What to Bring Camping: The Only Essentials Guide You’ll Ever Need

What if you didn’t have to wonder exactly what to bring camping?

We know it can seem overwhelming when you’re heading out camping for the first time – or even the 10th time.

For years, every time we started packing, I was sure I was missing something – and, usually, I was.

Now, after many years, we’ve developed a pretty good system for making sure we pack all the car camping essentials.

The best news? Even though it seems like there are a million things you need for a camping trip, it doesn’t have to be that complicated – even if you’re going with kids.

In the next few minutes, we’ll share what you really need to take on your next camping trip, a few tips for choosing the best gear, and a free family camping checklist to keep you on track while you’re packing.

Camping Essentials Checklist at a Glance

Camping Gear

If you’re new to camping (or haven’t camped in a few years), it’s possible you still need a few items on the checklist above.

But don’t worry! You can always ask a friend to borrow their gear. Or, you can rent or purchase the gear you need to fill in the gaps.

If you have friends who love to camp, chances are they have what you’re missing and will be willing to share. We regularly share things with our friends, family, and neighbors!

Renting gear is also an option. Places like REI and other local outdoor shops often rent gear at a very reasonable price. It’s a great way to test out items you’re unsure about too!

And if you’re ready to invest in your own car camping gear, I’ve pulled together a few of our top recommendations below.

Tent

Where you sleep is one of the most important factors in any camping trip – whether you’re car camping in a tent, backpacking with a hammock tent, or sleeping in a comfy RV.

Being able to stay dry and comfortable can make the difference between an amazing adventure and a miserable trip.

When looking for your own tent, you’ll want to consider factors such as size, intended use (location, weather), price, and ease of use.

Below are some of my top pics for tents that prioritize value, quality, durability, and important features. I’ve included a few notes on each to help you know which one is most likely to fit your needs.

Sleeping Pad or Cot

We’ve found that having a quality camping pad makes a huge difference, but a cot is much more comfortable for us.

Our favorite is actually a cot and sleeping pad combo!

And if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve had a couple of these cots for several years and they’ve also held up well.

Sleeping Bag

You might be tempted to skimp on the price of a sleeping bag.

But I’ve found that the single most important item for me to get a good night’s sleep at camp is a sleeping bag.

In particular, a WARM sleeping bag (nothing ruins the night for me more than being cold.)

⛺️ This is the sleeping bag I have an LOVE! It’s a 0°F bag so it will keep you warm on even super cold nights.

Hubs has this one (also a 0° F bag, but with an added GORE-Tex shell perfect for snow camping, etc.) and the kids both have the same bag, but in this 15°F version.

Mini Broom and Dustpan

I know, I know…this doesn’t seem like a sleeping essential, but hear me out.

When you have kids (of the human or furry variety), I hate to break it to you, but they aren’t going to be the best at remembering to leave their shoes outside every time…or brushing their paws off, whichever the case may be.

If you’ve ever been beach camping, you really know what I mean. It’s fantastic to be steps from the ocean and to fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

It’s less awesome to have the entire beach IN your tent. 😝

Having a mini-dust pan and broom helps to keep the worst of the mess out of your sleeping area, and has saved my kids’ lives sanity more than once. It’s perfect for sweeping out the dirt, pine needles, and everything that they’ll inevitably drag into the tent. Plus, it works great to brush off your storage bins or anything else before you put them back in your car.

Pillow

Last but not least, if you are going car camping and you have space, I highly recommend taking your favorite pillow.

But, if you’re short on space, we love this camping pillow! It even comes with us when we travel for sleeping on airplanes or adding a little comfort to less-than-ideal hotel pillows.

⛺️ My favorite camping/backpacking pillow packs super small and is lightweight so you can take it anywhere.

Camping Gear for Cooking

Camp Stove & Fuel

We’ve had a vintage Coleman camp stove (an older version similar to this one) for years. Seriously. This stove belonged to my great-grandfather, then my grandfather, and now me. Unfortunately, it seems to have finally reached the end of its life – though, if you know of anyone who works on them, I’d love to know!

We’ve replaced our vintage stove with the Genesis Camp Stove System by Jet Boil. And – let me tell you – it’s a game-changer! Being able to individually control each burner, have the option to add on a backpacking stove with the same fuel source, and having everything packed in one small bag is fantastic. We’re in love! 

Pots and Pans

When we go camping, we typically don’t take a ton of pots and pans.

One skillet and a medium-size pot generally covers just about anything we need.

Bonus: If you snag the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System, you’ll have everything in one!

Occasionally, we will also take a Dutch oven or iron skillet when space and weight aren’t an issue.

Cooler & Ice Packs

It may seem obvious, but an excellent cooling solution can make a huge difference in how you feel on a camping trip. We upgraded our cooler a year or two ago to a cooler similar to this that is rated for 4-5 days. It works great for our needs, but one of these days we plan to upgrade to a Yeti. 😉

We also added these ice packs for the cooler that are supposed to be the equivalent of dry ice. They work incredibly well and stood up to an entire 5-day trip through Grand Teton & Yellowstone!

They help us keep foods like eggs at a safe temperature when camping. I can’t tell you how nice it is to not have everything full of water and sloshing around in the cooler.

And, not having to refill with ice almost daily is huge!

Plates and Utensils

Disposable plates and utensils are an option, but if you’re trying to reduce your footprint (and overall cost!), reusable plants and utensils are the way to go.

Some of our favorites are plates that are the perfect blend of plate and bowl like these – deep enough for oatmeal at breakfast, but also wide enough to use as a dinner plate.

We’ve tried several other options including a mess set from UCO very similar to this one (the exact one we have isn’t made any more), and even a set we picked up from Target for $1 a plate!

Can Opener and/or Bottle Opener

Wanna know how long it takes to open a can with a knife?

Way too long when you have hungry kids, that’s for sure. We’ve forgotten the can opener waaaay too many times in the past. 😅

Don’t be like me. Just buy an extra one for camping from the start.

Knife and Cutting Board

We love having more than one cutting board around for prep so we typically have some lightweight, flexible cutting boards like these.

Recently, Snow Peak sent us their IGT Camp Kitchen Starter Kit to test out and I’ve been loving the Chopping Board Set that comes with it! The cutting board folds in half and holds the full-size chef knife inside. 🙌

Mugs and Water Bottles

We always travel with an insulated, double-walled stainless steel cup or mug.

They’re perfect for both hot and cold drinks, so you can easily get away with one cup or mug per person and a larger water bottle.

⛺️ Our favorites are either Hydro Flask or Owala.

Coffee Supplies

For many years, we’ve taken a french press with us on camping trips, and they work great for making plenty of coffee for 2-4 people at once.

However, now we typically lean towards taking our Aeropress instead. You can only make coffee for 1 person at a time, but it goes incredibly fast, and the clean-up is even easier than the french press since the grounds literally pop out in a hockey puck of coffee grounds, with little to no water left over.

Our other favorite option (and the best when you want to limit how much gear you’re taking) is instant coffee.

And, I’m not talking about the kind of instant coffee your grandma used to have in her cabinet. 🥴

The instant coffee world goes way beyond Folgers and even Starbucks Via now.

In fact, a couple of our favorite instant coffees are from Black & White Roasters and Olympia Coffee Roasters. We don’t even feel like we’re compromising when we use it. 🙌

Hot Dog/Marshmallow Forks

Our kids love making S’mores when we are camping (sometimes we change it up and make S’moreos or S’mores Ahoy), even though one of them hates hotdogs…🤷‍♀️ So, anytime we can have a fire, we make sure to take hot dog forks.

Ours are collapsable options similar to this that are great because they take up so little space, but are always easy to toss in.

Cleaning Supplies

When it comes to camp kitchen clean-up, we try to take what we need to be self-sufficient. You never know how far away the water will be from you in a campground, and if you choose to disperse camp, you’ll want to be prepared as well. Here are the things we have in our camp kitchen clean-up kit: 

• Plenty of Trash Bags
• Paper Towels
• Sponge (we have a silicone version) and drying cloth(s)
• Biodegradable Soap
• Baby/Wet Wipes: These come in handy for so many things when camping – cleaning tables, surfaces, bodies, sticky marshmallow faces, and hands… Especially if you’re dry camping and conserving water.

Optional Camping Equipment

• Corkscrew
• Charcoal
• Folding Camp Table: A folding table is great to have for extra prep space or in case your campsite does not have a picnic table. We have (and love!) this roll top camp kitchen table.
• Tablecloth: I really like having a tablecloth when we camp at a campground. It’s easier to clean off after meals. Plus, it makes the surface safer for our kiddo with food allergies in case someone missed cleaning up a smear of peanut butter.
• Camp Sink: In our experience, having a camp sink to rinse and clean your dishes at your campsite can be super helpful. Pay close attention to where you should dump the water, however. For instance, in Yellowstone, no water from food should be dumped anywhere other than in the designated sink area to discourage wildlife from venturing into camp. You can buy a collapsible sink for camp, but any shallow and wide container will do.
• Grill/Grill Rack: If you plan to cook around the campfire, you may want to bring a grill rack if there isn’t one already at your campsite.
• Dutch Oven: We only bring cast iron or dutch ovens when it’s not fire season. Otherwise, the space and weight just isn’t worth it for us. But, they are nice to have for a hot meal cooked straight in the fire!
• Kettle for hot water for tea and coffee.

Things to Bring Camping: Bathroom Essentials

Toiletries

For toiletries, we generally keep it pretty simple. Necessary shower supplies, deodorant, lip balm, and face care are usually all I take.

Unless we’re going to be gone an extended time, I generally don’t bother with a razor, shaving cream, makeup, etc.

It just ends up being wasted space that I don’t use anyway. 🤷‍♀️

Face Care

When we are camping, I typically pare down my usual toiletries to the bare essentials.

My face care routine when camping usually includes a cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and lip balm or gloss. If it’s winter or we’re in a dry area, I may add a hydrating toner and/or face oil. 

I will say that if we’re going somewhere where we will be taking day trips into town, or if we’re in a National Park and planning to do a bunch of Visitors Centers, I may toss in concealer and mascara, but that’s about it.

Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash

We always bring small containers with these as the basics.

I typically pack two sets – one for me and one for John and the boys. That way, at least two of us can shower at the same time if needed.

Microfiber or Camping Towel

We used to take beach towels with us camping. But, a couple of years ago, we swapped to microfiber camping towels – and the beach towels are history!

These are a couple of our favs!

Shower Shoes

If we are going to be using campground showers, I always make sure to take a pair of shoes, like flip flops or Hoka Recovery Slides that I can use in the shower.

There’s less chance of getting athlete’s foot, but also a lot of the times, the shower floors can end up getting kind of grimy between cleans. 😅

Period Products and Bathroom Supplies

Okay, if you’re not a person who menstruates…you can choose to skip on by this section.

Or keep reading and be ready to support your partner, friends, or family members

If you’re expecting your period during your trip, you have a few options to make your personal hygiene a bit easier.

You can always take pads and tampons (just make sure to dispose of them properly and pack them out if you’re dispersed camping). 

It’s been a few years since I’ve required period products (after needing a surgery that stopped them).

But, my favorite option for dealing with a period in the woods is hands-down a menstrual cup. It was a game changer for me. I experienced less pain, less odor, and had less waste to deal with – win-win!

I used a Diva Cup, but there are sooooo many more options available now. I suggest checking out this post about feminine hygiene in the woods from The Walking Mermaid as she has more recent experience with the other options out there.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you don’t have the anatomy to stand and pee on your own and you’re not sure that bathrooms will be easily accessible, having a personal urination device (a.k.a. pee funnel) on hand can be a lifesaver.

When you’re away from bathroom access, it’s so nice to pee without having to drop your pants to your ankles, squat, and pray no one comes close enough to spot you! 😬

I have this one, and it’s simple to clean, has a clip to hang on the outside of my pack, and is easy to use – though, I do recommend taking the time to practice with it at home before heading out for the first time.

Dispersed Camping Bathroom Supplies

If you plan on camping where there are no bathrooms handy, you’ll also want to think through how you’re going to take care of your waste. Make sure to check regulations and be prepared with the supplies you need. We typically take: 

• A shovel (car camping trips) or trowel (hiking or backpacking)
• Biodegradeable toilet paper
• Sturdy plastic bag for carrying out anything additional (non-biodegradable toilet paper, tampons, wipes, etc.)
• Hand Sanitizer

Camping Gear List: Clothing

For clothing, we always make sure we have the essential items we would take for any trip. These include: 

• Socks and underwear
• Pants and/or shorts
• Short and/or long sleeve shirts
• Sleepwear

However, we also find it helpful to take a few extra items to make the trip more comfortable and to be prepared for different types of weather. For instance, we will usually pack the following as well. 

• Fleece pullover or hoodie
• Warm jacket, such as a down puffy
• Rain jacket
• Baselayers: We really love the Airblaster Ninja Suits, and they come with us on every camping trip. They work perfectly as sleepwear and keep you warmer on chilly nights, but they also are an excellent baselayer to layer under clothes. Plus, they are perfect for winter sports!
• Fleece pants or sweat pants: When sitting around the fire on a cool evening, sometimes having an extra layer can be helpful, even in the summer. Unless you live somewhere like Florida, that is. 😉
• Hat and Gloves: We will often toss in a beanie and a set of gloves for everyone as well, just in case it gets too chilly. They are also great to wear to sleep if you need extra warmth.
• Swimsuits: Having a swimsuit in case you are near a water source is excellent!
• Boots or Hiking shoes: Having a set of shoes specifically for hiking (even for the kids), if you plan to do any during your trip, is a good idea. We often will take two pairs of shoes each—our hiking shoes and flip-flops.
• Flip-flops or slides: We mentioned bringing a pair of flip flops or slides for shower shoes, but they are also great to have around camp.

Last but not least, we have found that bringing a lightweight laundry bag of some kind for dirty and wet clothes is incredibly helpful. When we get home, they go straight to the laundry room when we get back for easier unpacking.

Essential Camping Tools and Supplies

Headlamps

Over the years, I hate to admit how many we’ve bought.

At first, we bought cheap $5-10 options for the kids. They lasted about one camping trip before they completely quit working. 😬

Now, we invest in trusted brands like Black Diamond or Petzl. They’re easy to use and reliable – no need to replace often.

Unless your kids lose them. Ours have definitely never done that once. 😂

Additional Essential Camping Tools and Supplies

• First Aid Kit & Supplies
• Mallet or Hammer
• Knife and/or Multitool
• Matches or Lighter (and/or other fire starter options)
• Extra Batteries and Fuel
• Bear spray: If you’re going to be staying in bear country, having bear spray (and properly storing your food) is a must.
• Bug spray

Kids Camping Gear

Our kids have mostly the same gear that we have, just kid-sized, now that they are older. However, when they were younger, there were a few additional supplies on our kids’ checklist that we would make sure to take with us.

Camping With Babies and Toddlers

If you’re camping with a baby or toddler, there are a few extra things that can make your trip a lot easier.

• Pacifiers
• Bottles
• Diapers and Wipes
• Toys (just a couple of small toys such as a ball or a bucket and shovel)
• Pack ‘n Play
• Books for Bedtime
• Comfort Items for Bedtime
• White Noise App on our Phone (be sure to have a way to keep your phone battery charged!)
• Extra Clothes (they’re bound to get wet and dirty and need more changes than usual in the woods)
• Kid size camp chair
• Flashlight (or Headlamp) for kids

Camping with Older Kids

• Any particular sleep or comfort items
• Personal Camp Chairs and/or Hammock
• Book to read at night
• Personal Headlamp or Flashlight
• Frisbee, Ball, or Games to play at camp

Dog Camping Gear List

• Food and Water Dishes: We had a portable bottle with a bowl top (similar to this one) that works great for day hikes away from camp, but you can also use a collapsible dog bowl like this as well.
• Dog Bed
• Collar and Leash
• Pet Medications
• Dog Waste Bags: In some areas, you can bury your pet’s waste as you would your waste, but you will just want to be sure to check the regulations in your area before heading out.
• Treats and Misc: We always brought our dog’s favorite blanket and her jacket in case she gets cold at night, in addition to a few extra treats. 

Personal Items & Camping Supplies

• Personal Medications: In addition to our first aid kit, we bring any prescriptions that we need, any vitamins needed, and additional pain medications.
• Portable chargers for phones and other devices
• ID, Credit Card, and Cash: I typically pare down my wallet/purse to the essentials and take only my ID, Credit Card, and a bit of cash for firewood or parking fees.

Other Campsite Supplies

• Permits/Reservations
• Camp Chairs: Even if you’re trying to pack light, some kind of camp chair can be really nice to have. We love these camp chairs! They’re super lightweight and easy to use at camp, backpacking, or even on a day hike.

Optional Campsite Supplies

• Field Guides and/or Books
• Tarp and Paracord: Handy if it’s supposed to rain or you need shade.
• Firewood: From nearby when safe to use
• Books: We all enjoy having a good book or Kindle to read at night around the fire or when we’re heading to bed. 
• Games: If we have a large campsite, we may take a game like BulziBucket or Spike Ball. But, we always take playing cards, and the boys really have enjoyed this game from Melissa & Doug as well.
• Lanterns: If everyone has headlamps, a lantern is optional, but if you don’t all have them, I’d recommend bringing one for sure.
• Citronella Candles
• Hammocks: Our boys got hammocks for Christmas one year, and now they bring them every time we camp! Hubs and I also both have one from the same brand and love them. They’re comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for hanging around camp. (Pun intended. 😉)
• Saw or Axe: If you plan on collecting downed wood from nearby for your fire, you may want to toss one of these in.
• Screen House or Tent: An easy-to-set-up screen room is super handy to have to shield against bugs and various weather conditions. We bought this one for ourselves and it’s great for keeping annoying mosquitoes and yellow jackets away while we’re trying to cook.

Food Preparation & Planning

When it comes to planning a great camping trip, one great thing we do to keep our stress levels down is to take a little bit of extra time to create a meal plan for our trip before we head to the grocery stores.

When you’re planning, keep in mind things like where you plan to camp, if you’ll have potable water, how much cooler space you have, your group size, and expected weather forecast (nobody wants hot soup on a 90°F day!)

Depending on the situation, I might choose camping foods that don’t need refrigeration. Or, if we’re planning to spend a lot of time camp cooking, our list of camp meals might be a bit more creative.

Final Thoughts on What to Bring Camping

It can seem like a lot when you start thinking about all the camping gear you’ll need, but if you know ahead of time what you need and start putting together your essentials list for camping ahead of time, you’ll be surprised at how simple it actually is to get it all ready.

No matter whether you’re heading to national forests, state parks, or somewhere else in the great outdoors, having a good packing list is a great way to save yourself some time.

Truth be told, I spend way more time prepping our food for the trip than anything else. But, that’s a post for another day…

The bottom line is that a good packing list can go a long way to saving your sanity and making sure you don’t forget any of those important items without bringing too much stuff.

Be sure to grab your own copy of our free printable camping checklist before you go!

Knowing what to take camping is just the first step in having a great camping trip. Having all the right stuff is a great start, but not knowing proper camp etiquette can end up ruining your (or someone else’s) trip!

Read my next article to make sure you don’t make any embarrassing camping mistakes…

Camping Etiquette 101: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do

Related Camping and Outdoor Gear Posts

• Ridiculously Easy Camping Food Ideas (That Don’t Require a Fridge!)
• Camping in Oregon: Everything You Need to Know
• ICEMULE Cooler Review: We Tested 3 Models – Do They Live Up to the Hype?
• What to Take Hiking (and What to Leave at Home) – A must-read if you plan to do any hiking during your camping trip!

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