List of 24 Things You Need to Have During Camping
Camping is a fun activity for families or even for groups of friends. If you are planning to go camping, this article is for you. Whether you are going out on a solo trip or with your family or group of friends, it is important that you be prepared beforehand. Need a perfect camping plan? check out our How to plan a perfect camping trip? The best guide out there!
My family and I go camping quite regularly so we made a list for others like us! We have been camping for several years so we have our own personal list of what you need to bring during the trip.
So if you are planning to go camping, then here is a list of 24 things you need to have during camping.
Tent
Top on the list of 15 things you need to have during camping is a tent. It can be a dome-shaped one or a cabin-like one. You should choose a small enough tent so that you and your family can fit inside.
This way, you will be able to protect yourself and your family from harsh weather conditions. Make sure it is spacious enough for everyone so no one would need to stay outside on a hard surface while others have the soft padded floor inside the tent. You should also choose a lightweight tent that you and your family could carry along.
Sleeping bag
The second is a sleeping bag. It ensures that you will have a good night’s sleep as it keeps you warm even if the temperature drops to freezing point at night. The perfect one for this summer should be lightweight, warm, and waterproof. If possible, make sure it has an attached hood because this will keep the head dry from the rain or from the sweat you have during sleep.
It should also be able to zip from both ends so that you can comfortably snuggle inside it with your partner. Of course, you should not forget your pillow!
Sleeping pad
The third is a sleeping pad or a camping mat. It provides you with comfort while you sleep. It will be a good idea to choose one that has a foam or inflatable section and an attached pillow. It should also be lightweight so you can fold and pack it properly
Flashlight
Fourth is a flashlight or a headlamp. It allows you to move around during midnight without disturbing other campers. It will be a good idea to choose one that can be mounted on your head. This way, hands will always be free to do other things you need to finish during camping. Of course, it should also come with a red or dim setting so the intensity of the light won’t disturb others while they are sleeping.
There are times when having only one source of light causes problems. This is why having at least two lights would be great so that if one breaks while you are camping, there would already be a replacement. The second light should also be handheld to allow for easy movement.
Water bottles
Fifth is a water bottle. You can’t survive camping without clean drinking water. Having one will allow you to drink water even if there is no faucet around and also keep yourself hydrated while you hike through rough terrains through the woods during camping. Choose one that has an attached water filter so you can drink clean and safe drinking water.
Water
After choosing between a dome-shaped tent and a cabin-like one, you should next think about water. You will surely need it to clean your utensils as well as yourself. Get at least one liter of drinking water every day that you are out there camping.
You should also get at least two more liters of water. You can use these for washing your tent, shoes, or any other camping gear that may be dirty after a long day out there in the wilderness.
Cleaning supplies
There is no way you can keep your campsite clean without proper cleaning supplies like soap and wipes. Soap is important because it helps remove dirt from your hands while wipes help clean surfaces that are hard to reach with just water. Multi-purpose supplies can be used as wipes for removing dirt from your shoes or cleaning the table.
Trainers
You can never go camping without taking along your trainers or hiking shoes. You will need them if you decide to do some hiking up the mountains or rough terrains. When picking out your shoe, make sure it is waterproof because there are chances that you will walk through a stream or a river.
An ax or a hatchet
Axes are very helpful during camping because they can be used to chop wood for the fire, open cans, and cut away stubborn vines that would otherwise take hours to cut using just hands. Be careful with axes by reading up on how to handle them properly before bringing one out there in the wilderness.
Food
Things you need to have during camping will not be complete without mentioning food. Just make sure that you bring provisions that are enough until your next destination where there are more restaurants available or grocery shops. You should also pack some snacks like peanuts, chips,r eas, and chocolates. Just make sure you do not overdo it on the chocolate part., Or just check out our 20 easy-to-cook recipes during camping!
First-aid kit
The wilderness is a dangerous place that can cause all sorts of accidents from getting scratched by an animal to slipping and falling. This is why it is important to always have a first aid kit with you when you go camping. Bring bandages, disinfectants, painkillers, and other medicines that will help in case someone gets hurt or sick during your trip.
Toilet paper
You cannot do without toilet paper because the woods may not have any around to use even if there’s a public toilet available in the area. So make sure at least two rolls of toilet paper are part of your things to have during camping.
Coleman Stove
You can never go camping or backpacking without a stove to cook or boil water. A stove is necessary because it gives you warmth during cold nights outdoors. You will also need more light in order to keep chasing away wild animals that might see your campsite as their territories like raccoons, skunks, bears, and even wolves!
Plates, Cups, Utensils
To avoid making multiple trips back and forth to the water source with your utensils, bring along these things in one bag. Also, make sure you do not buy one that is too heavy. There are also models with collapsible handles so they can be stored in a smaller bag when camping.
Table cloth
You may not think it is necessary, but a tablecloth can actually help keep your campsite clean and neat. This way, you do not have to worry about burning other things on the ground because you can just place them on the table before cooking. Tablecloths are also useful at night when there is no light around your tent except for the moon and fire.
Jumper cables for car batteries
Yes, even though it’s an open field with no one around, there is still a chance that your car battery might give out. It’s best to make sure you have jumper cables with you at all times because there is no one around and no one can come for miles and miles.
Plastic bags:
When camping, there are a lot of things that you will need to keep dry. This is why it is important that you bring along plastic bags to store your money, phone, cellphone chargers, toothpaste and toothbrush, and other things. Never leave your stuff lying around without being covered by a plastic bag.
You can also prevent your clothes from getting dirty by wrapping them up before putting them in plastic bags. Never leave these things out unprotected because rain and animals may ruin them.
Binoculars:
If you want to do some bird watching or get a closer look at wildlife during your trip, then bring along binoculars so you can see them from a distance. Plus, if you want to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrities camping out in the wild, then binoculars are perfect for your needs!
Camping chairs:
You will need these if you decide to stay on a campsite with the hard ground or for sitting on when you barbecue. Not only will it be an instant seat for you anytime, but it can also serve as a pillow when you are too tired to go back to your tent.
Waterproof clothing:
Things you need for camping will not be complete without mentioning waterproof clothing. Be sure to bring rain ponchos and bring an extra pair of clothes in case it gets too cold during the night or drops below zero degrees.
Map of the area:
A map of the camping site or the surrounding areas is necessary because you will never know when something might happen, like accidents and injuries. You need to make sure there are enough hospitals, convenience stores, police stations, national parks, or any place that can provide help in case you get lost during your trip.
Or if you are just looking to fish, then you need a map of the river or lake where you want to fish.
Neck pillow for sleeping:
A neck pillow is not just an accessory that will make your camping trip more comfortable. It can actually help prevent any strains on your body after being in that one position for so long. Sleeping in the car or on a hard surface can cause pain due to your body adjusting to its new surroundings.
It’s best to have a neck pillow at all times so you will not have trouble sleeping when camping outdoors during nighttime.
It’s also best to have one with you if there are no pillows at your camping site.
Campsite lantern:
It will be difficult for everyone at the campsite to sleep at night if it is dark outside. This is why having a light source is necessary, especially if you are planning to play games until late at night.
Sunscreen:
Bring sunscreen with you because camping will mean spending most of the day outdoors under the sun. You don’t want to get tired or dehydrated just because you didn’t bring protection from the heat!
Other tips:
Bring flares with you too just in case your car gets stuck. These are good for emergencies because you can use them to signal people or vehicles to come to help you. Using flares is actually the proper way of doing it, not waving your arms in the air like a maniac!
Bring along an extra car tire just in case you get stuck and need to change yours. This does not mean that go out and buy a new tire for your car if you get a flat. It means that you purchase a cheap one that can be used for this kind of situation only. You can use it on your spare tire mount or ask someone to give you the tire from their car if they have an extra one.
Camping is better when you’re safe and away from danger. Bring along emergency kits for hiking, emergency blankets, GPS devices, and even medical stuff like epinephrine. This will not only help you get out of woods or inhospitable areas but it can also save your life if you need to inject adrenaline before going into shock because of an injury or accident!
Happy camping!
