Category Archives: Camping

Fire Starting Skills for Campers and Survivalists

A fire is a basic tool of both comfort and survival yet many people are frustrated in their attempts to build one by their impatience to use wood that is too large at the beginning. Just like most things in life you have to start small and grow.

8 Reasons Why Camping Alone Can be Great

As a longtime solo camper, I’m here to highlight and celebrate some of the many reasons why camping alone can be great. 

Outdoor Gift Guide 2021: Our Favorite Products of the Season

But cooler temperatures and shorter days are no reason to stay home during the fall. In fact, with its bug-free nights and glorious foliage, fall is one of the best times of year to go camping—if you come prepared with the right gear.

How to Get Internet Signal While Camping

The truth is that while being outside without distraction can be nice, sometimes it is necessary to have WiFi. Let's talk about the many ways you can get WiFi...

10 reasons To Carry Waterproof Matches

There are times when the ability to start a fire is much more than that. In a survival situation, being able to start a fire means warmth. It means you can cook food and boil water to ensure that it's safe to drink.

Cook Delicious Spicy Ramen While Backpacking – Easily

With a bit of preparation and planning ahead of time, you could sit down to a hot and satisfyingly spicy meals in the great outdoors. One of my favorite go to meals after a long day in the field is a double dose of hot ramen.

10 Ways to Light Up Your Campsite at Night

If you’re going to be heading out for a camping trip. One critical thing you don’t need to forget is your source of light. Think about this scenario – bonfires, tents, and a flashlight – what could be better?

How Lightweight Camping Gear Could Save Your Life – Dan Wowak

Keeping gear light and minimal will enhance any outdoor experience and will also provide a solid safety net.

3 Knots You Need To Know While Camping

With thousands of knots it’s tough to decide what ones are important to know. Someone on a sailboat is going to answer much differently than someone who is climbing a mountain. Luckily, the knots used when camping work perfect for tasks around the house.

The Cheapest Camping Food Options for a Tight Budget

Food is key when you’re camping. You can’t live on hot dogs all week if you want to keep your energy up—and it’s easy to get tricked into thinking you have to spend tons of money on freeze-dried meals so that you can eat well while in the rough.

Tips for Hiking and Backpacking with Kids

Sharing your passion for nature, exercise, and eco-responsible recreation with your kids is a great opportunity to bond, educate, and start them on a “path” to success.

How to Sharpen Morakniv Knives

Sometimes all you need is a positive attitude and a sharp knife. Whether you are a backpacker, survivalist, hunter, fisherman or boy scout you know the importance of a sharp knife...

3 Bushcraft Camping Cooking Systems You Can Totally Make

Campfire cooking can make or break your trip. Let’s face it, everyone loves a good meal, and when you spend the day outdoors, that good meal becomes the pinnacle of camp life...

Naked and Afraid Survivalist reviews UCO Mess Kit, Sprout+ & Flatpack

The first night of our backpacking trip we came into camp at last light. As the light faded, I opted for the Sprout+ instead of the headlamp...

Have Questions About Candle Lanterns?

Looking for UCO candle lantern replacement parts or have other questions about keeping your collapsible candle lantern in good condition?

Camping In The Alpine – Stuff You Should Know

Alpine ecosystems are typically defined as those areas occurring above treeline. As unique as the different climates, so is the list of gear you need...

Outdoorsman’s Review of UCO Flatpack Stove & Fire Pit

Nothing beats the ability to have a fire anywhere, at any time. However, there are times when a large, open campfire is not an option, for a variety of reasons. That’s where the UCO Mini Flatpack Grill and Firepit comes into the picture...

Winter #VanLife Camping Done Right

When the seasons change and the weather has you more inside than out, it’s time for a getaway. What are your options in the winter? You can rough it and sleep in a tent, which I will opt for in optimal conditions, or you can get fancy...

5 Ways My Gear Changes for Winter Hiking

There are no two ways about it. Hiking gear changes in the winter months and backpacks become heavier. That shouldn't stop you from getting out in the woods...

Beginners Guide To Winter Camping

Summer and the warm weather that goes along with it may be over but that doesn't mean you have to retire your house for the year. Make your next outing a little bit more comfortable...

10 Useful Tips for First-Time Car Campers

Do you have (or have access to) a car? Do you have a desire to wake up in a park? Well, good news: you've already covered the two most essential requirements for car camping!

Ultralight backpacking tips

So – you’re ready for your first backpacking trip where weight really matters. Maybe you’ve done a few short-distance trips, but you’re now ready to cover 10+ miles a day...

How I live in my Toyota Truck

Everyone and their mom is moving into a van - everywhere you go there are sprinters and sweet VW buses and smiling people spilling out of them. And it seems for good reason - the type of life that comes with it is very attractive...

How To Build A Self-Feeding Campfire

Avoid crawling out of your sleeping bag, scavenging for firewood, and battling the cold while camping. Learn how to build a the self-feeding fire.

How To Boil Water On a Campfire – Hacks to help you

One of those chores is preparing and purifying water. Filters, chemicals, and boiling are all great options, but boiling trumps them all.

Eight ways to prepare for the perfect road trip.

Go ahead, grab some friends and hit the road. These tips are sure to help you enjoy the experience more!

The 5 W’s of Wilderness Survival

The 5 W's to help you stay safe in the wilderness.

How to Meal Prep When You Are A Weekend Warrior

Your guide to meal prep to conquer your weekend adventure goals.

Your 7 Step Guide to Fire Safety

Following these simple steps can quickly and easily diminish the chances of causing any forest fire.

10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste While Camping

UCO Mess Kits can help you reduce plastic waste in 10 ways.

Quick and Easy Anti-Inflammatory Oatmeal in Two-Minutes

This quick campfire oatmeal recipe is a heart and muscle-healthy backpackers choice.

How to Cook The Ultimate Campfire Paella

This campfire cooking recipe is for a flavor and protein-rich paella.

Campfire Safety in the Wake of a Record-Breaking Fire Season

Simple steps you need to know for campfire safety.

Wilderness Survival Priorities You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Learn the survival priorities to make sure you are staying safe on your next adventure.

Lantern Buyers Guide – LED vs. Propane

Which type of lantern is for you? Sound complicated? Don’t worry. Here, we shed light on the details.

Fire Starting 101 – Lesson 3 – Natural Fire Starters

It is difficult to distinguish every plant and tree in nature. Dan tells you which plants to use to start a fire.

What does a survival guide think about Candle Lanterns?

Do you need this item in your kit? Survival Instructor Dan Wowak gets real helps you improve your kit in 3 minutes...

How to Keep Your Electronics Charged While Camping and Hiking

Even if you only follow some of these tips, you'll see a major boost to the battery life of your devices on your next camping trip! 

How To: Camp Cooking With Kids

Don’t just ask kids if they want to help - tell them you need their help! Nothing will make kids feel more grown up or more excited about campfire cooking...

10 Mistakes People Make While Camping and How to Avoid Them

Numerous things can go wrong when you are camping and sometimes it’s completely out of your control, but other times it’s your own mistakes that can ruin your trip.

Fire Starting 101 – Lesson 1 – The Basics of Starting a Fire

Fire is at the core of human existence as it provides warmth, utility, and comfort. Enabling us to cook food at camp, keep warm on a cold night, and purify water; learning to start a fire is essential.

How To Cook Over a Camp Fire

Whether you’re in the desert, jungle, forest or on the sand, the natural experience of cooking under an open night sky and against a warm blaze is as primal as it is gratifying and hunger-quenching.

Make Cold-Weather Camping SO Much Warmer – 7 Tips

Ahh, cold-weather camping. There’s so much to love about it: uncrowded trails and parks, getting the first choice of campsites anywhere you go and enjoying fresh, Hot coffee as you watch the morning fog lift right outside your tent.

Oregon Splitboarding – FIELDTRIP 008 with Colton Jacobs

A Photo Collection from Colton Jacobs of a recent splitboarding trip around Bend, OR.

#TrashTag Project

We’re so eager to introduce the brain child of UCO + Steven Reinhold, the #TrashTag project. Here’s how it came to be:

The 10 C’s with Dave Canterbury

Noted survival expert Dave Canterbury shares his 10 C's for survival at the 2015 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show.