We like to consider ourselves seasoned campers. And Canadian campers to boot – which makes us even more hardcore. We’ve done it all from glamping to backcountry camping and definitely have an affinity for the more rugged type. And the more rugged the trip, the more prepared you need to be. Allow us to use our years of experience to help guide you through the ultimate camping packing list. Bonus: Skip to the end for a FREE printable checklist of all the essential gear you need!
As the story goes, my first official camping trip was when I was 6 months old. And I killed it, obviously. Something must have stuck because I have camped every year of my life since then. For me, it is the ultimate vacation. Peace, quiet, relaxation, getting close to nature, self-sufficiency and the best part… it’s cheap! We have more recently increased the seriousness of our backcountry camping trips and now have more appreciation for proper preparation and quality gear.
This post outlines the gear you will need on a more traditional camping trip where you are afforded a few luxuries like being able to drive in to your site and having access to water and a bathroom (For a complete list of what to pack on a backcountry camping hike with a focus on lightweight and budget gear, check out our post ‘Backpacking Essentials: What to Bring and What Not To‘).
So here it is – your complete list of everything you need to take on a true, real life camping trip:
For your FREE printable packing list – jump to the end of this post!
#1 | Tent
This is the most important item on our list. Of course, a tent will provide you with the necessary shelter you need. You want to ensure you buy a good quality tent and this is one instance that we are willing to spend a little more on an item. A quality tent will keep you warmer, dryer and it will last you longer.
Something else you want to look for is something that is simple to set up. An overly elaborate tent will be a very frustrating way to start off your camping trip. I always think of this saying as the inevitable result of setting up camp with your partner:
“I’m sorry for what I said while we were setting up the tent”.
Here is our favourite tent for couples: Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent. (Pro tip: Never buy a 2-person tent for two people – you will have no room for your bags or to move around inside):
And our favourite tent for families: Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent
#2 | Mattress
A mattress is necessary if you want a comfortable sleep while you are out in the woods. Most campgrounds have a hard, dirt ground which makes for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Pro tip: We do not suggest an air mattress for anyone. Why? They are expensive, they take up a lot of space, they puncture and break way too easily and they make for a noisy sleep. Instead, some type of memory foam mattress works much better. They are much more comfortable, quieter, and even if they are pricey, they will not break so you will never have to replace it.
Here is our 3 favourite foam camping sleeping pads:
- Therm-a-Rest Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mattress
- Better Habitat Memory Foam Mattress
- LaidBackPad Memory Foam Camping Mattress
#3 | Sleeping Bag
You need to know what the lowest average temperature is where you are going. Check out some weather history and look to see what the temperatures are at night for that time of year.
Pro tip: If you will be camping with any type of elevation, make sure you know how low the temperatures can go! We made a rookie mistake when we first moved out West. We were not used to thinking about the temperature changes that went along with elevation change. We did not have warm enough sleeping bags and almost froze to death! Thank God for those little Hot Hands warmers we brought or we may have never lived to tell the tale.
Because we are suckers for budget gear, here are the Top 5 Budget Sleeping Bags available on Amazon:
- REVALCAMP Lightweight Sleeping Bag
- Active Era Premium Lightweight Single Sleeping Bag
- FUNDANGO Lightweight Sleeping Bag
- Ohuhu Sleeping Bag
- Coleman Green Valley Sleeping Bag
# 4 | Cooler
If you are camping for more than one day you absolutely need a cooler. A cooler will allow you to store and cook fresh meals which is a luxury while camping. And for some reason, meals cooked while camping just taste better.. why is that??
The absolute ultimate, king pin, behemoth of coolers is, of course, The YETI. This beast is a pricey investment but there is no cooler that does a better job. The Yeti advertises to be able to keep food cold for 7 days. And it works. We’ve tested it. Getting ice and keeping food fresh while camping is a huge hassle, especially if you are camping somewhere very remote. So a Yeti will literally make you a happy camper. If you have never heard of The Yeti, check it out: YETI Tundra 35 Cooler. There are many types and sizes so you can find one within your budget:
If the Yeti is a bit too pricey for you, Coleman also makes a great quality cooler that will keep your food cold for 2-3 days: Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler.
#5 | Camping Chairs
Bring along a camping chair for each person in your group. Most campsites provide you with a picnic table but you will want chairs in order to cozy up around the campfire. Look for chairs that can collapse easily to fit in your trunk and make sure they have a cup holder and arm rests.
#6 | Camping Stove and Fuel
Bring a camping stove with at least 2 burners so you can cook 2 things at once and get your meals cooked a lot quicker (and don’t forget to also use your campfire to cook your meals if possible.. mmmm smoke!).
Bring a few extra fuel canisters along to make sure you don’t run out. We like to use propane, butane or white gas to fuel our stoves because they pack a huge punch and are long lasting.
Here’s our favourite camping stoves that are available on Amazon. They are powerful yet compact:
- Camp Chef Summit Two Burner Camping Stove
- Coleman Classic Propane Stove
- Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove
#7 | Cooking Gear
The best tip for cooking while you are camping is to keep it simple. The simpler your meals are, the less time you spend cooking and cleaning and the more time you have for fun. For some amazingly easy camping recipes, check out The Adventure Bite’s list ’16 Ridiculously Easy Camping Recipes’.
If you keep things simple, this is all the equipment you will need to pack: Pot, pan, wooden spoon, chefs knife, can opener, kettle or coffee maker, plates, mugs, spoons, forks, cooking oil, salt, pepper, spices (and your food).
Pro Tip: Prep as much as you can at home before your trip. For example, you can pre-chop all your meat and veggies, and you can pre-mix any batters, like pancake or biscuit batter, into a water bottle. This way, you don’t need to pack and clean chopping boards, mixing bowls etc.
If you want to avoid cleaning tons of dishes on your camping trip, try to find some recyclable plates, bowls and eating utensils. Cleaning dishes is not fun on a camping trip and this will save you lots of time in order to do more interesting activities.
For a more in depth look at food ideas for camping and hiking, check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘. Our food guide reviews the best high energy food and meals for day hikes, camping getaways and overnight backpacking trips.
#8 | Dishwashing Gear
You can’t avoid doing some dishes. In order to make this an easier process for you, bring a large plastic tub to hold your soapy water, biodegradable dish soap, a scrubber and dish towel.
#9 | Dining Tent
This is not something everyone brings along with them but we find dining tents to be super handy. The best part is that is gives you a place for your group to hang out if it is raining. It also keeps all your cooking and food in one spot so you can better control garbage and scents to help keep animals from sniffing you out. It also creates a barrier between your food, animals and bugs. And it gives you a cozy and sheltered place to enjoy meals as a group.
You can find cheap and easy “pop-up” style dining tents at any big box store or online at:
#10 | Tarp
No matter what the season or the weather, bringing along a few tarps is always a good idea. Placing a tarp underneath your tent will help to keep moisture out of your tent. You can also hang up a tarp from a few trees to give you a dry place to gather under if it begins to rain.
#11 | Pillow
Don’t forget your pillow! We have made this mistake before and laying your head down on your duffel bag just isn’t as comfortable.
#12 | Lantern
Sometimes the light of the campfire just isn’t enough. A bright lantern will keep your site lit up once the sun goes down. A lantern allows you to gather around the picnic table and play cards or you can bring it along for a trip to the bathroom. Whatever you use it for, it is definitely a must bring item.
Battery powered LED lanterns are bright, last a long time and you can find them for a budget price, like these:
#13 | Head Lamp
This is an item we have added to our camping list rather recently. I have always brought a traditional flashlight when camping. Since moving out West and camping in much more extreme conditions (as well as wanting much lighter weight items), we have switched to head lamps. We like these so much better because they give you a great bright light, are long lasting, allow you to be hands free, and the light always points exactly where you are looking.
If you haven’t used a head lamp yet, we highly suggest you try one on your next trip. Our favourite is the Foxelli Headlamp – it is super bright, high quality and a great budget option.
#14 | Water Bag
This is often overlooked but is such a useful thing to have on your site. You need water so often while camping and don’t want to have to take a trip back and forth to the pump every time you are cooking, washing or brushing your teeth. A 2 to 5 gallon bag should do you fine. Find one that can hang up and lets gravity do the work (and it will also get it out of your way).
#15 | Toilet and toilet paper
This is a bit of an off item, however, if you are in a remote location without access to a bathroom you may consider bringing a portable toilet. When you are in the woods, little luxuries matter.
#16 | Clothing
When you are packing your clothing make sure you consider the weather. Check the average low and high temperatures for the location you will be camping in. Pack clothes that will be suitable for the coldest temperature and the warmest temperature. Also, make sure to pack clothing for rainy weather, as well as pajamas, swimwear and towels.
#17 | Toiletries
Pack all of your toiletries in a pack that has multiple compartments and that you can hang up so it is easy to bring along with you to the bathroom. Items you will want on your trip include shampoo, soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and first aid kit items like aloe vera, polysporin, hydrocortisone, bandaids and meds.
#18 | Backpack
Bring along a lightweight backpack so you can pack necessary items for day trips and hikes. A backpack will make it easy to pack a picnic, bring towels and blankets, water bottles etc.
#19 | Camera and/or Phone
These will come in handy for taking pictures and to contact anyone if you run into any emergencies. Make sure to bring extra batteries and a way to charge your electronics (ie. a car charger or extra battery pack).
#20 | Duct Tape/Repair Kits
Things are bound to rip and break when you are in the woods. A roll of duct tape can fix almost anything. Or bring the repairs kits that came with your tent/sleeping bag etc.
#21 | Rope
A 50 foot nylon rope is easy to pack and can be very useful. If you are in an area with bears or cougars, you can hang your food up in a tree. You can use the rope to hang dry any items that have gotten wet. Or you can use the rope to hang a trap to stay dry.
#22 | Ice
Make sure to stock up on lots of ice before you leave for your trip. You do not want your cooler getting warm and for all your fresh food to go bad.
Pro tip: We often take our coolers into fast food restaurants. They will fill up your cooler with ice and usually don’t charge you anything for it.
#23 | Fire supplies
Fire is extremely important when you are camping. It provides warmth, entertainment and a way to cook. Have you ever been camping without a fire? It is depressing.
To make sure you have a blazing fire for your trip make sure you have plenty of firewood, paper, cardboard, dry kindling, an axe, and matches or a lighter.
#24 | Music Player
If your group can’t carry a tune and you still want music around the campfire, bring along a portable radio or speaker to keep the mood going.
#25 | Games/Cards/Books/Sports Equipment/Beach Toys
Bring along lots of options for entertainment especially if you have kids with you. It will also keep the fun going even if the weather is not cooperating.
#26 | Extras
Some extra items that you’ll need lots of: Paper Towels, garbage bags, Ziploc bags, sunscreen and bug spray.
Free Packing List Printable
HERE IT IS!!! Use our ‘super duper handy packing list printable‘ for your next camping trip and we promise you will be prepared for anything!
What else do you find handy or useful on your camping trips? Comment below!
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