Camping Checklist… Before You Travel

There’s nothing better than a week spent out in nature, under the stars, taking in the beautiful scenery. But, this trip can be more stressful than relaxing if you're underprepared. Take the time weeks in advance and create a checklist of all the camping gear you will need. By doing a mental walkthrough of each of your traveling days, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief before taking in the great outdoors.

Break it down

By breaking your necessities down into categories, you can better wrap your mind around the details of the trip. The main areas to consider are shelter, campsite, food, food storage, tools, cooking and eating utensils, cleaning, and clothing.

Camping Shelter

Essential shelter items required for camping start with a tent and the proper tools to set it up. Set up tools include the stakes and a mallet or hammer to drive the stakes into the ground. 

Once you have the outside covered, consider all the comforts that will complete the inside of your tent. For sleeping, you’ll need your sleeping bags or cots, and of course, blankets and pillows. Add a sleeping pad to place under your bedding for a more comfortable tent sleeping experience.

If you don’t want to get caught in the dark, be sure to pack a headlamp or flashlight, and don’t forget extra batteries to keep the lights on. If you want to go a little old school, a lantern might do the trick. Just remember the mantles and fuel or batteries if needed.

For rainy days where you’ll spend a little extra time in the tent, don’t forget to pack lightweight, portable picnic tables and chairs for games.

Camping Tools

To cover all your bases in the camping tool department, bring a multi-tool. There are several brands of multi-tools to choose from, but you should look for one that includes regular pliers, needle-nose pliers, scissors, multiple screwdrivers, wire cutters, a wood/metal file, a straight knife, and a bottle opener.

Camping Kitchen

Preparing meals during your outdoor adventure can be quite a challenge without the proper equipment. But before you know what equipment you’ll need, you’ve got to plan the menu for the entire trip. When planning each meal, write out what cooking pots, pans, and other utensils you’ll need to enjoy that meal.

Some general kitchen items to add to your list are a stove, fuel, matches, lighter, pots, pans, cooking utensils, and eating utensils. Bring a sharpened chef's knife as well as a filet knife if you plan on catching, cleaning, and cooking fish. A camp stove and a griddle will give you the option of cooking a wider variety of meals.  You will also need a good cutting board to use those knives on. All of these things should allow you to whip up your favorite camping cuisine.  

Think through your drink preferences, and list out all the beverages you’ll want to throw in your cooler. You’ll need to have all the tools to open your beverages like a bottle opener, can opener, and corkscrew.  

Remember, always bring plenty of water bottles. Many campgrounds have drinkable water. But you’ll need plenty of backup water just in case.

One of the more essential items to include on your trip is a prepared cooler. See this article on Packing Your Cooler for Peak Performance. You’ll need plenty of ice and an easy way to drain the cooler without muddying up your campsite.  

The good news is, you don’t have to lug your cooler around to empty the water. The Cooler Drain is a replacement drain plug for most rotomolded coolers. It allows you to connect a hose to your cooler and run the hose away from your dry campsite. If you decide to use this drain, be sure to pack your hose of choice.

Add cups, mugs, plates, and bowls, or you will find yourself eating out of the pot. And just because you are outside doesn’t mean you won’t need to clean up your campsite. For this, be sure to pack pot scrubbers or sponges, trash bags, and dish towels.

Consider what will serve as your camp sink or wash bins. You can purchase these portable sinks at an outdoor supplier, or you can do an online search to make your own using a 5-gallon bucket. Be sure to pack dish and hand soap to set up near your sink.

Camping Clothes

While this one may seem straightforward, there are some garments you’ll want to keep in mind that will make camping more comfortable.  

You never know when you’re going to get wet when hiking, biking, kayaking, or fishing, so having clothes that dry quickly is a must. Items like moisture-wicking underwear, t-shirts, and even pants or shorts will allow you to dry off rather than changing clothes every time your clothes get damp. This type of clothing will also help clothes holding on to too much moisture when you sweat.

You also want to consider how you’ll protect your skin from the sun, the cold, and of course, those pesky insects. Longs sleeve shirts will help you prevent sunburn and bug bites, and pack a lightweight fleece jacket to keep you warm and dry if you anticipate any cool weather at all.

Think about what you’ll be walking on. Will you need hiking boots, running shoes, or maybe flip-flops if you’re mostly hanging by the lake. If you plan to go into the deep woods, you might consider snake boots to protect you from a potential bite.

The type of socks is just as important as the type of shoes you pack. Will you need warm, cozy socks or something thinner that will still prevent blisters.

The nighttime temperatures in many regions can be starkly different from the day. Check the weather to determine what kind of pajamas you’ll need to bring along.

Last but not least

While the items mentioned above cover the bulk of the gear needed for a pleasant camping trip, don’t forget proper health and hygiene. You’ll still need toiletries like a toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, medications, and a first aid kit. It’s a good idea to keep sunscreen and bug spray handy at all times throughout your trip.