The Camping Bible

A RUSA Outstanding Reference Source 2025
Slow down. Simplify. Sleep with your ear to the earth. This is the ultimate guide to the art and joy of living outdoors, under canvas.
Whether it's a fast-and-light backpacking adventure, a sea kayak safari, a family camping trip, or simply living and cooking outside in your garden, camping can do it all. Offering an escape from the stresses of everyday life, the art of camping lies in living simply, well. It's about paring back our busy, hyperconnected modern lives and embracing the many joys of living more slowly and connecting more meaningfully.
The Camping Bible is the complete reference for newcomers and lifelong campers alike. Discover new adventures and clever hacks for Proper Camping, sleeping close to the earth in a shelter of stretched fabric held taught by pegs and guy lines, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
It includes:
- a complete introduction for beginners: tent selection; pitching tips; setting up portable kitchens
- family-friendly advice: making the tent a home; entertaining kids in bad weather
- glamping with bell tents and tipis: how to create a luxurious experience
- ideas and advice for seasoned campers: 'The Art of the Tarp', camp cookery; sustainability
Written by passionate and highly experienced outdoor experts, The Camping Bible is packed with wisdom, step-by-step instructions, tried-and-tested advice, top tips, recommended gear, adventure ideas, and beautiful photography and illustrations.

Jen & Sim Benson are award winning outdoor adventure writers and photographers. Their books include: 100 Great Walks with Kids, Short Runs in Beautiful Places, Wild Running, The Adventurer's Guide to Britain, and Amazing Family Adventures. They are Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champions and contributors to Trail, Country Walking, Runner's World, and Trail Running magazines, and gear experts for The Ramblers' quarterly publication, Walk magazine. For more information visit jenandsimbenson.co.uk.

Introduction
The art of living outdoors
A quick guide to camping with kids
1 All about tents
- Choosing the right tent
- The anatomy of a tent
- Which type of tent?
- The perfect pitch
- Specialist pitching
- Additional shelter - tarps, porches, gazebos and windbreaks
2 Where to camp
- Campsites
- Glamping
- Wild camping
3 Tent life
- A good night's sleep
- Sleeping systems
- What to sleep on - camping mats, beds and cots
- What to sleep in - sleeping bags and quilts
- Camping furniture
- Power
- Lighting
- Heating
- Water
- Washing
- Camping with dogs
- Insects and unwelcome wildlife
- Nomadic working
4 Fire and food
- Responsible campfires
- Fire safety
- Hygiene
- Cooking outdoors
- Camping stoves
- Solid fuel stoves
- Gas and liquid fuel stoves
- Liquid fuels and multi-fuel stoves
- Alcohol-based fuel and stoves
- Solid fuel Hexi-stoves
- Getting the most from your camping stove
- Fuel
- Cooking equipment
- Food
- Cooking outdoors
- Recipes
5 Adventure time!
- Car camping
- Backpacking and fastpacking
- Bikepacking and cycle touring
- Kayak and canoe camping
- Packrafting and bikerafting
- Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) camping
- Photography
6 Caring and repairing
- Cleaning kit
- Repairing kit
- Waterproofing kit
- Kit first aid tips
- Useful knots
Kit lists
Resources
Index
Acknowledgements