I’ve Worked at a Campsite for 5 Years—These Are the 15 Mistakes Every Camper Should Avoid

What you really need to know before heading to a campsite

Hot dog buns. It sounds funny, but when people ask me what they need to pack for camping, that’s one of the first things I always say—because they are consistently one of the most common items my campers forget. Everyone remembers the hot dogs for roasting, but not the buns for putting them in. As a result, we end up selling an unbelievable amount of hot dog buns at our camp store during camping season! But that’s just one of the common camping mistakes I see—and one of the camping tips I’ve learned over the years.

I didn’t grow up as a camper. In fact, it wasn’t until I met my now-husband, Allen, in college that I decided to even try sleeping anywhere that wasn’t a bed. But as I fell in love with him, I also fell in love with the great outdoors, and in 2019, we purchased a KOA campsite in Brattleboro, Vermont, that we own and manage together nine months out of the year. To accommodate every level and style of camper, we have camper cabins, campsites for tent camping and spots for RV camping. So believe me when I say I’ve seen it all and learned a lot along the way, including the rude habits other campers dislike.

Whether you’re a camping newbie looking to get started or a veteran camper in search of new camping hacks, you’re about to learn something here. And it will make your next camping trip so much better.