60+ essential camping items organized by category. Works for tent camping, car camping, and RV trips.
Start with the Big 4: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp. Then add cooking gear (stove, cooler, food), clothing layers, and safety essentials (first aid, fire, multi-tool). This page has a quick copy-paste version plus a full interactive checklist with variations for beginners, car camping, and RV trips.
A complete camping packing list — gear, food, clothing, safety, and comfort. This page includes:
⛺ Shelter [ ] Tent + stakes + rain fly [ ] Sleeping bag [ ] Sleeping pad / air mattress [ ] Tarp / ground cloth [ ] Headlamp + batteries 🍳 Cooking [ ] Camp stove + fuel [ ] Lighter / matches (2 sources) [ ] Cooler + block ice [ ] Pots / pan [ ] Utensils, plates, cups [ ] Trash bags 👕 Clothing [ ] Layers (base + mid + outer) [ ] Rain jacket [ ] Warm hat + gloves [ ] Sturdy shoes / boots [ ] Sandals (camp shoes) 🩹 Safety [ ] First aid kit [ ] Fire starter [ ] Multi-tool / knife [ ] Whistle [ ] Sunscreen + bug spray 🍔 Food [ ] Pre-prepped meals [ ] Snacks (trail mix, bars) [ ] Water (1 gal/person/day) [ ] Coffee / tea 🪑 Comfort [ ] Camp chairs [ ] Lantern [ ] Games / cards [ ] Book / Kindle
Print it and check items off as you pack. Never forget gear again.
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Cmd+P.Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp, water, food, cooler, camp stove, first aid kit, and weather-appropriate clothing. These 10 items cover survival basics.
Easy-cook staples: hot dogs, burgers, canned beans, eggs, bread, peanut butter, trail mix, marshmallows, instant oatmeal, and fruit. Pre-prep meals at home.
Start with the Big 4: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp. Then add water, food, camp stove, and first aid. Do a practice setup in your backyard first.
Skip valuables, glass containers, strong perfume (attracts bugs), white clothing, large speakers, and too many electronics.
For most camping, yes. A portable propane stove costs $25–40, boils water fast, and works when fire bans are in effect.
Use a hard-sided cooler with block ice. Pre-freeze meals. Keep cooler in shade, limit openings. A second cooler for drinks saves ice.
A 3-season, freestanding dome tent one size bigger than your group. Look for easy setup, rain fly included, under $150.
Yes. Click Print This Page or Ctrl+P. Select Save as PDF for a digital copy. The page is print-optimized.
Add glow sticks, kid sleeping bags, extra layers, s'mores supplies, nature scavenger hunt, kid-safe flashlights, and comfort items from home.
DEET or picaridin repellent, citronella candles, screened shelter, long sleeves at dusk. Keep food sealed and trash away from camp.