You arrive at your camping spot and your cellphone just lost signal. Your car is surrounded by endless miles of trees, and you’re finally away from the bustling city and suburbs. This weekend will be planned by you, and only you.

Whether it is in the middle of the woods or even in your backyard, here are some simple steps to ensure a successful camping trip.

1. Gather the Necessities

When you go camping, you can have bare minimum supplies like a hammock, rain tarp, and a blanket, or you can make your own hotel in the woods with a camper. However, most people go for a happy medium with enough equipment to make yourself comfortable and can easily fit the back of a car. This includes a reasonably sized tent, sleeping bag, and something to sleep on such as an air mattress or ground pad. But most importantly, a good friend or two is needed to have the perfect time.

2. Location, Location, Location

There are many places in Lake County and it’s surrounding areas to camp. The numerous Lake County Forest Preserves are great areas to camp, but staying local isn’t the only option. There are many more places to camp if you are willing to travel an hour or two, with sites to camp at including the Mississippi Palisades located just south of Galena, Illinois, or Devil’s Lake State Park three miles south of Baraboo, Wisconsin. These campsites, just like many others in the Midwest, are beautiful places to spend a weekend or more.

3. The Pitch

After a quick pitch of a tent, your weekend could be two days of sitting around a campfire and talking to the people who came along with you, or an exiting weekend involving boating, hiking, and having fun. There are no boundaries or guidelines (except the rules of the campgrounds) for what can be done with your trip.

Camping is something one should enjoy, not dread. It is a hobby that is not for everyone, but it is worth a try. There are hundreds of acres set aside for everyone in America to enjoy so why not take a weekend, go out to where your cellphone loses signal, and enjoy the campground in whatever way you like.