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Ultimate Camping Check List – Beginner’s Camping Essentials Guide

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We have created a master camping list so that you don’t need to worry about heading on your next adventure.

You may have created a camping checklist to help you break down what you might need to pack. Figuring out what to include on this camping checklist can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to camping.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend some much-needed time with family, friends, or, most importantly, even just yourself. It’s a fantastic pastime that can keep you active and allow you to explore the wilds of your local parks, a backcountry trail, or even your own backyard.

What are the most popular camping purchases?

Remember to get all your necessities before packing day.
The top 8 essential camping & hiking items are:

What should you not forget when camping?

Master camping list - items
Some of the joy of camping is derived from not needing to pack a ton of gear. If you’re doing it right, camping should allow you to get by with packing as little as possible.

That being said, when you’re first starting out, you need to bring a bit extra until you get used to being out in the woods.

We have broken down a list of what to take camping to help simplify things for you.

Suitable Camping Clothes

You don’t need to pack as though you are headed out on a seven-day luxury cruise. Instead, you should make sure you have the essentials. Which consists mostly of a few pairs of dry clothes. In case your other ones aren’t warm enough and you need to layer, or if you get your other pairs wet.

Consider packing two types of shirts

A short sleeved shirt and a long sleeved shirt, two pairs of pants, and two pairs of undergarments (including socks). Your clothes should ideally be made out of moisture-wicking synthetic materials or wool instead of cotton. These will dry much faster than non-synthetic materials, and will also be lightweight in your pack. If it’s cold, consider packing an insulated down jacket as well. You should also bring comfortable pair of footwear designed for walking.

You might also think about bringing a change of shoes, swimwear, sunglasses, and towels. You should also be sure to pack things like toilet paper and a toothbrush.

How Much Food and Drinks Do I Need For My Camping Trip

Master camping list food and drinksThink simple when you’re trying to decide what kind of food and drink to bring. While many campgrounds or established sites have drinkable water, others may not. Bring your own water or be prepared to treat water if there’s a nearby source.

If you are camping in an RV, for example, you will have much more flexibility. And can bring more food and drinks than you know what to do with.

Major Necessities

The only major necessities you need are water and enough food to last for however long you are planning on camping, plus a little extra in case of emergencies. Think about bringing non-perishable food items like freeze-dried, dehydrated, or canned foods. Don’t forget about keeping food cool or heating it up – you may want to consider bringing a cooler, ice, a camping grill, camping stove, and utensils along with cookware.

Prepare whatever you can at home. And remember that anything you need to cook will likely need to be done on an open flame. If you’re bringing a camp stove or grill, be sure to bring a spatula and fuel as well.

Emergency Supplies

Master camping list emergency supplies and activitiesWe have included some emergency supplies in our camping list that aren’t necessarily only for emergency situations but should be included and packed in a similar manner.

For example, you might consider bringing items like baby wipes, sunscreen, deodorant, and insect repellent. Tweezers and any medication also fall into this category.

A good idea is to pack a mini first aid kit in an old prescription bottle or a days-of-the-week medicine holder. This will allow you to hold a couple of each type of medication or toiletry item you might need without having to lug around the heavy bottles.

You should also consider bringing a whistle. This is not an absolute necessity, but a good idea in case someone in your party becomes lost.

Tools To Take Camping

One of the most important tools for you to bring on your camping trip is a lighter, matches, or other kinds of fire starter.

If you are planning on cutting your own firewood, bring an ax or hatchet, but remember that if you don’t have strong fire building skills you may want to purchase a firestarter and firewood ahead of time to bring with you.

You will also need basic tools like trash bags to keep your trash up off the ground and out of reach of hungry bears and raccoons. You might consider bringing additional tools like a flashlight, lantern, multitool, duct tape, and a mallet or hammer for pounding in tent stakes.

Navigational Items To Take Camping

If you’re camping at a large campground, you may not need to concern yourself with this category. However, if you’re headed deep into the woods make sure you pack all of your navigational essentials. This includes items like a backpack, compass, GPS, and a map. You might also want to bring along field guides (so you don’t accidentally confuse that poison ivy you’re using as backup toilet paper as an innocuous leaf, for example) and dry bags to hold all these paper guides in.

Shelter and Bedding Required For Camping

One of the most crucial items you need to bring on your camping trip is your tent. A waterproof tent is your best bet, as this will protect you from not only inclement weather but also a heavy morning dew. You can put waterproof carpet on your tent floor to help prevent your sleeping bag from getting wet from the ground up, too.

Master camping list - sleeping bag featuresYou might also want to bring additional tent-staking materials like rope, a tarp, or clothesline. A sleeping bag and sleeping bag are also necessities. Some people prefer to bring along alternative bedding. Such as camp cots for two or hammocks, but these aren’t necessary unless you see fit. If you’re trying to cut down on baggage, a sleeping bag for two can eliminate the need to lug around multiple types of bedding as well.

Miscellaneous Camping Supplies

There are some other items you might consider bringing on your camping trip that again, are not necessities, but could make you a bit more comfortable. This list includes things like an alarm clock and batteries, candles or lanterns, camp chairs, firewood, a folding table, or rope. Some other recreational items, like reading materials or campfire games, are also items you should consider if you have space.

How Should I Pack For My Camping Trip

Tip 1:  Keep it simple

The whole point of camping is to make do with a little less for the time being. You want to get back to the basics. Take only what you absolutely need, and remember that in most cases, you can always head back out to civilization to grab something you forgot.

Tip 2: Don’t overplan

This goes along with the tip above. Your camping trip does not need to be planned to a T. This rule applies to everything from preparing dinner to bringing long extra activities. You don’t need to pack a handheld video game machine, a cell phone charger (for obvious reasons), or the ingredients for a five-course meal. Keep it simple – plan for one-dish meals, instant dishes, or foil dinners that you can make quickly and with limited resources back in the woods.

Tip 3: Remember that it’s okay to stink a little

camping checklist its ok to stink a littleWhile it doesn’t hurt to pack a lightweight stick of deodorant, you don’t need a wardrobe change every couple of hours or your usual cabinet-load of toiletries. All you need is the basics. Of course, you should make sure that you bring a change or two of clothes in case the other pairs get wet. But you don’t need to think beyond that.

Tip 4: Make a list

Making a list ahead of time will help prevent you from both over- and under-packing. Make your list a week or so before your trip, and then revise it as you move throughout the week. You can always add or eliminate items as you see fit! Making a detailed list will help take some of the stress out of your camping trip. Be sure to check the ten-day weather forecast. And consider packing well in advance of your trip to reduce stress.

Tip 5: Maximize your space

When you pack your vehicle, keep in mind the items that will be the last in and first out. Put the things you’ll need first in last so that you don’t have to dig or unload your entire car to get to them. Consider adding a cargo carrier to your car to make transporting all your gear a bit easier. If you plan on hiking into the back country for your camping trip. Make sure you try on your fully loaded gear ahead of time. To make sure it’s not too heavy to carry.

What Should I Do to Prepare Myself for My Camping Trip?

Tip 1: Identify your needs and plans

Before scheduling your camping trip, think about what you want to get out of the experience. Do you plan on hiking for miles, or do you want to simply lay back and relax in the sun? Are you going to go fishing?

Figuring out your exact plans, and then deciding how you will carry out those plans, is crucial when you are getting ready for your camping trip. This isn’t just to help you pack; you may also need to purchase additional equipment. Or take classes in certain skills so that you are fully prepared for the experience.

Tip 2: Make a camping check list and evaluate your gear

Make sure you have all of the equipment you need for all of your camping activities. Collect or purchase necessary items and cross them off your list as you add them. You should also take the time to check all of your gear and evaluate its worthiness for the trip. If your tent or your hiking boots are no longer waterproof, consider purchasing replacement items.

Tip 3: Review all maps, regulations, and advisories

Navigation Map Compass -camping check list

Familiarize yourself with the local area, as well as any regulations that might be in effect.

For example, some campsites will only allow certain kinds of camping activities. Some may not allow fires or similar activities.

Tip 4: Practice setting up your tent and using your equipment

Don’t let the first time you set up a tent be when you arrive at your campsite. This is a bad idea for several reasons. If it’s a brand new tent, you may need to purchase additional equipment (like poles). And you won’t be aware until you have already arrived at the campsite. Knowing the intricacies of setting up your tent. And using your other equipment will also help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding your camping trip. As you won’t be going into the experience without any skills.

Tip 5: Learn a few basic camping skills

The period before your camping trip is also a great time to start learning and practicing some basic skills. For a camping trip to be successful, you need to know things like how to start a fire or tie a knot. Learn these skills ahead of time instead of experimenting with them on the fly.

A camping trip is a great way to unwind, and if you’re armed with the master camping list of essential equipment and knowledge, you’re sure to have a memorable, enjoyable time.

So, happy camping guys, its the most fantastic way to build relationships, strengthen family ties and arguably the most important thing of all, destressing after a hard week at the office or wherever you work.

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