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Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications incl.
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Whether camping means going off the grid or glamping, you’ll need a solid packing list. And what you pack can depend on when you plan to camp and which campground you plan to visit.
Summer days at a state park may require bug spray and breathable sleeping bags, while a fall outing in the desert calls for layers and thermal gear to deal with warm daytime temperatures and frigid nights. Always make sure to pack for the right climate range for the location you plan on setting up camp at.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or it’s your first time heading out for a weekend getaway, packing for some time in the great outdoors can be daunting. This guide can give you peace of mind by helping you ensure you don’t forget any necessities and that you’re prepared for anything.
Weather can be unpredictable. There can be a cold snap in July or rain in the forecast for December when you might typically expect snow. That uncertainty is further amplified if you’re going somewhere new. Since camping involves spending a lot of time outside, always check the weather a few times before heading out.
You’ll also want to ensure your gear is adequate for the weather. Invest in a nylon tent with waterproof stitching for all-weather camping. Since it’s breathable, you won’t have to worry about overheating in the summer, and it will also keep out any cold evening chills.
That same advice also applies to sleeping bags, though you might also want to double-check the temperature limits for a bag.
Dedicated campers often head out for a week or more. But 2- to 3-day camping trips are common because camping is an easy and fun way to spend long weekends throughout the year.
Your packing list won’t change much, no matter how long you’re away. You’ll just need to make sure you bring enough socks, underwear, layers, and food to last however long you’ll be camping, preferably with some spares in case of an emergency.
Since campgrounds are specifically zoned with safety in mind, it’s not recommended, and sometimes even illegal, to camp in non-designated areas. While you can sometimes get lucky and find a campground with empty sites on a whim, making reservations ahead of time is much better.
When choosing your campground, check the on-site amenities and what’s in the area. For example, some grounds have showers, general stores, or food lockers, while others offer the bare minimum for a more rustic experience.
You’ll most likely have to drive to your camping destination, so make sure you plan your route, especially if you’re going to another city or state.
Look at the different course options available to you and find out if there are any special road conditions you should be aware of. For example, some roads might require all-weather tires or snow chains at certain times of the year, while other routes might have stretches prone to bumper-to-bumper traffic.
If you’re facing a drive that’s an hour or more, or if you’re going to be camping with young children, try to get an idea of what rest areas and gas stations you’ll encounter along the way. That way, you know when to plan restroom or snack breaks and where to fill up your car if running low on gas.
Don’t wait until the last minute to ensure your car is ready for a lengthy drive, especially if you’ll be further than a few miles away from home. There are a few things to check before driving to your campsite:
It’s tempting to wait until the last minute to pack, but that puts you at risk of over or underpacking. A few minutes of research can be a huge help.
Once you’ve checked the weather and made your reservations, list the types of clothing and gear you’ll want to bring with you. Making that list early allows you to review your belongings and ensure you have what you’ll need. If you find out you’re missing something essential, you have time to get it before you’re set to hit the road.
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Some general things you can always count on needing are sunscreen, a reliable backpack, a canteen, a mess kit, and bug spray.
The ideal camping gear will be durable enough to withstand most expected weather conditions and last multiple years of use. It will also be compact and lightweight since you might have to hike with your equipment. However, the specifics for what supplies you should use will depend on the sort of camper you are and what trips you plan on taking.
Hiking and camping backpacks tend to be ergonomically designed, with thick padded straps to distribute weight. They also usually have straps and clips to attach a bed roll and a water bottle. Many tents also come with a carrying bag. These bags are usually long and relatively narrow, making them easy to store and less bulky to carry.
In most cases, you’ll probably be driving to your camping destination, which can be comforting when it comes to packing. However, no matter your trip, you’ll still have relatively limited space.
You don’t have to forgo bringing your favorite shower soap, shampoo, mouthwash, or skincare products. However, getting full-size versions can take up a lot of room in your bags and add extra weight and bulk.
A simple workaround to ensure everything fits in a single toiletry bag is to bring travel-sized products. If your favorite brands don’t make travel items, you can create your own by bringing reusable containers. Remember, unlike hotels, most campgrounds won’t supply toiletries, so you’ll need to pack everything from shower gel to deodorant and toilet paper.
If you’re planning a camping trip, you probably intend to spend a lot of time outside. However, you probably won’t leave all your tech behind.
You’ll want to ensure you’re entertained while driving to your site. A tablet or e-reader with pre-downloaded books, shows, or movies, can help occupy your time on the road. Ensure you bring charging cords and a car charger with a USB port to keep your tech charged.
You might also want to bring a camera with you. While it’s true that most phones, even non-smartphones, have a built-in camera, having a separate digital camera will help preserve the battery without sacrificing capturing your camping fun.
Other electronics you might want to bring are wireless speakers or a radio to listen to music, a smartwatch to track your fitness, a camping heater or fan, and, of course, your phone.
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You might also want to invest in a portable battery so none of your electronics die on you.
Most people don’t think about travel insurance when it comes to camping. However, it’s still worth considering. Depending on your campground’s reservation and cancellation policies and the length of your trip, travel insurance can give you peace of mind if you have to cancel or change your plans.
You should also consider travel insurance if you’re flying to your camping destination. That’s especially true if you’re camping in another country that your regular insurance might not cover. It’s also a good idea to take out an insurance plan on any valuable items you’ll bring, including your electronics and camping gear.
» Related: An Introductory Guide to Travel Insurance [Policies, Common Exclusions & More]Even last-minute camping trips involve some administrative organization. To save yourself any travel headaches, have any documents you need close at hand.
As a general rule, make sure you bring the following:
You probably won’t have many travel documents to look after on a camping trip, but if you receive digital confirmations for your campsite, park entry passes, or any other reservations, ensure you have multiple accessible copies.
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Print hard copies, save screenshots to your phone or tablet, and save any emails you receive.
Most campsites will be equipped to take credit or debit cards, but smaller or older grounds might prefer cash for on-site payments. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to carry some physical cash with you if there are bank or tech problems that might make card payments difficult.
If you’re traveling out of state, make sure you also contact your bank or credit card provider to let them know you’ll be traveling to avoid any charges you make being flagged as fraudulent.
On a day-to-day basis, it’s perfectly fine to have all your essential information on your phone or synced to your different online accounts.
However, when camping, it’s best to have a hard copy of your contact information, emergency contact names and numbers, and all critical medical and dietary information. Keep these papers together in a protective sleeve you can quickly get to in case your phone dies or loses signal.
Packing is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. Avoid the usual pitfalls campers face and follow these tips so you can pack like a pro every time.
Before putting anything in your bag, lay out absolutely everything you want to bring. Having a visual helps you take stock of your packing list. You’ll be able to see if anything is missing or if you’ve overpacked in some areas.
If you’ve made any changes to the packing list you’ve already created, rewrite it to reflect your current essentials to avoid any confusion later.
In general, for a 3-day summer trip, you should pack the following:
How you pack can affect how efficiently you use your space.
Folding vs. Rolling
Folding is best at home as it helps prevent wrinkles. However, rolling is a space-saver. In most cases, you probably won’t need freshly pressed clothes while camping. Or you can get away with packing wrinkle-resistant clothing.
Roof boxes are great options for taking a small car, having bulky gear, or traveling with a larger group in a single vehicle. They’re usually sturdy and weather-proof, so you can drive in any climate without worrying about damaging your belongings.
If you’re a first-time or occasional camper, you can make do with a backpack or duffle bag before investing in a roof box. This might limit space in your car, though, if you don’t strap your luggage to the roof of your vehicle.
» Related: The 12 Best Cargo Carriers in 2024 [Includes Rooftop & Hitch Baskets]Unless you’re planning a 1-night trip, having a laundry bag can help ensure you don’t mix your dirty clothes with your clean items. Any spare bag to throw your dirty clothes in will be helpful, but if you can, go the extra mile and pick a water and leak-proof option. This is especially helpful if hiking, swimming, or rain is in the forecast.
Most campgrounds have on-site first aid kits, but they are often just at the front of the grounds, which isn’t always helpful. Pack a small first-aid kit to take care of any minor injuries immediately.
A few things to make sure you have on hand are:
Each campground will have its rules to follow, which should be available on its website or by phone. Some important information you should find out before you camp is:
Plan what you’ll do while on your camping trip to ensure you don’t get bored. Consult what the campground has available, for example, if there are hiking trails or swimming and fishing areas.
To add variety to your days, you can bring things to keep yourself entertained, like puzzles, games, or even a frisbee if it’s allowed. Many also work as backup options if rain or other weather conditions change your plans.
» Related: The 40 Best Small Board & Card Games [Travel & Space-Saving Versions]If you need to get to a change of clothes or any medication, digging through all your belongings is annoying. Keep all your essential items in easy-to-access places, like in a day bag or a designated compartment in your backpack.
Some things to keep close at hand:
Most campgrounds allow on-site cooking. In many cases, bringing or preparing your food will be essential. Here are a few things to consider when meal planning for your camping trip.
Bringing mostly dry or non-perishable items will reduce food waste. Cereal, crackers, bread, peanut butter, and canned protein like tuna are favorites as they don’t require cooking. You can also bring food cooked over a fire, like rice, soup, or beans.
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Frozen foods, meat, or fresh fish aren’t recommended unless you eat them shortly after purchase.
There are pros and cons to cooking ahead or cooking at your campground.
Preparing your food ahead of time has its advantages. For one, since you’re making things in your kitchen, you have more control over spices and portions.
You’ll also have more freedom with the food you prepare since you can use refrigerated or frozen ingredients you might not have at camp. However, in most cases, you’ll need to keep your meals temperature-controlled to keep them from spoiling. That means you’ll have to bring a good cooler.
Cooking at your campground means you can bring shelf-stable items. That can cut down on food waste.
The drawback is you’re limited in what you can cook as you won’t have a full kitchen, and you’ll likely have minimal ingredients and refrigeration. It can also be a hassle if you forget to pack an ingredient or utensil you need. If a grocery store is nearby, you can pick up perishable items to cook the same day, but that’s not always guaranteed.
Even when it comes to food, you must pack efficiently so you can get everything you need for your trip to fit in the space you have available. If you’re packing food you prepared ahead of time or food that doesn’t have a sealed package, you’ll need air-tight food containers or bags. This will help keep out moisture and maintain the freshness of your food.
You can find containers in various materials, but plastic, silicone, or aluminum are the most durable. You should consider vacuum-sealing items like herbs, spices, dry ingredients, dried fruits, and lunch meats. Not only does this remove air to preserve food quality, but it also makes them more compact so you can pack more food in less space.
You’ll also want to use temperature-controlled storage options. Insulated coolers will help keep your food chilled, and they’re designed to keep out heat even after any ice packs have melted.
Hundreds of coolers are on the market, so it can be easy to assume they’re all the same or be daunted by the number of choices available.
Your ideal camping cooler will depend on your needs, but there are a few characteristics you should keep in mind:
Transport
Material
Size
You can find options small enough for lunch boxes or large enough to hold over 100 quarts worth of food. Before deciding on a size, here are a few things to consider:
Depending on where you camp, raccoons, deer, or even bears can smell you and what you eat from a mile away. So you need to have a plan to keep your food safe.
What To Do:
What Not To Do:
No matter where you set up camp, you probably won’t spend your entire trip in and around your tent. So, having a day bag for short excursions already prepped is a good idea, so you can just grab it and head out on an adventure.
Here are a few essentials no day bag is complete without:
If you plan on going swimming, bring a towel and some spare clothes and a bag to put your wet suit in.
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Another good thing to have on hand if you’re hiking or exploring is a physical map of the area you can refer back to.
Camping is a rustic activity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the wonders of technology to your advantage. You can download multiple apps to make a good trip even better. All apps recommended below are available for Android and iOS devices.
There are hundreds of KOA campsites all over the country, and this handy app lets you see all of them. You can search for available sites, check the local weather, and consult campground rules and information all from 1 app. It even syncs with virtually all navigation apps to help you reach your desired location.
AllTrails is one of the most comprehensive hiking apps currently available. Its database has access to over 200,000 trail maps which can be filtered to suit your needs. You can choose between hiking or biking trails, dog-friendly options, and narrow your search by length and difficulty level.
Though no one likes to think about it, a lot can happen while hiking, so it’s best to be prepared in case of injury. This is an official American Red Cross app that’s full of advice and tips on what to do in case of accidents or emergencies. It even has quizzes you can do to test your knowledge.
Having a glove compartment full of maps is a thing of the past, but trusting mobile navigation apps can be risky. Maps.me is a happy medium. All its maps are digital, which can save space, but it doesn’t rely on cell reception or internet access to work. Before heading out, download the map you need, and you’re all set.
The Dyrt is a camping database that gets its information directly from its users. You can use the app to reserve your campsite, but it can also be used to see your options. You can narrow your search by budget, date, or type of camping since it covers everything from laying a sleeping bag under the stars to “glamping” and RV camping.
Before heading off on your camping adventure, ensure your home is in order. Whether you’re leaving for 1 night or 10, you will want your home to be as organized as possible when you return.
Camping trips have the potential to be a lot of fun. Unsurprisingly, it’s many people’s favorite way to spend their vacation. However, a lot of planning goes into these trips, from finding the right site to packing light without forgetting anything.
Use our handy packing list, expert tips, and a few helpful apps to help your camping adventure go smoothly so that you can relax and have a great time.
Featured Image Credit: Jack Sloop via UnsplashIn general, a 2- or 3-night camping trip is considered ideal for most people. However, the exact length will depend on the amenities offered by your campground, the weather, and your comfort. Shorter trips also require less packing and prep than longer ones.
One of the most essential rules of camping is to leave your campsite better than how you found it. That means camping in established places, making sure to take all your trash with you, and completely putting out any campfires that were set.
Not everyone will enjoy themselves while camping. People who dislike the outdoors or need indoor comforts won’t have as much fun. However, campgrounds can provide diverse amenities, and there are ways to add some luxuries, like using a camper.
Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure you put it out before you go to sleep and before you leave. And don’t take campground rules lightly, as established rules are generally for your safety and comfort.
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Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.
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