Camping! Just the word alone can bring different visions to each individual as there are as many varieties of camping as there are people. The camping list for a camping adventure will vary as the needs for every type of camping vary. Getting away from it all to the great outdoors is the adventure that many people dream of doing.
Photo By Jerry Luterman
If you have never been camping before, and don’t know what to take camping, or if you are a seasoned camper looking for a camping list to update your old camp list, the camping lists that I have provided below are sure to help anyone get ideas about things to bring camping to fit their camping needs and camping styles.
Read on to discover camping lists for a variety of camping styles!
What Kind of Camping Gear Should I Bring?
Knowing the right camping gear and supplies to take with you on your summer camping trip will all depend on what kind of camping adventure you are planning.
On this post I will cover some of the most popular camping types and adventures and include basic lists of what will be needed to bring along on your camping trip.
Whether you like to backpack into the wilderness, set up a large tent with all of the comforts of home, jump on your Harley for a road trip or hop into an RV with hook-up electricity at a KOA park, there are essentials you need to bring along.
As everyones recreational needs are different you will have to add to the basic camping list or take away from it, to match your own ideas of camping fun and relaxation.
If you are backpacking, obviously you won’t be taking a 15-inch cast iron skillet or a cast iron Dutch oven. I have added a more basic list for backpackers too.
Your Camping List: things to bring camping
Again, it depends on what kind of camping trip you are going on, but we will begin with what you will take in the car and you can downsize as you see fit.
Each item listed is a link that you can click to see an example of the item you may need for your next camping trip.
1. Camp Stove
When we go camping with a large group we take several cooking options along and they all get used! We take a round grill to throw over the fire.
We bring wood for the fire unless we are allowed to chop wood at the camp site. We also have a cook stove like these one and we bring a hibachi.
2. Hibachi
This is a fantastic hibachi that is easy to travel with.
3. Portable Fire Pit Grate
If you don’t already have a portable grate to go over the open fire, this is a real nice one that should last for years.
4. Campfire Starters
I like the magnesium fire starters, but I usually carry waterproof matches, too, just in case.
5. The 15″ Cast Iron Skillet
I like to take a 15″ cast iron skillet as it is large enough to cook pancakes, or bacon and eggs for a group. You can also fry fresh caught fish in it if the grill is full.
In my opinion the Lodge Logic and the Camp Chef SK are the best cast iron skillets you can buy new today.
6. Cast Iron Dutch Oven
I bring along a cast iron Dutch oven exactly like this one (except that it is much older) to cook stews, or cook beans and bake biscuits right over the fire. I have even baked bread and pies in them, buried in the coals of the campfire!
7. Camping Axe
Bringing an axe along is just good sense. You never know what you might need it for, but it almost always comes in handy! Think chopping firewood.
8. Camp Lanterns
Battery Free Crank Lanterns are excellent as you never need a battery or fuel. They are much better for the environment and easier on the pocketbook, however some folks would rather use something else.
Solar camping lanterns are another environmentally safe alternative to fuel or battery operated lanterns.
This link takes you to an Amazon page of lanterns that include battery operated, propane and kerosene. I do recommend the crank lanterns.
9. Flashlights
Flashlights are another necessity. Here are a large assortment to choose from.
10. Tent Light
A tent light is not a necessity, but is nice to have. If you are backpacking and need to limit your weight I would forgo this little luxury. This is the most inexpensive one I could find, made by Coleman at only $10
11. Rope
Rope is one of those things that often get forgotten, but comes in handy for a lot of things such as stringing between two trees for a clothes line to hang wet swimming suits and towels. I have also used it to drape blankets to set up a shady spot for little ones to play out of the sun.
12. Folding Shovel
You will need a shovel to dig a fire pit or a latreen if you are really roughing it. If you are in an area that rains a lot you will need a shovel to dig a moat around the tent to direct water away from the tent to prevent your tent from flooding.
13. Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool
I love this tool! I carry mine in my purse where ever I go. It has so many uses I have never once regretted its purchase and have blessed its existence too many times to count.
14. Ice Chest
You will need ice chest or coolers to keep your food cold. You are sure to find one or several that fit your needs.
15. First Aid Kit
It is one of the “must haves” on any camping trip as you never know when someone will have an accident or just plain dumb out!
You can get by with making up one yourself in a Tupperware, or other waterproof container, just don’t forget to pack the Neosporin!
You might find one of these Survival Kits a handy thing to have around too.
16. Camp Shower
A camp shower is a nice thing to have if there are not any public showers where you are camping, however they are not a necessity especially if you are backpacking or biking.
You can make do by heating water on the stove or fire and using a bowl of warm water and a wash cloth for a sponge bath. Coffee cups work well to brush your teeth too.
17. Water Containers
Having water containers is an absolute necessity when camping, for not only drinking (obviously), but also to bath, cook, wash dishes, clean wounds and put out fires.
18. Bug Spray
Last but not least on our list of necessities for camping is bug spray. I don’t know about you, but I am a magnet for bug bites and I am allergic to the bites too. If there is a biting bug around it will find me and even the littlest mosquito bite or no-see-um bite will swell up like a balloon and pain me for days. The only stuff that works on me is the nasty stuff; the more DEET the better. Avon only attracts more on me, it doesn’t repel them.
This product is 18% DEET, and I think should be safe on children. When I buy repellent over the counter, I go to the hunting supply section of the store and look for the one with the highest concentrate of DEET that is legal to sell. This type is NOT advisable to use on children.
19. Gear Repair Kit
Gear repair kits come in very handy if you need to make a tent repair, repair webbing or glue a shoe sole. This kit is pretty cool because it is 2 kits in one. I has a sewing kit included.
20. Walkie Talkies
If you have adventurous children on a camping trip, walkie talkies are a real good idea to have around. Walkie talkies will prevent anyone, child or adult, from wandering off and getting lost in the woods. Make sure everyone in your group has one. There are very inexpensive sets that can be picked up these days.
21. Camping Equipment
These links will take you to Amazon pages full of camping stuff. Take a look through them as you might find something that suits your particular camping needs. Many of the items are not necessary, but sure makes like easier when you are out “roughing” it.
22. Camping Gear
Here is the second link for more camping stuff