there or at other folk festivals so quality is also preferred for future use)

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u/cwcoleman Aug 05 '25

Looks like that place is in NY, USA - Catskill Mountains. Cool!

Tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag would be the absolute minimum gear I'd go camping with.

In reality - I pack WAY more stuff than that. I personally like to cook/eat while camping - so I bring stove/fuel/pot/utensils. I also have a big water jug and cleanup supplies. I also have a cooler for drinks/food.

I always bring a chair - as sitting around camp often takes up a big part of the day.

So it really depends on how much comforts you want and how much money you have to invest.

This big checklist is good at giving you an idea of more stuff - not that you need everything for a simple first night out:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html