The Only Camping Checklist You’ll Ever Need

The Only Camping Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Author: Danny Newman

It’s late, but you’ve finally made it. After finishing work, loading the car, getting the kids into their seats, and driving for hours, you’ve arrived at the campsite. Needless to say, you’re ready for a relaxing weekend of fishing, walking, toasting marshmallows around a campfire, and spending quality time with your family.

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    But wait…where’s the tent? And the sleeping bags? And, come to think of it, who packed the cooler full of food?

    If this unfortunate situation sounds all too familiar or you’re desperate to avoid it on your upcoming trip, having a camping checklist at your disposal should make a difference!

    In this post, we’re going through all the camping essentials you should take on a trip to the great outdoors. Let’s dive in.

    Camping Essentials: The Basics

    No matter where you’re going or what type of trip it is, whether you’re going with friends or family, there are certain items you’ll always need on a camping checklist. Here’s a selection of the main camping basics to take along:

    1. Tent

    Top Choice: Coleman 4-Person Dome Tent

    • Rating: 4.6/5
    • Pros: Affordable, 1-year limited warranty, dark-room technology, simple setup
    • Cons: Unsuitable for seriously wet or windy weather

    2. Tent Stakes and Mallet

    Top Choice: Prime 1 Galvanized Steel Tent Stakes with Rubber Mallet

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Heavy-duty, non-rusting stakes with a sharp point
    • Cons: Rubber mallet is less durable when hammering stakes into hard ground

    3. Tarp

    Top Choice: Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Rip-stop design, reinforced corners/edges, and multi-purpose design
    • Cons: Waterproofing might fail over time

    4. Camping Pillows

    Top Choice: Klymit Drift Camping Pillow

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Memory foam adds comfort, reversible shell, expands to full-size pillow
    • Cons: Costly versus other models

    5. Sleeping Bags

    Top Choice: Teton Sports Celsius 0 Degree Sleeping Bag

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Ideal for cold weather, roomy, compression sack included, anti-snag zipper
    • Cons: Quite bulky and heavy

    6. Sleeping Pads or Inflatable Mattresses (Plus Pump)

    Top Choice: Powerlix Sleeping Pad

    • Rating: 4.2/5
    • Pros: Best-selling inflatable sleeping pad, super small and lightweight, waterproof
    • Cons: Some past customers note durability issues

    7. Blankets

    Top Choice: Arcturus Military Wool Blanket

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Super soft and warm, fire-retardant, natural materials, machine washable
    • Cons: It may smell like chemicals out of the packet

    8. Hot Water Bottle

    Top Choice: Samply 2L Hot Water Bottle with Cover

    • Rating: 4.6/5
    • Pros: Budget-friendly, durable, transparent to see the water level, 1-year warranty
    • Cons: Unlikely to keep water hot throughout the night

    9. Earplugs and Eye Mask

    Top Choice: Wonderfoam Contoured Sleep Mask and Earplugs

    • Rating: 4.6/5
    • Pros: Cheap, memory foam mask for comfort, adjustable clasp
    • Cons: Memory foam can feel hot on your face when it’s warm

    10. Headlamp

    Top Choice: Energizer LED Headlamp (2-Pack)

    • Rating: 4.4/5
    • Pros: Lightweight, batteries included, IPX4 water resistance, very affordable
    • Cons: Basic headlamp; quality matches the price!

    11. Lantern

    Top Choice: MPOWERD Luci Solar Inflatable Light

    • Rating: 4.8/5
    • Pros: Highly popular, great reviews, super lightweight, no batteries required
    • Cons: A few reports of durability issues

    12. All-Weather Matches or a Lighter

    Top Choice: UCO Stormproof Match Kit

    • Rating: 4.7/5
    • Pros: Waterproof and floating case, extended match length
    • Cons: Expensive versus ordinary matches

    13. Campfire Supplies

    – Top Choice: Eco-Stix Fatwood Fire Starters

    • Rating: 4.5/5
    • Pros: 100% pure, natural, and sustainable; hand-chopped from damaged trees
    • Cons: Some sticks will have more resin than others

    14. Cooler with Ice

    Top Choice: Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler

    • Rating: 4.8/5
    • Pros: Good weight-to-capacity ratio, durable and sturdy, highly effective cooler
    • Cons: Expensive

    Useful Tools to Take Camping

    Whether an emergency strikes or you’re struggling to open a can of beans inside your campervan, a range of gadgets and tools will make life much easier when you’re camping. Here’s what we suggest you pack, just in case you need them:

    15. Mobile Phone, Charger, and Power Bank

    16. Penknife/Backpacking Knife

    17. Backpacking Axe and Handsaw

    18. Multi-Tool

    19. Duct Tape

    20. Paracord

    21. Trowel

    22. Portable Shower

    23. Portable Toilet

    Key Camping Furniture to Pack

    No camp’s complete without a bunch of portable, durable, and weather-proof outdoor furniture. It makes your time away more comfortable and practical. Here are a few suggestions for what to take:

    24. Camping Table

    25. Camping Chairs

    26. Marquee/Pop-Up Pavilion

    27. Hammock

    Camping Clothes and Shoes

    We don’t have to tell you that packing clothes and shoes is somewhat essential for your camping trip. But you might need some tips on exactly what to take. Here are some particular clothing items that are always worth having (just remember to always take the weather forecast and local climate into account, too):

    28. Moisture Wicking T-Shirts

    29. Mid-Layers

    30. Warm Layers

    31. Raincoat

    32. Merino Wool Socks

    33. Moisture-Wicking Underwear

    34. Shorts

    35. Pajamas

    36. Gloves and Hat

    37. Hiking/Walking Shoes

    38. Flipflops or Sandals

    39. Rain Boots

    40. Sunglasses

    41. Sunhat

    42. Swimsuit

    43. Mosquito Net for Your Head

    Must-Have Cooking/Kitchen Utensils for Camping

    You can’t beat sitting around the campfire eating a nice warming meal in the evening. Or waking up early to fry up a storm! Hence why you need certain camp cooking utensils to call upon. Here are the main ones:

    44. Grill or Camping Stove

    45. Grill Set

    46. Coffee Maker

    47. Metal Grate for Campfire Cooking

    48. Dutch Oven

    49. Oven Mitts

    50. Campfire Kettle

    51. Cutting Board

    52. Shatterproof Cups, Mugs, Plates, and Bowls

    53. Cutlery

    54. Frying Pan

    55. Spatula and Wooden Spoon

    56. Sharp Knives

    57. Can and Bottle Openers

    58. Kitchen Scissors

    59. Bear-Proof Food Vault (If Necessary)

    60. Tablecloth and clips

    Awesome Food Items for Camping

    What food should you cook/eat on your camping trip, though? In this section, we’re running through a number of tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options (plus some sauces and seasonings) to consider taking:

    61. Salt, Pepper, and Other Seasonings

    62. Cooking Oil

    63. Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, and Other Condiments

    64. Potatoes

    65. Cans of Beans

    66. Eggs

    67. Pasta and Sauces

    68. Dehydrated Meals

    69. Sausages, Burgers, Steaks, and Other Meat

    70. Sliced Cheese for Burgers

    71. Beefy Jerky

    72. Trail Mix

    73. Energy/Protein Bars

    74. Chips and Dips

    75. Bread

    76. Nut Butter

    77. Jelly

    78. Cereals and Milk

    79. S’mores Kits (Chocolate, Graham Crackers, and Marshmallows)

    80. Bottles of Water

    81. Alcoholic Beverages

    Bathroom Essentials for Camping

    Staying clean on a camping trip isn’t always easy – especially when you’re in the backcountry instead of a serviced campsite. Nevertheless, having some basic toiletries will help you stay relatively clean and sweet-smelling:

    82. Toothbrush

    83. Toothpaste

    84. Biodegradable Baby Wipes

    85. Hand Soap

    86. Body Soap

    87. Shampoo and Conditioner

    88. Deodorant

    89. Hairbrush

    90. Toilet Paper

    91. Skincare Items

    92. Hand Sanitizer

    93. Razor and Shaving Cream

    94. Menstrual Products

    95. Towels

    96. Toiletry Bag to Carry Everything

    Key Cleaning Essentials for Camping

    So, you’ve got what you need to keep yourselves clean. But what about the campsite and all your equipment? They’ll also need to be looked after and kept in good condition. With that goal in mind, here are some critical camp clean-up items to take:

    97. Washing-Up Bowl

    98. Dishcloths and Dishtowels

    99. Eco-Friendly Dish Soap

    100. Drying Rack for Wet Dishes

    101. Trash Bags

    102. Sponge for Doing Dishes

    103. Disinfectant Wipes

    104. Clothesline for Hanging Wet Clothes

    105. Plastic Bags for Dirty Clothes

    106. Dustpan and Brush

    Recreational/Leisure Equipment to Take Camping

    The best part of going camping is the fun activities you do on the trip. That’s why it pays to a) think about the recreational activities on offer where you’re going and b) take the equipment required to partake in them. Here are some suggestions:

    107. Rifle and/or Bow for Hunting

    108. Fishing Poles, Tackle, and Bait for Fishing

    109. Canoes or Kayaks and Paddles (and Lifejackets)

    110. Daypack for Hiking

    111. Hiking Poles

    112. Binoculars

    113. Badminton Rackets

    114. Frisbee

    115. Volleyball Net and Ball

    116. Playing Cards and Board Games

    117. Wireless Speakers

    118. Books/Kindle

    119. Bikes, Scooters, and Rollerblades

    120. Guitar, Harmonica, and Other Instruments to Play around the Campfire

    Safety Items and Equipment for Camping

    Some types of camping are more dangerous than others, and you’re unlikely to get seriously injured wherever you go – especially when you’re planning a casual family trip to a popular site. However, there’s always some potential to get hurt when you’re spending lots of time outdoors, so it pays to take some safety equipment, just in case the worst does happen:

    121. Portable Fire Extinguisher

    122. Water Filter or Water Treatment System

    123. First-Aid Kit (Fully Stocked)

    124. Painkillers

    125. Water-Resistant Sunscreen (Preferably High SPF)

    126. Map and Compass

    127. GPS System

    128. Emergency Blanket

    129. Whistle

    130. Bear Spray

    Don’t Forget This Camping Checklist

    Camping trips are hard to beat if you love spending time in nature, unplugging from the daily grind, and filling your days with fun, wholesome outdoor activities. However, they can also be a challenge to pack for. With so much to think about and plan, it’s easy to forget something important.

    With any luck, this comprehensive camping checklist will stop that from happening. Keep this long list of camping essentials nearby to speed up the packing process and ensure you have everything you need.

    Wondering where to go on your next camping trip? Check out these incredible beach camping destinations.

    This article originally appeared on Savoteur.

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