10 Dollar Store Camping Hacks You Need to Know

Make your next camping trip run smoothly with these must-know ideas for using dollar store items.

By: Molly Miller

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

HACK 1: MESH LAUNDRY BAG = DISH DRYER

Use a mesh laundry bag to dry dishes while camping.

So, you did the environmentally-responsible thing and brought your own plates and cookware. Great! But, what happens when you need to wash and dry said items? Toss them in a mesh laundry bag hung from a tree branch, and, voila, dry dishes.

HACK 2: POOL NOODLE = KNIFE COVER

Cover up hazardous knife blades with a foam pool noodle.

Packing a knife? Smart. Not protecting the blade? Silly. Make an easy knife cover by cutting off the end of a pool noodle, making a slit into one side and placing the knife through the slit so that it's surrounded by foam.

HACK 3: GLOW BRACELETS = STAKE SAFETY FEATURE

Ah, rainfly stakes. We hate to love 'em. While a rainfly is necessary, tripping over them isn't. Pick up some cheap glow-in-the-dark bracelets and string them along the stakes to prevent faceplants when the sun sets.

HACK 4: DRY-ERASE BOARD = INFORMATION HUB

What are we doing today? What's our campsite number? Who is going fishing? Answer all of these questions and more by using a small dry-erase board as a campsite message board. This comes in handy, particularly with large groups. You can also use the board for a round of fireside hangman or Pictionary.

HACK 5: SHOWER CAP = FOOD COVER

Pesky bugs can ruin a lighthearted camping vibe if you let them. So, don't let them! Keep the good vibes going by using a shower cap to protect food from flies.

HACK 6: CAKE PLATTER = PLATE CONTAINER

When the wind picks up, don't let it carry off loose plates and napkins. Keep them grounded underneath a cake carrier.

HACK 7: LANYARD = SOAP HOLDER

Whether your campsite has an enclosed shower or not, chances are shelf-space will be limited (or non-existent). Be prepared with this hands-free hack of hanging travel-size soap bottles on a lanyard.

HACK 8: COTTON BALL + PETROLEUM JELLY = FIRE STARTER

When you need a fire fast, this petroleum jelly hack will do the trick. Simply coat a cotton ball in the jelly and light it under a pile of brush. 🔥

HACK 9: PILL CONTAINER = SPICE HOLDER

Can't decide which spices to bring? Bring them all! Just pour your seven favorite spices into a daily pill organizer and leave those awkward cylindrical bottles at home. When you're camping, saving space is everything.

HACK 10: PLASTIC ZIP-UP BAG = PILLOW PROTECTOR

Use a plastic zip-up bag to keep pillows dry while camping.

If there's one thing you can guarantee about a camping trip it's that dew is inevitable. Protect your pillow from dampness by tossing it in a sealed plastic bag. No one likes sleeping on a soggy surface.

Shows

Hosts

Trending

Top Videos

Digital Exclusives

From Our Shows

Trending

Top Domestic

Top International

Trending

Explore By Region

Trending

Top Interests

By Trip

By Traveler

Travel Tips

Trending

10 Dollar Store Camping Hacks You Need to Know

Related To:

Shop This Look

HACK 1: MESH LAUNDRY BAG = DISH DRYER

HACK 2: POOL NOODLE = KNIFE COVER

HACK 3: GLOW BRACELETS = STAKE SAFETY FEATURE

HACK 4: DRY-ERASE BOARD = INFORMATION HUB

HACK 5: SHOWER CAP = FOOD COVER

HACK 6: CAKE PLATTER = PLATE CONTAINER

HACK 7: LANYARD = SOAP HOLDER

HACK 8: COTTON BALL + PETROLEUM JELLY = FIRE STARTER

HACK 9: PILL CONTAINER = SPICE HOLDER

HACK 10: PLASTIC ZIP-UP BAG = PILLOW PROTECTOR

We Recommend

7 Festival Camping Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

Camping Hacks 21 Videos

Natural Ways to Keep Bugs Away While Camping

Camping Tips and Tricks 10 Photos

A Guide to Camping With Infants and Toddlers

10 Reasons You Should Go Camping Right Now

More From Travel