A camping weekend in the wilderness requires thoughtful and thorough packing. Unlike a vacation at a luxury hotel, you’ll be responsible for bringing your own shelter and food supplies, alongside the normal day-to-day clothing and toiletries. You’ll have more to consider, like the tools you’ll need to set up camp and the overall comfort of your campsite.
But with so many camping accessories on the market, how do you know what’s necessary and what’s not? With more to consider than other types of adventures, packing for a camping trip can easily become a daunting task. Luckily, with proper research and the right checklist, it doesn’t have to be a burden.
Read on for a comprehensible breakdown of all the camping essentials, plus a list of optional items that are nice to have around camp. The essentials will be those items you can’t live without for a comfortable camping trip. The nice-to-haves will be optional additions that add a little something extra to your experience, whether it be additional comfort or increased efficiency.
We’ll separate our checklist into 11 sections to streamline the packing process and make it a bit more digestible. From shelter supplies to campsite comforts, you can leave for your adventure confident you haven’t missed a thing.
Camping Looks Different For Everyone
Before gathering your gear, it’s important to note that camping looks different for everyone. Your needs will vary greatly depending on the type of camping you choose to do, the number of people in your group, your destination, the time of year, and many other factors. For this reason, many of the essential items you’ll find in this checklist will be general.
For example, everyone will need a tent to go camping, but the type of tent you’ll need for one trip may be different from the kind you need for another. If you’re camping in a large group, you’ll want to secure big tents with room for everyone. If you’re embarking on a family trip, a tent cabin may be more appropriate.
So, while this list covers all the essentials, it’s important to do further research to ensure the gear you choose suits your specific adventure. Keep in mind your own camping plan when assembling your camping gear, and make personal adjustments wherever needed.
So, without further ado, it’s time to grab your camping bag and get packing!
Shelter and Sleeping
This is everything you’ll need to shelter yourself from the elements and maximize your comfort while sleeping at camp:
The Essentials
- Tent
- Tent stakes
- Rainfly
- Tent tarp or tent footprint
- Sleeping bags
- Travel pillows
The nice-to-haves
- Sleeping bag liner/insulator
- Sleeping pads
- Foldable cots or air mattresses
- Tent porch extension
- Tent awning
- Mosquito netting
- Extra blankets
- Ear plugs
- Sleeping masks
- Battery-powered portable heater
- Battery-powered fan
Campsite
Outside of your shelter and sleeping arrangements, it’s important to stay comfortable around your campsite, too. Don’t forget to pack these items:
The Essentials
- Camping chairs
- Foldable table
- Firewood
- Firestarter
- Lighting (lanterns, string lights, or torches)
The nice-to-haves
- Outdoor canopy or sunshade
- Hammock
- Table cloth
- Citronella candles (helps repel bugs!)
- Portable speakers for music
- Campsite decor
Kitchen and Cooking
Camping is no all-inclusive experience. Just as you’ll need to provide your own shelter, you’ll need to cook your own meals too. Here’s everything you need to cook like a pro at camp:
The Essentials
- Water bottles
- A way to get water (pick between using nearby portable water sources, bringing your own water jugs, or bringing a water filter to use on-site)
- Camp stove
- Stove fuel
- Cooler with ice packs
- Cooking utensils
- Eating utensils
- Pots and pans
- Cutting board
- Plates and bowls
- Mugs and cups
- Ingredients for meals and snacks
- Cooking oils, spices, and condiments
The nice-to-haves
- Portable coffee maker
- Thermos to keep liquids warm
- Skewers for cooking over the campfire (great for s’mores!)
- Measuring cups
- Oven mitts
- Food thermometer
- Bottle opener
- Food bag clips
- Tin foil, saran wrap, or wax paper
Tools and Instruments
From hammering tent stakes into the ground to navigating in the wilderness, there are a plethora of tools and instruments you’ll need to set up camp efficiently and keep yourself safe. Here are the most important to pack:
The Essentials
- Mallet
- Axe
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Scissors
- Map of the area
- Compass
- GPS
- Lighters or matches
- Headlamp
- First aid kit
- Portable charging station for electronics
The nice-to-haves
- Extra batteries
- Bungee cords
- Locks (for anything from your tent zipper to your bikes)
- Duct tape
- Pepper or bear spray
- Whistle
- Destination guidebooks
- Basic camping survival kit
- Walkie-talkies
- Binoculars
- Star chart
Cleaning Supplies
Leave No Trace is the name of the game, so you’ll want to bring cleaning supplies to clean up after yourself. When packing cleaners, it’s important to make note of their ingredients. Aim to only bring along biodegradable and environmentally friendly solutions. Here’s the full list of necessities:
The Essentials
- Biodegradable soap
- Environmentally friendly cleaning sprays
- Dish sponge
- Paper or hand towels
- Small and large trash bags
- Toilet paper
The nice-to-haves
- Hand sanitizer
- Biodegradable wet wipes
- Portable washing basin
- Mini broom and dustpan
Clothing and Footwear
Packing the right clothes and footwear is instrumental to an enjoyable camping trip. Since climate varies across destinations, it’s important to stay up to date on the weather conditions at your location of choice. The activities you plan to participate in will also play a large part in your clothing needs. While both the forecast and your itinerary will heavily impact your packing decisions in this category, these items are usually essential:
The Essentials
- Undergarments
- Baselayers
- Long sleeve shirts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Outdoor pants
- Shorts
- Jacket (lightweight, heavyweight, or both depending on the climate)
- Sweatshirt
- Sweatpants
- Raingear (jackets, boots, or umbrellas)
- Thick socks
- Hiking boots
- Sneakers
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Sleepwear
- Sunglasses
- Glasses and/or contacts with contact solution
The nice-to-haves
- Gloves
- Hats (baseball, bucket, beanie, or visor)
- Swimwear
- Water shoes
- Neck gaiter
- Clothesline
Hygiene and Toiletries
Just because you’re in nature, doesn’t mean hygiene should go to the wayside. This is especially true if you’re camping in groups. Seriously, do your friends and neighbors a favor and pack these toiletries:
The Essentials
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body wash or bar or soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hairbrush
- Sunscreen
- SPF Lip balm
- Bug spray
- Bath towels
- Washcloths
- Prescription medications
- Menstrual products
- Hair accessories (ponytails, clips, or bandanas)
The nice-to-haves
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Razors
- Lotion
- Makeup
- Skincare
- Handheld mirror
- Portable camp shower
- Portable camp toilet
Personal Items
It’s easy to get wrapped up in securing camping-specific gear, but don’t let other categories make you forget your necessary personal items. These include:
The Essentials
- Mobile phone
- Driver’s License or other forms of identification
- Car and house keys
- Credit cards
- Cash
- Campsite reservation
- Device chargers
The nice-to-haves
- Applicable licenses or permits
- Park tickets and reservations
- Digital cameras and video cameras
Recreational Gear
The recreational gear you need to bring will entirely depend on your itinerary – and none of it is really necessary. For this section, we’ll skip the essentials and go straight into the nice-to-haves. Some recreational gear that’ll add fun to your trip could be:
The nice-to-haves
- Local attractions guidebooks
- Fishing gear (poles, line, tackle, bait, etc.)
- Kayaks or canoes
- Life jackets
- Bikes
- Hiking poles
- Sports balls (football, soccer ball, volleyball, etc.)
- Instruments
- Games and campsite activities (a deck of cards, cornhole, or a ring-toss)
- Books and journals
Organization
What you pack is just as important as how you pack it. The last thing you want to do is skip out on organizational items and leave yourself scrambling to find the necessities at camp. Pack smart with the following:
The Essentials
- Sturdy camping bags (to pack everything on this list!)
- Backpacks or totes
- Hiking sacks
- Toiletries bag
- Baggies and containers for food
- Wildlife-safe food storage bags or containers
The nice-to-haves
- Belt bag
- Hydration pack
- Bag/hamper for dirty clothes
- Packing cubes
- Large organization bins
Packing List for Your Dog
If you plan to camp with your furry friend, they’ll need their own camping gear, too! Help make their time just as comfortable, safe, and memorable, with this list:
The Essentials
- Proof of vaccinations or vet records
- Medications if applicable
- Dog bed
- Dog food and treats
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Leashes, harnesses, collars, and tethers
- ID tags
- Poop bags
- Pet-friendly first aid kit
- Pet wipes
- Extra towels
The nice-to-haves
- Light-up gear for nighttime
- Outdoor toys
- Outdoor shoes
- Raingear
- Layers if they’re sensitive to temperature
You’re Ready to Hit The Road
While this is exhaustive, what you ultimately end up packing will come down to your personal itinerary, preferences, and needs. Camping is one of the greatest ways to reconnect with nature and immerse yourself in a unique lifestyle – even if it’s just for a weekend. With the right gear packed, you’re guaranteed to make it as memorable as it is comfortable. Now that you’ve packed all of the camping essentials, and possibly some of the nice-to-have add-ons, you’re ready to hit the road!