Everyone needs a vacation every once in a while – and if you really want peace and quiet, heading out to the woods won’t disappoint. Depending on how far you are from the nearest big town, you might not even realize you’re still in society.

Here are some tips that will help you enjoy your vacation the next time you take a vacation in the woods.

1. Get a cabin with a wood stove

Nothing beats staying in a cozy cabin with a cast iron wood stove for heat. Sure, it’s easier to push a button to turn on central heat, but it’s not the same. Wood stoves produce infrared heat, which happens to be superior to the convection heat created by an HVAC system. The difference is noticeable.

Infrared heat sticks to your clothes and other objects in the room and penetrates your skin. That’s why this type of heat feels warmer. On the other hand, convection heaters only heat up the air, and as the heat rises, it escapes through various cracks and the roof.

You can keep running a central heating system to keep a space warm, but the heat itself has a different quality. Infrared heat feels better because it’s the same type of heat emitted by the sun. It’s natural, and if you’ve ever warmed up next to a campfire, you know that the heat produced by fire is more relaxing and soothing.

2. Bring plenty of snacks

Whether you’re camping or renting a house, snacks are important. The first thing you’ll want to do when you arrive is rest, but when you get up, you’ll be hungry. You probably won’t want to cook a full meal and you’ll start looking for snacks. Make sure you have a variety of everything you might want, like chips, beef jerky, popcorn, sodas, energy drinks, candy, or anything else you enjoy.

It might take more than a half hour to get to the nearest grocery store or gas station. The further out into the woods you go, the happier you’ll be when you have exactly what you want.  

3. Turn off your devices

If you’re scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, you’re not enjoying your vacation in the woods. You’re enjoying social media exactly as you do at home.

Consider turning off your devices while you’re on vacation, at least when you’re in the house. It makes sense to have your devices on when you go for walks or hike around, but they can be turned off when you’re inside.

To entertain yourself, try reading a physical book (not on Kindle), playing cards or board games if you brought people with you, and doing some old-fashioned bonding over a campfire while you toast marshmallows. Or, sit outside in nature and observe the trees and the animals. Go sit by a lake or a stream and listen to the water. Social media will be there for you when you get home.

4. Bring bug repellant

Mosquitoes and moths can easily ruin your nights if you aren’t prepared to keep them away. Make sure you bring bug spray for your body and clothes and also bring some citronella candles. At night, when you sit outside, you will attract tons of mosquitos and other bugs and citronella will keep some of them away.

Moths are a little harder to repel because they are attracted to light, including candle flames, and don’t seem to mind citronella. However, they do not like cedar, mint, lavender, thyme, cloves, or rosemary. Cedarwood spray is the best way to keep them away, but if you find the smell too strong, try mixing your own oils in a spray bottle with water or get a diffuser to place on your table.

5. Bring pre-split firewood

Unless you moonlight as a lumberjack, bring pre-split firewood for any bonfires you may want to have. No matter how good you are at splitting wood with an axe, you won’t want to do it when you’re on vacation. Plus, you might not be allowed to chop down any trees and will be limited to harvesting already fallen, dead trees.

However, the best reason to bring split wood is that chopping down a tree, even a small one, is dangerous unless you are a professional. Even then, tree felling is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world.

Preparation will make your vacation more enjoyable

With just a little preparation for bugs, snacks, and a heat source, you can be certain that you’ll enjoy your vacation in the woods.