7/14/2017

The Ultimate Camping Packing List

Alas!

The List has been completed.

After camping all across North America (and some Central American countries),  I know how important it is to be prepared. Worst case scenario if you forget something, usually it involves just running to the store for more lighter fluid… BUT some things are more difficult to buy out in the middle of nowhere.

So I am thrilled to share with you my (by no means exhausted) camping list.

All the highlighted green words within this article are links that will bring you to Amazon for some of the best deals on these camping items. If you buy anything from these links that you need, it’s greatly appreciated as I get a small percentage from it (which helps me continue to write these articles). It’s something small but it helps me too, and you!

I try to keep it as minimal as possible, while still including a few extra luxuries that really do add to the quality of camping. Within this blog you will find lists on:

  • Tent Packing
  • Camp Kitchen
  • Bathing & Hygiene
  • Electronics & Extras
  • Clothing

Tent Packing List

  1. Tent. The tent I linked here is the one featured above. It’s not anything crazy, but it does get the job done. Be gentle with (all tents) zipper, because they apparently are fragile things.
  2. Two Tarps. Walmart has best prices. One for under tent, one for above tent (preferably tied across a few trees) for extra rain protection.
  3. Extra stakes. For tent (and tarp if you don’t have trees to tie them too). You’ll need extras of these for the long run… that’s for sure. Between hammering them bent (and just plain losing them)… you’ll want to be sure to have extras.
  4. Sleeping Pad. I repeat, sleeping pad not a blow up mattress. Long story short on this one… yes they are nice… but they don’t last. Even the most sturdy blow up “camping proof” mattresses will die. They are loud to fill up (if you arrive late to a campsite and everyone makes “SHHHHH” sounds, and you become THAT guy). Also you have to rely on some kind of power source to blow up the thing. Keep it simple, and get yourself a blow up sleeping pad. REI is my best recommendation for this. SUPER comfortable, in fact I prefer it to my bed sometimes oddly enough. Bonus points: slip a yoga mat underneath it for extra insulation from the ground.
  5. Sleeping Bag. Needed wherever you go. Even if it’s not cold. A sleeping bag will protect you from any strange bugs that wander into the tent and bite you at night. Learn from my mistakes, I had over 50+ Chigger bites in one night from using a sheets… And my friends in sleeping bags had guess how many? None. Important lesson learned.
  6. Extra Blanket(s). Also nice for the car. But very useful on a unexpected extra chilly night.
  7. Pillow.
  8. Earplugs. You will need them. Unless you do well with the sounds of other campers festivities around you then perhaps not. I know I need them. But hey, not everyone is sensitive to sounds.
  9. Eye Mask. Sounds silly, but isn’t. When you have cars driving up to their camping spots with high beams, this won’t be a silly thing to have… Or perhaps passersbys with their flashlights repeatedly being aimed into your tent throughout the night… because you are next to the path to the bathroom. It’s useful.
  10. Welcome Mat. A place to clean your feet before entering the tent. Also sounds silly, but is highly appreciated and useful if you care about tent cleanliness.
  11. Lamp. Preferably one that can hang, is always a great thing to have. Especially when you arrive late to your site and have to cook dinner, very useful then.
  12. Hammer. What for you ask? For getting those lovely stakes into the ground for you tent. Highly recommended. Also check the dollar store, they have nice cheap ones that work well. Then keep it in the bag with the tent.
  13. Head Lamp. Cooking, cleaning, and walking to the bathroom in darkness is not particularly fun… especially when you trip on rocks and land on your face. There’s like a $5 one at walgreens/CVS that will serve you well.

IMPORTANT:

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP NO FOOD ITEMS IN YOUR TENT. ABSOLUTELY NONE. ALSO DON’T EAT IN YOUR TENT. DON’T EVEN KEEP GUM OR GRANOLA BARS IN YOUR BACKPACK WITHIN THE TENT…

Or you very well die by death of (usually red) ants before dawn.

You’ve been warned.

+ Bears, Raccoons, and Ground Squirrels (depending on your location) might come snooping as well. This is a serious concern, ant jokes aside (seriously though, ants will come) these dangers/annoyances are very real when camping. I know that we witnessed all of the above on our camping trip across North America. That is why it is worth noting food safety here. Stay safe, keep food out.

Camping Kitchen List

  1. Camping Kitchen Stove. This is a must, especially if you plan on saving money by cooking your own meals (highly recommended). Sure you can cook over a fire (which is fun), but when it’s windy, and has rained this isn’t always feasible (plus more expensive in the long run with constantly spending money on firewood). Get yourself a good propane stove, and reap the benefits. Hot tea first thing in the morning, in a hammock, while listening to all the birds is probably one of my favorite things ever.
  2. Propane Set. Walmart. I’m not even going to link Amazon here because it’s super cheap at Wally World. I’m not a fan of the place, but occasionally I make an exception, and this is one of them.
  3. Spatula. Honestly, Dollar store is where it’s at for this. You won’t be mad when you burn it to death or accidentally lose it.
  4. Oven Mitts. Also Dollar store.
  5. Large Iron Cooking Pan. Check your local Thrift stores.
  6. Medium Pot With Lid. Thrift stores.
  7. Microfiber Cloth. Dollar store.
  8. Laundry Bag With Holes. Bring from home.
  9. Plates. Bowls. Spoons. Forks. Knives. Dollar store/ Thrift store. OR bonus fun buy at the thrift store in the location you are staying. So it’s a nice souvenir for home and cheap.
  10. Coffee Cup. Same as statement above. Great souvenir (I’m all about useful souvenirs because I’m sentimental like that).
  11. Paper Towels.
  12. Dish Soap.
  13. Dish Scrubber. Dollar store.
  14. Table Cloth (with clips to secure to table).
  15. Three (Preferably Collapsible) Buckets. For washing dishes. Rinse. Clean. Sanitize. Make sure to get the 5 Gallon size. This brand I recommended it the same one I used on my trip last year for 65 days of camping and held up very well, despite all the abuse I put it through (even used it crystal mining, I don’t recommend this though).
  16. Sharp Knife. Dollar store.
  17. Can Opener. Dollar store/ Thrift store.
  18. Lighter Fluid. Walmart or any other store of preference.
  19. BBQ Lighter. Because sometimes a Bic just doesn’t cut it. Dollar stores sometimes have this.
  20. A Large Water Bottle. I highly recommend the one I have linked here. It’s hands down my favorite and really does keep all your drinks cold for a VERY long time. Also a great price for it’s size and what it does.
  21. Resealable Plastic Bags lots of them, in all shapes & sizes (more handy than you can imagine).

Now you may have noticed that I haven’t included any food items in this blog post for camping, BUT the magical link to this article is found HERE!

Bathing & Hygiene List

  1. Portable Shower. Sounds kinda unnecessary, but it is in fact very handy. I love the one I linked here, it’s rechargeable and has good water pressure. Hang it from a tree or from some hammock straps and you’re golden. Just make sure to have a tarp underneath, not too near the tent, and you should be fine. For the love of god, don’t lose the charging cord… it’s made specifically for this device and a regular phone charging cord won’t cut it. Luckily their customer service is good and I bought a replacement one for $10. So yeah, don’t lose the cord.
  2. Deodorant.
  3. Shampoo. Preferably Doctor Bronner’s soap, because it’s biodegradable and good for the environment.
  4. Conditioner.
  5. Body Wash. Same as shampoo.
  6. Hair Brush.
  7. Face Cleanser.
  8. Leave In Conditioner. “It’s a 10” leave in conditioner has saved my hair from death one too many times. Hands down my favorite. I’ve linked it’s 2oz size that’s best for travel.
  9. Face Moisturizer.
  10. Makeup.
  11. Makeup Remover.
  12. Lip Sunblock & Body Sunblock. Because you will need it.
  13. Razor.
  14. Bug Spray. Use natural!
  15. Hair Ties. Lots of them.
  16. Face Pads & Q-Tips.
  17. Bandaids.
  18. Two Towels.

Electronics & Extras

  1. Camping Chair. This one is my favorite! I love it. The one I linked is fairly priced, has a cooler attached to the arm, AND it’s big enough to sit cross legged in (well for me anyway). At first this seemed like it could be an unnecessary item, but turns out to be pretty essential when roasting marshmallows around the campfire!
  2. Hammock & Straps. It’s the simple things in life that make things all the better. This is one of them. For around $45 (straps included) you can have my version of bliss on a camping trip (or anywhere for that matter). Well worth it.
  3. Portable Fan. The one I listed here is my favorite because it clips to that string at the top of the inside of the tent. Kinda like a mini ceiling fan for tent life, it’s rather enjoyable for humid nights with no breeze. Also it’s rechargeable/disposable battery operated. Use one, or use both, it’s your choice.
  4. Portable Waterproof Speakers. I love music with everything, making dinner, taking a shower, laying in the hammock, paddleboarding, all of it. So this has always been an essential for me. These speakers are the ones that I use, perhaps there are better ones on the market, but at $50, waterproof, decent battery life, fast charging times, and actually really good sound quality I find it hard to beat.
  5. Yoga Mat.
  6. Umbrella.
  7. Tripod. If you love photography like myself, this is necessary. And Amazon has a great one at a nice price that has served me well. Also isn’t ginormous and has a nice carrying bag with it.
  8. Camera/2 Batteries/ 2 Memory Cards.
  9. GoPro/ Backup Batteries/ Selfie Stick/Headgear.
  10. Portable Chargers. Well worth the money when there are no electrical outlets. Over 7+ charges for your phone with this powerful piece. Super useful.
  11. Cords For All The Electronics To Charge.
  12. Books (Kindle).

Clothing

  1. Shirts.
  2. Tank Tops.
  3. Long Sleeve Shirts.
  4. Sweater.
  5. Hoodie.
  6. Socks.
  7. Underwear.
  8. Shorts.
  9. Yoga Pants.
  10. One Pair Of Jeans.
  11. A Dress.
  12. Two Bathing Suits.
  13. Well worn/stained shirts & shorts. Because sometimes you don’t want your good clothes to get ruined.

Well I hope that this list is thorough enough for most!

It’s best serving those who car camp VS hiking campers, due to weight of some of these items. More family friendly as well. However in the future I will make a list for those who want a great hiking camping list!

Let me know if you have any additional must haves that I may have missed!

Thank you for reading, and I love you all!

Sara