Camping Supplies List: What to Bring on your camping Trip.
Having the right supplies when you go camping is so important. If you forget something like a can opener, it can really make your trip a hassle. Writing out a camping supplies list before you pack and then using it while you pack is an important habit to get into. Whether you are tent camping or camping in a cabin, the lists are pretty much going to be similar.
We’ll start with the sleeping and living part of your list which will include tents, tent poles, lots of string, pegs to tie the tent down, sleeping bags and pillows, mosquito netting, duct tape (you never know when you’ll need it!) several tarps that can be used for rain protection or to get the eating area of the sun and give your site some shade, tarps to use as a ground cover for under your tent, extra blankets, book lights for extra light that doesn’t require electricity or fuel, air mattresses and air mattress pump, small broom or whisk brush for keeping the tent area clean, lanterns and lantern fuel or batteries if it’s battery powered, (always have more batteries on hand than you think you need) trash bags, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disposable dish rags for cleaning, dish liquid, shampoo and soap, (and any other personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. and ladies, bring a few personal, time of the month items just in case, even if it’s NOT that time of the month. It’s always better to be safe than surprised)
Camping Supplies List: Cooking Gear.
Next is your cooking gear. The best food list in the world is terrific, but if you forget some crucial utensils, you’re cooking experience could be screwed up. A cook stove or grill, fuel for the grill such as propane, etc. pots, pans, a cast iron pan for using in the fire, coffee pot, matches, lighters, plastic storage bags, bottle opener, can opener, cooler or several coolers if you have a lot of food, plenty of ice, (or a place where you can easily get more ice) paper plates, cups, and napkins, paper towels, knives, forks and spoons, cooking utensils such as spatulas, serving spoons, whisk, large bbq fork for flipping steaks and hot dogs, knives and knife sharpener, storage containers, mixing bowls, pot holders, tongs for removing things off the fire, tin foil. Also don’t forget to bring a scrub pad for cleaning, and a plastic tub for washing dishes in. If there is anything else you can think of you need, just add it to your list, but this is a pretty exhaustive list.
You might want to bring extra firewood even if you are roughing it and plan on getting wood from the surrounding areas. Firewood bundles are easy to buy and it is much better to have this on hand than to find out that there are no real good wood sources around. It’s also handy to have this extra wood if the camping area has gotten some rain and all available wood is wet or damp. Also bring a small axe, chairs, card table, fire starters, long handled lighter, fire ready popcorn popper, newspaper or other non shiny paper, or even dryer lint which is good for starting fires, don’t forget to add S’mores ingredients to your food list. No camping trip is complete without S’mores!
Food and Drink
Some other things to remember to bring are several gallons of bottled water, popcorn, all of the food on your food list (that you should make a separate list for) and some medical supplies as well such as a first aid kit, bug repellant, sunscreen, appropriate clothing for the season, but if it’s warm out, always bring a jacket just in case. Up in the mountains it can be much cooler, so being prepared with a coat or jacket is worth it rather than freezing. Bring several changes of clothes including long pants and shorts, t shirts, long sleeve flannel shirt, gloves, socks, underwear, shoes, several pairs including a pair of boots if you have them (not the decorative kind!) sweat pants or a sweat suit to sleep in, swimming gear, flashlights, extra batteries for the flashlights, a battery operated radio and plenty of extra batteries, cell phones although depending on where you are, you may not get reception.
When you are done with your list, go over it a few times, and then when you pack, USE THAT LIST! Don’t try to go from memory, because even with the list, it’s possible to forget things. Having all the things you need for camping will make your trip more enjoyable. That’s why you need to start early making your lists, so you have time to go over it a few times and add to it. Then as you pack, have your camping supplies list in hand, and make small checks next to the items as you pack them. Having all your supplies is sure to make your camping trip tons of fun and being prepared is always a good thing!