Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

This is our ultimate packing list for every camping trip

Will Blesch
By

Going camping, whether by yourself, with friends, or with your entire family, can be a lot of fun. It can also be a massive headache, mainly when you don’t take the time to prepare beforehand. By preparing, we’re talking about ensuring that you take all the essentials with you. Creating a camping packing list is the best way to do that.

Now, if you’re the type who wants to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch, then check out the family camping packing list we’ve put together below. Feel free to use it as a template to make your own! It’s sure to save you time and might even save you money, too.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Photo by Caleb Oquendo/Pexels

Family camping tips

When do you plan on going camping? The first step to planning is to get a date set on your calendar. Remember that campgrounds tend to fill up pretty quickly. It’s not unusual for lots of people to have the same idea that you do. It’s a best practice to get a jump on the flood of traffic that’s heading out to the campgrounds.

Recommended Videos

To do that, you’ll want to leave during the week, well before the weekend, if possible. If it’s not, then still try to leave early on a Friday so that you can beat the rush. Doing so can enable you and your family to arrive at your destination and potentially set up camp well before dark.

Related

You may also want to invite some friends along. You may not think so, but having another family along can help reduce stress by keeping all the kids occupied and happy. Remember to check the rules of whatever campground you go to. Some have regulations concerning the size of your group. Finding that info can be as easy as looking it up on a search engine.

Get your gear together

You’ll want to take what you need, but don’t overpack. Be sure to go over all the equipment you’ll use for cooking and lighting campfires before you leave. You don’t want to show up and realize that something is broken and unusable.

OK, we know you’re chomping at the bit. Here’s the list you’ve been waiting for!

Ensure you have the essentials

Even though many campsites these days include running water, bathrooms, and even showers, there are some things you should always take with you just in case:

  • Bottled water
  • Parachute cord (you can use it for a clothesline and lots of other things — super handy to have).
  • Swiss army knife
  • Lantern
  • Flashlights with long-lasting or rechargeable batteries.
  • Family first aid kit
  • Sleeping pads (no one wants to sleep on the hard ground if they don’t have to).
  • Sleeping bags (to place on the sleeping pads; rated for the climate and temperature).
  • Pillows
  • Camp chairs
  • Camp stove (you could theoretically cook over your campfire, but if you’ve never done that before … stick with the camp stove for now).
  • A couple of tarps in case of rain and to use as a layer between the ground and the tent floor.
  • Tent and tent stakes (make sure yours is large enough for your family to sleep in, or have one for the parents and one for the kids, etc.).

While you can rent some of the gear mentioned above, it’s always a better option to buy your own. Knowing how to use these things is important. If you don’t know how, you should learn before heading out.

Gear and clothes for camping

Now, you could camp out in your car if being rugged isn’t for you. If that’s the case, then you could simply use a good, hard suitcase to carry your clothing in. However, if you’re going to hike out to a campsite, then you’ll want to use a good backpack that’s designed for camping. When it comes to camping gear and clothes, keep the following in mind:

  • Take clothes you can layer for warmth (T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, hoodie, sweater, jacket, winter coat, etc.; this is especially important for younger kids).
  • Wool socks — more pairs than you think you’ll need.
  • Rain gear or a raincoat as the bare minimum.
  • Three outfits for babies and toddlers per day (remember, babies and kids who are potty training go through multiple sets of clothes even when you’re not camping, so be prepared).
  • Underwear — more than you think you’ll need.
  • A waterproof bag for dirty laundry.
  • The right footwear for the terrain, climate, and planned activities.

Also, be sure to break everything in before your camping trip, especially your shoes or boots!

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Photo by cottonbro/Pexels

Don’t use your camping gear for other things

You’ll want to ensure that you keep your camping gear for camping alone. Don’t use it for backyard sleepovers or cookouts. Don’t lend it to others when they go camping. If you do, it’s almost a surety that you’ll discover there’s a host of things you need to replace.

Outside of that, just remember that you don’t need to bring everything with you when you go camping. Create a camping packing list of all the essentials, and you’ll be good to go. Be safe, and have fun!

Editors' Recommendations

Will Blesch
Will Blesch
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Will Blesch is a copywriter, content writer, and someone passionate about anything that lets him discover more about this…
Our top camping tips for hot weather (because heat waves are insane this summer)
Camp in comfort with these cooling tips
how to clean a smelly or moldy cooler couple camping with and beer

Is there anything more special than heading to your local campsite and pitching for a few nights? Summer camping season may mean long hot nights around the campfire and exploring local trails, but camping in hot weather can also be uncomfortable or even unbearable. If you've ever woken up in a tent under the baking sun, you'll know just how brutal camping in the summer can be.
Camping in hot weather can take as much planning and preparation as midwinter camping. While camping in cold weather is usually a case of adding more layers to warm up, cooling down can be more difficult — especially if you like to be active when you're camping. Whether you're backpacking, RV-ing, or setting up for a relaxing weekend, these hot-weather camping tips will keep your summer camping cool and comfortable.

Look for shade and water for your pitch
The best way to ensure a comfortable camp is to pitch your tent in the right place to start with. While pitching under a tree when camping in the rain isn't recommended, shade and shelter can make all the difference in summer camping. If no natural shade is available, you can always create your own. Pitch your tarp over your tent or as a standalone to create a shaded outside area. In sparse woodland, this is easy, but in open areas, you may have to get creative with hiking poles, branches, or your vehicle rooftop.

Read more
A new study says these are the 10 best states for a family camping trip
Take your family camping to one of these 10 states this summer.
Family camping

There are always problems you can run into when you go camping, but when you're bringing kids along (especially for their first trip), you want the experience to be memorable. Camping with kids takes a ton of preparation, but the Family Vacation Guide took out all the guesswork by analyzing eight crucial traits that could affect your camping experience. They considered everything, from activities to family-friendly camp spots and crime rates, and tallied the score to a final number out of 10. Other factors considered include social media data, hiking trails, safety scores, and annual temperatures. These are the best states for camping, according to the analysis.
Top 10 states for family camping
We're all for camping pretty much anywhere and everywhere, but Family Vacation Guide's report says these 10 states practically guarantee an extraordinary camping experience for your entire clan in 2023.
Florida
Florida, the sunshine state, takes the lead with a score of 7.93 out of 10 for safe camping spots. With its year-round sunshine and an average temperature of 70.7 degrees, this state offers a playground of diverse campsites, many of which receive four-star ratings.
New Jersey
Scoring neck-and-neck with Florida, New Jersey beckons with its beautiful inland camping spots in proximity to the sea. Immerse yourself in the state's white-sand beaches while partaking in many activities. With numerous family-friendly walking trails, New Jersey offers an outdoor wonderland for both young and old.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire earns a score of 7.68 out of 10, impressing families with its abundance of family-friendly camping grounds and activities. With an average temperature of 43.8 degrees, this state provides a refreshing retreat from the ordinary (especially in summer). Notably, New Hampshire boasts the lowest crime rate among the top contenders, ensuring peace of mind for a safe vacation.
Massachusetts
The third Northeast state on the list is Massachusetts, where families can revel in a camping experience that seamlessly blends seaside charm with dense forests. With a score of 7.65 out of 10, this coastal state offers an array of thrilling activities, from captivating boat tours to exhilarating jet skiing and parasailing. Explore the highest number of family-friendly hiking trails for this state’s size and discover hidden treasures with your little ones.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it packs a punch with a score of 7.53 out of 10. History buffs will definitely appreciate everything this state has to offer. Rhode Island boasts the highest number of activities per 10,000 km2, with an astonishing 1,178 options to keep the fun going.
Virginia
Scoring equally as high as Rhode Island, Virginia emerges as a dream camping destination for families seeking a harmonious blend of natural wonders and engaging activities. Don’t forget Virginia has some of the best colonial destinations in the United States, so don’t miss the chance to bring your kids to places like Williamsburg.
Maine
Scoring 7.4 out of 10, Maine secures the second-highest number of Instagram posts in the top 10 after Florida, a testament to the breathtaking beauty found within its borders. With an average yearly temperature of 41 degrees and the third-lowest crime rate, Maine guarantees a safe and enchanting haven for your family camping vacation.
Vermont
Vermont, with its score of 6.84 out of 10, offers stunning scenery, from rolling hills to majestic mountains, as you partake in almost 300 activities per 10,000 km2. (And, if you need a break from the kids, it actually has a pretty cool wine scene.)
Delaware
Delaware has over 500 activities per 10,000 km2, so your family will never run out of things to do. With an average temperature of 55 degrees, this state offers comfortable weather for outdoor adventures.
Hawaii
While Hawaii holds the highest crime rate among the top 10 states, at 5,077 per 100,000 people, it compensates with its unparalleled array of activities per 10,000 km2. Second only to Rhode Island, Hawaii is a tropical paradise teeming with opportunities for adventure and relaxation.

From the sun-soaked beaches of Florida to the historical allure of Rhode Island, each state offers a distinctive blend of safety, adventure, and natural wonders.

Read more
The ultimate packing list for summer camping (so you’ll never forget a thing!)
From TP and trekking poles to playing cards and pancake mix, here's everything you'll ever need in the wild.
A view from the inside of a tent looking out on a campground.

Three words we've so longed to hear: Summer. Is. Here! It’s about time to break out all of your best camping gear from the garage and head out to enjoy nature. Chances are, you haven’t looked inside your gear closet or storage bins in a while, and some things may either be broken, outdated, or not particularly useful to you anymore. (In which case, here are the best ways to discard your unused gear.)

To help you out, we’ve put together our ultimate camping packing list to ensure you’re ready for a good time in the great outdoors. From the essentials (a tent, sleeping bag, and sunscreen) to the nice-to-haves (playing cards and pancake mix), here's everything you might ever need to camp this summer.

Read more