The great outdoors has a lot to offer. Getting in touch with nature, the clean air, the removal from the world of technology are only some of the things that make staying outdoors appealing. Americans are catching on — since 2014, around a million households a year join the ranks of campers.

But camping is not something you want to do without preparation. If you just go into the woods to spend a couple of days, in the best-case scenario you’d be looking for civilization in a couple of hours because you wouldn’t be able to find clean water. The worst-case scenarios can get downright scary. So, if you’re thinking about going camping, here are some of the things you should think about in advance.

Pick the Destination

There are two types of destinations for your camping trip. There are the established campsites, often approved by some type of authority, or at the very least established as good sites by experienced campers. The other type of destination is everything else — any spot where you can place your tent. This type of camping is sometimes called “stealth camping.”

As a novice camper, your best bet would be to research established campsites. They might not be as wild and intact as a spot in the middle of the woods, but they will probably be much safer and more convenient. You want to learn about the local wildlife, access to water, as well as the proximity to modern amenities. Keep in mind that picking a destination and picking a spot are two different things. You will pick a spot when you get to your destination. Still, you might learn in advance about some of the things you should take into account when picking the exact spot where you’ll pitch your tent.

Start Getting Your Gear

Your choice of gear will depend on your camping destination, the time of the year when you plan to go, as well as your level of outdoors skills. The one thing you should keep in mind when choosing your gear is that if something breaks or stops working, it can spell the end of your camping trip. You should only bring high-quality gear that can withstand all the wear and tear it will receive on your trip. Going to websites like BestSurvival.org will give you a couple of ideas about the type of gear you should choose.

Tents, tarps, knives, and the like are not the only thing you should prepare for your hunting trip. You should have a first aid kit with you, as well as any medications you usually take. Bruises, scrapes, and cuts are a common occurrence when camping, and so are allergy flare-ups. You should be prepared for them when they happen.

Plan Your Sustenance

Camping and gourmet eating don’t go together. When you go camping, you leave a lot of the conveniences of the modern life behind, including a stove and a fridge. And if you plan to do some trekking, you will want to pack light because you’ll have to carry all of your gear and food and water on your back.

Freeze-dried, dehydrated, and canned foods are popular choices for camping. They are convenient, and they won’t go bad as fresh food would. If you bring perishables with you, make sure you eat them as soon as possible — there are plenty of recipes that will help you create awesome camping meals with the few perishables you bring. Power bars are a popular choice as well.

You will not want to bring with you all the water you will need for the trip. Instead, make sure you research the water sources around your destination and arm yourself with a portable water filtration system.

The last and the most important step in your preparation for camping is the creation of a packing list. By now, you should have a good grasp on what you’ll need for your camping trip. Put it all to paper, and check it off as you pack the items. You don’t want to get to the campsite just to realize that you forgot a very important piece of gear and that you have to go back to get it. So prepare early, do your research, and pack carefully.