First Time Campers - 7 Things You Need To Know
Whether it’s your first time camping at Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort in Oxford, Mississippi, or your first time camping in general, there are many things you should know to help you prepare for your upcoming camping trip. From what to bring and when to arrive, to a packing checklist and a few classic camping recipes, we are here to help you make your getaway as smooth as possible. Keep reading for 7 things first time campers should know before they embark on their camping adventure!
Check-In & Check-Out Times
First things first - make sure you are aware of what time check-in and check-out is! At Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort, these times vary depending on if you are staying in a cottage or campsite:
Cottages
Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: 10AM
Campsites
Check-in: 12PM / Check-out: 11AM
Don’t worry if you can’t arrive to our Camp-Resort until late evening (or even 2am) to check-in - our team is flexible and is here to help! If you know that you won’t be able to arrive until after our Welcome Center closes, give us a call at (662) 371-0496 or email us at info@roundaboutoxfordrv.com, and we will make arrangements with you. We want your first camping experience to be as simple as possible!
Are you interested in checking-in early or using our attractions after check-out time? These options are based on availability and require a small fee. If you’re looking to check-in early, please give us a call 24 hours prior to your arrival to see if early access is available. If you’d like extended access, visit us at the Welcome Center during check-out to see if it’s available. Please note that early and extended access does not guarantee that you will be able to access your site, only that you can use our facilities and attractions.
Camping Checklist
Wondering what to bring for camping at one of our RV Sites? You’ve probably already made a list of common items to pack like clothing, swimsuits, sunscreen, and snacks - but odds are, there may be some items that you wish you would have thought of bringing but forgot to pack. Lucky for you, we made a short list of these items you may be forgetting that would be a good idea to bring when camping in the comforts of your own RV:
Marshmallow/Hot Dog Roasting Forks: Although our cabins come with basic pots, pans, and place settings, it’s always a good idea to bring a few roasting forks for those family campfire nights!
Water Bottles: Save the planet (and your wallet) by bringing a reusable water bottle. We have various places where you can fill up your water bottle so you stay hydrated all day.
Bug Spray: What’s a camping trip without the great outdoors? Don’t forget to bring some bug spray - you’ll want this nearby when making s’mores around the campfire!
Towels: Shower towels, hand towels, dish towels, and pool towels are a must!
Raincoat/Umbrella: The weather can be unpredictable - be sure to add a raincoat and/or an umbrella to your camping checklist!
Lawn Chairs: Get comfy around your site with family and friends by bringing enough lawn chairs for all. Or, bring some blankets to lay on!
When you stay in one of our cottages, you’ll have everything you need to feel right at home. Each cottage comes stocked with essentials like a baking sheet, casserole dish, cutting board, dinnerware, glassware, plates, bowls, a pitcher, cooking utensils, and even an electric hand mixer with measuring cups and spoons.
We’ve also thought about comfort and convenience, which is why your cottage includes fresh towels (bath, hand, face, and floor), cozy bedding, an iron and ironing board, bath soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and paper towels. Inside, you’ll find barstools, a sofa sleeper, pots and pans, mixing bowls, and helpful extras like a bottle opener, corkscrew, and can opener.
Cooking is easy with a full kitchen setup that includes a coffeemaker, stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and freezer. To keep everything tidy, you’ll also have dish towels, a broom, and a dustpan on hand.
And if there’s anything else you need during your stay, our Camp Store is just steps away and stocked with all the extras to make your trip stress-free.
Camping With Pets
Don’t leave your furry friend at home! Bring them with you when you stay in a pet-friendly cabin or RV site at our Camp-Resort! If staying in a pet-friendly cabin, owners must bring a crate for pets to be put in when left unattended in the cabin. It’s also important to note that owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, so be sure to bring plenty of doggie bags. Don’t forget the pet food and lots of treats!
Locking In Your Site - What It Means And Why You May Want To Do It
You may have heard of the term “locking in” your cabin or campsite - but what does that really mean? If you lock in your site, you are guaranteed the specific site number that you booked. For example, if you book RV Site #12 and lock it in during check-out, you will be given Site #12 during your stay. On the other hand, if you select Site #12 but do not lock it in, you will be given the same site type, but may be placed in a different site number. As a good rule of thumb, this is when you should or should not lock in your site:
When to lock in:
You are camping with a group of people and want to be next to each other.
You love the location of a specific site number and don’t want to be anywhere else.
When to not lock in:
You don’t care where you’re located, just that you are in the same site type.
We hope this explanation helps you better understand our lock in feature. If you haven’t locked in and decided you want to, please give us a call at (662) 371-0496 or email us at info@roundaboutoxfordrv.com.
Parking
So you arrived at your site, now what? Please keep in mind that parking is limited at our Camp-Resort. Each Cottage may have up to 2 passenger vehicles, while RV sites allow 1 car plus your RV. If you’re traveling with additional vehicles, they’ll need to be parked in the overflow lot near the Welcome Center.
Camping Recipes
One of the main perks about a camping trip is camping meals around the campfire! We rounded up our favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert camping recipes that you must try during your getaway.
Breakfast: Start your morning out right with Camping Breakfast Sandwiches! This camping recipe is ridiculously easy and full of protein. All you need is a cast iron skillet, english muffins, eggs, cheese, and meat of your choice. Yum!
Lunch: Everyone loves a good no bake/cook camping meal! Enjoy one of these Fruit and Nut Peanut Butter Stuffed Tortillas on the go or while relaxing. Pack some tortillas, peanut butter, ripe bananas, and a variety of dried fruits and nuts. Put it all together and you have the perfect camping meal everyone will love.
Dinner: This Campfire Pizza recipe is a must have and is so easy to customize for picky eaters! This camping recipe requires pizza crust, pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings. Talk about easy and delicious!
Dessert: These Campfire Cones will make your taste buds very happy! With just a few simple ingredients (waffle cones, marshmallows, fruit, and other toppings of your choice), this camping recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite. Even looking at the picture makes us drool…
Welcome center
You may be arriving with lots on your mind, but there’s no need to worry! Our Welcome Center is here to make your stay easy from the very start! Located right at the resort entrance, it’s the hub for everything you’ll need during your visit. From guest check-in and services to equipment rentals, morning coffee, and even mini golf, the Welcome Center is your one-stop spot. You’ll also find restrooms, bike racks, patio space, and storm rooms for added convenience. Whether you’re staying the week, a night, or just spending the day, we recommend stopping in often to make the most of all the amenities and helpful services available to you.
We hope this list helps our first time campers feel more prepared and comfortable leading up to their camping getaway. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our reservations team. Until then, we look forward to seeing you soon! Ready to start planning? Book your stay today and secure your spot at Roundabout Oxford!
