A good night's sleep is essential when camping. In many ways, it's the most important component of any camping trip. After all, it doesn't matter how exciting your hiking excursions are or what kind of food you prepare or how big a fish you caught--if you get a lousy night's sleep, you won't be able to enjoy your other activities nearly as much.
The good news is that it's very easy to sleep outdoors if you have the right equipment. The combination of fresh night air and the natural sounds of the outdoors is very soothing for many people. Campers often report that they sleep more soundly and wake up more rested than when they sleep at home.
Of course, you won't sleep as well if you don't have the right gear. Your first priority should be making sure that your sleeping area is warm and dry. A good tent will keep moisture out. For warmth, bring plenty of sheets and blankets or good-quality, warm sleeping bags for everyone in your camping party. Bring more blankets than you think you'll need--even in the summer, the night air can get quite cool in many areas of the country. And if it's warm, you don't have to use every blanket, but you'll be glad you have them if it's cold.
You'll also want to raise yourself off from the ground while you're sleeping, since stones and pebbles can make the ground uncomfortable. A sleeping pad or air mattress work well to increase comfort, although some people prefer to set up a camping cot or hammock inside their tents. A camping pillow also helps increase the comfort level. If space isn't an issue--for example, if you'll have your car at your campsite--bringing your own pillow from home can make all the difference in the world.