Planning a camping trip doesn’t have to be hard. You only need to pick a date, find a campground, pack your gear, buy the food you need, and hit the road. Sounds simple, right? It actually is, with a camping checklist!
If you’re thinking about going into the woods or camp at the beach for any extended length of time, you’re going to want to have the basics. However, if you’re a first-time camper, you may not know precisely what “the basics” are.
Whether you’re a new camper or a veteran, we are sharing below our complete camping checklist.
We’ve covered everything you need to be utterly prepared for the ultimate outdoor adventure. You can now download a printer-friendly version of our camping checklist!
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Complete Camping Checklist
Shelter
These are the basic items you’ll need to protect yourself from the elements. These may vary depending on weather conditions.
- Tent
- Ground Tarp
- Shade tarp/poles
- Spare stakes
- Hammer
- Screen house
Bedding
These are the basic items you’ll need to stay warm and comfortable while sleeping in the wild. These may vary depending on the season.
- Sleeping bag
- Pillows
- Sheets
- Blankets
- Sleeping pad and/or air mattress
- Air Pump
- Hammock
Clothing
Check the weather and pack according to the weather conditions.
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Jeans/pants
- Sweater
- Jacket
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shoes/boots
- Sandals/flip flops
- Hat/cap
- Swimsuit
- Pajamas
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Laundry bag
- Laundry detergent
- Clothespins
Personal Hygiene
Camping doesn’t mean you absolutely need to rough it. These are the basic items that will help you stay fresh while you camp.
- Toothbrush/ Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Washcloths
- Towels
- Tissues
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Hair Brush/comb
- Nail clippers
- Razor/blades
- Small mirror
- Toilet paper
- Sanitary pads/tampons
- Shower bag
Camp Kitchen – Gear
You don’t have to be a gourmet Chef to camp. These are the basic items that will allow you to cook up some pretty decent meals.
- Frying pan
- Pot
- Kettle
- Thermos
- Cooler/ice
- Camping stove
- Camping grill
- Portable fire pit
- Charcoal or wood
- Propane bottle
- Smoker
- Pie irons
- Lighter or Matches
- Firestarters
- Folding chairs
- Camping table
- Table cloth
Camp Kitchen – Chuck Box
Fill the chuck box with the basic supplies and dry ingredients you may want to bring to prepare your meals.
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil
- Herbs and spices
- Ground coffee
- Paper towel
- Napkins
- Tongs and spatula
- Wooden spoon
- Aluminum foil
- Measuring cups
- Utensils
- Skewers
- Grill forks
- Potholders
- Plates/bowls
- Mugs
- Plastic cups
- Knives
- Scissors
- Vegetable peeler
- Cutting board
- Can opener
- Corkscrew
- Ziplock bags
- Plastic containers
- Trash bags
- 2 Tubs for dishwashing
- Dish soap
- Sponge & scrubber
- Dishrag
- Dishtowel
First Aid Kit
Being out in the great outdoors is a wonderful experience but it doesn’t come without risks. A well-stocked first-aid kit has more than band-aids. You don’t want to be out in the woods when you find out you don’t have what you need to treat an injury. Here are the basic items you should have in your first aid kit:
- Personal medications
- Aspirin, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen
- Bug repellent
- Antihistamine
- Sinus medication
- Antacids (Rolaids)
- Imodium
- EPI pen
- Bandages
- Medical tape
- Sterile gauze
- Elastic wrap
- Burn ointment
- Antibiotic cream
- Antiseptic wipes
- Saline solution
- Latex gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Safety Pins
- Bee sting Kit
- Snakebite kit
- Sewing kit
- Phone numbers of the local hospital and emergency care
Camping Tools & Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Cell phone/charger
- Backpack
- Rope
- Pegs
- Compass
- GPS
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Lantern
- Park/trail maps
- Spare batteries
- Candles
- Batteries
- Solar Panel
- Binoculars
- Bungee cords
- Tools
- Pocket knife
- Shovel
- Repair Kit
- Duct tape
- Water filters
- Whistle
- Pen and paper
- Broom & dustpan
Recreation
These are additional items you should plan to bring depending on the type of activities you enjoy doing. Research the area where you’ll be camping to see what activities you can do.
- Camera
- Deck of cards
- Board games
- Frisbee
- Ball
- Badminton kit
- Lawn games
- Kite
- Books
- Bikes/helmet
- Hiking gear
- Fishing gear
- Snorkel gear
- Kayak
- Life Jacket
Exploring the world around you is fun and shouldn’t be stressful. Take care to follow this checklist to be fully prepared, and you’re sure to have a great time on your first trip, and every trip afterward.
If there are any other camping items you think we should add to this list, please let us know in the comments below. Happy camping!
