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Three Ways to Sleep Like a Baby While Camping
When most city slickers think about camping, one of their biggest fears is waking up with a back ache thanks to the rocky, hard ground most associated with the outdoors. There’s really no reason to have a bad night’s sleep while camping, even if you want your experience to be “rustic.” If you plan ahead and use a little foresight, you’ll be able to make your bed and sleep in it, too, without simply taking your queen-sized from home and strapping it to the roof of your car. Here are three ways to enjoy a good night’s sleep while you camp.
1. Bring a camping cot. Unlike the type of cot you’d typically associate with a hotel room, a camping cot is a very simple piece of equipment that’s relatively lightweight and easy to put together. You can carry your camping cot on your back and simply unfold it after you’ve put the tent together. Make sure you unfold it inside the tent.How does a camping cot work? Essentially, it keeps you comfortable by holding you off of the ground, often by a few feet, and having some give to it so that your body doesn’t feel like it’s sleeping on rocks. Bring a pillow and a sleeping bag and you’ll have a warm, dry, comfortable night. (Note: You can also add a pad to the camping cot to make it even softer.)
2. Bring an inflatable air mattress. When most people hear the word “inflatable,” they think of huffing and puffing away at some giant rubber duck water toy. But just because something is inflatable doesn’t mean it has to be a nuisance. Instead, bring a battery-powered inflater that blows air into your air mattress – you’ll be surprised at how quickly it puffs up. The inflatable air mattress is wider and more comfortable than the camping cot, but it is also bulkier and more difficult to pack. If having your beauty sleep is that important to you, bring the air mattress.3. Bring a camping pad. A camping sleeping pad is exactly what it sounds like – a pad that puts a layer of comfort in between you and the ground. This won’t be a perfect solution for everyone, as it can cost a lot of money and won’t necessarily smoothen out every kink in the ground, but it can enhance your experience.
Sleep doesn’t have to be a luxury when you head camping – if you plan for it. Make sure you plan ahead, choose the option that’s right for you, and you’ll be sleeping in a dry tent in your warm camping bed.
Photo Credits: Rob Lee
