Camping is a fun way to explore nature and enjoy time outside, but if it's your first time, you may not know the camping supplies you need to bring. Having the right gear will not only make your camping life a bit easier but also more enjoyable. We’ve put together a list of camping essentials that will make packing a breeze while offering comforts from home. Here’s the ultimate camping essentials checklist, so you can enjoy your trip without forgetting a thing!

Camping Checklist

Heading on a camping trip? Use our camping essentials checklist to ensure you have the camping gear you need!

• Tent
• Canopy Tent
• Air Mattress
• Camping Cot
• Outdoor Blankets & Throws
• Folding Table
• Camping Chair
• Cooler
• Outdoor Lantern
• Portable Fire Pit
• Portable Grill
• Portable Outdoor Shower
• Outdoor Games

Camping Trip Essentials

From tents to coolers, these must-have camping gear items will make your next camping experience much more enjoyable.

Shelter Essentials

Camping Tent

Tents are the perfect way to protect yourself from the elements while giving you a sense of privacy on your camping trip. Whether the tent is for two of you or a family of eight, there is a camping tent for every size family. Read our guide How to Set Up a Tent for Beginners to help you set your tent up in no time.

If you are looking to create shade or protection from rain, opt for a canopy tent. Canopy tents provide coverage and give you a cool place to sit back, relax, and enjoy a water bottle.

Outdoor Rug

Just because you are outdoors, doesn't mean you have to track dirt into your tent. An outdoor rug is ideal for dusting your shoes off and keeping them readily accessible. They also work well to store your bags and give you more space inside your tent.

Lighting

Lighting will help you navigate your camp grounds and illuminate your tent once the sun goes down. Just be sure to use a tent-safe model for inside. Add a headlamp to your camping checklist for an easy-to-use portable source of light. Battery-powered lanterns and lights allow for easy use, no matter where your campsite is. Always remember to pack more batteries in case your current ones burn out!

Shade

Bring an outdoor umbrella along to give you shade while you camp. If you are looking for a larger shade or intend to camp for a longer period of time, add an outdoor canopy to your camping supply list so you can create a dedicated covered spot outside your tent. Add an outdoor shade screen to keep the bugs at bay.

Sleeping Essentials

Air Mattress or Camping Cot

Get off the ground by adding an air mattress to the inside of your tent. If you find yourself camping, this is a must-have item! It gives off the luxurious feeling of sleeping in a bed while getting you off of the cold, hard ground. An air mattress is easy to blow up and take down, making it easy to travel with and a must-have camping or car-camping essential. If you are looking for something a bit smaller and for one person, opt for a travel cot. It offers the same benefit of getting you off uneven ground and gives you a bit more comfort while sleeping.

Tip!

Make sure to pack your air pump to blow up your mattress!

Hammock

If you don't want to sleep on the ground at all, a hammock will keep you suspended while you slumber. Add comfort by choosing a hammock with a pillow included. Read our guide The Best Hammocks to Get Lost In to learn more about elevated sleeping.

Outdoor Blankets & Throws

Whether it starts to get cool or you are looking to get cozy in your tent, outdoor blankets and throws are a camping essential. They allow you to bundle up in the great outdoors and can even be used for an outdoor picnic at your campground or by the beach.

Outdoor Comfort Essentials

Camping Chairs

Outdoor camping chairs are a camping essential for when you plan to hang out at your site. These comfortable fold-up seating options allow you to sit outdoors, relax, watch the sunset, and gather around the campfire in comfort.

Portable Outdoor Shower

If you find yourself at a campground without showers, opt for a portable outdoor shower. Lightweight and travel-friendly, portable outdoor showers offer you the luxury of a shower after a long hike or spending the day at a lake. Whether you are looking to shower or wash dishes, an outdoor shower can serve multiple purposes and is great to have on hand.

String Lights

To add a little ambience to your camp site, bring a few garlands of string lights to create a home away from home. Although they may not be a camping essential they will definitely add a little sparkle to your night.

Portable Fire Pit

One of the best parts of camping is hanging out by the fire at night with loved ones. Bring a portable fire pit to make your campfire easy to maintain while giving you peace of mind that your fire is contained. When cool, portable fire pits can be easily transported from campsite to campsite. Having a portable fire pit allows you to warm up at night, keeps bugs away, provides light to your campsite, and gives you the perfect opportunity to roast marshmallows (a camping favorite!). Take your camping to the next level by opting for a fire pit with cooking features. It allows you to cook or grill your food right on the fire pit.

Food & Cooking Essentials

Camping Table

Although eating off your lap will suffice, you may want to include camping tables on your camping supply list. Not only will you be able to have your meals at the table, but you will also have an additional surface to prepare meals on, or hold additional items such as lanterns or citronella candles to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Cooler

Keep your food and drinks cool while camping by bringing a cooler. Drink coolers tend to get opened more frequently, letting the cool air escape. To keep your food colder for longer, opt for two coolers to separate your food and beverages. Put your coolers in the shade to help keep things cold. Bring drink cozies to keep your drinks insulated (and your fingers warm).

Portable Grill

Grill your favorite foods no matter where you are with a portable camping grill. They are smaller than your backyard grill and can be easily packed up and transported once cool. From electric to charcoal, choose a portable grill that will fit your campsite needs.

Grill Cookware

When you use your portable grill, you’ll need cookware, so make sure to add it to your camping essentials checklist! Items such as tongs, spatulas, thermometers, and more make the cooking process easy and familiar, while also protecting your hands from the extreme heat.

Utensil Set

Camping is all about condensed living, but that doesn’t mean you have to use your bare hands to eat your food! Along with your cookware, packing a camping utensil set is crucial for being able to enjoy the meals you eat. An all-inclusive camping utensil set provides the necessities, from silverware to knives and other utensils you may need for your camp cooking.

Food Storage

If you plan to bring food on your trip, be sure to add food storage containers to your list of camping supplies. You can keep all manners of food items, from dry ingredients to fresh food, to cook for meals.

Pots & Pans

Pots, pans, and skillets are another crucial camping checklist item for cooking meals. You don't need an entire cookware set but can get away with only a pot and pan to do everything you need.

Outdoor Stove

If you prefer to use a contained and reliable heating source instead of an open fire, an outdoor stove is for you. Choose a small portable model to easily stow away but still manage all of your cooking needs.

Openers

Bring a bottle opener and a can opener with you to ensure you have access to your bottles and tinned food. The last thing you want is to try find a makeshift way to reach your food and drink.

Cutting Tools

A knife should definitely be on your camping checklist. Combined with a cutting board to help you prepare all your meals with ease. It wouldn't hurt to have a pair of scissors for opening any food packages when needed.

Outdoor Fun Essentials

Outdoor Games

Play outdoor games to help pass the time, enjoy a few laughs, and get everyone on your camping trip involved. Opt for games that accommodate multiple players and multiple ages (like giant stacking blocks or horseshoe sets). Games that require less equipment are more travel-friendly and will be easy to transport from campsite to campsite.

Tip!

Camping with your four-legged friend? Don’t forget their camping essentials! Pack up an extra set of bowls for food and water to give them a designated area for eating. Opt for an outdoor dog bed to keep in your tent at night without worrying about it getting ruined from water or dirt. It gives your dog a place to relax while hanging around your campsite

Beach Towels

If your camping trip is going to include swimming, you don't want to forget beach towels. Make life a little easier by choosing a quick dry option so you don't have to worry about damp towels the next day.

Portable Tools

One of the most important items to put on your camping essentials checklist is a portable tool kit. You never know when you’re going to need to cut more wood, use the pliers, or enjoy the benefits of having a screwdriver handy while you’re out in the woods. Portable tool kits are compact enough to not be so bulky, so you can enjoy the comfort of having necessities on hand in case of emergencies.

Folding Tables

A folding table is a camping essential; it provides the perfect flat surface to enjoy a meal, play card games, or set up snacks around a campfire. Folding tables are easy to pack and travel with, allowing you to pop up a dinner table at any campsite. Add an outdoor tablecloth to protect your table from any spills and mishaps. Use pins to help keep your tablecloth from blowing away when a gust of wind comes through.

Trash Bags

Whether you’re staying in a tent, RV, or camper, don’t forget to bring trash bags as part of your camping essentials. Trash bags help to contain your waste and items you need to discard so you don’t litter and you can keep a clean campsite.