Brown County / Nashville KOA Holiday Blog
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Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
From I-65: Take Exit 68 (Columbus); go west on State Road 46 for 14 miles. You will see a Circle K on the right. KOA entrance is about 200 yards past the Shell station on the right.
GPS: N39.19577, W86.205112
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Camping is the perfect getaway from your daily life, and with some planning, you can feel confident and in control of your trip’s activities. Whether you want to relax during a getaway or go on an exciting recreational escape with the family, you can find what you’re looking for in the great outdoors.
If you’re new to camping, the best way to learn is to jump right in and try. You may encounter a few bumps along the road, but it is important to remember that your camping trip will rarely go as planned. Get familiar with camping basics, and start making memories of experiences that will help you become better at camping.
Prepare for your trip with some helpful first-time camping tips to get you on track for a successful outing.
A good camping shelter is simple to use and able to keep you dry, warm and safe. How to camp comfortably and safely depends on how you choose to stay — in a tent or an alternative lodging option. Tents are a popular beginner-friendly option because they are portable and adaptable.
You can find tents in various shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of weather protection and insulation. Some are designed with solo travelers in mind, while others have multiple rooms for the whole family. Before choosing a tent for your first camping trip, consider the following:
Tent assembly depends on which type of tent you own, where you are assembling it and what kinds of add-ons and accessories you are using with it.
If you are a beginner camper, here are some tips for setting up your tent:
Curious about how tent camping compares to other lodging choices? Tents and lodging each have their advantages — here is what you need to know:
Always practice good camping etiquette. If you are camping near others, this means maintaining an appropriate volume at night and early in the morning and never shining flashlights toward other people’s campsites. You should also practice Leave No Trace principles by cleaning up after yourself and leaving your campsite better than you found it.
One of the most critical first-time camping tips to remember is how to choose the right location. As someone who is still learning the basics of camping, it is a good idea to camp somewhere like KOA, where you are never too far from clean restrooms and laundry facilities.
Always consider the following when choosing a camping location:
Before reserving your stay at a campsite, you need to choose whether you want your journey to take you away from home, or if you would rather stay close.
More than half of surveyed campers travel less than 100 miles away from their homes. Many people prefer the easy-going commute and less planning that close-to-home trips allow.
Benefits of camping closer to home include:
The most apparent benefit of camping far away from your home is getting to see and experience new places. Popular destinations include state and national parks or forests, tourist hotspots, cities with thriving cultural scenes and family-friendly festivals.
Additional benefits of exploring faraway places on your camping trip include:
A successful camping trip starts with knowing what to bring and how to use those items. A printable packing list of first-time camping essentials is an excellent way to keep your belongings organized and make sure you have not forgotten anything essential.
Some essential camping gear for beginners includes:
Bring along everything you need for a good night’s sleep, including quilts, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, blankets, an inflatable mattress or a cot. Because your body will be adjusting to new sleeping arrangements, this is not the ideal time to try out new pillows, so bring along your favorites from home to help your body adjust easily. Some new campers also find eye masks or white noise machines helpful for falling asleep more quickly.
The appropriate type of sleeping bag depends on wet or dry weather and the maximum low temperature. Thin sleeping bags are generally only good for summer conditions, while others are designed for various levels of frigid temperatures. If you’re staying out in the ice and snow, you definitely want to have the right kind of sleeping bag, so check the labels before you buy them. For winter camping, it’s also a good idea to bring more blankets than you might need.
Headlamps, flashlights, lanterns and outdoor lighting like torches or LED tube lights will keep your campsite well-lit. You will also need a few bundles of approved firewood, a cooler and ice, a water dispenser and matches, a lighter and fire starter.
For your belongings that require batteries, bring some extras in case your lamp or flashlight stops working. A portable charger or power bank for your phone or other devices is also good to have on hand. If reception is going to be poor in your area, you might also want to invest in a Wi-Fi extender or similar device to stay connected.
Add style and comfort to your campsite with camping chairs, plastic tablecloths and tablecloth clips for the picnic table, insect-repellant candles, small tables, shade structures and portable rain pavilions. An outdoor rug will help catch dirt and grass before you go inside your tent, RV or cabin.
Bring hygiene items and toiletries, including towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, shower shoes, your toothbrush and toothpaste and your contact lens case and solution, if applicable. You might also enjoy the comfort of a soft robe and slippers.
Do not forget to clean up your campsite after each meal and before you leave. Bring trash bags, paper towels, a cleaning sponge and wipes, if necessary.
Personal belongings include your wallet, spare cash, keys, lip balm and any licenses or permits you need to camp or hike. You should also pack event tickets or parking passes you plan to use during your stay.
Stay safe with insect repellent, a water bottle, sunscreen, first-aid kit and portable fire extinguisher. A local field guide may also be useful if you plan to explore a new area.
Bring kitchen essentials, like pans, tongs, spatulas, a grill grate for cooking over the fire if desired, roasting forks, a coffee percolator, dishes and utensils. Make sure all pots and pans you bring are rated for campground use and can withstand cooking over an open flame or however you plan to prepare your meals.
If you are camping with your pet or child, you will also need to bring their items. For pets, this means a leash and harness, food and water bowls, toys, a pet first-aid kit, ID tags, bedding and vaccination records. For children, you might need a stroller, portable crib or play area depending on their age, toys, special first-aid supplies and child-friendly food.
Much of your clothing decisions depend on where you are going, the season and weather conditions and what activities you plan to participate in:
The easiest way to save time and make camp cooking a breeze is to plan your meals before you go. This will help you stick to a budget and prepare items ahead of time. As you meal plan, consider on-site dining options or local restaurants you want to try while you are out exploring.
Regardless of which recipes you choose to cook, there are some camp cooking must-haves that all campers should have on-hand:
For easy meal planning, use these tips:
With a little pre-planning, your first camping trip is sure to be an exciting time for all. Use these camping beginner tips to help you make the most of it.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced camper, you should always test new gear at home first. Assemble your tent in your yard for practice and to make sure everything is included and works correctly. The practice will also make it easier to assemble when you get to the campsite.
Make sure your sleeping bag is comfortable and that all flashlights, headlamps and lanterns work, too. Pack extra batteries, just in case. If you plan to use a portable cooking stove or grill, give it a test run. Also, ensure all hiking backpacks or day packs fit securely on your back and make adjustments if necessary.
Camping is the perfect way to spend any vacation or weekend trip, but it is also a memorable way to celebrate milestone events, such as:
Check with your campground to learn more about group lodging options, policies and on-site facilities.
When you camp in the summer
Do not leave behind the gear and equipment you need to participate in outdoor or indoor fun. If it is your first time camping, finding the right recreational activities for you will likely take some experimentation. Stay somewhere that lets you try as many new things as possible.
Many campers enjoy the following outdoor activities:
Have fun at your campsite with lawn games, including ladder ball, cornhole, horseshoes, croquet and yard bowling. You should also pack rainy day activities, like cards, board games and books.
Always follow all campground rules and guidelines, which are in place for your safety, as well as that of others. Most campgrounds have standards for things like:
Staff members are happy to provide a list of applicable rules to follow, or you can call the campground before placing a reservation to confirm the necessary details.
As you research how to start camping and assemble your packing list and local guidebooks, it can be easy to over-plan or try to schedule each activity. Camping is best enjoyed when you leave some of it up to adventure and spontaneity. While it is essential to have the gear you need to stay safe and comfortable, lean into those moments that present themselves to you — like an unexpected hiking path, sharing a meal with new friends or learning a new skill or hobby while traveling.
You’ve probably come across sad statistics like these about kids losing recess time at school and spending inordinate hours in front of a screen:
What if you haven’t been camping? Like most busy parents who weren’t raised in “camping homes,” you might like to get your kids outdoors. Camping can be a great way to do it. You might daydream about climbing on rocks and splashing in streams, then singing songs by the campfire. There would be fireflies to chase, marshmallows to roast and owls to serenade you to sleep.
When you start your camping trip, you might quickly realize that you KOA is here. With Camping Cabins, Deluxe Cabins and unique accommodations like train cabooses, teepees, yurts, and wall tents you might not even have to buy a sleeping bag to get a taste for the great outdoors. This downloadable guide to “Camping for Beginners” will help you decide what to pack and how to pack it.
KOA is here to help your first camping trip be as fun and rewarding as possible, with helpful staff ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process. You may also have access to some on-site amenities, like playgrounds, games and special events. Many features vary between KOA locations. Confirm campground details before placing your reservation.
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