What are you planning for your next trip into the great outdoors? Fancy learning to tell Cassiopeia from Canis Major in the night sky, to tie a handy figure eight knot or identify which bird is chirping outside your tent in the morning? There’s an app for that.
The best apps for camping and the outdoors
Knowledge is power, my friends. And the great thing about the wonders of modern technology is that it’s easy to attain. Next time you go camping fill your smart phone up with these handy apps. Some are fascinating (learn to identify stars), some will help you plan the perfect weekend (by finding your local nature reserve or plotting the sun’s movements) and some could even save your life (there’s a super-handy first aid app and a guide to survival skills). And before you go you can plan with packing lists and weather guides. Now all you need to remember are the marshmallows.
1. MY TIDE TIMES
Hearing the call of the sea? A tide clock ready to use on your phone will help you enjoy the ocean safely, whether you’re surfing, sea swimming or just walking on the sands.
Available on: iOS and Android. Cost: free
2. CAMPCHECKER
If packing is your least favourite part of camping, you’ll love Camping List for iOS. Full of pre-loaded lists for you to tick off as you pack your bags, it can help you to put an end to last-minute faff. It even lets you set reminders to make sure you don’t forget to do vital things like dismantle your tent.
Available on: Android. Cost: free
3. BBC WEATHER
Always take the weather with you. Whether you’re preparing for your trip or wondering if the heavens are about to open, this app will help you read the forecast at a glance.
Available on: iOS and Android. Cost: Free
4. SKY GUIDE
One of the best things about camping somewhere secluded is that, when night falls, you can see all the stars sprinkled above you in all their glory. Simply hold your phone to the sky and you’ll be able to identify constellations, shooting stars and satellites with Sky Guide.
Available on: iOS. Cost: free
5. HEADWAY
Whether you’re cosied up in your tent and wondering how to drift off sleep or bored an airport waiting to jet off an adventure, a book can be your best friend. As well as packing physical fiction books, I always open Headway – it summarises the best non-fiction titles out there into digestable takeaway lessons for daily motivation.
Available on: iOS. Cost: free
6. WHAT KNOT TO DO
Whether you’re sailing, fishing or camping, there’s an app for all of your knot know-how. What Knot To Do from Columbia Sportswear will teach you to tie-off any stray or unwanted items. The Boy Scouts would be proud.
Available on: iOS. Cost: free
7. OFFLINE SURVIVAL MANUAL
Even keen campers may need a helping hand with proper survival skills. From easy fire starting skills to advice on food and water, this iOS app is packed with essentials to help you go further off the beaten track. As the name suggests, it’s all stored offline, too.
Available on: iOS. Cost: Free
8. SUN SEEKER: 3D AUGMENTED REALITY VIEWER
Want to take stunning pictures of your camping setup in the best light? The Sun Seeker app helps you track the sun’s path through 3D visualisations, sun alignments and the exact sunset time, so it’s brilliant for outdoors photographers searching for the golden hour.
Available on: iOS and Android. Cost: £5.99
9. CHIRP! BIRD SONGS & CALLS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE
What’s that tweeting above your tent? Simply load up Chirp! to play birdsong and decipher the next dawn chorus you hear. There’s even a quiz so you can see how much you’ve improved on telling your bluetits from your blackbirds.
Available on: iOS. Cost: £3.99
10. SPYGLASS
Spyglass can help you navigate the outdoors like you’re Bear Grylls. It uses an offline compass to direct you in real time, so you can tackle the twists of hidden beauty spots and GPS co-ordinates. While you should always carry a physical map, this is a handy extra to have on your phone.
Available on: iOS. Cost: free
11. FIRST AID BY BRITISH RED CROSS
The British Red Cross’ First Aid app is a literal live saver. From allergic to shock and CPR, it’s packed with easy-to-follow instructions on what to do should an emergency occur, so you can treat it properly and safely with a first aid kit. One to install for wherever you roam.
Available on: iOS and Android. Cost: free
