Camping has become a popular way to travel while enjoying the great outdoors (and who doesn't love a good campfire s'more?). Whether you're new to camping or just looking to upgrade your gear, this camping supplies checklist contains a few key product suggestions to make sure you don't forget something essential when you're a few miles out in the wilderness. Pick and choose from this list to plan your perfect camping excursion.
Glamping fans can probably cut a lot out of this list (like the toilet paper!), while National Park campers should check the "Know Before You Go" section on the park's website for additional items you might need, like bear spray or a bear-proof food container.
Campsite Essentials
Make sure your camping supplies checklist includes items that provide comfortable places to sit and sleep for everyone.
Tent
Extra stakes
Sleeping bags and pillows
Air mattress or sleeping pads
Foldable camp chairs
Foldable table
Tarp
Backpacks/bags for porting things in and out
Small broom and dust pan
Mat to wipe your feet outside your tent
Camp Lighting
Light your way for a night hike (or a late-night run to the restroom) with these camping essentials.
Lantern
Flashlights
Matches or a lighter (for campfire making)
Headlamps
Extra batteries for the lights
Glow sticks or necklaces
Firewood (from a nearby source)
Fire starters (kindling or a fire starter cube or packet)
Make sure that you buy firewood near your camping spot—and many campsites or parks will sell you local wood. Bringing in wood from elsewhere risks transporting pests or diseases that could damage the trees and wildlife where you're camping.
Clothing for Camping
When you're choosing what to wear camping, think functional and lots of layers that you can add or subtract as the weather changes. Even in the summer, long pants and long-sleeved shirts might be preferable to help protect from sunburn, and ticks and mosquitos.
Skip cotton fabrics in favor of moisture-wicking, SPF-laden, and quick-dry options that help keep you comfortable even if you sweat or get wet. Merino wool is a great temperature regulator that you can wear for days without worrying about smelling.
Extra underwear
Hiking boots or shoes
Water shoes or sandals
Pants
Long-sleeved shirts
SPF-embedded clothing
Extra socks (the thicker, the better)
Swimsuit
Rain coat/Warm coat
Fleece or cozy sweater
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Gel-filled cooling neckerchief
Personal mosquito netting
Bandana
If you're a favorite snack for mosquitos, a wearable screen netting can help protect you from the bugs—without having to wear hardcore mosquito repellants 24/7.
Camping Kitchen Gear
One of the highlights of camping can be the culinary options available to you—s'mores!—but you'll probably want more than graham crackers and marshmallows to enjoy.
If you're planning to be active, it may help to pack freeze-dried meals you can easily whip up with hot water, so you don't have hangry campers waiting for the fire to be ready for cooking.
Camp stove with fuel
Coleman grill
Pots and pans (cast iron is great!)
Cooler with lots of ice
Cutting board
Knife
Insulated water bottles
Measuring
Mountain potpie maker
Dish pan
Cooking spoon, spatula, and tongs
Flatware for eating
Plates and bowls
Larger bowl for serving/mixing
Mugs and collapsible cups
Dish scrubber and towel
Dish soap (biodegradable)
Can/bottle opener
Food storage containers
Camp-friendly coffee maker
Large jugs of water
Trash bags
Cooking oil
Spices
Bearproof food storage
Skewers
Toiletries
Keep it clean while you're camping with the right tools—just make sure any products you bring are biodegradable, so they don't harm nature (or you).
Sunscreen
Brush or comb
Soap
Shampoo/conditioner
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Lip balm (with SPF)
Razor and shaving cream
Baby/cleaning wipes
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper
Prescription meds
Contact lens case/solution
Hair ties
Quick dry towel
Insect repellent spray/lotion
Lip balm
Small, shatterproof mirror
Try to minimize fragranced products, which may attract wildlife to your camp—and to you—Fragrances can attract anything from mosquitoes to bears.
Just-in-Case Gear
You never know when something's going to go awry when you're camping, so it's great to have some basic gear for fixing things.
Duct tape
First aid kit (including lots of moleskins)
Multitool
Wood axe or saw
Menstrual products
Hammer
Antiseptic wipes
Pain relievers
Allergy medications
Anti-diarrheal or antacid medications
Sunburn cream
Water purifiers
Safety pins
Scissors
Small shovel
Snakebite kit
Camping sewing kit
Leather work gloves
Solar-powered chargers
Extra blankets
Whistle
Heat-resistant leather working gloves let you chop firewood, deal with hot pots and pans, and wrangle anything else that comes your way.
Fun Camping Gear
The real fun of camping is all the activities you get to do. Pack along gear for outdoor adventures, games, and maybe a little campfire music-making.
Frisbee or ball
Compass and maps
Fishing gear
Field guide
Binoculars
Books or magazines
Musical instruments
Cards or games
Camera
Hiking poles
Hammock
Fanny pack
Sports gear (snowshoes, kayak, etc.)
Tips for Beginner Campers
If you're first-timer campers, consider these tips to make your camping trip a big success.
Keep it short and simple. Don't embark on a week-long backwoods adventure if you're newbies. Start off with an overnight (or two, if you're daring) in a tent or cabin and see how you like it. You might also choose a campsite close to home, so you can always head back if you realize you forgot something on your list—or you need to abort the mission due to bad weather.
Practice makes perfect. Try an overnight in your backyard first, so you can learn how to assemble the tent and set up your campsite in a low-pressure setting.
Leave no trace that you were there. Try to minimize your use of paper plates and other disposables, and bring trash bags to carry everything back out with you.
Prepare for the weather. Nothing's worse than shivering or sweating your way through a camping trip. Be mindful of both daytime and nighttime temperatures—as you may find it gets chilly at night.
Preplan your menu. Limit your use of perishables and use those first so you maximize your food safety (and don't have to worry as much about the ice in your cooler melting. Opt for shelf-stable foods like granola, and easy-to-pack fruits and veggies like apples and potatoes. And don't forget to store food away from your tent (and ideally, in a bear-safe vault), to keep animals from poking around your tent at night.
Consider borrowing, renting, or buying used equipment for your first go-round. Not sure that you'll be a happy camper? See if you can borrow or buy preowned gear to try out before you invest. Some stores, like REI, will rent gear like tents, bearproof containers, and other goodies so you can be fully stocked for an occasional foray into the forest—and not have to make a big investment into camping gear.
