Vacationing is a great way to spend some downtime and recharge yourself. In my opinion, one of the cheapest and most fun ways to vacation is camping. Even though you may want to detach as much from your everyday world as you can, you will still bring your phone.
The number of apps geared toward the camping and outdoorsy crowd. Below is a varied list of different Android apps to help you plan, track activities and survive if something disastrous happens.
1. Camping Trip Planner
We don’t usually recommend paid Android apps here, but Camping Trip Planner is an exception. One of the hardest parts of any trip is planning it. Well worth the 99 cents. When you are just starting out or haven’t been camping in a while, you are bound to forget something important. Using the Camping Trip Planner, it gives you lists of things to consider and a check box to mark them complete. Lists like “Before leaving” have great tips such as turn off the water to your home and give handheld radio codes to friends or family in case you are lost.
2. Tiny Flashlight + LED
This a simple to use flashlight app with a few different options. Aside from the flashlight, there is a morse code signal. Type in what you want to say and the app converts it.
3. Sky Map
The stars seem so much brighter when you are out of the city. Using Sky Map, you will be able to tell what constellations you are seeing. Information about the night sky from years past is searchable in Time Travel mode. On the nights a planet is visible, you can enter in the planet or group of stars you’d like to see and Sky Map will point you in the right direction.
4. AllTrails – Hiking & Biking
Exploring nature is the whole reason for camping. Knowing where some great hiking trails are can really make or break a trip. All Trails offers locations and guides for trails near you. When you know a little more about the history and other possible activities, you can plan more of your day and make sure you don’t miss out on any of the possible fun.
5. Where’s My Droid
Outdoor activities can cause you to be a little more careless with your phone. You could drop it on a trail or a furry woodland creature could sneak up behind you and carry it off. Regardless of how you lose your Android, you need a way to find it. Where’s My Droid is one of the best options to help you find your phone. Sending your phone a text message can activate the ringer or send back a GPS location.
Final thoughts
Getting out and breathing in some of that fresh air is good for you as long as you come prepared. Other than your phone, you can leave your life behind for a few days and just enjoy being disconnected from your everyday world.
