Whether you're a seasoned camper or planning your first trip in the great outdoors, creating the perfect camping list is essential for making the most of your experience.
At the top of your camping checklist should be all of the essentials you'll need for your trip, including a tent, sleeping bags, travel blankets, and warm clothing to keep you comfy at night. So let's start with these.
Camping Essentials: Must-Haves for any Camping List
Packing for a camping trip starts with the essentials. These items are necessary for any camping adventure and should be at the top of your list:
- Tent
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping mat (or air mattress w/pump)
- Warm clothing
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Hiking boots
- Camping stove
- Cookware and food (more on this later)
- Eating utensils
- Firestarter (plus firewood and/or charcoal)
- Axe (for cutting wood)
- Lanterns or flashlights
- Batteries
- Trash bags
- Toilet paper
- Towels
We don't want to freak you out, but you might also want to pack a bear horn if you're camping in areas where these fuzzies are known to roam. Better safe than sorry!
Camping List Packing: Beyond the Essentials
In addition to the above camping essentials, there are a few other items you might want to consider packing to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. These items include:
- Camp chairs
- Cooler
- Collapsible water container
- Hammock
- Games
- Books or E-reader
- Swim gear
- Fishing gear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Earplugs
- Camera
Of course, your camping list will also need to include food and drink items. What you pack will depend on what you plan to cook on your camping stove and how many people you will be feeding.
Food for Camping List: What to Pack
Here are a few food items to consider packing for your camping trip:
- Non-perishable snacks like energy bars, trail mix, and nuts
- Breakfast items like oatmeal, granola, and instant coffee
- Lunch items like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, and fruit
- Dinner items like pasta, rice, canned soup, and pre-made sauces
- S'more supplies like marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, and campfire roasters
- Water and other drinks like juice boxes or sports drinks
- Cooking oil and spices
Don't forget to pack a mess kit that includes plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and utensils for everyone in your group!
Extra Camping Gear: Anything Else?
Now that you have an idea of what to put on your camping list, here are some last-minute items that might come in handy:
- Camp glow sticks
- Safety whistle
- Multi-purpose tool or Swiss army knife
- Hiking poles
- Duct tape
- Tent lights
- Headlamp
- Portable phone charger
- Solar charger
- Utility gloves
- Foam camping pads
- Tongs (for charcoal)
- Ziplock bags (for food storage)
- Baby wipes (for spills and messes)
- Camping rope (for several reasons)
- Emergency flare
- Bug netting
- Tarp
What could possibly be next? Why, travel gear and toiletries, of course!
Travel Gear and Toiletries: Comforts for the Road
To up your camping list packing game, we at Gravel recommend adding the following travel gear and toiletries to your list:
- Travel backpack system (including daypack)
- Packing cubes (for clothes and food items)
- Toiletry bag (click here for the ultimate travel toiletries list!)
- Insulated packable blanket
- Travel accessories (like a bamboo toothbrush, carabiners, and travel laundry bag)
- Travel journal and pens/pencils
- Binoculars
If you're going to a campsite at a dark sky park, you might also want to add a star chart and red light flashlight to your camping list as well.
Or better yet, download the Star Walk app for an awesome interactive experience!
Final Thoughts
Phew! That's a lot of stuff to pack for a camping trip. But don't worry, you don't have to pack everything on this list. Consider what items will be most useful for the type of camping you plan to do and make your camping checklist accordingly.
In addition to carefully selecting what you pack, make sure that everything is organized and labeled so it's easy to find once you're out in nature.
Be sure to take into account the weather conditions at your destination, too. If it's likely to get cold or rainy, you'll want to pack extra blankets, warmer clothing, and possibly a small heater for your tent. On the other hand, if the weather's warm, pack plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, and swim gear for the lake or river nearby.
Oh, and don't forget the marshmallows. You can never have too many of those!
Whatever your outdoor needs and goals, with careful planning and the right packing list for a camping trip, you're sure to have an unforgettable time.
Happy camping!
