Camping can seem like an overwhelming venture if you’ve never done it before, from what to pack to what to eat to what to do once you get there. We’re here to help the newbies with a comprehensive packing list for camping that will ensure you have all the necessities, and even a few extras that will bring the comforts of home into the outdoors.
Shelter
Shelter is your number one concern when going camping, and it comes in a variety of forms:
- If you have a large enough vehicle (even something as small as a Prius will work), you can simply lay down the back seats and sleep inside. All you’ll need is a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag or a blanket or two, and a pillow, and you should stay sufficiently warm.
- A tent is the most common form of shelter, and can be purchased in sizes to accommodate one or more people sleeping side by side. Larger tents can comfortably fit twin, double, and queen size air mattresses if you reduce the amount of people sleeping in the tent. You’ll want to make sure you have a ground cover and a rain fly for a traditional tent.
- A bivy is a one-person shelter that accommodates little more than your sleeping bag, pillow, and maybe a backpack. A ground cover is essential for a bivy, and a tarp or other type of overhead shelter may be needed, depending on the region and forecast.
- A hammock tent is a shelter that is suspended above the ground, comprised of a hammock and either a mesh or solid material upper. An all-inclusive set that includes a mesh net and an overhead covering is ideal for camping in a hammock.
Clothing
You’ll dress differently when camping than you do at home, and you’ll need to consider the temperature and weather forecast more carefully. For an average three-day camping trip in summertime conditions, you should bring:
- One pair of pants, one pair of shorts, and one pair of leggings or sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt (for nighttime hangouts and sleeping)
- Several short sleeve shirts or tank tops
- One pair of socks for each day, plus one extra pair
- Underwear for each day, plus one extra pair
- Jacket or sweatshirt
- Swimsuit
- Multiple bandanas for mopping sweat, dust mask, tying back hair, soaking and wrapping around the neck for cooling, etc.
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunshirt — sunscreen will not be sufficient protection for spending all day, every day in the sun!
- Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
- Flip flops or sandals (for the beach, nighttime trips to the bathroom, etc.)
Supplies
The specific supplies you’ll bring on your camping trip will largely depend on where you’re going, how primitively you’re camping, and how long you’ll be there. However, these supplies should always be on your packing list for camping:
- Water jug (at least one gallon) filled with water, and a cup or personal water bottle for drinking. It is recommended that the average adult drink half gallon of water per day to maintain proper hydration; you will need twice that amount for camping and hiking. Plan on bringing one gallon of water for each day you’re camping. A filtration system is never a bad investment!
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent — not just for mosquitoes, but other insects like ticks, flies, and chiggers as well
- Quality knife
- Paracord comes in very handy for stringing up clotheslines or shade cloths, replacing guy lines, and various other uses
- Camp chair or stool
- Camp stove — you may not need this if someone else in your group is bringing camp kitchen gear that can serve multiple people, but there are a ton of options to choose from depending on your preferences
- Eating utensils like a plate or bowl and a fork, spoon, or combo of both
- Batteries — not just the kind you buy at the store. Power banks will be invaluable for charging cellphones and other devices, and some can even handle inflating air mattresses and powering LED string lights for camp lighting
- Light — whether it’s a lantern, flashlight, headlamp (ideal), or glowing orb, make sure you can find your way in the dark!
- Firestarters — be your camp’s hero with a swiftly started campfire!
- Hygiene supplies like biodegradable soap, wet wipes, toothpaste and brush, hand sanitizer, travel towel, and cheap, one-ply toilet paper are absolute necessities on your packing list for camping.
This list, while basic, is a fantastic starting point for any new or inexperienced camper. One of the most crucial parts of planning for your camping trip is research: the area you’ll be camping in, what the conditions are typically like night and day during all seasons, and what your campmates have in mind. With this packing list for camping and the knowledge you attain through your research, you’ll be ready to enjoy an amazing weekend in the great outdoors!
