Make the Great Outdoors Even Greater with These Camping Lists

In the whirlwind of preparation, it’s easy to forget something important. With the nearest store miles away, showing up in nature unprepared could mean that you have to cut your trip short or stick it out through a less-than-ideal experience.

On the flip side, it’s also easy to overcompensate for a lack of planning by bringing way too much stuff. Rather than make judicious decisions before you go, you cram it all into your trunk and tell yourself you’ll sort through it when you get there. Depending on whether you’re backpacking, car camping, or glamping, that could mean you’re carrying extra weight on a grueling hike or constantly shuffling through a disorganized mess to find what you need at your destination.

How do you cut down on the prep work while making sure you have everything you need—and only what you need—for a truly enjoyable camping trip? Create a camping list.

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Your camping supplies list should include the essentials that you’ll need every time, plus room for destination-specific additions. It should be digital so it’s easy to access or share—and you can reference it while shopping and fine-tune it on the fly.

Whether you prefer backcountry backpacking, car camping, or five-star glamping, here are some of the must-haves to get you started:

Backpacking

• Shelter (tent, hammock, or tarp)
• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Trekking poles
• Map and compass or trail guide and GPS
• Water bladder
• Emergency whistle or GPS system
• Water treatment system
• Headlamp
• Portable phone charger
• Trowel
• Toiletries – including handwashing kit
• Calorie-dense, lightweight food
• Bear canisters & hang setup
• Fuel & lighter
• Stove & pot
• Knife
• Spoon or fork
• Hiking boots
• Layered clothing, hat & gloves
• Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
• Bug spray
• First aid kit

Car Camping

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Pillow
• Water, unless provided at the campground
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Portable phone charger
• Toiletries – including handwashing kit
• Food, including s’mores ingredients
• Fuel & lighter
• Stove & pots
• Firewood
• Silverware
• Fold-up camp chairs
• Layered clothing, hat & gloves
• Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
• Bug spray
• Things to do (book, frisbee, nature guides)

Glamping

• Tent, unless you’re renting a full setup onsite
• Air mattress with sheets, pillows, and warm blankets
• Water, unless provided onsite
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Bath and shower supplies
• Towel
• Food, including s’mores ingredients
• Fuel & lighter
• Stove & pots
• Firewood
• Silverware
• Fold-up camp chairs
• Layered clothing, hat & gloves
• Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
• Bug spray
• Things to do (magazines, games, local guides for nearby attractions)
• Solar lantern or LED lights for ambiance
• Bluetooth speaker

Once you’ve created a digital list, you can move things around, create tasks, set reminders, assign items to the rest of your camping crew, upload links to online deals, and categorize gear you already have vs. what you need to buy. Or, keep a spreadsheet with lists for all three types of camping on different tabs, so you can quickly adjust depending on your destination.

When you return from your camping trip, revisit your list and make any adjustments. Was there anything you wished you had? Or something you bought but didn’t need? Refine your list so the next time you hear the call of nature, you can grab exactly what you need and head out the door—properly prepared for the adventure that awaits!