Chances are you are reading this because you are (almost) ready to plan your (possibly first-ever) camping trip. Congratulations! Even considering going on a camping trip is a joy in itself.
For me personally, it's definitely been a challenge trying to figure out how to go camping as a semi-functioning adult. I came to UCSB expecting to try new things, like going on guided camping trips. I quickly found out that there was a zero percent chance of me even being able to afford going on an Adventure Programs-led trip, especially in a setting where I would know nobody. I finally fulfilled my camping dreams my fourth year, with the help of my housemate who goes camping all the time (it was my first time sleeping outdoors since I was ten years old). Since, I've overcome my fear of using a campground port-a-potty (but not my fear of pooping whilst on an overnight outdoor trip), gone on a birding camping trip with MAPAS, and even planned my own camping trips to Joshua Tree and Sequoia National Park).
This guide serves to equip you with all the information you need to feel comfortable going on your trip (and not drop a ton of 💸💸💸). From reserving the campground to getting gear, I’ve got you covered. You'll go from almost ready to fully ready for a rad camping experience.
Research the best time to visit.
Santa Barbara has a Mediterranean climate, which means that the summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and wet (if it's a good year). The climate is very mild, meaning there is little variation in temperature between summer and winter, making camping ideal year-round.
However, if you want to explore a different locale, you should research the climate first. Some popular destinations near UCSB include Joshua Tree, which is most optimal to visit in October/November or March/April/May when it’s not too hot or too cold, or Big Sur, which has its high season from April to October.
Popular destinations are best booked out in advance, but if you are rigorous enough in your search (meaning, you are checking out the reservation page morning and night), you might find an open campground a week out before your desired camping date.
Make reservations.
Reservations for campsites can easily be made online. Whether you have a place to visit in mind or just have a general idea of how local you want to visit, it’s easy to look for and book campgrounds. Most parks and sites are reservable through recreation.gov or reservecalifornia.com, although some counties have specific websites for the campsites in their vicinity, like Ventura.
There are a few things to pay attention to when booking a site. In these examples, I’ll be using recreation.gov and looking at campgrounds near Santa Barbara.
As you can see, this map gives you a general overview of places you can camp near Santa Barbara. These sites are mostly located in the Santa Ynez mountains, which means the drive will be about 30+ minutes.
Let’s break down the campground pages. The first thing you want to do is check for facility information. Here, you’re looking for information about drinking water (or potable water) availability and bathrooms (as a trained germaphobe by my Peruvian father, this is probably the biggest barrier to camping for me and just something I can mentally prepare for based on the information provided; if this is not relatable, then skip this step).
So here’s a screenshot of what the Anacapa Island campground page looks like when you click on facility information.
Time to define a few things:
Primitive camping: This type of camping is exactly what it sounds like: camping in a remote location, one that you typically hike to, without access to running water or a bathroom. In this case, the Anacapa campground is a half-mile hike (think Pardall Tunnel to the Lib). You also have to bring your own water for this site. The general rule is to bring two gallons of water per person per day.
Food storage box: In places where critters are super intelligent and have a great sense of smell, your food may be at risk of being eaten. Putting your food in the provided box prevents this from happening!
Pit toilet: Think of a pit toilet as a high-class porta potty. It’s reminiscent of the toilet you have in your home, just that the toilet is connected to a large, dug pit. You can survive this by bringing a toilet paper roll, wet wipes, and rubbing alcohol/hand sanitizer.
Say this is a bit too much for a first camping trip. Los Prietos is another campground that pops up in the Santa Barbara area that has slightly different facilities than Anacapa.
Pedestal grill: This is the type of grill that you’d find at your local park or a place like Goleta Beach. You’ll have to bring charcoal and lighter fluid if you want to grill here. Before leaving, check the fire warning to see if there are any restrictions on fires.
Flush toilets: A semblance of society! This is exactly what it sounds like, but there is no guarantee that there will be toilet paper or sinks. Be sure to pack the TP, wet wipes, and hand sanny/rubbing alcohol. While pit-toilets do give port-a-potty, they are gender-neutral. Flush toilets don’t always mean that they will be gender-neutral, so researching photos of the site might be important to feel safe.
Drinking water provided: This is good! Less space in your car will be taken up by gallons of water in this case. Investing in a Life Straw or a Brita water bottle might be useful if you are tap water-averse.
Other terms to know:
Dispersive camping: This type of camping means that NO toilet or water is provided. Although pee is sterile, you should pee 200 feet away from trails and waterways to minimize your impact on these spaces. Pooping follows similar rules, but you should dig a pit and mark it as a courtesy to others who use that space, including non-human wildlife.
Get your gear!
Gear can be borrowed (for free!) from MAPAS using their Gear Rental Form or rented at the UCSB Recreation Center at the Adventure Rental Center for a reduced student price or with an Adventure Pass.
You’ll need:
Tent ⛺
I usually go for the tent that is one over the amount of people I am camping with so that we aren’t squished together. So if I have a group of three people, I would rent a four-person tent. However, if you’re camping somewhere cold, being side by side might be better for warmth (so get a three-person tent for three people)!
A sleeping pad
I used to think sleeping pads were to pad the hard ground, but they’re actually also for insulation and keeping you warm. But if the above two places are out of sleeping pads, this isn’t super essential, especially if you are going somewhere with a moderate to warm climate. I don’t mind sleeping without a sleeping pad because I sleep on my back when I’m camping and it realigns my spine.
A sleeping bag
MAPAS and Adventure Programs rent out one type of sleeping bag. It’s hooded and meant to keep you super warm throughout the night. If you are looking to buy your own sleeping bag, you should look at the rating it has: this tells you the coldest temperature that the sleeping bag is best used at.
Lantern/Flashlight 🔦
Camp stove and butane (optional)
I have never camped with a camp stove, but if you want to heat up or cook food during your trip, this is essential!
Food 🥗
You want to pack food that holds well, especially if you are not cooking on site. For my first camping trip as a real adult, I packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, breakfast potatoes, chips, and the Best F*cking Wrap ever from the Co-op.
Pack and get ready to go! MAPAS has put together a little list of what to pack for a one-night camping trip they hosted (so food and water were provided).
Two sets of clothes
Jacket
Hat
Closed-toed shoes
Sunscreen
Baby wipes
Cameras
Portable charger
Toiletries
Camping pillow
A book or journal
A first aid kit
Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before. It’s okay to be nervous, especially if camping is not something you are super familiar with. Regardless of if you get enough sleep or not, odds are you’ll sleep like a baby when camping—the sleepiness does hit once the sun goes down.
With that, you’re prepped and ready to go for your (maybe first) camping trip! Take it easy, enjoy what nature has to offer, and reconnect with the Earth.
Lizzy Mau (they/she) is a recently graduated Environmental Studies student who would rather pee behind a bush than in a campsite port-a-potty.