Camping List!

Tim and I love to go camping. We have been several times over the years and have tent camping down to a science. I’m sure we take a lot more than some people and a lot less than some people but this is the quick and easy list I check before loading the car. When we are all packed up we have two rubbermaid tubs, a cooler or two, and a tent in the car. We keep those rubbermaid tubs labeled and stocked that way we never have to empty out the whole box to check it before leaving for a campsite. Some day I’ll add a meal plan and full list to go along with this post.

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Main list

• Tent(s) This is a nice basic tent
• Air mattress (pump) This is very similar to the one we have.
• Hammer- To stake down tent
• Tarp– Large enough for your tent to sit on with a little extra on the entrance side for shoes.
• Pillows
• Blankets (sheets)/Sleeping bags- You do not need both. Summer camping is usually on the warm side so you might just want a fitted sheet and top sheet and/or a light blanket.
• Flashlights- One for each person going is nice.
• Extension cords- We typically only need one. We use it to charge our phone for music around the campfire or something.
• Broom and dust pan- A mini one is fine. Used to sweep the unavoidable dirt off the tent floor.
• Coolers- We like to bring two if we are going for more than a weekend. One for food and one for drinks. That way you aren’t letting all the cold air out of the food cooler every time someone wants a drink.
• Matches or a lighter
• Paper plates- This just makes things easier and in a pinch makes a great fire kindling.
• Plastic cups (or just plan to drink out of your water bottle or can drink.)
• Plastic silverware
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towels
• Trash bags (don’t leave a trace with all those paper and plastic products)
• Dish soap(for cleaning cooking utensils, I also use this for a quick hand wash when needed)
• Ziplock bags for food storage
• Tongs
• Skewers(depending on what you bring for meals)
• Folding table– if your campsite does not have a picnic table then this will be very useful.
• Dish rags/towel

Food

• seasonings/sugar(for coffee)
• ketchup
• mustard
• bbq sauce
• graham crackers
• chocolate bars
• marshmallows
• hamburgers
• hot dogs
• buns for both
• snack items
• bacon
• eggs
• pancake mix
• lunch meat
• bread
• potatoes

Personal

• shower shoes, flip flops
• towels and wash cloth
• soap/ body wash
• shampoo
• tooth brush/ tooth paste
• deodorant
• brush
• razor
• toilet paper

Random

• sunscreen
• chapstick
• extra batteries
• gps
• bug repellant/candles
• camera
• ax
• backpack
• bag chairs
• sunglasses
• first aid kit
• knife
• water bottles
• cards
• duck tape
• phone chargers
• safety pins
• scissors
• band aids
• antiseptic wipes
• Dog leashes/ stake
• tweezers
• ibuprofen
• eye drops
• Poison ivy cream
• Neosporin
• tablecloth

This is everything I’ve ever taken on a camping trip. We do not bring all of this every time. It all just depends on what works best for your camping crew!