Camping Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make (And How to Fix Them)

It started with a wet sleeping bag in the Drakensberg mountains. Then a soaked backpack in Norway. And finally, a monsoon-soaked disaster in Vietnam. I kept making the same mistakes, because no one talks about the boring stuff that ruins a good camping trip.

The biggest camping mistakes aren’t bear attacks or broken bones. They’re the small, avoidable things: forgetting toilet paper, trusting Google Maps in remote areas, or packing gear that fails on night two. And when you’re wild camping in Africa, backpacking through Asia, or even just testing your first tent in a local forest, those little failures hit hard.

In this post, I’m sharing 8 real-world camping mistakes I’ve made myself (yes, including the toilet paper incident), plus how to fix them. Whether you're a total beginner or planning your first off-grid trip, these camping tips will help you avoid the frustration and keep your gear, your mood, and your socks dry.

1. I Forgot Toilet Paper. Don’t Be Me.

It sounds funny… until you're crouched behind a bush in Botswana with no toilet paper, no plan, and one damp sock. Been there.

Toilet paper is the most commonly forgotten camping item and easily the most regretted. It’s not just about hygiene. It’s about comfort, morale, and sometimes your last shred of dignity. When you’re wild camping in remote areas, like Patagonia, Mongolia, or the backwoods of Uganda, you can’t just pop into a gas station or roadside shop.

The mistake? Assuming it’ll be there, or packing “just enough” to save space.

How to fix it:
Pack more toilet paper than you think you’ll need, and store it in a waterproof bag.

Even better, create a mini grab-and-go hygiene kit: add a dry bag, biodegradable wipes, a ziplock for used paper, and hand sanitizer. It takes almost no room but can save you from some very uncomfortable moments.

Pro tip for off-grid campers: On multi-day hikes, bring a reusable cloth or trowel system (if local rules allow). It’s lower waste, compact, and honestly more practical once you’re used to it.

Want to make sure you never forget the essentials again?
Download the free Family Camping Checklist PDF includes everything from toilet paper to trowels, pre-packed and printable.

2. I Picked the Perfect Spot Until It Flooded

The site looked dreamy: soft mossy ground, a peaceful stream, and just enough trees for shade. But by 3:27 AM, my feet were soaked, the sleeping bag was wet, and water was pooling underneath my tent. I’d unknowingly pitched on a natural basin, the perfect trap during a rainstorm.

One of the most common wild camping mistakes is choosing a spot that looks idyllic but isn’t weather-safe. Even seasoned campers get fooled by flat, grassy patches near water, especially in the dark or after a long travel day. But when the terrain can’t drain, a beautiful campsite turns into a mud pit.

How to fix it:
Always choose slightly elevated ground, not the lowest, flattest area in sight. Avoid camping:

• At the base of hills or inside dips
• Within 20 meters of rivers, streams, or lakes
• On visible moss, which usually means soggy soil

Before pitching, scan the slope and drainage: where would water flow in a downpour? If your site feels “perfect,” double-check the forecast and rethink.
And never skip weather warnings, even if the skies are blue when you arrive.

This is a mistake I’ve made in South Africa, Thailand, and even Norway; flooding doesn’t care how beautiful your view is. It just takes one storm.

3. I Had Food... But No Way to Cook It

I had it all planned: oats for breakfast, lentils and rice for dinner, tea for the chilly evenings. But when I reached the campsite, I realized I’d left the gas canister at home. My tiny camping stove? Useless. For the next two days, I survived on dry crackers, raw carrots, and a sad can of beans.

Cooking fails are one of the most underestimated beginner camping mistakes, especially for those trying wild or off-grid setups. Without a working stove or a fire-safe area, even the best meal plan falls apart. And it’s not just about food; a warm meal can restore your energy, boost morale, and even prevent hypothermia in cold conditions.

How to fix it:
Always test your cooking setup the day before you leave:

• Check that your gas stove lights up properly
• Make sure your fuel canister is full (and compatible!)
• Try fitting your pot, pan, or kettle, especially on tiny burners

Pack one no-cook backup meal: think tortillas with peanut butter, precooked rice packs, or ready-to-eat lentils. If fire bans are in place or you’re hiking in Asia or Australia during dry season, stoves may be the only safe way to cook, so make sure yours works.

I’ve made this mistake in the Alps, in Kenya, and once even at a friend’s backyard camp-out. It’s never fun. But once is enough to learn the lesson.

4. I Didn’t Test My Tent First

It was late, the wind was picking up, and I was setting up my tent in the dark. I hadn’t checked it in over two years. The zipper was jammed, one pole cracked, and the fly didn’t fully cover one side. That night, I slept with my backpack propped against the wall just to keep the shape. By morning, everything was damp, including me.

Not testing your tent is one of the fastest ways to ruin a camping trip. Even experienced campers overlook this step, especially when reusing “trusted” gear. But nature doesn’t care if your tent was fine last summer. A damaged or poorly set-up tent can lead to a cold, wet, and unsafe night, especially in unpredictable climates like Norway, the Rockies, or the mountains of Nepal.

How to fix it:
Before every camping season (or trip), do a full tent check:

• Set it up completely, don’t just eyeball it
• Inspect for mold, broken zippers, and worn seams
• Test your guy lines, poles, stakes, and rainfly
• Practice pitching in low light if possible, dusk drills help

In wet regions like Southeast Asia or South Africa’s Drakensberg, even a minor leak can escalate fast. Don’t assume it’s “just one night”; the elements don’t care.

A simple 15-minute check at home can save you a miserable night and a ruined sleeping bag. Ask me how I know.

5. I Slept Without Earplugs (Big Mistake)

The forest seemed peaceful during the day. But by nightfall, it came alive: rustling leaves, frog choirs, a barking dog in the distance, and one owl that clearly didn’t sleep. Add to that a fellow camper strumming a guitar at midnight, and I got maybe two hours of broken sleep.

Sleep deprivation while camping doesn’t just make you grumpy, it impacts your energy, safety, and decision-making. And if you're hiking solo or driving long distances the next day, that matters. Many new campers assume they’ll “just sleep when they’re tired,” only to find out that nature has a very different rhythm.

How to fix it:
Prioritize sleep the same way you prioritize food and water.
Here’s how to protect your rest in the wild:

• Pack soft silicone earplugs (they seal better than foam in tents)
• Use a white noise app or download an offline track
• Consider a small portable fan, it blocks out sharp noises and cools you down
• Don’t pitch near loud groups or footpaths, especially in public or roadside campgrounds

In places like Uganda’s national parks, rural Indonesia, or anywhere close to local farms, animal sounds and distant human activity can go on all night. Don’t underestimate how much that can wear you down.

Sleep isn’t a luxury, especially in the wild. It’s essential to staying alert, grounded, and able to enjoy the very trip you planned.

6. I Trusted Google Maps Blindly

It started as a shortcut to a “secret lake camping spot.” The pin had 3,000 likes on Instagram, and Google Maps showed a clear road. What it didn’t show? The mudslide from last month, the washed-out bridge, and the locked farm gate at the end.

I had no signal, no alternative route, and ended up reversing nearly 12 kilometers through overgrown forest tracks, scraping my rental car and nearly running out of daylight.

Following bad directions in remote areas isn’t just frustrating, it’s dangerous. Especially in regions like rural Kenya, Patagonia, or parts of Central Asia, where infrastructure is inconsistent and cell coverage unreliable.

How to fix it:
Never rely on one map or one app.
Before heading out, make sure to:

• Download offline maps via Maps.me, Gaia GPS, or AllTrails
• Cross-check Instagram spots with recent reviews or park authority websites
• Screenshot key route sections in case the GPS fails
• Avoid routes that show dotted, unverified roads unless you're in a 4x4 and fully equipped

If a trail or road looks wrong, trust your gut. It’s better to lose 15 minutes rerouting than spend the night stuck.

In areas like the Canadian Rockies or Namibia’s backroads, Google Maps can’t always keep up with nature or local closures. A wrong turn there could cost you hours, or worse, safety.

Want a shortcut to real, verified routes?
All Woopies World Road Trip Travel Guides come with downloadable Google Maps routes that work offline, including remote roads, campsites, food spots, and scenic detours I’ve tested myself.

7. I Ran Out of Water (Worse Than It Sounds)

It was 33°C in the Namibian bush, and I had just two 1-liter bottles. By early afternoon, both were empty. No streams. No shade. No signal.
I started rationing, but dizziness, nausea, and panic kicked in fast. I still had 5 kilometers to hike, and for the first time on any trip, I seriously worried I wouldn’t make it.

Dehydration isn’t just uncomfortable, it can derail your entire trip. And it’s shockingly easy to underestimate water needs, especially when you’re not used to desert climates or high-altitude hikes (looking at you, Andes and Atlas Mountains).

How to fix it:
Always plan for at least 3–5 liters of water per day when camping or hiking, more if it’s hot, high, or strenuous.

• Use a hydration bladder for accessibility, plus extra bottles as backup
• Pack a lightweight water filter or purification tablets for emergency refills
• Research refill points before you leave, and mark them on offline maps
• Drink regularly, don’t wait until you feel thirsty

Pro tip: Prehydrate with electrolytes the night before a strenuous trip, and avoid alcohol or caffeine if you're heading into the heat.

In places like Australia’s Outback, Baja California, or Southern Africa, running out of water can turn a minor error into a life-threatening situation.

8. I Thought One Power Bank Was Enough

I had one 10,000mAh power bank. It charged my phone once, then died. By the next morning, my flashlight was low, my GPS app was useless, and I had no backup.
For the first time in years, I felt genuinely vulnerable in the dark. No light. No maps. No way to check the route or call for help.

When you’re camping off-grid, power isn’t just convenience, it’s safety. Without it, even basic tasks like cooking, navigating, or contacting others can become impossible.

How to fix it:
If you’re going off-grid for more than one night, you need a power system, not just a backup.

• Always carry two power banks, one reserved for emergencies only
• Use low-power mode on all devices the moment you leave signal range
• Consider a foldable solar panel or dynamo charger for longer trips
• Keep one analogue backup like a paper map or headlamp with batteries
• Store power banks in a dry, insulated pouch to avoid temperature damage

This is especially critical in places like Iceland’s Highlands, the Canadian backcountry, or off-grid regions of Mongolia, where weather and terrain change fast, and help may be hours or days away.

Learn From My Camping Mistakes

I’ve had wet feet, sleepless nights, hungry mornings, and navigational disasters. But I’ve also seen wild horses at sunrise, shared coffee with strangers, and fallen asleep under skies I didn’t know existed.

Camping isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being ready enough to enjoy the magic.

So whether you're pitching your tent in the Alps, navigating the Mongolian steppe, or waking up to misty forests in British Columbia, a few smart decisions can make the difference between frustration and freedom.

Pack smarter. Test your gear. Learn from my blunders. Then hit the road anyway.

Planning your own off-grid adventure?
Download the free Woopies World Camping Checklist, a printable PDF built from real mistakes, remote trail fails, and packing wins to make sure your next trip is better prepared than mine was. 

Packing for a safari or wondering what to wear in remote climates?
Check out the full Woopies World guide to what to wear on safari for tips tested in Southern and East Africa.

Have you made any of these mistakes? I’d love to hear your story or answer your questions.

Want more real travel tips, hidden stops, and road trip inspiration?
Follow Woopies World on Instagram and Pinterest for off-grid guides, scenic detours, and gear-tested routes you won’t find in standard travel blogs.