40+ Camping Hacks That Are Borderline Genius

Why camping in the winter is better: There are no bugs, the wildlife is in hibernation, and no one but you is crazy enough to be out there in the Arctic temperature. Life hacking tips have become an internet sensation. Internet users offer hacks on everything, from beneficial garbage to money-saving tips.

There are always ways to do things better when camping, and we wrote this article that its tips and tricks will make you a happy camper when you camp. We looked around and found some of the best camping hacks you can use during your next outdoor excursion. Most of these camping hacks are just as helpful day-to-day at home.

Scroll below to see these 41 camping hacks that are borderline genius.

01. Use foam floor tiles for a softer, more comfortable tent floor.

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02. Point a headlamp into a jug of water for an instant lantern.

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03. Paint the inside of a jar with non-toxic glow-in-the-dark paint for an easy DIY lantern.

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See how she did this Here.

04. Make tin-can sandwich bread as a portable food option.

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Get the recipe Here.

05. Familiarize yourself with what poisonous plants look like.

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06. Bring a tick deterrent.

07. Glue sandpaper to the top of your match holder.

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Be sure to buy strike-anywhere matches.

08. Repurpose a coffee can to hold and protect TP.

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09. Make crescent rolls over the campfire.

For maximum yumminess, fill them with stuff like marshmallows and Nutella. Or wrap hot dogs with them.

Get the directions Here.

10. Use Tic-Tac boxes to store spices.

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11. Invest in a two-person sleeping bag.

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This one is $84.99 from Cabelas.

12. Get these seat hammocks for car camping.

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13. Cut up a straw and fill the pieces with antibiotic ointment or toothpaste for single-use packets.

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Use a lighter to seal up the ends.

14. Make travel coffee bags out of coffee filters and dental floss.

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Place a scoop of coffee grounds into a coffee filter and tie it up with dental floss. When you’re ready to brew, make it like you would make tea in a teabag!

15. Need your coffee? Bring a few of these.

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They’ll keep you from going into caffeine withdrawal.

16. Make candle stakes for romantic nighttime lighting.

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Get the directions Here.

17. Make single-use soap leaves from a bar of soap and a vegetable peeler.

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You can also rub soap on mosquito bites to relieve the itchiness.

18. Use an empty laundry detergent dispenser as a hand-washing station.

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Just fill it up with water.

19. Use a belt and hooks to hang up pots and pans.

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20. Make campfire cones!

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21. Pack a mini first-aid kit into an old prescription bottle or Altoids tin.

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22. Make pancakes with pre-made pancake mix using shortening and dry milk, which don’t need to be refrigerated.

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Get the full recipe Here. You can also find powdered eggs at most grocery stores (if you don’t shudder at the thought).

23. Put a battery-powered votive candle into an empty peanut butter container to make portable lanterns.

24. Make a portable washing machine with a plunger and a bucket.

Get the directions Here.

25. Make an easy-to-carry fire starter with a cardboard-only egg carton and match light charcoal.

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You have to light the carton, and the fire will catch on to the charcoal.

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27. Make pocket-sized oil lamps from travel-size or hotel toiletry shampoo bottles.

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Get the directions here.

28. Forgo the meat marinade and put the rosemary on the coals.

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Once the coals are uniformly gray and ashy, cover them with fresh rosemary branches. Your meat and vegetables will be flavored with the taste of savory herbs.

29. Bring cheeses in waxed packaging as well as hard cheeses.

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Aged cheddar, Parmigiano, and Gruyère will remain unrefrigerated for at least a week.

30. Add bundles of sage to a campfire to keep mosquitoes away.

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31. Try roasting Starburst – Camping Hacks

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It sounds crazy, but it’s delicious. Crunchy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside. Roast it until it’s bubbling.

32. Forgo pasta for a quick-cooking alternative like polenta, quinoa, or couscous.

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Polenta is versatile because it can be shaped into patties and pan-fried for a sweet or savory meal. Get a recipe for Source.

33. Cook Cinnabuns (the canned kind) in a hollowed-out orange over a campfire.

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Get the full details Here.

34. If you’re going hiking, use this biodegradable trail-marking tape.

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Buy it Here.

35. Keep the kids busy with a scavenger hunt.

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Write the items down on a paper bag, so they have a receptacle for the items.

36. Use a bucket and a milk crate as an emergency toilet.

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Get the directions Here.

37. Cotton pads dipped in wax are a crazy easy way to make portable fire starters.

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38. Bring microfiber towels — they’re super absorbent and lightweight.

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39. Freeze gallon jugs of water and place them in your cooler.

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They’ll keep your food cold, and you’ll have plenty of water to drink for later. Other things you can freeze to use for later: pasta sauces, chili, and pesto.

40. Make emergency light sources out of an Altoids tin, cardboard, and wax.

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Get the instructions here.

41. Make sandwiches with this campfire panini press.

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It would help if you had it, no matter how far you carry this thing. Get it Here for $25.95.

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