If you're headed off on your first camping trip you might not be sure what to bring to have a good time. Having the right basic equipment can be the difference between having a good time or heading home early from a bad trip. The essential camping gear listed below will give you a good idea of what you should really have for a basic trip into the woods.

A tent and sleeping bag are the first, basic essentials. Try and find a waterproof tent, and if you're in an area where it rains a lot consider getting some tarps to put both on the ground below your tent and hang it in the trees above. Getting all wet is an absolutely miserable way to spend the night. As for the sleeping bags, there is a reason these are so popular instead of just bringing a normal blanket. The bag keeps the blanket all the way around you, which helps keep in warmth. This is very important when sleeping outdoors because it's bound to be colder at night than when you're sleeping at home. A comfortable nights rest can be the difference between fun days of hiking and adventure, and miserable days complaining about how tired you are and how your body aches.

Which leads well into the next thing you'll need--an air mattress. A lot of people say that if you're not sleeping on the ground, you're not really roughing it. That's all well and good, in theory, but it's another thing when your back hurts and you're tired and not enjoying your days because of your miserable nights. To really experience the outdoors and all it has to offer you, you need some essential camping gear, like an air mattress. As mentioned above, a comfortable nights rest is extremely important for a good trip.

The last thing you absolutely need for a good time is a basic first aid kit. When you're out in the woods it's very easy to get hurt, and while a simple band aid can make everything ok, not having one can get your simple cut full of dirt and germs and then your simple cut becomes a big mess. A simple first aid kit can solve a lot of problems for you.

With these simple items of essential camping gear you'll ensure that you're able to have a good time and be well taken care of while experiencing the outdoors.