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Why you need a camping list
There’s no doubt that a successful camping trip requires preparation. The one thing that makes preparation a breeze is a good list (or several, if you are list-obsessed like me!)
A good list will ensure you never forgot to take that vital piece of equipment.
The perfect camping list will be different for everyone. What you take camping will depend on:
- where you live in the world (do you have to be prepared for bears, or mosquitos, or both!)
- the time of year (what will be the weather be like?)
- the type of camping (are you taking your car, doing a multi-day hike, or in a campervan?)
- facilities at the campsite (do your research first!)
- the number and ages of your group
Here’s a camping list that works really well for us. We travel to camping grounds by car, so one of our most important considerations is what we can fit into our Golf Estate.
We also have to take into account the changeable weather here in the UK, and particularly in Scotland – so we pack for all possibilities!
What to take camping for:
Shelter & Sleeping
- Tent
- Groundsheet
- Tent pegs
- Mallet
- Tent brush & pan
- Doormat
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping mats/beds
- Pillows
- Extra blankets
Campsite
- Lanterns
- Torches
- Multi-tool
- Duct tape
- Twine
- Camp chairs
- Camp table
- Travel games/cards
- Notepad & pen
- Sports equipment
- Windbreak
Campfire
- Newspaper
- Matches/lighter
- Fire-lighters
- Small axe (for splitting logs)
Personal & Clothing
- Toiletries
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Day clothes
- Sleeping clothes
- Waterproof clothes
- Hiking shoes/boots
- Towels
Health & Safety
- First aid kit
- Insect/animal repellant
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitiser
- Tissues/wipes
- Hot water bottle/heat packs
Exploring
- Trail maps/guides
- Compass
- Binoculars
- Camera/tripod
- Walking poles
- Picnic rug
- Day pack
- Water bottles
Eating & Drinking
- Camp stove (if you need to purchase a stove check out How to choose the best type of camping stove for you)
- Camp stove fuel
- Matches/lighter
- Cool box/cooler
- Ice
- Plates
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Can opener
- Bottle opener/corkscrew
- Cooking pots & pans
- Cooking utensils
- Food prep knives
- Cutting board
- Water carrier
- Food & Drink (check meal plan)
- Camping Meal Plan & Grocery List
Cleaning Up
- Washing up bowl
- Washing up brush
- Dishwashing liquid
- Tea towel
- Ziplock bags (for left-overs)
- Garbage bags
- Washing line/rope
- Pegs
Make sure nothing is left behind on your next camping trip. Download a copy of our list, complete with double check-boxes. Tick when it’s packed, and tick when it’s actually in the car!
Is there anything we’ve missed? What’s essential for your camping list?
