The Ultimate Camping Checklist

Create your camping list

Whether you’re looking for an adventurous trip with friends or peaceful nights around a campfire, camping trips are a great way to spend time with friends and family outside. If you’re a first-timer or a veteran, it’s great to create a camping checklist of what to pack for camping before loading up all your camping supplies in your vehicle.

The main considerations in choosing your camping equipment will be what type of camping style you prefer and the climate and likely weather conditions at your campsite location. The length of your camping trip and what you like to do will also drive which things you should bring camping.

Whether you’re pitching your tent at a campsite in the state park or venturing into more rugged conditions, use this camping packing list to make sure you remember all your camping essentials.

The Camping Essentials

Many of the camping items you’ll need for your outdoor camping trip will be dependent on the type of camping you prefer plus the climate and conditions. Here are our lists for each category of camping must-haves and optional camping items that might make your camping trip a little more comfy:

Tent Icon

Camping Gear

Get the right camping gear to outfit your campsite and relax around the campfire. Here’s the camping gear list to get you started:

 Camping Tent (choose the right tent with our Tent Finder)

 Tent stakes & poles

 Hiking backpack

 Camping lanterns (battery & propane powered)

 Camp chairs

 Rainfly

 Camping table (if none at campsite)

 Compass, maps & portable GPS

 Flashlight

 Ground cover or camping tarp (if required)

 Waterproof firestarter & matches

 Firewood

 Batteries

Optional Camping Items:

 Hiking pole

 Headlamps

 Lantern stand & Carry case

 Sun shade and/or Screen tent

 Bug net

 Binoculars

 Canopy tent

 Tent fan

Emergency Camping Gear:

 Emergency whistle

 Bear horn

 Fire extinguisher

Sleeping Bag Icon

Camping Sleep Setup

When it’s time to sleep under the stars, here is some essential bedding for camping to keep you comfortable all night:

Camping Must-Haves:

 Sleeping bag

 Sleeping pad

 Air mattress and pump

Optional Camping Items:

 Hammock

 Camp cot

 Water resistant blanket

 Sleeping bag liners

 Stuff sacks

 Camping pillows

Camping Kitchen & Cooking

Set up your camping kitchen with the right camping cooking gear. Prep what you can in advance to make your camping food as simply as possible. Here’s our cooking checklist:

Camping Must-Haves:

 Camping stove

 Camp sink

 Fuel & fuel funnel

 Camping grill

 Camping food & seasonings (for the number of days camping)

 Drinks

 Frying pan & cookware

 Cooler

 Water bottle or tumblers

 Cooking oil & spray

 Mugs

 Plates, bowls & utensils (crack-resistant, paper, or reusable plastic)

 Cooking utensils

 Sharp knife

 Ice or ice packs

 Can opener & bottle opener

 Biodegradable dish or hand soap

 Sponge & dish brush

 Food storage containers with lids

 Trash bags

 Water jugs

 Dish towels

 Cutting board

 Thermometer (for cooking)

 Aluminum foil

Optional Camping Items:

 Insulated water cooler

 Outdoor griddle

 Camping coffee maker

 Personal water filter

 Tablecloth and clips

 Bear canisters or bear bags

 S’mores sticks

 Egg carrier

Outdoor Clothing & Footwear

Pack the proper outdoor clothing and footwear for your activities. Keep in mind that the temps can really drop at night when choosing your camping clothes and shoes. Here are some general guidelines:

Camping Must-Haves:

 Moisture-wicking shirts

 Moisture-wicking underwear (we recommend ExOfficio)

 Rain jacket & rain gear

 Hiking boots

 Fleece or clothes for layering

 Jacket or coat (we recommend Marmot)

 Socks

 Sleepwear

 Fleece

 Quick-dry pants or shorts

Optional Camping Items:

 Warm hat or shade hat

 Gloves

 Swimsuit

 Clothesline & pins

 Snow pants (for winter weather)

 Water sandals

 Radio with weather band

Camping Tools

Camping tools are helpful for setting up and breaking down your campsite. Here are items to keep in your camping tool set:

Camping Must-Haves:

 Shovel

 Camping ax or saw (for firewood)

 Rope, bungee cords, 550 parachute cord, or wire

 Multipurpose knife or multi-tool

 Trowel

 Duct tape

 Broom & dust pan

 Mallet or hammer (for tent stakes)

Optional Camping Items:

 Tent repair kit

 Extra cord

 Survivalist handbook

Camping Toiletries & Camping Accessories

Don’t forget about camping hygiene—especially when camping with kids! Here are some camping toiletries and camping accessories that’ll help you be prepared:

Camping Must-Haves:

 Sunscreen

 Bug spray

 Sunglasses

 First aid kit

 Toilet paper

 Hand sanitizer

 Toothbrush & toothpaste

 Hairbrush or comb

 Degradable soap

 Towels

 Lip balm

 Urinal and menstrual products

Optional Camping Items:

 Cards & games

 Watch

 Shampoo & conditioner

 Books

 Earplugs

 Portable shower

 Citronella candles

What Should You Not Bring Camping?

Be mindful not to pack anything that can be harmful to the environment or pose a safety risk to you and your group. Here are items to avoid packing for your trip:

 Glassware & bottles

 Hazardous materials & chemicals

 Large & expensive electronics (laptops, tablets, video games, etc.)

 Single-use plastic

 Fragrances & body sprays

 Too many items

 Electric heaters

Packing these on your camping trip is unnecessary at best and dangerous at worst. Leave them at home and focus on what camping is all about: spending time outside with friends and family.

What You Need For 3, 5, & 7+ Days of Camping

Depending on the number of days you spend camping and the number of people at your campsite, your camping list will vary.

If your trip is 3 days long, your camping food list should reflect how much you and your crew typically eat over a 3-day span. Choose easy-to-make camping meals like eggs or pancakes for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, trail mix or jerky for snacks, and canned foods or freshly caught fish for dinner. If you’re wondering how to store food while camping for 3 days, bring a medium cooler to keep perishable foods and drinks cool.

For 5-day and 7-day camping trips, add more to your camping food list based on each person’s daily appetite. For 5 days of camping food storage, give a large cooler a try to make sure you have enough space for everyone’s camping food. Finally, on 7-day trips or longer, an extra-large cooler should do the job, so you can keep up your energy to keep up the adventure.

Finally, always be aware of changing weather conditions, and that hyper-activity outdoors may increase your appetites, so alter your camping list accordingly.

General Camping Tips

Once you finalize what to pack for camping, it’s time to get ready for adventure. If this is your first time camping, it may be helpful to learn theseven principles of Leave No Trace. You’ll want to plan to leave the campsite and places you explore just as you found them. Always store camp food in your cooler or in your car while camping to secure it from the elements and wildlife. Finally, if you reserve a campsite, don’t forget to save your reservation info or confirmation code before you head out to the campsite. You’ll also need your personal ID, and it doesn’t hurt to bring cash or your credit card. Now it’s time to get ready to go out and explore—The Outside Is Calling.