When packing for a trip, you might have a nagging feeling that you forgot something, but you can just buy another one when you get there. However, when you’re camping, you need to make sure you pack everything you need as stores are often limited at the best camping locations.
To ensure a trouble-free camping experience that you can enjoy with your family and friends, go through the ultimate camping checklist below to ensure that you have all the essentials you need and have thought of everything you need to do.
Pick Your Camping Location
Determining when and where you’re going to be camping can help you pick the items you need and can ensure you have a spot available when you arrive at your destination.
Some campgrounds or sites have varying levels of amenities and facilities; you might find a full-service campground with bathrooms, showers, cooking facilities, wood or gas for your fire, and even a campground store for items you forgot. Alternatively, you might get a campsite with a place to set up camp and nothing else.
Typically most campgrounds that you need to book will provide a flat area to set up, a picnic table, and often somewhere to build your fire or cook your food.
You’ll also likely need to prebook your campsite so that you’ve got a place to set up when you arrive during summer; most campgrounds will be busy, and if you don’t book, your options will be much more limited.
Camping Gear That You’ll Need
Before taking absolutely everything on this list and throwing it into your car, ask yourself a few questions and then build your camping checklist based on our full list below.
- Where are you going camping? Check the facilities and amenities at your campsite; if something is already provided or not needed for that type of campground, then leave the item at home.
- What do you want to do while camping? The activities you want to do while camping can determine some of your supplies, do you want to cook over a gas fire, have games to play, go hiking, fishing, kayaking, or do you want comfortable chairs to chill out by the lake?
- How comfortable do you want to be, and how much room do you have? The vehicle you take, the number of people going, and how comfortable or luxurious you want to camp will indicate what you should bring and how much room you have.
Shelter And Bedding
Good shelter and bedding are one of the most important parts of your camping gear; you need to stay dry, comfortable, and warm so that you can have a fun camping experience. Make sure that you consider where you’ll be sleeping and what types of temperature you can expect in the evenings.
- Tent
- Footprint for backcountry camping
- Mallet if needed for your tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Camping mattress
- Pillow
- Blankets for cold nights around the campfire
- Tarp to predict you from the rain or sun
- Duct tape for repairs
Site Gear And Furniture
Making your site more comfortable with chairs, hammocks, tables, and any other furniture you want can make evenings more enjoyable and daytimes more relaxing. In addition, having a clothesline and pegs is a great way to get some washing done or dry your clothes after a hike or swim.
- Folding chairs
- Hammock
- Clothesline and clips
- Plastic bins to store items, including food
- Insect repellent
Primitive Site Gear
If you’re primitive camping, it’s unlikely that you’ll have access to a bathroom, so make sure that you’ve got a foldable shovel to dig a hole. You’ll also want a big water container and some way of making that water drinkable if you’re not bringing your own water with you.
- Water filter
- Large water container
- Foldable shovel to dig a toilet
- Portable shower
Campfire Supplies
Campfires are a great way to cook your food over a grill, stay warm, or even have fun and cook some marshmallows or make smores in the evening. Many campgrounds will sell firewood bundles, so in most cases, you only need a way to get your fire started and a way to put it out.
- Small ax or saw
- Firestarter material
- Matches or lighter
- Firewood, though many campsites sell it
- Roasting sticks to cook marshmallows and other items
Camp Cooking
Your camp cooking will depend on what you want to eat and how you plan to cook it; likely, you’ll be cooking over an open fire or a gas grill. So ensure you have enough fuel for your stay or a way to get more fuel from the campground or surrounding area.
You’ll want a way to clean all of your dishes and cooking equipment, so trash bags, detergent, and a big plastic container to wash in will be very helpful.
- Cooler
- Stove and fuel
- Lighter or matches
- Cookware and utensils
- Grill rack for open fire cooking
- Travel mug(s)
- Water bottles
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Biodegradable soap and sponge
- Plastic bin to wash dishes in
- Paper towels or drying rags
- Food containers and zip lock bags
- Trash bags
- Camping coffee maker
- Grill gloves
Consumables
Your food and drink are very personal to your camping experience but remember to check if there will be fresh water available at your campsite; otherwise, you may need to pack water with you.
Consider how long you’ll be away and how much food you need or if food can be purchased in or around your campsite. You likely won’t have a way to keep anything fresh or cool, so take that into consideration as well.
- Water, if not available at the campground
- Food & snacks, snacks will be essential
- Drinks
Electronics
At a minimum, you should have a solar-powered power bank to plug everyone’s phones and devices into so that you’re not using your car to power up devices. A headlamp or torch will be a fantastic option so that you can get to the bathroom or other facilities at night.
- Solar power bank and extra batteries
- Phone and charger
- Camera
- Headlamp
- Lantern or tent lights
- GPS
- Bluetooth speaker to play music
Personal Gear
Your personal gear is a personal preference for what you need on your camping trip, but having cash as well as credit or debit cards and your ID will ensure you can get into your campsite and buy anything else you may need on the trip.
A good sunscreen will also be essential while you’re out in the elements, no matter what season or location you’re in, so make sure you pack and use an SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- Daypack
- Multitool
- Cash and debit/credit cards
- ID
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Hand soap
- Shower supplies (soap, shampoo, conditioner)
- Shower shoes
- Medications
- Toilet Paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Permits (Eg. campfire permit, camping permit)
Clothing And Footwear
Pack for the season you’ll be visiting the campground but always plan for cold or rain so that you can stay warm and dry if there are any unexpected changes in the weather.
You should also be packing for the activities and features around your campsite; consider what you’ll be doing and what clothes would be best and most reusable for all of your trip.
A good pair of hiking shoes is a great addition to your camping, as you’ll want to move around easily, and the terrain is often rougher than at home.
- Hiking pants and shorts that are easy dry
- Shirts that are easy dry
- Easy dry underwear
- Warm jacket
- Windbreaker or rain jacket
- Baselayers
- Hiking shoes and thick socks
- Sun hat and beanie
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit and an easy dry towel
- Camp shoes or sandals
Camping Entertainment and Games
Entertainment supplies for your camping experience will heavily depend on you. Just consider that you may not have access to TV or internet at your campsite. Pick some items to keep yourself entertained at night, and bring along any other things to keep busy during the day.
- Games (cards or board games)
- Books
- Binoculars
- Fishing or hunting gear
- Sports balls or equipment
- Maps for the hiking trails or other activities
What Should You Bring On Your Camping Trip?
Ultimately what you bring on your camping trip will depend on you and what items you want to make camp life more enjoyable, and the location you’re going. So use this list and add all your other items to it to create a personalized camping checklist.
After a few times out camping, you may find that some items aren’t needed, and some may be missing, so you can learn and evolve the checklist as your experience in camping grows.
