What should be brought on a camping trip

I agree with almost everyone here that this is an awesome checklist. I just packed to go camping on the beach.

And if I did not look at this list I would have forgotten multiple things. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of new posts by email. Skip to content. Clear All. Most drive-up campgrounds will provide a picnic table and firepit and sell locally sourced firewood on site. A simple body wipe and a stick of deodorant can do wonders after a night in a tent. Bottom line: The unexpected happens in the great outdoors, so check the weather and pack clothes that will keep you warm and dry at night and cool during the day.

Sure, you could get creative with nothing but a roll of tinfoil and a campfire to cook your meals hello, fire-baked potato. However, drive-in campsites will often provide metal lockers to keep your food safe from bears and other wildlife.

Before you leave, it helps to plan what meals you want to make while camping and create a food shopping list. This article originally appeared in July It was updated on April 5, , to include current information. Reopens to International Travel. Sign up for the Daily Wander newsletter for expert travel inspiration and tips.

Read our privacy policy. AFAR Advisor. Beaches International Beaches Islands U. Beaches Water Sports. Cities We Love. Read Insider's guide to the best hiking pants for men and women. This ultrasoft layer is ideal to throw on over a t-shirt. It has a little bit of stretch, is anti-pill, and has zippered pockets to store a phone or other important items securely.

Read Insider's guide to the best fleece jackets for men. Lightweight, sweat-wicking, four-way stretch fabric, and zippered pockets — these lululemon athletic shorts deliver on all fronts. These hiking shorts are made from durable, water-resistant stretch fabric, have a comfortable high-rise fit, and are cute enough to feature on IG. The Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket can keep you dry in serious rainstorms, but it can also fit into a briefcase, backpack, or glove compartment.

Keep your feet happy and dry with these moisture-wicking wool socks, which have cushy bottoms for a long hike and elastic for comfort around the campfire. Read Insider's guide to the best hiking socks. This classic hat will keep your head warm with enough stretch to fit all sizes. These trail-ready Teva's balance comfort with durability for the ultimate combo. Read Insider's full review of Teva's Universal Sandal.

Read Insider's guide to the best polarized sunglasses. This one from Patagonia is lightweight, waterproof, made from ripstop nylon, and has three zippered compartments including one big enough to fit a large iPhone. Beyond the essentials of your toothbrush and comb , a thorough toiletry bag is essential for both safety and comfort. Keep toiletries organized and out of the dirt by packing them in this light-but-durable bag, which features a strap for easy carrying or hanging inside your tent.

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch sunscreen is noncomedogenic, lightweight, and water-resistant. Cleaning your hands before handling food or if the bathroom runs out of soap is crucial. We like this one because the aloe and vitamin E keep your skin from getting too dry, while the flip cap minimize spillage in packing.

A nice way to freshen up when showers aren't available, these body wipe have the added bonus of containing aloe vera and vitamin E to give skin a gentle, refreshing boost. Read Insider's guide to the best first aid kits. Always bring bug spray to save yourself a serious headache. Read Insider's guide to the best bug sprays.

Wiping down your face after a long day of sweat, sunscreen, and campfire smoke can make you feel like a new human. Eye drops help re-hydrate your eyes after a night of sitting around the smokey fire, and Clear Eyes Triple Action provides more lubricant to soothe and moisturize.

If you're going camping, chances are you'll at least embark on a short day hike or walk around a park. For a hike of any length, it's smart to bring a sun shirt , hat , sunscreen , water , and snacks. If your adventure is going to be more than 5 miles, make sure you bring a first aid kit , as well as some extra water and food. This ultralight pack folds up into a small carrying case for travel, and then unfurls into the ideal size to carry a few key items on a short hike from camp.

Read Insider's guide to the best packable daypacks. This ounce water bottle holds enough hydration for a hike and keep it cold for up to 24 hours and then lets you keep tea hot back at camp hot for up to six hours. This simple black hat is made from breathable, quick-drying fabric and features a sweat-wicking headband. The UPF 30 fabric further protects from harmful UV rays and the adjustable back makes it easy to get the perfect fit. Created by two pro athletes, Picky Bars taste good, are free of most allergens, and provide around calories and 28g carbs of whole-food energy.

Read Insider's guide to the best plant-based protein bars. Camping meals can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. If you need to buy groceries for camping food, check out the best places to buy groceries online and the best backpacking food you can buy.

Don't forget your other camping cooking gear like plates, cups, and cutlery , which you can either bring from home or buy an all-inclusive set that you don't have to worry about getting beat-up or breaking. Any major campground, like a KOA or those at National Parks, will likely have a sink for you to wash dishes in.

But medium-sized campgrounds and wild campsites won't, so be sure you have your dishwashing system dialed in as well see below. This classic, hard-shelled cooler will keep ice cold for, realistically, two days and is a solid option for causal campers looking to not break the bank. The Tundra 75 is uber durable, the perfect size for most trips, and will keep ice frozen for more than a week.

Read Insider's guide to the best camping cookware. This handy spoon, knife, and fork set features a removable carabiner so you can easily keep the set together for packing and take the utensils apart for eating. The cutlery is made of pure titanium so it's resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. Read Insider's guide to the best camping stoves.

This classic, suitcase-style stove is portable, has wind-blocking side panels, and lets you use two burners at once. Coffee is a serious necessity for some, and the AeroPress is small, simple, portable, and easy-to-use way to brew a highly competitive, frothy cup of coffee somewhere between a French press and an espresso. Forgo the full coffee setup with this ingenious pour-over system, which lets you make single cups of coffee with nothing more than boiling water and a cup.

Read Insider's guides to the best coffee makers for camping and the essentials you need to make delicious camp coffee. Not only does this jug hold a ton of water, but the lid unscrews for an easy-pour spout system. Wash bins help you clean up after cooking safely without leaving any food bits behind to attract animals. This foldable option is easy for on-the-go and the two bins mean you have one bin for soapy suds and one for a final rinse. This biodegradable soap requires just a few drops for dish cleaning and adhere's to leave-no-trace practices.

A quick-dry towel will make short work of drying off dishes, and this one unfolds to be nearly 2-feet wide and will dry off quick. Planning a camping trip comes in two parts: picking your campsite and deciding what to pack.

What you need for a camping trip depends entirely on who's joining you, where you're going, when you're going, and for how long. If you're looking for a campsite to enjoy, consider starting with our list of the best campsites across the US.

However, with the uptick in interest in camping, many federal campsites are booking up fast. Not to worry, we also have you covered with a list of less-known places to check for last-minute camping reservations, including private campsites.

And if you're eager to bring your four-legged friends with you, be sure to check out our tips for camping with dogs. If you're a more seasoned camper and want to try your hand at free camping, you'll have to look beyond national parks and developed campgrounds. This list is a great starting point for car campers and tent-pitching newbies but you'll want to make sure you create your own specific list based on several key factors.

First, think about how many people you're going with. If it's a family camping trip, you may want a four-person tent or two separate tents so adults and kids can still have their own spaces. If you're heading out on a solo experience, a medium one-person tent works just fine, or an alternative like hammock camping.

What type of campsite you're going to and how long you plan to camp are both vital considerations. Will the campsite have running water or will you need to bring your own jugs of water? Is it off a main road or deeper into the backcountry where cell service may be nonexistent? If it's the latter, you'll want to factor that in when making decisions like how extensive your first aid kit should be.

It's also smart to plan out meals and snacks ahead of time to make sure your food needs are covered no matter how long you're gone. The season and weather also make a world of difference when it comes to what you're packing.