Let’s be real. Sometimes, we just don’t have the time to travel and camp as often as we’d like. Sure, week-long trips to bucket list destinations are nice, but between work, family, budget constraints, and other obligations, they can come few and far between.
Enter the trusty weekend trip. You may not be there for a long time, but you’re there for a good time!
When you don’t have much time to explore new places, you want to make what you do have count. But to have the perfect weekend getaway, you have to plan the perfect getaway. Emphasis on the plan.
Here’s how to do it.
How to Plan a Weekend Trip
Without further ado, here are eight fool-proof tips to help you plan the perfect weekend trip— camping or otherwise!
1. Choose an area with minimal travel time.
Time is of the essence. You don’t want to spend most of your weekend on the road or waiting around at the airport. The less time you spend traveling to and from your destination, the more time you can spend diving into your destination.
Of course, “minimal” travel time is subjective. Personally, I like to keep my trip under a four-hour drive or three-hour flight. But that is what makes the most sense for my typical weekend schedule and how much time I like to be behind the wheel on a given weekend.
And speaking of schedules, it’s also important to factor in how much time you have for your entire trip. For example, are you taking your trip on a long, three-day holiday weekend? Are you leaving after work on Friday and returning early Sunday to get ready for the new week? Every hour counts here, so don’t forget to factor this in.
2. Establish a vibe ahead of time.
Establish a vibe? Huh?
What I mean by this is to decide what type of trip you’re looking to have. Will it be go-go-go and packed with dusk ‘til dawn exploring? Are you looking for a relaxing weekend to unplug and sit in a hammock all weekend? Do you want to take it easy on the trail, or do you want to be utterly exhausted when you get home? There’s no one right way to do a weekend getaway— the ball is in your court here!
Setting an overarching goal for your trip will help with the next step: research.
3. Research what you want to do.
Don’t waste precious time at your campsite planning what to do for the next few days. Instead, take time beforehand to plan out a rough itinerary.
Start by making a list of things in the area that you’d like to do or see. Maybe you want to try out some specific hiking trails. Perhaps you’d rather go into town and explore the main attractions there. There could be some historical sites nearby that are drawing you in.
Whatever it is, it can help to explore the area digitally first and narrow your to-do list down to a feasible size.
4. Book a campground central to what you want to do.
After you know what you want to do, think about the best place to stay. Aim for something that is centrally located so that you can limit your time driving from place to place.
Even if you plan to never leave a park, consider which campground or area is best for what you want to do. Some national and state parks are expansive, making it important to consider where, exactly, within the park you’re staying.
5. Plan a loose itinerary.
Though a rigid plan may sound like a good move, it can end up causing more stress than it is worth.
Instead, opt for a loose itinerary that maps out what you would like to do each day, but leaves room for unexpected delays or happy surprises. You never know when you’ll want to spend a few more hours at a place than you expected or you see something that you missed during research.
6. Keep an eye on the weather and have alternative plans in your back pocket.
The unfortunate thing about visiting a place for a short period of time is that if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’re a little out of luck. There’s no waiting a day or two for the skies to clear to check things off your list.
Instead, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Whether this is heading to town for some indoor fun or hunkering down in the tent with a game, it helps to have somewhat of an idea.
Check the weather forecast for your destination before you leave. Some light rain or chilly temperatures don’t have to completely spoil the fun, but it’s important to be prepared. And if really bad weather is in the forecast— e.g. hail, torrential downpours, heavy thunderstorms, etc. — you may want to reconsider your trip altogether. Safety first!
7. Less = more when packing.
Keep things simple when packing your gear for your weekend trip. It’s tempting to want to break out all of the bells and whistles, but sit down and think about the essential camping gear you’ll actually need. Less gear means less time spent packing and unpacking, both at home and at the camp site.
And speaking of packing, here’s a pro tip: get a head start. Packing a little each day or the day before you leave can save stress and help ensure you don’t forget key items.
8. Don’t stress on meals.
Food can be a stressor for any camping trip. Instead of trying to whip up gourmet dishes for each meal, opt for simple, hearty options. (Unless, of course, cooking fancy meals brings you joy. In which case, have at it!)
There are a lot of meal ideas out there (like our easy breakfast ideas blog) so I’ll leave this one up to you. Consider what cooking gear you have, whether you want to pack a cooler, and how many people you’ll be feeding.
Final Tip: Follow Through
Perhaps the best tip for planning a weekend trip is to simply follow through. It’s easy to talk the talk, but it takes some effort to walk the walk! They may be a little fast-paced, but weekend trips are a great opportunity to explore new places and make new memories.
And don’t forget to check out more articles on our blog for more tips on how to make the most of your Occasional Camping™!