Camping equipment from backpacks to tents for those who love to camp

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To make one list that works for every camping situation is essentially impossible. The checklist for a family camping at a state park in August is far different from a hard core camper following a mountain trail in May. The following list is basic in nature and shouldn’t be considered exhaustive. However, it can be a good starting point for your camping trip. In addition to the camping list, it is key to know the environment you are going to be in and be prepared. This is the list I’ve used the past 3 + decades. At the end of the list are some personal comments which might be helpful. You can also download this list here.

Also, if you have any suggestions, thoughts or stories to share, email us at tips@campersbackpack.com. Your experience might help folks in the future.

Camping Checklist – Tips below

FOR ADVENTURE CAMPING:

___ Backpack ___ Trekking poles ___ Water filters or purification tablets ___ Extra rope and bungee cords ___ Tent with fly and vestibule ___ Tarp with eyelets ___ Maps of the area your going ___ Flashlight ___ Waterproof matches ___ Stuff bag ___ Camera ___ Mess kit with utensils ___ Dish towel ___ Insect repellent ___ Extra batteries	___ Water bottles ___ Knife ___ Sleeping bag / pillow ___ Ground mat ___ GPS ___ Compass or ___ Candles or lanterns ___ Sterno or a camp stove ___ Trash bags ___ Binoculars ___ Dish soap ___ First aid kit ___ Sun screen
CLOTHING ___ Light weight tennis shoes / keep dry ___ One or two pair of pants ___ Shorts ___ Appropriate long sleeve shirt ___ Hat that covers your ears ___ Backpack raincoat ___ Thermal underwear (where applicable)	___ Hiking boots ___ Belt ___ T-shirts ___ Jacket or coat ___ Underwear ___ Laundry bag ___ Socks
HERE'S A GREAT SUGGESTION: Synthetic apparel is light weight and dries quickly. Perfect for the longer term technical camper.
PERSONAL ___ Towel / washcloth ___ Sample size shampoo ___ Sample size tooth paste ___ Feminine Products ___ Personal Medicine	___ Motel size soap ___ Tooth brush ___ Sample size deodorant ___ Toilet paper ___ Pain reliever
FOOD . . . Consider the length of you trek ___ Dehydrated options are the easiest ___ Trial mix for the hike ___ Beef jerky ___ Drink Mix ___ Tea Bags IF THIS IS A TRIP ON A TIGHT BUDGET, HERE ARE SOME TIPS. ___ Dry cereal with powdered milk - light and easy to carry in a zip lock bag ___ Pancake mix made with water - in a zip lock bag ___ Canned Devil Ham / Chicken - small and tasty with crackers for an easy lunch. ___ Crackers ___ Rice - easy to carry, easy to make ___ Pasta - just add sauce and you have a delightful meal ___ Salt and pepper - the little restaurant packets take almost no space ___ Cooking oil - a small amount in a Tupperware container is helpful

CAR / PARK CAMPING:

___ Tent ___ Extra tent stakes ___ Extra rope or bungees ___ Pillow ___ Air Mattress/pad/cot ___ Utility bag ___ Fuel/Propane ___ Charcoal / firewood ___ Skillets ___ Silverware ___ Camera ___ Thermos/Cooler ___ Aluminum foil ___ Folding table ___ Can opener ___ Dish soap ___ Sun screen ___ First aid kit ___ Extra batteries ___ Candles or lanterns	___ Ground cloth ___ Tarp ___ Small hatchet ___ Sleeping Bag ___ Air pump ___ Camp stove ___ Matches ___ Dutch Oven ___ Plates / bowls ___ Water jug ___ Binoculars ___ Table clothes / clips ___ Paper towels ___ Grilling tools ___ Dish pan / wash rag ___ Knife ___ First Aid kit ___ Insect repellent ___ Flashlights ___ Trash bags
CLOTHING ___ Hiking boots ___ Extra jeans ___ T-shirts ___ Sweat shirts / jacket ___ Rain wear ___ Shower shoes ___ Swim suit	___ Tennis shoes ___ Shorts ___ Long sleeve shirts ___ Hat ___ Underwear ___ Laundry bag
PERSONAL ___ Towel / washcloth ___ Shampoo ___ Deodorant ___ Feminine Products ___ Personal Medicine ___ Razor	___ Soap in a plastic case ___ Tooth brush/tooth paste ___ Comb / brush ___ Toilet paper ___ Pain reliever
FOOD . . . Consider the length of you trek ___ Pancake mix with syrup ___ Eggs ___ Beef jerky ___ Chips ___ Bread ___ Package rice meals ___ Fruit ___ Potatoes ___ Energy or Granola Bars ___ Rice ___ Don't forget your veggies ___ Cookies ___ Drink mixes ___ Milk ___ Just about anything you like	___ Bacon or sausage ___ Trail mix ___ Cereal or oatmeal ___ Sandwich meats ___ Steaks ___ Bake beans ___ Smack Ramon ___ Crackers ___ Hamburgers ___ Pastas and sauce ___ Hot Dogs or Brats ___ Condiments ___ Canned drinks ___ Juices ___ Tea Bags

Equipment Tips

Over the past 3 decades I’ve had the privilege of camping in over a dozen states and in 3 provinces of Canada. A few of these experiences have included using an old military tent in Canada, a cheap backpack in the Colorado Rockies (OUCH!), two dozen Junior High kids on the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania (headache), a challenging Rattle Snake in Nebraska, an amazing sunset in New Mexico and a beautiful lake in the Adirondacks with my family. My experiences also include nearly 2 decades of directing youth camps in 3 states, I’m a Certified Camping Director and site visitor with the American Camping Association and membership with Christian Camping International.

Although each camping trip was unique, they all required pretty much the same equipment. The camping tips below are some basic thoughts to help you adjust for your trip. Plus, if you have any suggestions, thoughts, tips or stories to share, email us at tips@campersbackpack.com. Your experience might help folks in the future.

Choosing a Backpack
When your destination can only be reached by foot, then you need a backpack. If you are on a tight budget, you can skimp in a number of ways, but don’t do it here. Be sure you get a quality backpack that is adequate for your size, your load and the length of your trip. If you are camping out of the back of your vehicle and taking day trips, you’ll still be much better off getting a good pack. In my first long trek into the mountains I bought a cheap backpack and paid with sore shoulders for several weeks. Buy a good pack.

Backpack raincoat
Go with one that can be used for a couple uses. Mine has doubled as a short term pup tent and a make shift kitchen canopy.

Trekking poles
Twenty five year ago I wish I would have been smart enough to use trekking poles. Could have saved a lot of stress on the knees and lower back.

Water bottles
Know your potential safe water supplies and prepare. It wouldn't be unusual to need 3 quart bottles with you for each day.

Water filters
Bad water can spoil you trip in a hurry. Play it cautious. If you’re at a State Park, you’re probably OK to drink from a public hydrant. However, if on a trail, fresh stream water looks really good, but...

Extra rope and bungee cords
I like to carry plenty of extra and these items take very little space, weight almost nothing and you can be creative in using them on your backpack.

Knives
If you could take only one item into the wilderness with you, this is the one I’d recommend. So make sure the one you choose is one you can depend on if your life depended on it.

Small hatchet
This makes a great addition to your backpack or the trunk of your car. Useful for building fires, an outdoor kitchen stove or for just hammering in tent stacks.

Sleeping bag
Match the sleeping bag with the environment you’ll be in. For a long hike, weight is important. Comfort should be your top priority.

Ground mat
Maybe it’s my age, but the ground seems harder and bumper than it did 30 years ago. A ground mat has become a standard part of my equipment.

Tent with fly and vestibule
Just because you're in a tent, it doesn't mean your going to keep the rain out. Getting flooded out in a Nebraska downpour taught me this. Having a quality tent with a fly shouldn't be an option. A strategically used tarp can do wonders also. Yep, I learned this the hard way too. The vestibule is also a nice way to protect your gear.

Tarp with eyelets

Maps of the area your going
If you plan to camp out of your vehicle, set by a lake and do little to nothing, then forget it, you don’t need a map. If you are in a state park and you’re hiking one of their trails, use one of their maps (I just did that in Texas, terrific park!). That will work fine. But if you are hiking several miles into the mountains a topo map is a must. Topographical maps are easy to find online. A common source is the USGS.gov but there are several other great resources too.

Compass
Orienteering is a fantastic skill to have in the wilderness. My mentor taught me by dropping me off in the hills of Missouri and told that if I want to eat supper I’d best not mess up. It just feels right to have a compass along. However the new rage is to take along a GPS tracking system. I’ve never try one, but I hear they’re great.

GPS
The new method for trekking is to take along a GPS tracking system. I’ve never try one, but I hear they’re great.

Flashlight
Size matters so make it relevant to your trip. Just don’t forget it.

Candles or lanterns
There’s something special about the glow of a lantern over a campsite at night. Make sure it’s not missing from your campsite. The glow sticks are a nice addition also.

Waterproof matches
The manly man won’t need matches, but I’m not that patient. Waterproof matches are recommended.

Sterno or a camp stove.
There is something special about cooking over an open fire. However, Sterno or a camp stove is a good back up plan in the event it is raining, a lot. Been there, done that. Camping from the back of your vehicle? Well then, you have lots of options including a trip to a restaurant.

Stuff bag
This is an item that has multiple uses and is a valuable addition for any camping experience.

Trash bags
If you carry it in, make sure you carry it out. If you drive it in, make sure it is put in the trash containers. Leave your campsite in pristine order. I used to line the inside of my backpack with a couple for extra water protection. That proved to be particularly wise on a couple of canoe trips.

Camera
Some of the best pictures I ever took were in the Colorado Rockies, and I was foolish enough to take three different lenses for an SLR camera. I wouldn’t recommend that for a 10 mile trek in the mountains, but there are excellent options that are much smaller and lighter.

Binoculars
Maybe this is not altogether necessary, but if you have binoculars along, you won’t regret it.

Mess kit with utensils
Do I really need to say more.

Dish soap
You can use one of those sample size shampoo bottles in your backpack. Proper clean up can keep you from getting sick.

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