We'll bet your campmates didn't know steel wool is the perfect cinder for starting a fire. Simply press the prongs of a 12V battery against it and the steel wool will heat up and ignite regardless of wetness. Just make sure to use fine-graded steel wool. Another great fire-starter is fatwood. This resin-rich pine can be bought online or from stores like Home Depot. Though the sticks aren't big, they will burn for a while with the natural fuel contained inside.Where to go
Tennessee has some of the best state parks in the country, so use them! Here are a few beginner-friendly places to visit.Harrison Bay State Park: In addition to just being a short drive from Chattanooga, Harrison Bay has several activities for outdoors-newbies. A fun 4 1/2-mile bike trail is rated for all skill levels and showcases the park well, and the lake provides the opportunity for a relaxing canoe adventure.Foster Falls in South Cumberland State Park: Foster Falls is one of the highlights of South Cumberland State Park. With some of the best vistas and waterfalls in the state, the hiking in South Cumberland perfectly exemplifies the natural beauty of our state parks while not being too strenuous.Cloudland Canyon State Park: Just south of Chattanooga in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon features some of the best dog-friendly hiking around. A 2-mile backpacking loop has over a dozen separate secluded camping spots, and the path takes campers up to see two gorgeous waterfalls. If you and your new camping partner are up for it, Cloudland Canyon has more rugged hiking and mountain biking trails as well.
We at Get Out love to camp. The austerity of creating fire, sleeping under the stars - we can't get enough. However, not everyone is a fan of spending the night away from their bed. People can come up with plenty of reasons why camping would be a drag, so here are some counters for the next time you're planning a trip, because we also think the great outdoors are better when shared.
It's too cold.
It certainly doesn't have to be. Once someone outdoor-averse tries sleeping in a 10-degree mummy bag with a down feather sleeping pad underneath them, they'll find the cold is nothing to worry about. Even if it's wet outside, handy fire-starting tools like 12V batteries and steel wool or fatwood will make sure you have fire at hand, while also making you look like a veritable MacGyver.
There are too many bugs.
When it warms up, bugs can be a nuisance, but a few simple fixes will keep the critters at bay. Bring along cedar chips from any hardware store and toss some in a campfire; the resulting smoke will repel mosquitoes better than any tacky tiki torch. A stick of sage in the fire will work just as well, while also making your campsite smell good.
Camp food is bland.
If you're driving to a campsite, the quality of food for the trip is entirely up to you. Even if you don't want to bring a camping stove, good old aluminum foil will cook a fantastic meal. Simply wrap a fillet of salmon, some chopped vegetables, olive oil, lemon and spices in tin foil and place the pouch by the edge of the fire. An easy way to spice things up is to fill drinking straws with your choice of seasonings, then seal the ends with a lighter. Come the morning, have no fear: If coffee or tea is your drink of choice, camping french presses can brew up a great, hot cup.
There's nothing to do.
There couldn't be more to do in Tennessee's state park system. Day hikes to some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the state are right around the corner from Chattanooga, and that's not even mentioning some of the stellar canoeing we have in our blueways. Many state parks also have more formal facilities, from sandy volleyball courts to dog parks to disc golf courses.
It's expensive.
While camping can certainly be as expensive as you'd like, it can also be done for cheap. Utilizing local used gear and consignment stores like The Gear Closet and Four Bridges Outfitters are an easy way to show it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to find joy in the outdoors.