Enhance your camping trips: AI tools for nature lovers

The call of the wild can be irresistible. The crackling campfire, the starry skies, the feeling of unplugging from the day-to-day grind—summer camping trips offer a peaceful escape. But, if it's your first time, planning and navigating the great outdoors can feel like a whole other universe.

Take heart. You can have the power of AI with you every step of the way. Microsoft Copilot, your AI companion helps take the guesswork out of the wild so you can have fun in nature with confidence. From building your itinerary to packing your gear and planning gourmet campfire meals, Copilot is like your own AI trail guide and is ready to help you focus on what really matters: the adventure.

Ready to plan your first camping adventure? Begin by accessing Microsoft Copilot¹ on:

• Your favorite web browser: Navigate to Copilot web app and begin a conversation with Copilot.
• Microsoft Copilot mobile app: For on-the-go access, download the Microsoft Copilot app from the iOS App Store or Google Play. Sign in with your Microsoft account, and you’ll be able to chat with Copilot directly from your mobile device.
• Microsoft 365²: If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you’ll find Copilot built into apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Just open an app and look for the Copilot icon in the Home tab to start asking questions or generating content.
• Microsoft Edge: Copilot is integrated directly into AI-powered Microsoft Edge. Open a new tab or look for the Copilot icon in the sidebar on the right side of the browser.

Once you've opened Copilot, you can start planning your trip by typing or speaking your requests. Try prompts like:

• “Create a packing list for a weekend camping trip in Yosemite.”
• “Recommend five songs that are easy to play on guitar and great for singing around a campfire.”

One of the challenges for first-time campers is figuring out where to go and what to do. Copilot can help you build a personalized itinerary based on your preferences, like whether you want a family-friendly campground, a remote backcountry site, or even a comfortable “glamping” destination with a touch of luxury.

Try this in Copilot:

• “Plan a 3-day camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with beginner hikes, a good campsite with clean restroom facilities, and educational displays in the Visitors Center.”

Copilot returns a suggested itinerary with campsite options, trail recommendations, and even tips on when to arrive and what permits you might need.

Pack with the right gear and nourishing food. Copilot can help you generate a customized checklist tailored to your location, weather, and planned activities. Whether fun in nature for you means car camping or going solo off-grid, Copilot can help you know what to bring.

Use Copilot like this:

• “Create a packing list for a weekend camping trip in Yellowstone National Park in May, including gear, clothes, and food.”

Copilot returns a comprehensive list—from sleeping bags and headlamps to bug spray and breakfast supplies.

The Copilot Shopping feature offers an easy way to find just the right gear for a safe and memorable camping trip. With this feature, you can think of Copilot as your personal shopper, ready to research, compare options, and offer advice on everything from tents to trekking poles. Plus, you'll get notified about price drops and sales, with convenient in-app purchases.

Nature is inherently unpredictable, and that's especially true during summer camping when surprise afternoon thunderstorms can quickly roll in. Copilot taps into real-time, local weather data so you can prep for whatever the skies have in store.

Give it a try. Ask Copilot:

• “What’s the weather forecast for Shenandoah National Park this weekend?”
• “Will it rain at my campsite near Lake Tahoe on Saturday?”

Based on the forecast, Copilot can also suggest gear adjustments, like packing a rainfly or wearing extra layers.

Cooking around a campfire is about good food, simple tools, and the unbeatable feeling of eating under the open sky. Copilot helps you pull it off with hearty, no-fuss recipes built for the fire, the pan, or skewered on a twig dropped from a nearby tree.

Ask Copilot:

• “Give me three easy vegetarian recipes for camping that don’t need an ice cooler.”
• “What’s a one-pot dinner I can make on a camp stove?”
• “How do I know when a marshmallow is perfectly roasted for S’mores?”

You’ll get instructions and campsite-ready meals like foil-packet fajitas, chickpea wraps, or skillet mac and cheese—plus a grocery list and prep tips.

Once you’ve pitched your tent (yes, Copilot can with that too—just ask), it’s time to explore. Whether you're looking for a quiet trail, a hidden swimming hole, or a perfect stargazing spot, Copilot helps you find what’s nearby and worth your time.

You can ask Copilot to recommend hikes by difficulty, distance from your campsite, or even spots with great views or fewer crowds. Copilot gives you trail details, directions, and local highlights.

For example, try prompting Copilot with:

• “Find easy hikes within five miles of my campsite in Acadia National Park.”
• “Are there any swimming spots or waterfalls near Mt. Hood Village Campground in Oregon?”