Camping is one of my top choices for summer adventures. I enjoy immersing myself in the warmth of the sun and the beauty of nature. For those of you who don’t camp often, or are going for the first time, I have compiled a list of my favorite camping gear and essentials.
It’s important to make a list of gear you will need to take, as I find that without a list I am always forgetting something and having to improvise last minute at the campsite.
We do a combination of camping off grid and in developed campsites. I find that developed campsites book up really quick and often months in advance. So if you are wanting to go camping on short notice, you may find it easier to camp on public lands. Check out BLM land websites for areas to camp in your location. To be honest these are more available out west than back east.
You can also check out Recreation.gov for bookable campsites near you.
I think a well packed first aid kit is essential, and I have a post on that here, that you can check out.
Must Have Basics
- Tent
- Pop-Up Option: This pop-up tent takes 90 seconds to set up. Con’s are that it is a pain to put away in the included bag. It is 78 inches tall so you can stand all the way up in it.
- Pole Option: This is a more budget friendly option, that is also quick to set up. Sizes for 3-6 people.
- Small Option: This option fits 2 people, for smaller tent needs. Comes in several color combos
- Sleeping Bag
- Camp Chairs
- Foldable Chairs: Regular foldable camp chairs, with drink holders. An oldie but a goodie.
- Stargazer Chairs: These are fun swinging chairs. If you lean back you can stargaze in them. Everyone always fights over who gets to sit in these! The kids like to curl up in these around the campfire at night.
- Cooler: A wheeled cooler is easier to lug around the campsite. I will move my cooler into the shade. So I am moving the cooler a few times a day as the sun moves, and having wheels makes that easier. This also keep your ice cold for a few days.
- Camp Table: This table folds up compact and has zippered pouches to store your cooking utensils and plates, etc. I have liked mine, if you have less room to pack up camping gear get a more compact, simpler table like this kind
- Lantern: These lanterns are 1500 lumens, and rechargable with a solar panel on the top, as well as a type C charge port. They also have 8 different light brightness settings. Can buy as a two pack or just one.
- Firewood: Check to see if there are fire restrictions or bans in your area, before planning on having a fire.
- Camp Stove: This uses propane and has 2 burners. The lid folds up which comes in handy if it is winder, to block the wind so it doesn’t blow out your flame while you are cooking.
- Propane: This hooks to your grill so you can cook. You can buy in a large container or in small travel containers at your local grocery store.
- Water Jug
- Large Re-Useable Water Jug: For drinking and putting out fires, also comes in handy when you boondocking and aren’t at a develped campsite with running water.
- Collapsible Garbage Can: These are collapsible garbage cans, and take the 30 gallon size garbage bags. I use utility clips on the sides to hold the garbage bag up in the can.
Cooking
- Cast Iron Pans/Skillets: These are good, they heat up and cook evenly, and hold heat well. Cast Iron is non-stick if pre-seasoned and properly cared for. Don’t use soap to clean them, just hot water and a scrubber brush.
- Foldable Knife: I love this foldable japanese knife for camping. It stores folded up for safety, and to keep the blade sharp.
- Cutting board with Sharpener: Use this to chop veggies and meat for cooking while camping. Comes with a built in knife sharpener. Freshly sharpened knives are safer because they cut better, and I find that it’s hard to remember to take out your camp knife to sharpen in between camp trips, so this sharpener comes in handy.
- Camp Spices: This is a container that fits up to 4 spices, handy so you don’t have to bring seperate spices for all of your meals. I fill with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Coffee Pot: This is a Stanley pour over coffee cup/maker. I also like just a simple camp coffee pot like this, it’s durable and easy.
- Coffee Mugs: This is an insulated coffee mug with lid to keep your coffee hot for longer.
- Reuseable Ziplocs: These are so handy to have. Prep foods before you leave and store in these bags, they are BPA free and dishwasher safe, plus better for the environment.
- Iron Flask: I love this brand of water bottle, they are heavy duty and keep your drinks cold for a long time. I have dropped mine multiple times and it has held up so well.
- Metal Spatula & Spoon– Holds up well to campfire and grill heat.
Clothing
- Travel Turkish Towel: These towels come with a storage bag, and are quick to dry. Having a towel handy for after a dip in the lake or stream is nice and these dry quickly when hung up.
- Hat
- Bucket Hat: Foldable/Packable : This cute cream colored hat is super lightweight and packable. It will keep the sun off your face in style, but is also very practical for packing.
- Baseball cap: I like the brand Tentree for it’s more eco conscious gear, and sustainablity practices. They have cute baseball caps like this one
- Water shoes: After a recent trip to Japan, I can’t sing the praises of felt bottomed shoes for hiking in rivers enough, however if you are just going to the beach, or a lake it is nice to take water shoes with you that can get wet, and dry out quickly. They will protect your feet from rocks, coral, and hot sand
- Hiking Shoes/Sandals: I love these Colombia hiking water sandals for camping. For easier hikes, and trekking through rivers they work well. If you are hiking red rocks/slick rock in the west they can be slippery on the rock and I would pick something sturdier
- Fleece Button Up: Cute Flannel look button up to throw on as the sun starts to set and you want an extra layer
- Merino Wool T-Shirts: Merino Wool is a high quality fabric that resists odors and wrinkles, perfect for camping, when showers are few and far between.
- Tentree Clothes: This sustainable brand plants trees for every item that you purchase. They make good outdoor gear and clothing. High quality fabrics in cute outdoorsy themes.
Tech
- Travel Speaker
- JBL: Great brand, mini travel bluetooth speaker. Waterproof and dust proof.
- Mini Travel Speaker: This mini travel speaker is small, and waterproof/dustproof and packs a punch with volume for how small it is. This is an affordable option that is compareable to the JBL speaker.
- Portable Charger
- Anker: Great brand of portable power banks, good for charging on the go.
- Camera Backpack : I like to bring my DLSR camera camping so I can take high quality photos while hiking and such. I needed a way to carry my camera on hikes though, this backpack holds all my gear and is a convenient way to carry it hands free while hiking
- Solar Twinkle Lights: I like these solar string lights to hang outside our camper. They add enough light to see around the camper at night, and can recharge in the sun the next day. This version also has a phone charger built in, which is handy
- Portable Fan: This uses rechargeable batteries and usb cable and will run quietly for a long time. Useful for hot nights in a camper. For a tent fan, try this hanging version
Personal Items:
- Ella Pee– This device is for the ladies out there, who need to pee standing up. This is the best brand I have used. It has a hard base with a soft silicone mold that is easy to clean while holding it’s shape, for no mess relief. I have used this camping, and hiking and it has held up really well
- Bug Repellant: This is odor free buy repellant with picaridin which seems to work better for me than deet. I am usually devoured by mosquitos, and I hate the smell of regular bug spray, so this works well and doesn’t smell.
- Sunscreen
- Blue Lizard: This Australian brand is dermatologist approved for top sun protection while outside. I have worked with multiple dermatologists who recommend this brand for sun protection
- Foldable Brush: I like to keep a foldable brush in my camper, so that I don’t have to pack my full size brush.
- Bath Wipes: Use these to freshen up when camping for multiple days. This brand is biodegradable, however I never bury wipes, I just throw them in our trash and pack out when we leave.
- Natural Deodorant: This deodorant is aluminum free and really works. It works by prevention of odor, not just covering up your body odor.
- Sand to Sea Leave in Conditioner: This is a detangler and leave in conditioner. I just wet my hair and scrunch in some leave in conditioner to freshen up while camping. This brand is also reef safe if you want to take this to the beach with you as well. I used this on a recent snorkel trip in Japan and it combs through your hair well, and leaves a light pleasant smell. It also is sold in nice small travel sizes
Other:
- Hammock: If you are camping in a forest or somewhere with trees, it is nice to have a hammock. We do a lot of desert camping, so this is not always possible to use. This hammock holds up to 400lbs and is comfy enough to sleep in.
- Camp Rug: Waterproof, foldable rug for in front of your tent or camper. This helps cut down on the amount of dust and dirt that makes it into your sleeping area. It is also nice to take your shoes off, and not get your feet dirty when getting into your tent.
- Waterproof Matches/Lighter: Just in case it rains, you have a backup set of waterproof matches. Or try the waterproof lighter.
- Handwarmers: These rechargeable handwarmers will keep your hands nice and toasty when camping in colder weather.
- Dog Life Jacket: For days on the boat.
Bonus: Fun Gear
- Waterproof Playing Cards– Nice waterproof, which means spill proof and cleanable, cards.
- Games
- Uno– A classic card game. This works well because it doesn’t have little pieces to lose.
- Cards Against Humanity– Hilarious Game of Cards. For adults who aren’t easily offended. Not a game for children, save this for after the kiddos have gone to bed.
- Kubb– A fun game of tossing wooden rods at blocks to earn points, looks easier than it really is. This is a an old viking game originating from Sweden.
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