Camp Cairn

Get outside, the simple way

Camp and hike with confidence, even if you never have before.

A plain-spoken guide to camping and hiking for people who didn't grow up doing it. We cover the short list of gear that actually matters (and what you can skip or rent), how to pick a campsite and pitch a tent that won't blow over, cooking real food on a camp stove or a fire, reading a trail and not getting lost, staying warm, dry, and safe in changing weather, and the beginner-friendly first trips that build confidence — so you go from never having slept outside to planning your own weekend in the woods.

Getting StartedCamping GearCampsite SkillsCamp CookingHiking & TrailsSafety & Navigation

Fresh from the trail

26 guides
Camping Gear

How to Choose a Camp Stove

A practical guide to picking your first camp stove: stove types, fuel options, and how to match the right setup to how you actually camp.

August 20, 2026
Getting Started

What to Pack for Camping: A Beginner's Checklist

A printable-style beginner camping checklist covering shelter, food, clothing, safety, and the items most first-timers forget.

August 18, 2026
Safety & Navigation

How to Read the Weather Before a Trip

Learn how to check the forecast, understand mountain weather, and recognize signs in the sky so you can make safe go/no-go calls on the trail.

August 15, 2026
Hiking & Trails

How to Read a Trail: Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation

Learn how to read a trail map, understand difficulty ratings, and estimate hiking time so you can pick the right trail for your fitness level.

August 13, 2026
Camp Cooking

How to Keep Food Cold While Camping

Learn how to keep food cold camping with practical cooler tips: pre-chilling, block ice, two-cooler setup, packing order, and food-safety temperatures.

August 11, 2026
Campsite Skills

How to Stay Warm While Camping

Learn how to stay warm camping with proven tips on insulation, layering, sleep clothing, and what to eat before bed so you wake up comfortable.

August 8, 2026
Camping Gear

Do You Need a Sleeping Pad? A Beginner's Guide

Yes, you need a sleeping pad for camping. Learn why it's about warmth, not just comfort, plus how to choose by R-value, type, and season.

August 6, 2026
Getting Started

How to Find and Book a Campsite

Learn how to find and book a campsite online, read listings like a pro, and secure a spot before they sell out — a practical guide for first-time campers.

August 4, 2026
Safety & Navigation

What to Do If You Get Lost While Hiking

Lost on the trail? Follow the STOP framework, learn when to stay put vs. backtrack, and find out how to signal for help safely.

August 1, 2026
Hiking & Trails

How to Choose Hiking Boots and Shoes

A beginner's plain-English guide to picking the right hiking footwear: boots vs trail runners, waterproofing tradeoffs, fit tips, and break-in basics.

July 30, 2026
Camp Cooking

How to Cook Over a Campfire

Learn how to cook over a campfire safely and successfully. From building the right fire to using cast iron and foil packets, here's what beginners need to know.

July 28, 2026
Campsite Skills

How to Build a Campfire (and Put It Out Safely)

A beginner's step-by-step guide to building a campfire safely, choosing the right wood, and putting it out completely before you sleep or leave camp.

July 25, 2026
Camping Gear

Sleeping Bags Explained: How to Pick the Right One

Learn how to choose a sleeping bag based on temperature rating, insulation type, shape, and fit. A practical beginner's guide to camping sleep systems.

July 23, 2026
Getting Started

Tent, Cabin, or RV? Types of Camping Explained for Beginners

A plain-English guide to tent, cabin, RV, and backcountry camping, so you can pick the right type for your own first trip with confidence.

July 21, 2026
Safety & Navigation

How to Use Your Phone for Hiking Navigation

Learn how to use hiking navigation apps, download offline maps, save battery in the backcountry, and why your phone shouldn't replace a paper map.

July 18, 2026
Hiking & Trails

What to Bring on a Day Hike: The Ten Essentials

A practical day hike packing list built around the Ten Essentials. Know what to carry, why each item matters, and how to scale your kit by trip length.

July 16, 2026
Camp Cooking

Easy Camping Meals for Beginners

Simple, beginner-friendly camping meals that actually taste good. Breakfast burritos, no-cook lunches, foil packet dinners, and more.

July 14, 2026
Campsite Skills

How to Choose the Perfect Campsite Spot

Learn how to choose a campsite with confidence: flat ground, drainage, wind and shade, safe distances, and Leave No Trace principles for beginners.

July 11, 2026
Camping Gear

How to Choose a Tent for Camping

A practical tent buying guide for beginners: capacity, seasonality, weight, and key features explained so you buy right the first time.

July 9, 2026
Getting Started

Your First Camping Trip: A Step-by-Step Plan

A practical step-by-step plan for your first camping trip: what to book, what to pack, how to set up camp, and how to pack out cleanly.

July 7, 2026
Safety & Navigation

How to Navigate With a Map and Compass

Learn how to use a map and compass to navigate trails confidently. This beginner's guide covers compass parts, topo maps, taking a bearing, and declination.

July 4, 2026
Hiking & Trails

How to Start Hiking: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Ready to hit the trail? This beginner hiking guide covers footwear, gear, pacing, trail etiquette, and how to build distance safely from your very first hike.

July 2, 2026
Camp Cooking

How to Cook While Camping: A Beginner's Guide

Learn camp cooking for beginners: gear, fire vs stove, food safety, simple meal plans, and cleanup. Everything you need for your first campsite kitchen.

June 30, 2026
Campsite Skills

How to Set Up a Tent: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to set up a tent with this step-by-step guide for beginners. Covers site selection, poles, staking, rainfly, guy lines, and packing down.

June 27, 2026
Camping Gear

Essential Camping Gear for Beginners (and What to Skip)

A practical beginner camping gear guide covering what to buy, what to borrow, and what to skip entirely on your first few trips.

June 25, 2026
Getting Started

How to Start Camping: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn how to start camping with this beginner's guide: choosing your first trip, essential gear, booking a campsite, camp cooking, and what to expect.

June 23, 2026

Browse by topic

Getting StartedThe plain-English on-ramp for your first trip out: what camping and hiking actually involve, the short gear list to start with, how to find and book a beginner-friendly campsite, and what a first weekend looks like.Camping GearWhat you actually need versus what you can rent or skip — tents, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, headlamps, and packs — plus how to choose by season and budget without overspending on your first kit.Campsite SkillsThe hands-on basics: pitching a tent that won't blow over, choosing a flat dry spot, setting up camp, building and putting out a fire safely, and packing up and leaving no trace behind.Camp CookingReal food away from a kitchen — using a camp stove or a fire, easy make-ahead meals, keeping a cooler cold, water and dishes, and storing food so it doesn't draw animals into camp.Hiking & TrailsHow to read a trail and pick one that fits your fitness, pacing yourself, the ten essentials, choosing boots and layers, and stepping up from a day hike to your first overnight backpacking trip.Safety & NavigationStaying found and staying safe: map, compass, and phone GPS, reading the weather, what to do if you're lost, wildlife and bug sense, blisters and first aid, and knowing when to turn back.