Before you can decide what to pack on your camping trip, you need to determine two things:
1) What are the facilities like where you will be camping? Are there bathrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, grills and potable water? Or will it just be your camp party and nature?
2) How close will you be camping to your vehicle?
Camping
If you are camping in a well-developed area, such as a state park or campground, you might not need to bring as much as you would otherwise. Things like a table to eat on, a camp stove, and bathroom supplies would not be necessary.
Most people “car camp” which doesn’t actually mean sleeping in your car. It means driving right up to your campsite and setting up camp there. In this case, you can bring as much as your car can carry and most of the comforts from home because you don’t need to worry about shlepping all that gear very far.
This is a comprehensive list of everything you might need or want on your Car Camping Trip. Depending on the specifics of your trip and/or your preferences, you may exclude some of these items or may include others not listed here. You will want to limit the load to those items necessary to keep you safe, dry and comfortable.
[Optional Items / Varies by Trip Type]
*Depending on facilities and amenities available at campsite
Accessories , Clothing & Footwear
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Underwear
- Clothes for daytime
- Layers to add for cooler temperatures at night
- Something to sleep in
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Gear
Personal Items
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Insect repellant
- Hand sanitizer / Hand wipes
- Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses
- First-aid kit*
- Prescription medications
- Toiletry kit
- Toothbrush
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- Cosmetics
- Brush and/or comb
- Moleskins
- Baby wipes
- [Sleep aids (eyeshades, ear plugs)]
- Tissue or toilet paper*
- Small trowel*
- [Alcohol or antiseptic wipes]
- [Skin lotion]
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Kitchen
- Cooler
- Ice
- Water*
- Folding table for prep
- Table cloth and clip
- [Windscreen]
- Coffee cups
- Wine glasses
- Camp stove*
- Grill rack*
- Fuel
- Charcoal
- Firewood / kindling
- Matches / firestarter
- Cutting board
- Foil
- Funnel
- Frying pan(s)
- Cook pots
- Potholder
- Plates and/or bowls
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- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Coffee maker
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Roasting sticks
- Food storage containers
- Resealable storage bags
- Plenty of trash bags
- Environmentally-friendly soap
- Sponge or dish scrubber
- Collapsible water container*
- Portable sink*
- Drying rack
- Dish towels (quick dry is best)
- Booze
- S’mores ingredients
- Your camp recipes and ingredients
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