Going camping lets you live the simple life for a while, but when you get all your gear back home it can make your daily life more cramped and crowded. Even experienced backpackers, campers, and hikers have difficulty finding a good way to store their camping equipment. You need to find a space that is accessible so that you can grab your gear and go, but that is out of the way enough that your gear will not be constantly under your foot and in your way. Here are a few ideas for storing your camping equipment that will help you find the best solution.

Use An Off-Site Location To Store Your Gear

Some campers use a storage facility to store their camping equipment when it is not in use. This storage method has some significant positives. Your camping gear will not be cluttering your living area. If you live in an apartment with limited space or a small house without a garage, a storage facility might be a good option for you. However, storing your gear in a storage shed can make it difficult to access. Spontaneous camping trips are a little harder to get started if you have to drive across town to get your gear. If you store your gear away from home, you will not be able to periodically check to make sure that your gear is in good condition. Additionally, storage sheds require a monthly fee. If you are looking for a budget storage solution, this might not be your best option.

The Old Standby Storage Spaces

Most campers store their gear in their garage or basement. This is a free storage solution. It also keeps your gear easily accessible. If your basement ever gets water in it, however, make sure that you store your gear in plastic containers. You do not want your valuable camping equipment to be damaged by mold, moisture, and rot. Plastic containers should also be used if you store your gear in the garage. If your garage roof ever leaks, you will not need to worry about your gear getting soaked. If you do decide to store your camping gear in the garage, make sure that any food items are removed. An open granola bar that is forgotten can attract pests.

Get More Space For Camping Gear By Having A Garage Sale

If your garage is too cluttered to neatly store your camping gear, consider having a garage sale. Unnecessary clutter builds quickly, but a garage sale can be a profitable way to clean it out. You can even put the profits towards a new piece of camping equipment as a reward. If you have bulky items that you do not believe will sell, advertise them in the free section of your local Craigslist. There are people who will gladly take all sorts of items off of your hands, from broken coffee makers to old rolls of carpet. You will get more room in your garage, and you will not have to pay for bulk item pick-up.

The Dedicated Camping Closet

If you store your gear in a closet in your home, you will not need to worry about climate control or paying a storage service to house your gear. Even in an apartment, the floor of the coat closet makes a great place to tuck away some camping equipment.

Gear On The Go: Using Your Car As A Storage Space

If you have a big trunk in your car, you could just store your gear there. You will be ready to go for a spur of the moment camping trip. Also, you will not have to worry about water or insect damage. Even better, it gets that gear out of the garage.

Whatever solution you chose, make sure that your camping gear is all in one place. There is no better way to forget a crucial piece of camping equipment on your next trip than storing all your gear in multiple locations throughout your home. It is a lot harder to forget something if you keep it all together. Make sure that your camping trip is as relaxing as possible by storing your equipment in a safe, accessible place.