Camping Gear You Need for Your Next Camping Trip
Ah, the great outdoors! For nature-lovers, there’s something refreshing, even rejuvenating about spending time out in it. Does breathing in the cool night air around the crackling of a campfire, while surrounded by family or friends sound like a good time to you? Perhaps gazing up at a starry night sky is something that would leave you mesmerized? If so, this may be a good indication that you are long overdue for a camping trip!
Ready to go camping?
Whether it’s your first time camping, or you’ve been going for many years now, it’s always helpful to have a list to make sure that you don’t forget something. It’s not the best feeling when you discover you’ve forgotten something! To better assist you, here is a list of camping gear that you need on your next amazing camping trip.
Shelter
Your number one concern for your camping trip should be shelter. It’s so important to have adequate shelter that’s able to hold up through windy and rainy conditions. (It often rains when our family goes camping…) These are the basic shelter supplies that will help protect you and your fellow campers from the elements:
- Tent (We really like our Coleman tent that is similar to this one.)
- Stakes (our tent came with stakes, so I imagine most others will as well.)
- Tarp
- Mallet/Stake puller
- Duct tape (for a temporary repair)
Bedding
Be sure that you bring plenty of bedding along with you so that everyone is able to stay warm and comfortable at night. This will also ensure that no one is left lying awake, feeling completely miserable, and wishing that they were at home. (The worst!)
- Blowup mattress (We actually prefer individual self-inflating mattress like these.)
- Air pump (Optional)
- Sleeping bags
- Bedsheets (Optional)
- Extra Blankets
- Pillows
Cooking
Probably one of the best perks about camping is all the tasty food that you don’t normally get to eat. At least, that’s how I feel. Food just tastes better outside! But to make all that possible, you do need to have some cooking tools and supplies on-hand. These are just a few to consider:
- Firewood (Can often purchase this at campgrounds)
- Fire-starter (newspaper works great)
- Camp stove
- Roasting sticks (or you can use a stick from the forest)
- Camp Cooker (optional)
- Water Jug
- Fire Lighter
- Camp fuel
- Skillet/Griddle
- Paper plates (not Styrofoam because you can’t burn those in the campfire.)
Lighting
Don’t be caught out in the woods during the middle of the night without something to light your path. It can be an uncomfortable feeling if you have to relieve yourself in the dark while you’re hearing all kinds of noises that surround you. (or you have to investigate a rustling sound outside the tent!)
- Flashlights
- Headlamps (optional)
- Camping lanterns
- Extra batteries
Camping Tools
The following are camping tools that will make your camping life a lot easier. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re regretting leaving one of them behind.
- Duct tape
- Bungee cords
- Lighter
- Tongs
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Multitool
- Camping knife (for whittling and stuff)
- Axe/hatchet
- Camp shovel
- Plastic knives/forks/spoons
- Folding table
Personal Gear
Each camper should consider packing the following items, especially if you’re planning on hiking or doing some other outdoor activity. As the Boy Scouts always say, “be prepared.”
- Backpack (hiking)
- Water bottle/canteen
- Mosquito/bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sweater/Pants
- Hiking boots (and extra pair of shoes)
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Snacks (protein bars, nuts, jerky, etc.)
- Compass
- Whistle
Miscellaneous Gear
The following camping gear items may have ended up in the miscellaneous category, but they’re still important ones to bring with you! Each of them provides campers with something different, whether it be comfort, sanitation, or a way to keep your food and drinks cold.
- Cooler(s)
- First aid kit (or at the very least, some bandaids!)
- Trashbags
- Ziploc bags
- Paper towel
- Baby wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Camping chairs
Toiletries
The following items are just a few of the most basic things that you use in order to stay clean and fresh. And whatever you do, don’t forget to pack the last one!
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Body wash/soap
- Toothpaste/toothbrushes
- Deodorant
Optional Personal Gear
These last items on this list are items that you may or may not need to bring with you. It’s really up to you depending on your situation and what makes sense to you.
- Toilet paper
- Hairbrush
- Small mirror
- Medications
- Feminine products
- Special needs products
This is an in-depth look at all the camping gear you will need for your next camping trip. Can you think of any other camping supplies that you may need that didn’t make the list?