The Ultimate Camping Check List: 15 Items You Need To Have The Best Time While Camping
- Roger Jones
- Dec 29, 2019
- 15 min read
Updated: Jan 10, 2020
It’s happened time and time again; let’s say you are packing for a trip to go on vacation. You’ve packed your clothes. Check. You’ve packed your toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries. Check. You’ve accounted your normal everyday items, such as your wallet/purse, cell phone, and keys. Check. Okay, perfect! You’ve got everything you need for the trip.
Except…
You arrive to your location, and get checked in to your campsite, and begin setting up your tent. All-of-the-sudden you realize: “Oh no! I forgot my phone charger! How am I going to play music?” Or you think, while you are starting your campfire: “This would be so much easier if I had some charcoal starter fluid.” Or even more common: “Darn! I forgot to bring food!”
While the two instances seem relatively easy to fix by just going to the nearest gas station or convenience store, that can cost quite a bit of money, since many stations mark up the cost of their goods significantly. A single phone charger can cost $8.99 at a gas station, while you already have one that you own at home. Charcoal starter fluid is difficult to find at a gas station, but when you do locate a station that has it, the price can be significantly higher than a normal store. Firewood is typically sold by many campgrounds at their shop, but the price can be highly inflated. And in terms of food? Let’s not even talk about the price of marshmallows at a gas station or convenience store.
You also have the option to go without the goods mentioned above (however, if you forget food, you are going to be quite miserable throughout your trip), but it will definitely take away from the experience you COULD have. And if you are going camping, you are definitely going for the experience; the experience of adventure, the experience of getting closer to nature, or the experience that can help you to detoxify from a toxic life and “get away from it all”. And if you are ADDING stress to a trip that is supposed to help you have fun and relax, then you’re trip may be in vain.
Following is a list of 15 items that you should always be sure to take with you on a camping trip, in order to insure that you get the most from your experience, and to ensure that you have fun while getting away from the stresses of life.
1. A Toiletry Bag
A toiletry case can be stored in your bathroom, with cheap supplies specifically for camping trips. This case shouldn’t be touched, unless you are traveling or switching out supplies that may have expired (for instance, toothpaste typically expires 2 years after it’s production date, and can be used 12-18 months after it “expires”). In your toiletry case, you should have: A toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, travel-sized body spray/perfume, a bar of soap, a pack of wet wipes, travel-size shampoo, travel-size conditioner, and travel-sized hand disinfectant. If you want to further expand on your grooming options, you can even buy travel-size shaving gel and include a couple of razors in the bag.
Keeping your toiletry case fully stocked and up-to-date can be a huge life-saver, and can help you keep everything you need in one place, saving you time, as well as the headache of going to a store to purchase anything you may have forgotten at home. All of these items can be purchased at many department stores, such as Wal-Mart or Dollar Tree.
2. A Technology Bag
I know… I know… A few of my readers are going to see this, and say, “But the point of camping is to get away from technology and fully enjoy nature!” While this is true, technology and nature CAN co-exist (trust me). While you should make it a point to put down your cell phones and enjoy the sites, there are a few added perks to keeping your tech fully charged and operational.
In your technology bag, you should include: a USB car charger, a USB wall charger, a USB cable matching the technology that you will be taking with you on your trip (for me, I always have a USB-C cable for my phone and a Micro USB cable for my vape pen), a 50-foot extension cord (to run power to your tent, if you are lucky enough to have rented a camping site with electricity), and a multi plug power connector (so that you can charge multiple items at the same time).
You can add other items to your technology bag if necessary; for instance, my wife and I require a box fan and a sound machine to sleep, so that is something that we keep in mind when we are packing to camp.
3. Charcoal Starting Fluid
Also known as lighter fluid, charcoal starting fluid can be extremely useful for starting difficult campfires. Starting a basic campfire without the use of accelerants is possible (and once you get used to it, quite easy and fun), using charcoal starting fluid can make the process much quicker and easier, so that you can enjoy more time camping, and less time cursing the moist air conditions.
As a general rule, make sure to soak your firewood in charcoal starting fluid before lighting it; I find that soaking firewood for 30 minutes before igniting it helps the fire to start much better, and requires less fluid to start. The fluid will have an opportunity to soak into the wood, thus, actually burning the wood, instead of only the charcoal starting fluid. Of course, make sure that you save some fluid to reignite the fire, in case you missed a spot. Once your fire is up and burning, you can add larger pieces of wood to build your fire to your liking.
Speaking of firewood, that brings us to our next item on the list…
4. Firewood
No camping trip is complete without a campfire! Campfires aren’t only useful for getting together and singing “Kumbaya”. Campfires are very important for a successful camping trip, as they provide light, warmth, and a place to cook and prepare food.
As a general rule of thumb, remember:
A “stick” is generally 4”-5” in diameter, and 12”-14” long
A “bundle” is generally made of 4-5 sticks of wood
One bundle of wood typically keeps and average sized campfire burning for two hours
It is always better to have more firewood than necessary, than to not have enough
If you wait to purchase your firewood until you reach the campgrounds that you will be using, then you may face other issues. Many campgrounds do not protect their “pre-packaged” firewood from the elements; when it's rainy outside, your firewood will get wet. This can cause several issues when it comes to starting, and maintaining your campfire.
Purchasing, or gathering, campfire wood and keeping it stored in your garage, or a storage shed, can ensure that the wood you will need is dry and ready to burn when you go camping.
Please also be aware that many government owned or operated campgrounds have banned the use of outside firewood; this is to stop the spread of any possible diseases or other contaminants that may be spread. I have found that many privately owned camps have no such rule, however, its always best to contact your destination campground office to learn their rules and regulations regarding outside firewood.
5. Camping Cookware
When you need to cook something at home, you must use cookware (pots, pans, etc); however, gathering cookware from your own kitchen to take outdoors can be a pain, or even risky to the integrity of the cookware you are using. Regular run-of-the-mill cookware isn’t made to handle the conditions of an open fire, or sudden falls, or being stored in possibly humid conditions. This is why my family has purchased a set of cookware specifically made for camping.
In our “Camping Cookware” box is: a camping kettle (because, camping or not, coffee is a necessity), a cast iron skillet, a cast iron pot, a cast iron griddle, a folding camping grill, two metal spatulas, a kitchen knife, two expandable roasting sticks, and a large metal spoon. We also include a couple of hand towels to dry the cookware after we wash it (either by a water spigot or with a jug of purified water) and help preserve it for a longer time.
While you do always have the option of just bringing fully-cooked, prepackaged food on your camping trip, nothing beats a breakfast of eggs, bacon, Texas toast, and coffee that has been prepared on a campfire.
6. Camping Dishes and Utensils
As a similar point to the one made when speaking about camping cookware, bringing your dishes and utensils from home can spell trouble, with a capital “T”. Anything can happen to basic, run-of-the-mill plates and glasses when brought from home, from dropping and breaking them, to losing them, and needing to buy a full new set so that you have a matching set for your regular meals at home. As an added bonus, most dishes and utensils can be stored away for long periods of time without worrying about maintenance.
In our “Camping Dishes and Utensils” box is: two camping knives, two camping forks, two camping spoons, two tin cups, two tin plates, and two tin bowls (if you couldn’t tell, our family consists of two people).
We typically was our camping dishes and utensils under a water spigot after each use (or using a jug of purified water, if a spigot isn’t available), dry them with a hand towel, and store them until they need to be used again.
7. Tent
This is an item that, obviously, nobody should be able to forget if you are getting ready to go on a camping trip; sleeping in a tent in nature and under the stars is one of the primary purposes of camping, afterall. A good tent can be the difference between a comfortable camping trip, or one that you have a crick in your neck from trying to cramp inside of a small area and have been flooded out by a bit of rain from an unexpected drizzle.
When purchasing a tent for a camping trip, make sure that it is large enough to keep your property stored in, and also that gives you enough room to move around and sleep. I personally recommend an 8-person tent or larger; these tents, regardless of size, typically aren’t too troublesome to set up, and offer enough room to sleep most of your gear. Also, make sure that the tent is waterproof, has bug netting built in to the sides and top, and still can provide some privacy.
When packing your tent, try to remove all bubbles from the tent, and pack it in the same way that you unpacked it. This can be very difficult, as it seems that NOBODY can truly pack a tent the way it originally came out of the packaging; however, try your best, as this can sometimes be the only way to get the tent back into it’s storage bag.
8. Air Mattress and Pump
Nobody can sleep comfortably on the ground, and if they claim that they can, they are lying. Sleeping bags are all well and good if you are backpacking and need to pack light, but if you really want to rest comfortably, you should seriously consider packing an air mattress. And just as important, if you choose to utilize an air mattress, then you MUST bring an air pump built to fit the air intake port on your mattress (because you should be losing your breath over breath-taking views, not spending an hour inflating your mattress).
If you are camping on your own, then a double size air mattress should do the trick; however, if you are camping with your significant other, purchase a queen size air mattress. A queen size air mattress for two people is small enough that it won’t take all of your space from inside of the tent, but will offer enough room for you and your partner to both sleep on the same mattress.
As for the air pump, you have two different options: a manual air pump, or an electric air pump. In my own opinion, a manual air pump is never really an option; they are large, bulky, and you wear yourself out pumping air into your mattress. An electric air pump is typically small, compact, and easily packed away, and also takes all of the physical labor out of setting up your air mattress for the night. Just remember to check your batteries before you leave your home.
9. Foldable Outdoor Chairs
When someone is planning a camping trip, very seldom do they think: “Hey. I may want to sit down at some point.” Standing the entire time you are out in nature, or sitting on a stump or on the ground, can get very tiresome. Sooner or later, you will want to sit down and actually relax. Sure, you can bring a metal folding chair (because bringing a regular chair from your kitchen table just isn’t practical), but eventually, the hard surface and back rest will begin to make you sore.
Foldable outdoor chairs are the only practical option for seating during your next camping trip. They are relatively affordable if you look for a basic design (some come in a recliner model, some come in a rocking chair-like model, etc), and they fold for easy storage and transportation to and from the campsite. The rip-stop nylon material used for the seat and back has a bit of give to it, so you can sit comfortably and relax. As an added bonus, most foldable outdoor chairs also come with a carrying case so that you can easily store and carry them.
Remember: in order to relax, you must be comfortable, and these chairs are definitely the way to go.
10. Blankets and Pillows
Believe it or not, there are times than MANY people have forgotten to pack a couple of the most important items for sleeping in the outdoors. These items can help ensure that you wake up well rested and refreshed in the morning, protect you from cold temperatures, and also save you from waking with a crick in your neck. These items, of course, are a blanket and pillow.
I typically choose one of two blankets, depending on the time of year that I am camping. If I am camping in the spring or fall (my personal favorite times to camp), I have a heavier blanket to help keep me warm during the cooler nights. If I am camping in the summer, when it can be hot and muggy at night, I tend to stick with a regular sheet (just enough to help keep me covered). Of course, there is no real difference of pillows for you to use while camping; any regular bed pillow will work, as it is primarily about what makes you comfortable.
Don’t get caught by surprise and have an uncomfortable night. Make sure to pack the number of pillows you need to feel comfortable, and make sure to pack blankets based on the temperatures you will be facing while camping.
11. Clean Clothing
We have all seen it, either in movies or in real life: a man is clean shaven when he leaves to go on his two-week camping adventure, and when he comes back, he is notably shaggier and smells to high heaven. I’ve actually heard of cases where someone did not keep up with their personal hygiene while camping, and they odor definitely showed; in some cases, the odor in some people’s tents was a sure sign that the person staying in that tent wasn’t staying clean. Heck, in some cases, people have gained such an order from not keeping clean that it actually attracted animals to their campsite (most of the time, not friendly animals, either).
For the same reason you want to pack a toiletry bag, you may want to pack a bag full of clean clothes. Just because you want to rough it and be one with nature, you shouldn’t forget to remain civilized. Personally, I prefer to keep all of my clothing packed in 4 separate water-tight bags: one for underwear, one for socks, one for shirts, and one for pants. I choose to pack everything in water-tight bags to ensure that if rainy conditions do occur, or for some reason water gets into my tent, my clothes will remain dry. Also, packing different articles of clothing in separate bags ensures that you don’t have to dig as far through one large bag to find the clothes you want.
As an extra measure, always bring an extra pair of shoes. I typically bring a total of three pairs of shoes with me when I camp: a pair of boots for hiking, a pair of sneakers for light walking on trails, and a pair of sandals for relaxing around the campsite or walking to and from the bath house. As an added bonus, if one pair of shoes gets wet, you have a backup pair to wear until your shoes dry.
12. First Aid Kit
While camping, it is always the best policy to remember that you are in nature, and “getting away from it all”. Unfortunately, “getting away from it all” also means getting away from doctor's offices and hospitals, so, if something goes wrong and a member of your group is injured or becomes ill, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Murphy's Law does state, after-all: “What can go wrong will go wrong.” While you may have access to a cellular phone (assuming you didn’t forget your technology bag, containing a phone charger), help may still take some time to get to your location; this is where your emergency first aid kit comes in.
An emergency first aid kit should contain the following items: bandaids, gauze bandages, gauze pads, triple antibiotic ointment, aspirin or ibuprofen, a small container of peroxide, rubbing alcohol pads, an ACE bandage, medical tape, and a pair of scissors.
Also keep in mind that not everyone knows how to apply basic emergency first aid. For this reason, I am a firm believer that any adult going camping should take a basic emergency first aid class before the trip. This may seem to be a bit much, and it probably is; however, it's always better to be safe than to be sorry.
13. Food, Drinks, and a Cooler
After a long day of traveling to your campsite, setting up your tent, unpacking your bags and transporting containers, inflating your air mattress, making your bed, setting up the campfire area before sundown, and getting your site ready for the weekend, you tend to build up a bit of an appetite. One of the worst things that can happen is getting to your site, then realizing that you forgot your food or drinks. This means one of two things: A) you are going to have to drive back to town and get food, leaving your campsite unattended and spending much more money than you would have if you hadn’t forgotten something you need, or B) go without food and drink, which is an option that I don’t recommend.
First, make sure to meal prep before you go on your camping trip. Take into account how long you will be camping, how many meals you will be eating at the campsite, how much you will need to drink, and any snacks you may want later in the evening. From this information that you must take into account, write a shopping list.
Next, make sure to remember to go shopping for the food items the day before you go on your camping trip. Keep all cold items stored in the refrigerator until you are getting ready to leave for your camping trip, and post your camping “grocery list” on the refrigerator door, or someplace you will easily notice.
The day that you are leaving to go camping, load your food and snacks into your cooler (because cold food should stay cold), then dump a bag or two of ice over the top of the food. This will help keep you food cooler for a longer period of time.
14. Large Storage Tote and Bags
Okay, so, you get to your campsite. You pop the trunk of your car, and you grab your tent and a bag with your clothes, and take them to their place. Then, you return to your car, grab your folding chair and cooler. Then, you return to your car, grab your toiletry bag, your technology bag, and your backup shoes. Then you return to your car and grab.. I think you get the point.
Keeping all non-food items safely secured in a large storage tote can help save time, space, and trips unloading your vehicle, when you should be setting up camp and relaxing. You can typically fit most of your camping gear in a large storage tote, if you pack properly, and can help you keep your camping supplies together, much rather than scattered. Also, keeping all possible camping supplies in the tote year round can help make packing your vehicle a breeze.
Where do the bags come in though? We typically keep a couple of three trash bags with our camp site. One bag is for dirty or wet clothes, which keeps our camping gear from getting dirty or moldy. The other trash bags are for… Well… Trash. Why? Because “if you brought it with you, take it back with you.” It just isn’t cool to litter, and you should always be considerate enough to clean up your campsite for the next person to use it.
15. Battery Operated Flashlights and Lanterns
I can not stress this enough; it is important to be able to see at night when you are camping. One bad step on your way to use the restroom can result in a sprained ankle, or worse. Or, lets say you drop something important, like your car keys, and can’t see where they are to find them. Or, imagine sitting in your tent trying to find everything you need, brushing your hand by your fuzzy house slippers… Wait. You didn’t bring your fuzzy house slippers, so what is that in your tent!
All joking aside (unless a possum or raccoon HAS ended up in your tent, then I apologize for making light of your past traumatising experience), when the sun goes down, it is important to be able to see. And in many cases, you may not have any lights provided by the campgrounds to assist you. I always make sure that I have at least two flashlights to assist in my night time endeavours, as well as one battery powered LED lantern to hang in my tent to provide a bit of light.
Make sure to test your flashlights and lantern before leaving to go camping. Battery life can be short in these items, and it is always best to ensure that your batteries are fully charged for your upcoming adventures.
Camping can be a lot of fun, very relaxing, and a great way to detoxify from an otherwise toxic life. Furthermore, camping can be a great adventure, depending on where you go and how much time you take to enjoy your surroundings. If you have never been camping, grab a friend or guide that has a bit of experience, and hit the road on this new exciting adventure in your life.
While getting packed, collecting all of the equipment you need, and remembering to pack all of the essentials listed above can be a pain, just remember: it doesn’t have to be. Making a list, such as the one I will be including at the very end of this article, can help you save time, energy, trouble, and money.
Make sure to purchase all of the items you need, at the lowest price possible, before you leave to go on your camping trip; doing this will ensure that you don’t have to “break your bank account“. Much of the smaller gear and equipment you will need can be purchased from a dollar store, assuming there is one nearby. Purchasing any forgotten items at a gas station or general store can be significantly more expensive, and should only be done in an emergency.
And, most importantly, have fun, and happy adventuring!
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