Select Page

21 Must-Have Camping Essentials

21 Must-Have Camping Essentials

I can vividly remember going camping as aΒ Girl ScoutΒ growingΒ up in Northern Illinois. There was something so adventurous about purposely trudging out into the wilderness to survive off-grid for a few days. I loved sitting around the campfire roasting potatoes and marshmallows, telling scary stories and singing songs. I’ve never forgotten the lessons I learned while camping in Illinois, fromΒ whichΒ camping essentialsΒ to pack to how to start a fire.Β Β 

Now,Β I’m a mom with three girls and a Girl Scout leader, and camping is something I look forward to each year with my girls. So far,Β I have only cabincamped with my Girl Scouts, but tent camping is nextΒ onΒ our to-do list. I can’t wait to teach my girls how to prepare for and enjoy a weekend off-gridΒ in the wilderness.Β Β 

As I get ready for a Spring camping trip with my middle daughter’s BrownieΒ troop, I’ve made a list of camping essentials andΒ emergency preparedness itemsΒ to make our trip a success. With these camping essentialsΒ inΒ the back of my SUV, I will feel as prepared as I can for a weekend away with 15 8-and-9-year-olds!Β 

Camping Essentials forΒ Your Campsite Β 

  1. A strong, sturdy tent.Β The size of the tent you need depends on how many people you plan to haveΒ sleepingΒ with you. Make sure you bring aΒ tarpΒ to lay underneath the tent to prevent ground moisture or rain from seeping into your tent. If there is rain in the forecast, be sure to bring an extra tarp to throw overΒ topΒ of the tent.Β Β 
  2. A camping cot.Β If you are someone who has trouble getting comfortableΒ sleepingΒ on the groundΒ while camping, consider a camping cot. These aluminum structures are sturdy yet lightweight and don’t require any kind of set up or power source the way an air mattress might. It’s an easy, quick solution for sweet dreams under the stars!Β 
  3. A warm sleepingΒ bag.Β Even warm days can give way to chilly nights, so be sure to pack a sleeping bag that will keep you warm! Sleeping bags areΒ easy to pack and transport because they roll up quite small and are lightweight.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β 
  4. AΒ portable cooler.Β KeepΒ all ofΒ yourΒ perishablesΒ and drinks chilledΒ inΒ a portable cooler. Even better if it’s on wheels for easy transport!Β 
  5. A campΒ stove.Β This one is optional as many campsites come with a grill or a fire pit over which food can be roasted. However, this is a great item to have on theΒ offΒ chance that your campsiteΒ doesn’tΒ haveΒ aΒ safeΒ areaΒ to light and contain a fire.Β 
  6. Lanterns and flashlights.Β Once the sun sets on your campsite, you will need a flashlight to help you get around. Lanterns are great to keep at the campsite to illuminate your space, andΒ flashlights can be taken away from the campsite to help find places like a spot to use the restroom. Don’t forget extra batteries forΒ the flashlights! If you are on the market for a new lantern, consider aΒ solar-poweredΒ one,Β so you don’t need to rely on batteries toΒ keepΒ themΒ charged.Β 
  7. Folding/camping chairs.Β These portable chairs allow you to sit around the fire after a long day and hang out inΒ comfort. They can be easily packedΒ backΒ into their carry bags and transported to the nextΒ site.Β Β 
  8. Bear spray.Β This oneΒ definitely dependsΒ on where you are camping. We won’t need this on our Girl Scout trip this Spring, but, if you’re camping in an area where bears have been sighted, this isΒ a crucialΒ item to have.

Personal Camping EssentialsΒ 

  1. A pocketknife.Β This jack-of-all-trades tool can fit in a pocket or backpack and can beΒ usedΒ forΒ removing splinters or cutting tangled ropes or cords. KeepΒ oneΒ on you to serve a variety of purposes!Β 
  2. Deodorant wipes.Β It isn’t always easy to find a spot to shower whenΒ you’re camping, but deodorant wipes can help you feel fresh even when you aren’t able to getΒ fullyΒ clean.Β 
  3. Headlamp.Β My girls convinced me to buy theseΒ forΒ their second year of summer camp, andΒ theyΒ haveΒ been one of their most-used accessories. Keep your hands free during long hikes or trips to theΒ restroomΒ while carryingΒ bags of toiletriesΒ by wearingΒ a headlamp.Β 
  4. WaterΒ bottleΒ withΒ filter.Β Keep a water bottle on you at all timesΒ so you are properly hydratedΒ inΒ anyΒ weather.Β EvenΒ better if you’re able to bring a filteringΒ water bottle so you always have access to clean water wherever you are.Β 
  5. Waterproof matches.Β These small but powerful must-haves areΒ an importantΒ camping essential. Waterproof matches will allow you to light a fire anywhere, even if you get caught in the rain or drop your bag in water, to garner warmth.Β 
  6. First-aid kit.Β Lots of small mishaps can occur when camping. Keep aΒ fully-stockedΒ first-aid kit with you at all times to help with blisters, cuts,Β bruisesΒ or worse.Β Β 
  7. Bug repellant and sunscreen.Β Make sure you carry plenty of bug spray and sunscreen withΒ youΒ toΒ preventΒ unwantedΒ campingΒ souvenirsΒ such as bug bites andΒ sunburns!Β 
  8. Lots and lots of socks.Β I don’t think anything is worse than cold, wet feet! I can remember my Girl Scout leader telling me in 4thΒ grade,Β β€œI don’t careΒ howΒ many pairs you’ve already packed.Β Pack double that amount.” I would wear two pairs to sleep at night in October in southern Wisconsin and wake up and they would be wet from nightΒ sweats. I was so glad I packed about 10 pairs forΒ twoΒ nights. I always had dry, warm socks to put on.Β 
  9. A small backpack for hiking.Β You’ll want to have your hands free on hikes but will still needΒ itemsΒ such as your bottle of water, your first aid kit and so on. Bring a smallΒ backpackΒ and makeΒ sure itΒ isΒ compactΒ and lightweight so you’re able to walk for a long time comfortably.Β Β 
  10. Portable chargers.Β You’ll want to make sure your cell phone is always charged in case of emergency, and you may not always be able to leave it in your car to charge it. Bring a back-up battery that is fullyΒ chargedΒ toΒ bring with you hikes. You can also purchase a larger portableΒ powerbankΒ at a camping store that can power more than just cell phones (thinkΒ airΒ mattresses, fans, etc.). You can even purchase solar-powered phone chargers. What a great gift for the camper in your life!Β 

Extra Camping Essentials for a FunΒ TripΒ 

These itemsΒ mayΒ not be required,Β but they sure are fun to have toΒ helpΒ make memories with your camping buddies!Β 

  1. FishingΒ gear.Β There’s nothing like casting your line into aΒ body of water and seeing what you can catch. Don’t forgetΒ fishingΒ poles and bait.Β 
  2. Bikes.Β If you’llΒ be camping at a large campground, bikesΒ make forΒ easy transportation and a great way to explore the area.Β Mountain bikes are great for trails.Β 
  3. A deck of cards.Β Relax in the evening around the campfire and play some old-fashioned card games for fun! We love War, Go Fish, Old Maid and Crazy 8s!Β 
  4. S’moresΒ or other treats.Β Nothing says campingΒ likeΒ toasting marshmallows.Β You can even find gluten-free, sugar-free and vegan versions these days.Β Β 
  5. With the 21+Β camping essentials above packed up and ready to go in the back of your car, you are sure to have a great time at your next camping trip. Nothing recharges the soul like a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of daily life!

Fresh Finds, Daily Deals

Discover fashion, home dΓ©cor and family finds β€” up to 70% off every day.

About The Author

Stephanie Jarrett

Stephanie Jarrett is passionate about all things: family, parenting, travel, and budget-friendly tips. As a Texas-transplant and girl mom of three, she’s a resident expert for ApartmentTherapy.com, Pearachute Kids, Hawaiian Falls, OKC Tourism Board, Livie & Luca, Mox Shoes, Arlington CVB, many more. When she isn’t on a road trip with her three girls, exploring museums, parks and more, she’s probably curled up on the couch with the latest NYT bestseller and a glass of red wine. Follow her adventures in Dallas/Fort Worth and beyond at EverythingArlingtonTX.Blogspot.com.

Zulily Clearance

Pin It on Pinterest