Tip: Fold down back seats, use favorite fleece sleeping bag or favorite linens for a bed area that will make you sleep sound. The greatest thing about it, sleep easy knowing SUV's can keep you safer at night should unwanted critters and visitors enter your camp.

Don't have an SUV? Ask your local dealership for the right SUV to rent and test drive if your shopping for one. Alternatively, Hotwire.com has great weekend SUV rental deals. 

2. Want to be a very lazy camper and don't have a lot of camping equipment? Try cabin camping.

Tip: Most Dude Ranches and Rustic Cabins have basic to lavish amenities, and are a great way to practice with your new camping equipment before going remote solo camping. Best of all they are relaxing

Don't know where to find a Dude Ranch? EveryDudeRanch.com has some great vacation getaways.

 Don't have hiking gear for SUV or Cabin camping? You've come to the right place. Shop The Lazy Camper

Find if you are missing something for your next camp trip: camping supply checklist

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Building a fire can be fun an easy - if prepared. Take these precautions and proactive steps to ensure you have the right fire conditions.

1. Starting to get to know the rules of the campground / accommodation  is always a good first step. You may find out in the process of understanding the rules of a park, you get free fire wood and/or prime locations to find it. Make sure the rules allow you to have a fire, especially before you go to all the trouble of setting one up.

For example: during a dry season or spell many state parks have a fire ban. Many southern states particularly in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma will often have dry spells throughout the year, thus starting fires are strictly forbidden in parks. Why? Many forest fires are caused campers, smokers etc.

If all conditions are right however, here are some fire set-up, starting and distinguishing tips for small camp fires:

1. Location: Search for a clearing or spot that is well away from trees, camping items and flammable objects.
2. Seating: A common mistake campers often make is starting a fire close to a tent or too close to chairs, tents and other camping equipment can burn melt quick! Some camping equipment is even very hazardous close to a fire including fuel canisters, fuel lanterns and aerosol sprays. It's ok to sit by a fire, but not ok if you catch on fire or melt your favorite camping chair. So it is important to sit up wind from fire and far enough away to not let the soles your shoes melt. In general with fire maintaining, and pretty much with any extreme activity, as most state parks will tell you: it's best to use plain ole common sense.
3. Containment: Locate or build a fire ring. A fire ring has advantages in protecting fire from spreading, wind blowing it out of control, and keeping logs and fire debris in place.
4. Wood Gathering: Gathering wood can be fun, and is great exercise. Try not to over harvest too much wood in one area, in order to not upset the balance natural surroundings. Be sure to wear gloves especially to protect hands from biting insects and slivers. Always lift with your knees when lifting wood - back aches can totally ruin a camping trip.
5. Kindling: The kind of kindling needed is often determined by the type of wood gathered. Dry wood will start with little help. However, If your wood is mildly wet, it's always a good idea to have a few fire starting stick packed. Fire starting sticks burn pretty well on ice, snow and muddy areas. If you don't have a fire starter log or sticks, find some dry kindling. Fire starting kindling ideas are pine cones and needles and small dead sun bleached branches. If you have lots of camp trash and want to carry less garbage out of your campsite, keep discarded paper towel and/or paper product debris for fire starting.
6. Position: Fires always bun better when they are layered properly. Placing small debris like pine needles, pine cones and paper products on the bottom will allow for a quick intense flame to start a very small fire. Position logs on-top, burning the medium sized logs first then graduating to larger logs.
7. Flame: Packing a favorite lighter is one of the lazy camper's, top 50 tools. A lighter is much easier to use than matches, especially in extreme weather. Additionally, lighters are a good essential for survival. Always start the fire from the bottom (center of kindling). Make sure to periodically monitor fire.
8. Extinguish: Make extinguishing your fire a priority. It is important to extinguish a fire completely before leaving a camp site. Snuff out fires with water, sand/dirt or a small fire extinguisher. It's always important to bring a shovel and a bucket. If you really want to wow camp visitors - try using a small fire extinguisher (hot product! snuffs out a fire in seconds - if used properly).

Fire Entertainment Essentials - 3 Tips for the Leisure Camper:

1. Camp Fire Stories: Tell one at the beginning of the night.
2. Camp Fire Food: Make simplicity a staple.
3. Camp Fire Warmth: Relaxation is bliss.

Proactive Forest Fire Prevention:

• Prevent forest fires while remote forest camping by always bringing plenty of water, a shovel and a bucket. It's common for unknowing campers find out that Most National Parks require fire distinguishing tools.
• Snuff out campfire after you leave your site. Fires can still spread with a gust of wind even if no flames are visible.
• While cooking and lighting fuel lanterns, fuel can spill leading to difficult to put out fires. Always keep ample water close by or a small fire extinguisher.

View our full line of fire prevention and fire aids

1/29/06

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10 Possible Camping Hazards: help your checklist beat the odds:

 

Hazard	Catalyst for Hazard	Possible Gear Solution
Out of control campfire	neglect while hiking	Drowning out fire with water bucket before leaving camp
Biting insects	exposure during gathering (wood)	Wearing gloves while gathering wood
Injury from a fall	tripping over rolling stones	Being aware and paying attention to ground while walking
Dehydration	overexposure sunlight while walking	Carrying hydration equipment and enought for duration of walk
Cold	Unforeseeable weather, lack of heating source	Packing correct clothing and equipment to keep warm
Attack from large animal	ignorance	Protecting from unexpected attacks
Drowning	swimming alone	Common sense
Starving	spoilage of food	Cooler, cooling equipment
Blinding	walking into branches	Sunglasses
Top 10 Camping Hazard (click here)

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