Forgetting something on your first camping trip is practically a rite of passage. Use this checklist and you'll show up prepared for a great weekend instead of a survivalist exercise.
Tent (know how to set it up before you leave home — do a practice pitch in the backyard), tent footprint or tarp, extra stakes and guylines for wind, mallet or rock for driving stakes. Bring a tarp to rig as a rain fly over your cooking area — it's a game-changer in light rain.
Sleeping bag (appropriate for nighttime lows), sleeping pad or air mattress (car camping allows bigger options), pillow, extra blanket for cold nights. Layering sleeping pads (foam plus inflatable) improves both warmth and cushion.
Camp stove plus fuel, lighter plus waterproof matches (backup), pot and pan, utensils, plates and bowls, camp coffee maker, cutting board, camp knife, biodegradable soap and sponge, dry food storage, cooler with ice, can opener, trash bags. Plan meals before you go — 'figure it out at camp' is a recipe for eating beef jerky for three meals.
Moisture-wicking base layer, mid-layer fleece, waterproof rain jacket, extra socks (always more than you think), comfortable camp shoes or sandals, warm hat for cold nights, sun hat and sunglasses for daytime. Nighttime at camp is almost always colder than you expect.
Headlamp per person with extra batteries, camp lantern for communal light, and a small flashlight as backup. String lights run off a USB battery bank and transform a campsite — optional but beloved.
First aid kit, any personal medications, insect repellent, sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours), emergency contact numbers written on paper (not just in your phone), and a map of the campground and nearby area.
Camp chairs, folding table, picnic blanket, camp hammock, games and cards, books, portable speaker, day pack for hiking from camp, binoculars for wildlife. The extras you pack are what turn a good trip into a great one.
The three can't-forget items: tent (check that all poles and stakes are in the bag before leaving), sleeping bag rated for the conditions, and headlamp. Everything else can be MacGyvered or purchased at a camp store.
For most campgrounds, a battery-powered lantern and a USB power bank handle 90% of power needs without the noise and smell. Some campgrounds prohibit generators. If you need to run a CPAP machine, check with the campground first.
For car camping, bring more than you think you'll eat — camp hunger is real and there's no delivery. Plan 3 full meals and 2 snacks per person per day. Prep as much as possible at home to minimize camp cooking complexity.
See also: Camping Gear Hub • Best Camp Cookware • Best Budget Camping Gear
