Summertime is the perfect time for a camping trip up in Mammoth Lakes!

With your RV in tow, you can find yourself the perfect spot to do all those fun summer activities in and around the eastern side of the Sierra .

There’s just so much to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer: hiking and biking, a bit of mountaineering, lots of water activities like fishing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding , and even the occasional summer music festival or outdoor concert might be on the itinerary.

Make no mistake, however—summer is tons of fun, but for the unprepared, things can easily go awry. Heat stroke and exhaustion are very real, as are mosquitoes and dehydration.

Even if you do have your trusty recreational vehicle with you, your summer camping trip can take a turn for the worse if you haven’t prepared correctly.

So with that in mind , here are five tips to keep in mind when you’re RV camping during the hottest days of summer.

1  – Pick Out a Good Camping Spot

One of the cool things about an RV is that you can easily pick out an awesome spot for your summer camping trip.

Probably the most important piece of advice we can give you is this: choose a camping spot away from direct noontime sunlight.

Sure, things are pleasant earlier in the morning and towards the late afternoon, but the heat can potentially get relentless , especially so during around midday or noontime.

Even if you have the most awesome RV with air conditioning, you’ll still want to park it somewhere relatively cooler so you can get a good breeze flowing through your camper .

So when you can, choose an area close to a water source , like a stream, a river, or even by the shores of a lake. You’ll also want an area with lots of trees, so you have plenty of shade throughout the day .

Pay attention to when the sun is at its highest point , so you know where to best set up your tents in the shade.

2 – B ring the Right Gear

Modern-day camping has never been so convenient, as you can easily source coolers, generators, bug zappers, and other camping equipment from Amazon or some other specialty outdoor recreation store.

Aside from your usual camping equipment, of particular importance for summer RV camping would be:

  • Your camping first aid kit. Anticipate heat-related emergencies (such as a heat stroke or exhaustion), but you’ll also want to be ready for any other untoward incidents.
  • Your mobile phone, charger, and perhaps even an extra battery. In the unlikely event that something does happen, you’ll want to be sure that you can get in touch with the proper emergency service providers.
  • Things to help cool you down: freezer packs, ice packs, and frozen water bottles. Your RV might come with a refrigerator or freezer, so you’ll want to load up on some of these.
  • You may want to bring along extra canopies or tarps and some battery-operated fans you can set up along with your tents.
  • Pick out LED lights or lamps if you can—they don’t emit too much heat and are generally safer to use.

3 – Stay Hydrated

We can’t stress this enough: pack an extra supply of potable water. Even if your campground has full hookups, it’s always good to have a backup source in any event.

Always make sure every member of your party has a couple of water bottles at all times.

Generally, each person should have around 3 liters of water a day, perhaps even more if you’re doing a lot of more strenuous activities like climbing, running, or hiking.

Again, your RV’s refrigerator comes in handy this way. Pack a few energy drinks like Gatorade in case you need to replenish fluids and electrolytes quickly .

4 – Wear the Right Clothes

Needless to say, you’ll want to pack lightweight clothing appropriate for the summer, like a long-sleeved T-shirt or dry-fit clothing. Bathing suits are fine but don’t forget to apply generous amounts of sunscreen to keep your skin safe as you’re moving about outdoors.

Don’t forget to pack a hat and sunglasses as well for extra protection against the sun.

5 – Plan Your Activities

Make the most out of your day by scheduling your activities so that you avoid moving about when the sun is at its hottest within the day.

You can probably do all your activities more towards the earlier part of the morning, or the later part of the afternoon. It’s going to be hot enough as it is, so you wouldn’t want all that noontime sun in your face when you’re out fishing, swimming, or hiking.

Conclusion

Summer is the best time to go RV camping, but a lot of thought, planning, and preparation comes with it as well.

Having an RV allows you a good number of advantages, including being able to pack all the necessary stuff you need for emergencies, as well as everything you need for a more comfortable, more stress-free camping experience.

Stay cool, keep hydrated, and always be prepared. See you at Mammoth Lakes this summer!