Camping is nature’s great equalizer. It doesn’t care if you’re a first-timer or a self-proclaimed “wilderness pro with a Jetboil and a flannel collection.” The truth is: we’ve all made at least one dumb camping mistake. Some of us made all seven in the same weekend. Hi.
Whether you’re posted up at Mustang Run in Yukon, OK or roughing it somewhere with questionable bug activity, let’s break down the classic blunders—and how to recover like a seasoned pro who definitely meant to do that.
1. Forgetting to Check the Weather (and Then Acting Like You Meant to Camp in a Monsoon)
“Oh, a little rain never hurt anybody,” you say, 17 towels deep into trying to dry out your sleeping bag.
Forgetting to check the weather is the number one rookie move. And it’s Oklahoma—skies can go from cotton candy to chaos in about 20 minutes.
Quick Recovery Move: Start every weather convo with, “I love the smell of rain on canvas, don’t you?” Then casually mention how you “chose this site for the drainage.” Nailed it.
2. Bringing the Wrong Gear (Like a Tent That’s More of a Suggestion Than Shelter)
You remembered the bug spray. You remembered the marshmallows. But you brought a 4-person tent that only fits two people and a dog if everyone agrees to sleep like frozen peas in a sandwich bag.
Quick Recovery Move: Announce that your tent setup is “ultra-minimalist by design.” Say things like “intentional footprint” and “low-impact shelter.” Bonus points if you pretend the floor leak is an integrated “natural cooling system.”
3. Underestimating How Dark Dark Actually Is
Everyone talks about escaping light pollution. No one warns you how true dark makes your campsite feel like the opening scene of a horror movie.
You’ll realize this around 2 a.m. when you need to pee and your flashlight is dead, because of course it is.
Quick Recovery Move: Fumble dramatically and declare, “This is fine, this is how our ancestors did it.” Whisper “I’m thriving” until sunrise.
You’re a hands-on learner. Unfortunately, the “hands-on” part started at dusk with 45 tent poles, one missing rainfly, and a mild disagreement that escalates into a full-blown “what even is a footprint tarp?” debate.
Quick Recovery Move: Blame the manufacturer. “I swear this is a misprint. Who labels things with letters and numbers?” Also acceptable for stoves, hammocks, or anything involving carabiners.
5. Packing Like You’re Headlining Coachella
Camping isn’t the time to bring six outfits “just in case,” a full-size blender, and a canvas beanbag chair. Unless you’re glamping—then bless your heart and enjoy.
Quick Recovery Move: When someone asks why you brought three duffels, just say, “Oh, I always pack extra in case someone forgets something.” Then casually unzip your backup fleece and offer a protein bar like the benevolent camping hero you are.
6. Not Planning for Bugs
Mosquitos. Fire ants. That one beetle that sounds like it’s powered by diesel.
If you forget the citronella, bug spray, or anti-itch stick, you will become a human buffet.
Quick Recovery Move: Slap your leg dramatically and mutter, “Nature’s detox.” Insist the bites are part of a highly exclusive skin-cleansing ritual. Then spray yourself with whatever’s left in the can like you’re being prepped for surgery.
7. Assuming the Campground Has Everything
You roll in ready to plug in, wash up, and chill—only to discover the water hookup requires a connector you’ve never heard of, the camp store’s closed, and the showers need quarters. Real ones.
Here at Mustang Run, we’ve made it easy. Full hookups. Indoor restrooms. WiFi that works. But not every campground is as ready for real life as we are.
Quick Recovery Move: Say you’re “off-grid by choice” or “really focusing on being present.” Then Google “RV water pressure adapter” from the one bar of LTE you’re clinging to like a lifeline.
Camping isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about stories you’ll laugh about later, even if they involved tent stakes, soaked socks, or an unfortunate marshmallow-to-the-face incident.
And hey—if you’re going to make mistakes, might as well do it somewhere comfortable. At Mustang Run, we’ve got the creature comforts covered. You just bring your sense of adventure… and maybe double-check your gear list.
Which one of these have you definitely never done? (Asking for a friend.)