First Camping Trip Packing List

Camping is fun! There is no doubt about it that people from any background love camping.

City dwelling executives to suburban soccer moms, camping knows no bounds. Whether you are tagging along with some friends or want to explore new territories for some natural nature therapy, here is a camping checklist for your first camping trip.

Nothing more than the bare necessities

Camping is life simplified to only what is necessary. Anything more is just extra weight that you don’t need to be lugging up a mountain. Making a list of things to pack and remember helps you keep track of where things are and what you have left.

Keeping a list helps prevent those head-scratching moments when you are deep in the forest, hungry, and have nothing to cook with because you forgot to pack the pie iron. Hotdogs on a stick will have to suffice. The golden rule of camping is: unless you cannot live without it, leave it at home!

The top ten great outdoors essentials

Make sure that you pack these things first so that you don’t end up sleeping in your car (which is an adventure on its own as well).

1. Tent and tarp – This is an obvious one. A good quality tent that is a little bigger than you would expect is essential. Opting for better quality can cost a pretty penny; however, these will be used multiple times throughout your life. A tarp is excellent to waterproof or to be used as ground cover.
2. Sleeping gear – This includes sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Remember that sleeping bags are seasonal. A winter sleeping bag that can withstand temperatures of 0 degrees will be too hot in summer! Ditch packing pillows and opt for stuffing clothing into your sleeping bag carry sack!
3. Tables and chairs – These are optional; however, if you are a comfortable creature, pack in a few camp chairs and a small table. The table comes in handy when prepping meals! Some campsites have a picnic table that you can use.
4. First aid kit – You need to bring a first aid kit. It is necessary as camping can get a little messy, scrapes and small cuts can happen in the wilderness. Don’t forget to pack prescription medications, band-aids, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and anything else you might need in a first aid kit.
5. Cookware – Unless you are practicing the art of cooking on a stick (no judgment), pack sturdy cast iron cookware and a grid at the bare minimum. A pie iron and cast-iron skillet are more than enough to make great camping meals. A cutting board and cutlery are also recommended. Pack food in a cooler box!
6. Water-Water is essential. You will need bottled water for drinking and additional tap water for cleaning and bathing.
7. Firewood – This is not something that you need to bring from home. Put firewood on your list so that you don’t forget to stop by a local shop to pick up some firewood. Supporting local stores and locals helps feed vital money back into the economy.
8. Duct Tape – there are few things more versatile or important than duct tape! If you snag a hole in your tent – duct tape! If you need repair broken shoes until you can get to a store, duct tape!
9. Lighting – Sometimes nature calls at midnight, and no one wants to get caught with their pants down in the middle of the night, stuck in a ditch. Bring a quality lantern or flashlight to keep the lights on after dark. They are also great for lanternlight card games!
10. A good camera – Creating memories and snapping pictures of moments to cherish for lifetimes. While many naturists ask campers not to take souvenirs of things they find, snapping a picture lasts a lifetime.

Beyond the bare essentials

Take into consideration the environment you are going to camp in. Are you camping in the mountains and going on trail hikes? Or is this a lakeside fishing camp? Pack according to the environment you’re camping in a good pair of hiking boots or your fishing gear.

You should consider other items: showering might not be possible unless you pack a camping shower, baby wipes are a campers best friend. Ensure you pack bio-degradable toilet paper, dish soap, extra batteries, and spare water bottles.

The secret ingredient to a good camping trip

When it comes to packing food, invest in a large, good quality cooler. Planning your meals is also a fantastic idea. Not stressing out is another trick to a great camping trip! If you forget anything, it is not the end of the world; you will likely make it through the journey without too much stress!