Camping and heading out into the great unknown is all about leaving technology at home and enjoying nature, but that doesn’t mean that a little bit of technology cannot help you out in the wilderness. You’re going to have to bring your smartphone anyway in case of an emergency, so you might as well bring some helpful apps along as well.
Here are seven fantastic and completely free Android apps that can not only make your camping experience stress free and easy, but could also enhance your time spent outdoors as well.
A flashlight is one of the most important things that you have to take into the wild and heading out to camp, simply because there are going to be times when you have no other source or light and need to see what you are doing. This app is a great option because it shines very brightly without draining too much of your battery, so it’s not only effective, but also reliable for whenever your campfire goes out.
Thanks to smartphones, you no longer have to carry other GPS devices with you to know where you are and where you are going. This app allows you to plan out your own tracks and routes while measuring things such as accuracy, altitude, distance, the speed at which you are traveling and many other variables that you would like to know when faced with an unfamiliar territory.
One of the best parts of camping is the open night sky under which you are sleeping. Before hitting the hay, checking out the stars and other celestial bodies overhead is also a fun and educational activity. This app lets you know what you are looking at and helps you to identify what you are looking at by pointing the phone camera towards the sky and letting the app identify what you are seeing.
How does a compass work in your mobile device? It uses built-in magnetic sensors to search bearings. Having a compass is absolutely necessary, especially when you are out in the middle of nowhere and not sure in which direction you are headed. It is also important to have one when heading out for a hike so that you can find your way back to camp if you go on a prolonged adventure.
If you have never been a boy or girl scout, then you probably do not know much about tying knots. But knots are important when camping, especially when you are setting up your tent, making a laundry line for yourself or maybe even tying a boat to the dock. This app gives you very easy-to-follow guides on tying a large variety of different knots.
Instead of having to lug around a first aid book with you on a trip, this app is a great substitute. All of the information is expertly written and very easy to understand. The app provides pictures, videos and text to make sure that you know exactly what you need to do in case of an emergency situation.
If you are tired of eating the same old can of beans for dinner every night, this app will give you great ideas for easy-to-fix and tasty alternatives. Just because you are in the woods, doesn’t mean that you can’t eat well. Check out the app before your trip and plan out some easy and tasty meals, but make sure you don’t forget the ingredients!