Graham and I like to be prepared when we camp. I’ve posted what we pack for Havasupai waterfalls before, but we take even more stuff when we camp anywhere that doesn’t involve backpacking. Here’s a list of what we bring in hopes it will inspire you to pack appropriately.
- Buddy Heater, if it’s a cold location.
- Propane.
- If we can’t bring our large camping stove, we’ll throw in the canister stove.
- Cooking pan or pot.
- Lighter and/or matches.
- Paper plates. (Or often we’ll just eat out of the pan.)
- Rope.
- Lantern.
- Headlamps.
- Toilet paper and/or wet wipes.
- Hand sanitizer is nice to have.
- Appropriate clothing. I don’t always change, but I like to bring extra clothing in case I get sweaty, rained on or too dirty. Bring gloves and winter accessories or a bathing suit, if necessary. We also always bring a towel.
- Cooking utensils and flatware. If you get any extra plastic flatware from eating out, bring it along. It’s a nice way to actually use it (and reuse it).
- Can opener. You can open a can with a knife if you have to, but why make things more difficult?
- Either a small backpack or Camelbak for day hiking trips.
- If not bringing the Camelbak, a water bottle per person to refill. Or lots of extra water, your call.
- Cooler with ice for beverages and a smaller cooler with ice for such things as cheese and butter.
- Extra pair of contacts and solution, plus the contact holder. (Or your glasses.)
- Hiking shoes and/or water shoes. I like to keep a pair of flip-flops in my backpack for walking around camp or in the car for the drive back home.
- Extra socks.
- Sunglasses.
- A hat.
- Deodorant, sunscreen and insect spray.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, small bottle of mouthwash (optional) and floss. Invisalign case.
- A hammock.
- Camera and a portable charger and/or extra batteries.
- Tent and rainfly (with stakes and all that).
- Inflatable mattress or pad. A pump if using the air mattress.
- Sleeping bag.
- Aluminum foil.
- Cast-iron sandwich pan. You can use it to make either quesadillas or sandwiches!
- Paper towels.
- A bag or two for trash.
- Dog food, water bowl, leashes and collars if the dogs are coming along.
- First-aid kit.
- Lip balm. Sometimes I bring a compact but I rarely use it.
- Permit or national parks pass.
- Camping chairs.
- Tarp.
- Bear mace. We recently acquired this and it brings peace of mind.
- Pillow(s).
- Knife.
- If canoeing, we’ll use waterproof sacks and bring paddles and life vests.
- Fishing license, if necessary, along with fishing supplies.
What do you bring along?
Download a packing list template here.
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