I’m Going Camping and I’m Bringing: 8 Items Every Nature Lover Needs

Whether you're adventuring in one of our many beautiful campgrounds, sprawling state forests, or just pitching a tent in the backyard, be sure to stock up on a few of our favorite Cortland County camping essentials, to make your campfire experience even more enjoyable.

BUG OFF!

No matter how much you love nature, no one loves mosquitos (or ticks, or black flies, or my personal nemesis, no-see-ums). Alas, I also don't love stinky, chemical bug sprays.  Enter Daisy Hollow's all-natural bug repellent made with Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, and Citronella essential oils, blended with EVOO, coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, and vitamin E oil. This Bug Repellent Cream is luxe and effective! I especially appreciate this cream for those odds spots, like my ears and neck, when hiking or the tops of my feet when wearing flip-flops. The smell is fantastic, and it leaves your skin feeling soft, not sticky and gross. I've even been known to rub a little on the edges of my dog's ears when the biting flies are bad. Definitely a must-have for campers and outdoor enthusiasts!

YOUR (NEW) FAVORITE SWEATSHIRT

Ok, so maybe you don't want your favorite sweatshirt to smell like a campfire. Or maybe you lent that favorite hoodie to your (now) ex, never to be seen again. Have no fear; lot 1 Vintage has you covered! With racks of vintage sweatshirts, in every color and size, you're guaranteed to find the coziest sweatshirt for evenings around the fire. The best part is, that they are already perfectly broken in and ready for your camping adventures.

S'MORE CHARCUTERIE BOARD 

Did you even have a campfire if you didn't have s'mores? It's time to upgrade this camping classic charcuterie board style. While the basic s'more will never go out of fashion, try upgrading with some dark chocolate or get daring with a chocolate peanut butter combo. My personal favorite? Skip the graham crackers and substitute The Outpost's fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. I promise you'll never look back. Swing into The Truxton Outpost to find all your fixings. From s'more basics to warm chocolate chip cookies, they have everything you need to make your next bonfire an event to remember.

THE BEST BLANKET

A handwoven serape blanket is quintessential camping equipment in my book. Soft enough for snuggling around the fire, thick enough to pad the bottom of your tent for extra warmth, and just the right size to spread out for an impromptu picnic. Confession: I have at least two in my truck at all times, just for those reasons. Homer Men & Boys has a fantastic selection, and for under 20 bucks, you can splurge on a few; that way, you always have just the right color for your Insta-worthy adventures.

ICE COLD BEER

Building a fire and setting up camp is hard work. You deserve an ice-cold beer as a reward. Cortland Beer Co. sells 4-packs of their microbrews, perfect for tossing in the cooler. While all their beer is delicious, from coffee stouts to IPAs, nothing quite hits the spot like their signature pale ale. The Firehouse Pale Ale pours like liquid gold, with a classic frothy head. It's impossible not to smell the Cascade hops, as soon as you crack one open. The taste is smooth, a little malty, and with just a pinch of hops, giving it a clean, easy-drinking flavor. This beer was made for watching sunsets.

EVERYBODY LOVES BACON

No one loves breaking down camp in the morning. However, everybody loves bacon. Get your camp crew out of their sleeping bags with the smell of sizzling bacon. Whether you cook it on cast iron over the fire or on a camp stove, Cobblestone Valley Farm's organic bacon always impresses. Choose from nitrate-free classic bacon, cottage bacon, or jowl bacon. Can't decide? Pick up their Pork Sampler Bundle, and enjoy a pork shoulder roast, classic bacon, cottage bacon, 2 pork chops, 1 each: breakfast Sausage, mild Italian sausage, chorizo, and ground pork and find something to make everyone in camp happy to pitch in and pack up.

CAMPFIRE COFFEE

My favorite part of the camping experience is the mornings. Knocking the dew off the tent, wrapping up in a blanket, and coaxing the fire back to life for a morning cuppa is my version of heaven. There is nothing like the taste of campfire coffee. Lime Hollow Nature Center's Black Gold, custom-roasted by Coffee Mania, is just the right bean for the job. Locally roasted by hand in small batches, the dark coffee is chocolatey, deep, and nutty. It's only enhanced by the subtle flavor of the smoke-infused water. If bliss had a taste, I'm pretty sure this would be it.

CAMP MUG

Camp mugs come in all shapes and sizes, from old-school tin to high-tech insulated. Make all your friends around the campfire jealous when you pull out your Experience Cortland mug. It is big enough for a cup of chill or the necessary amount of caffeine needed to recover from a late night of ghost stories. This ceramic mug is retro fabulous with its tin cup shape and speckled faux enamel glaze. The best part, you can show your Cortland County pride with every steaming sip. Find your Experience Cortland camp mug at The Cortland County Visitors Center at 42 Main Street in historic downtown Cortland.

WHERE TO CAMP IN CORTLAND COUNTY

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