Camping Checklist

Packing for a camping trip can be daunting—but not so much when you have this handy checklist!

This checklist is meant for your average car to tent camping trip, but of course some gear will have to be substituted or added based on where you’re camping (desert, forest, beach?), how long you’re going, how you’re getting there (car camping? backpacking in?) the weather, etc. Necessities are bolded.

Next time you’re camping, print this list out and never forget your sleeping pad, toothbrush or lighter again! (We’ve all been there…)

Campsite Gear

Tent

Sleeping bag (appropriately ranked for the temperature)

Sleeping pad

Pillows (stuffing clothes in a stuff sack works well too)

Headlamp or flashlight (with fully charged batteries!)

Camp chairs (fold ups or more portable ones, like Crazy Creeks—logs and stumps work great too)

Clothes

Daytime clothes

Dry clothes for sleeping

Layers!!!

Rainwear (you never know!)

Swimsuit (and towels)

Sturdy shoes for exploring

Comfy camp shoes, like Chacos, flip-flops, crocs, etc.

Warm hat for nighttime

Socks and underwear (a pair or two extra than you think you need)

Kitchen

Stove

Stove fuel

Lighter or matches

Firewood (if fires are allowed)

Pots, pans

Portable coffee maker

Trash bags (you can often make do with a make-shift bag)

Plates, bowls, forks, spoons, knives, etc.

Cups and mugs

Cooler (if you’re car camping)

Biodegradable soap, washcloths

Food

Easy Breakfast Ideas:

Oatmeal

Fruit

Yogurt and granola (if you have a cooler)

Granola and/or meal replacement bars (like Clif, Kind, Luna, etc.)

Overnight Oats

See all camp recipes from the Hipcamp Journal.

Easy Lunch Ideas:

Sandwiches

Hummus and veggies

Peanut Butter and Trail Mix Tortilla Wrap

Easy Dinner Ideas:

Canned soup

Quesadillas

Burritos

Instant rice or couscous with veggies

Tacos

Ramen

Mac and Cheese

Any of these sweet potato recipes

Farro, Sweet Potato, Kale and Sausage Cast Iron

See these 7 Vegan Recipes from Simply, Sweet Vegan.

Snacks

Jiffy Popcorn

S’mores (or, Banana Split S’mores!)

Date Ball Energy Snacks

Hot chocolate

Warm cocktails

Jerky

Trail Mix

Check out these camp cooking tips from Luke’s Local.

Personal Items

Toothbrush and paste

Any prescriptions

Sunscreen

Bug repellant

Chapstick

Waterbottle(s), filled.

Basic First Aid

Alcohol or antiseptic wipes

Blister treatment

Bandages

Gauze pads

Splinter tweezers

Antihistamine for allergic reactions

Ibuprofen

Extra Things for Fun

Camera

Cards

Sketchpad and art supplies

Battery operated LED lights (for vibes and extra light)

Animal Spirit Cards (we’re obsessed)

Frisbee

Coozies

Portable speakers

Hammock

Camping Packing Tips

• I used to always forget my toothbrush (gross, I know) until I bought a second set of toiletries and just keep them in my pack for whenever I’m going to go camping again.
• Storage = your best friend. Buy one of those big plastic containers from Target and make it your camping gear treasure chest. Nothing is worse than running around your house trying to find random pieces of gear.
• Don’t underestimate the power of #campvibes to elevate any camping trip: fairy lights, patterned throw blankets, a deck of cards, a good bottle of whisky—you know what we’re talking about.
• Food prep at home! Chop your veggies, do portion control, and season your meats ahead of time. It’ll make cooking a whole lot faster and easier.
• Any tips you’d add? Submit them here.

A note on gear, spending money: Camping gear can be an expensive investment, but luckily there are lots of rental gear companies out there, places to buy used gear (Patagonia Worn Wear, Craigslist, Facebook Market Place, Gear Trade, seriously Google this!), and camping ‘hacks’ to make gear right from your household supplies.If you plan on camping more than once a year, it’s worth investing in some good, dependable gear that can last you years. Plus, chances are if you buy it, you’ll be more incentivized to spend more sweet, sweet time in nature. (And time in nature = priceless).

You can also bypass all that gear stuff and camp in a cabin, glamping tent, yurt or outfitted treehouse instead! We’ve got lots listed on Hipcamp.

While you’re here, check out our video, The Prologue: An ode to adventure prep.

Discover camps, cabins, treehouses, yurts, farmstays—you name it—on Hipcamp.