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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

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Tent pitched in front of a mountain in Belluno, Italy
Michael Martinelli / Unsplash

With summer approaching, it’s time to air your camping gear out of winter storage! If you’ve got some bucket-list adventures coming up, you really can’t start planning too soon. Some of your current items might be broken, outdated, or just not useful anymore for the types of adventures you want to go on. So, to help make the transition easier, we’ve compiled a list of summer camping essentials, from a tent to sunscreen, to the more luxury nice-haves.

The fundamentals for summer camping

A view from an open camping tent
Scott Goodwill / Unsplash

No camping list is complete without the fundamentals, so let’s cover these first. The National Park Service actually lists 10 essential categories of items that will keep you and your crew safe. Some of these items might vary depending on the activity, but here’s the gist:

  • A reliable camping tent (with at least 10 stakes)
  • Tent footprint or tarp (if your tent didn’t come with one)
  • Tent rain fly and/or sunshade (if your tent didn’t come with one)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Foam or inflatable sleeping pad (I like the ones from Klymit)
  • Folding furniture (based on your specific needs and headcount)
  • Light sources with batteries (think flashlights and/or headlamps)
  • Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
  • Lip balm (at least SPF 15 with a moisturizer)
  • Any required camping/backcountry permits or parking passes
  • Paper map of the area where you’re staying and exploring
  • Guidebook of the area
  • Camera
  • High-quality sunglasses
  • First-aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Emergency blanket
  • Duct tape for repairs
  • General repair kit for sleeping bags, pads, and tents
  • Your favorite multi-tool
  • Some cash and a credit card
  • Matches/lighter
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Outdoor clothing

A man hiking to a beautiful view of a lake at sunset
Kalen Emsley / Unsplash
  • Moisture-wicking shirts and underwear
  • Quick-drying bottoms (hiking-ready pants and shorts)
  • Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
  • Boots or shoes suited for the terrain
  • Water shoes
  • Inexpensive pair of flip-flops
  • Packable waterproof jacket (even if the forecast is 90 and sunny)
  • Socks (synthetic, quick-drying, and/or wool)
  • Quick-drying, packable towels
  • Waterproof gloves (based on the weather/adventure)

Camp kitchen supplies

Camping cooking pot warming on hot coals
Alexey Ruban / Unsplash

The right food and beverages can turn a good camping trip into a great one. This is one area of your camping packing list that you don’t want to forget a thing.

  • Lightweight camp stove
  • Appropriate fuel for stove
  • Waterproof matches
  • Windscreen
  • Firewood (check with local regulations first)
  • Cast-iron pan or pot
  • Thermoses for beverages, soups, or cold or hot meals.
  • Portable coffee and tea maker
  • Hard-sided camp cooler
  • Ice
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Water jugs (limit smaller bottles to limit campsite footprint)
  • Water filter like LifeStraw
  • Trash bags
  • Resealable plastic bags
  • Lightweight, insulated cups (one per person to limit campsite footprint)
  • Plates and utensils (biodegradable or light metal)
  • Paring knife and chef’s knife (I like the ones from Cutluxe)
  • Cutting board
  • Aluminum foil for campfire packets
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Skewers
  • Can opener
  • Roll of paper towels
  • Collapsible water container

Camp food (will vary based on specific needs)

Cooking skewers over a grill while camping
Jessie Beck / Unsplash

What food you choose to pack all comes down to personal preference. You’ll likely want to consider how long you’ll be camping, any food allergies or sensitivities, and the adventures you have planned. If you’re planning on high-energy activities like hiking or mountain biking, for example, consider packing easy-to-prepare, high-calorie foods.

  • Coffee and tea
  • Bread
  • Eggs
  • Peanut butter
  • Energy bars
  • Cooking oil/spray
  • Meat
  • Grilling vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Salt/pepper
  • Spice kit
  • Trail mix (your favorite kind)
  • Pancake mix
  • Drink mixes
  • Graham crackers
  • Marshmallows
  • Chocolate bars

Personal items

Man standing outside with backpack on
Danka & Peter / Unsplash

These will vary from camper to camper, but there are some essentials that most of us just can’t do without.

  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Brush/comb
  • Eye mask
  • Earplugs (especially if you’re a light sleeper)
  • Insect repellant
  • Deodorant
  • Wet wipes for freshening up

Add-ons

Person with a trekking pole and backpack standing atop of a mountain, looking at a view of the forest
rdonar / Shutterstock
  • Backup battery or portable power station (with correct USB connectors)
  • Camera
  • Playing cards
  • Board games
  • A good book
  • Water toys
  • Balls for the dog
  • Notebook/journal
  • Packable poncho
  • Trekking poles
  • Camp pillow
  • Camp chairs
  • Hammock (if your campground allows them)

Pro tip: Pack with an app

Unless you’re a packing nerd (this humble author proudly raises his hand), you probably don’t enjoy packing, and you probably enjoy making packing lists even less. But we’re speaking from experience when we say that they can literally make or break a camping trip. That’s why we highly recommend downloading a good packing list app to do the hard work of remembering everything for you.

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A little preparation can go a long way because when you’re miles from anywhere, hopping over to the nearest store to grab something you forgot might be impossible. Make one camping packing list (or steal ours) of everything you might ever need for your camping trips and live by it. We promise you’ll never forget anything ever again. Scouts honor!

Bonus tip: Pack these to elevate your s’mores game

S'mores ingredients
Jessica Ruscello / Unsplash

No camping trip is complete without s’mores. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying s’mores the classic way, here are a few ways that you can spice up that graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate combination. Try these tips for next-level s’mores on your camping adventure.

  • Substitute Oreos for the graham crackers
  • Add peanut butter to the mix, or substitute peanut butter cups for the chocolate bars
  • Since everything is better with bacon, put a piece of bacon in your s’more for an incredibly savory and sweet experience
  • Spread some strawberry or raspberry jam onto the graham crackers to blend fruit and chocolate (and if you use peanut butter, you get a PB&J s’more)

Hopefully this ultimate summer camping packing list will help keep you on track for all of your adventures this summer. Consider your adventures this summer and tailor this list to suit your needs. While it is extensive, there’s sure to be something else that you might add or something that you don’t think is necessary. Use your discretion, because it might take some trial and error to figure out the best setup for your particular situation. Happy camping!

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
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