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6 Ways To Stay Hydrated While Summer Camping

This post was updated on June 4th, 2020

Summer and camping go hand in hand. Unfortunately, so do summer and heat, and with heat comes problems most of us would rather not have.

One of those problems is dehydration. Dehydration can quickly put a damper on things. It can cause you to feel hotter than necessary, it’ll give you headaches, and it can even lead to hospitalization. Below are some of our best tips for keeping up your fluid intake without too much thought or effort.

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Be prepared with enough water. Photo via NPS.gov
1. Use a filter

The best way to stay hydrated is to drink plenty of water. You’re much more likely to drink lots of water if it actually tastes good. Unfortunately, campground water doesn’t usually taste great, which is why we highly recommend using some kind of filter.

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Some people purchase simple inline filters for their RVs. Other great options include a filtering Brita pitcher or a countertop filtering system. Both work well and provide that clean, crisp, refreshing taste everyone wants to get from their drinking water.

2. Carry a water bottle

Most people tend to sip on whatever they have close at hand. For this reason, the simple act of purchasing a refillable water bottle, keeping it filled, and carrying it everywhere can result in more water intake.

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Carry a reusable water bottle with you. Image source: Pixabay

Make this even easier by keeping a cooler full of filled bottles next to your camping chair, particularly one with a good cup holder. This will ensure there is always water next to you, ready to be consumed.

3. Hike with a hydration pack

Many people enjoy hiking while they camp. Some people even get a bit more extreme and go mountain biking. No matter what kind of exercise you choose, you will want to drink extra water to compensate for any fluids lost during the activity. Many active campers opt to carry hydration packs with them during their adventures.

These packs can hold much more water than a traditional bottle, and because they put a straw right next to your face, they make drinking water as easy as it could possibly be.

4. Skip the sweet drinks

On a hot summer day, it can be tempting to break out the sweet drinks. While one or two coffees or sodas each day is probably fine, you won’t want to make these drinks your main beverages of choice.

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Skip the sugary and caffeinated drinks like soda and coffee. Photo via Pixabay

Drinks with caffeine are diuretics, meaning they actually dehydrate you a bit. For this reason, your water intake should definitely surpass your intake of other types of beverages.

5. Try flavored water

Getting tired of drinking boring water? That is totally understandable. Instead of caving in and reaching for a soda, try flavoring your water to make it more palatable.

Squeezing some simple citrus juice into a cold glass of water can make a big difference. Some people will even add other kinds of fruit to their water. For a more interesting twist, consider drinking a glass or two of seltzer water each day.

6. Eat smart

Fruits and vegetables are incredibly hydrating foods. Try munching on these foods as snacks, and of course, don’t forget to make them a regular part of your meals.

You can even mix them into a smoothie to get all of their hydrating and nutritional benefits in a tasty, ice-cold drink form. Another idea is to purée your favorite fruits and create popsicles. These are perfect for those miserably hot days.

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Opt for healthier foods like oatmeal. Image source: Pixabay

Other hydrating foods include oatmeal (try overnight oats if a hot breakfast is unappetizing in the summer), yogurt, and even meat. Milk is also great for hydration but it should be consumed in moderation, considering the calories per serving.

Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid the misery of dehydration this summer so your camping trips can go off without a hitch. Go ahead and put them to the test. We bet you’ll feel a difference right away!