A Beginner’s Guide to Tent Camping: 102 Things to Pack

If you’ve tent camping for the first time, getting started may feel overwhelming.  I created A Beginner’s Guide to Tent Camping to help take away that stress!

I took my first camping trip as a baby and have been camping for over 40 years!  And now you know how old I am.  You could say that I’m a seasoned camper.  Though, that sounds even worse than “old”.  I’m getting images of dry, leathery skin, sprinkled with sunspots, a camper who’s tougher than nails, and has a dirt smear on her cheekbone.  Hmmm…

I actually enjoy tent camping.  There’s something about breathing in the cool night air, being lulled to sleep by the crash of waves or a gurgling stream, and being woken by the happy chatter of birds and the rising sun.

I guess I can’t actually guarantee “stress-free”, but I can certainly help you “stress less”.  And here’s the secret: have an amazing packing list.

I use the same packing list every time we go camping.  It saves me time since I don’t have to recreate it for every trip.  The only thing that changes are items that are destination-dependent.  

For example, if we go to the beach, we may take some items like bodyboards and wetsuits that we wouldn’t take if we were going to a mountain lake.

I involve the kids in the packing process.  It helps increase responsibility and gives them a vested interest in the trip.  It may take longer at first, but before you know it, they’ll be self-sufficient and be more helpful getting everything ready to go!

1. Tent

We have a large two-room tent.  It’s an “instant tent” making it fast and easy to set-up and take down.  The girls usually stay with us and Brandon pitches his own small tent.  

If you’re looking for a tent, read the reviews.  Tents notoriously sleep fewer people than they say they do.  For example, a four-person tent comfortably sleeps two people.  You CAN squeeze four in, but you’ll be climbing/tripping over each other and breathing in each other’s faces.  

2. Tarp

We actually never take one, unless we’re going somewhere where rain is a possibility.  If you do have a chance of getting caught in the rain, you will want one to cover your tent.

3. Sleeping Mats

We use these camping pads that I bought on Amazon.  They’re small, compact (the size of a water bottle!), and easy to inflate. 

If you’re looking for something luxurious, you’ll want to look elsewhere, but these work for us!  You can always buy one ahead and time and see how you like it before purchasing them for the entire family.

4. Sleeping Bags, Blankets, and Bedding

We’re a sleeping bag family, mostly because it takes up less space.  Sometimes I’ll bring a large blanket if we’re going somewhere with cool nighttime temperatures.

 

5. Camp/Beach Chairs

Our favorite chairs are our beach chairs.  They sit low to the ground, but they’re durable, can be carried like a backpack, have cup holders, and snack pockets on the back.  They might be a little low to the ground around the campfire, but it makes it convenient for marshmallow roasting!

6. Folding Table

Most developed campsites have a picnic table and a fire pit.  However, if you are boondocking (camping where there is no campground), you’ll probably want a sturdy folding table like this one.

7. Air Pump

If you opt to sleep on an air mattress, you’ll need an air pump.  Blowing up air mattresses without a pump is exhausting, and being exhausted is never relaxing.  One thing to note about air mattresses is that the air in the mattress is typically the same as the air you’re breathing in.  So, if it gets down to 40 degrees at night, you may feel like you’re sleeping on an ice block.  With our small camping pads that are only an inch thick, it’s not a problem, but it definitely can be uncomfortable with larger air mattresses.

8. Suitcases/Duffel Bags (scroll down for detailed personal packing list)

We use affordable duffel/sport bags for our luggage.  They fit on airplanes as carry-ons, and they’re usually sufficient size for all our trips.  However, we are minimalist packers.

9. Broom

You’ll definitely want a small broom to thoroughly sweep the campsite when you arrive.  I’m joking, of course. 🙂  A hand broom is useful for sweeping out the tent before you pack it back up.

10. Aluminum Foil

This is handy to have, especially if you’re cooking over the campfire or trying to keep food warm.

11. Camp Stove

If you get a good Coleman camping stove, it will last you forever (almost). We’ve had our for 17 years and expect to get another 30 years out of it.

12. Propane Canisters

You’ll need propane canisters for the camping stove and possibly a lantern if it’s propane.  We typically don’t go through a whole can when cooking for 3-4 days, but I always pack an extra.

13. Can Opener

You may not always need this, but it’s a pain in the neck to open a can without one.  I always leave one in my camping kitchen tote that I picked up second-hand so I don’t forget to pack it.

14. Dish Cloth, Towels, and Hot Pad

Keep it minimal.  One or two of each is good enough for camping.  

15. Dish Soap

Typically, the dollar store has smaller-sized dish soap bottles.  You can also fill a travel-sized shampoo bottle with your favorite environmentally friendly dish soap.

16. Ice Chest(s)/Cooler(s)

Investing in a quality cooler or two is a good idea.  It doesn’t have to be a Yeti if that’s out of your budget. 

We have an Xtreme Coleman cooler and it works well for our frequent 3-day camping trips.  We use one to store food and one for beverages.

HINT: Freeze one-gallon plastic jugs of drinking water (I empty a little out of each first, so there’s extra space for the ice to expand).  Use the frozen jugs instead of block ice in your ice chest!  It keeps everything cold, doesn’t make a mess when it melts, and you can use it for drinking water when it melts.

17. Serrated Knife

It’s easiest to cut bread, meat, and tomatoes with a serrated knife.

18. Paring Knife

You can use your pocket knife, but I personally like to bring one from my kitchen for cutting veggies and fruits.

19. Lighter

Using a long lighter for the camp stove is easier than matches, in my opinion.  I also keep this item in my “kitchen tote” year-round.

20. Napkins/Paper Towels

I bring 3-4 per person, per day.  Don’t worry, I don’t actually count them.  I use my best guess. I don’t like taking up extra space (all the stuff adds up), but I also don’t like running out. 

21. Plates

I also keep these in my kitchen tote!

22. Flatware

Eating with your hands is more acceptable when you’re camping, but if you want to retain some of your manners, you’ll want some flatware for meals.

23. Hot Cups/Mugs

Bring something that can hold cider, hot cocoa, tea, or coffee.

24. Cold Cups

We don’t often use these cups, but it’s nice to have a few.  Sometimes I will even use a cup to beat eggs for breakfast or other food prep.

25. Pot/Pan with Lid

I usually only take one pot.  Less if more when you’re camping!  I also use the pot to heat water to wash dishes.  If you plan to use a dutch oven, don’t forget to pack it!

26. Skillet

Keep a “camping skillet” in your kitchen tote year-round.

27. Spatula/Turner

Pancakes and eggs are frequently part of our camping menu, so a spatula is a must!

28. Ladle

A ladle is handy to have if you’re serving soup or beans.

29. Serving Spoon

If you want to be a minimalist, you can skip this one, I just find it a little tricky to use a small spoon for serving food.

30. Zipped Bags

Zipped plastic bags are great for storing any leftovers you may have.

 

31. Picnic Tablecloth

Here’s the truth: campsite tables are prone to bird droppings.  A tablecloth will freshen things up.  Sometimes I use one and sometimes I don’t. 

32. Dry Food

Storing your dry food (granola bars, bread, crackers, jerky, nuts, etc.) in a tote, helps keep things organized and protects them from getting squished.  It’s also very handy if you have to use a bear box (a large metal box provided at the campsite that is used to store all food/beverage items, making them inaccessible to bears).

33. Water

Some campgrounds provide potable water, others do not. You may need water for drinking, doing dishes, hand washing, and cooking.  Check your campground website for details.

34. Wood/Briquettes

Most campgrounds sell campfire wood, for a hefty price.  Save a little money by bringing your own firewood if it’s permitted.  In some places, you may not be able to bring your own wood due to concerns about spreading pests.  Check your campground website before you go.  As an alternative for cooking, we sometimes use charcoal briquettes.

35. Lighter Fluid

While you can start a campfire without lighter fluid, using it certainly makes it easier!

36. Matches

While a lighter is more convenient for a camp stove, I think matches are safer for lighting campfires, especially if you’ve doused them in lighter fluid.

37. Roasting Sticks

We love the heavy-duty roasting sticks that we got from Walmart years ago.  They’re affordable, sturdy, and long…everything you want to a roasting stick.

38. Shovel/Spade

In most western states, where wildfires pose a hazard, you’re required to “drown, stir, and feel” your campfire.

First, you drown it with water.  Then you stir it with a shovel (and drown it more if necessary).  Only when you’re sure you’ve cooled it properly, you feel above the coals to ensure they’re cold.

39. Bucket and/or Washing Basin

A bucket is useful for hauling potable water to camp and keeping water by the fire for safety. 

40. Grilling Tools (turner, grill cleaner, fork)

It’s hard to grill food with plastic forks, thus, the grilling tools.

41. Bug Spray

You can almost guarantee there will be some bugs wherever you camp unless it’s at the beach.

42. Camera

iPhones are wonderful, but if you want fancy pictures, pack your DSLR.

43. Lantern

It can get a little dark when you’re camping, so we like having a lantern that we can have on the picnic table to provide a little light.

44. Rope

Having some extra rope is handy in case you need to tie down a tarp or string it between a couple of trees to hang wet towels and swimsuits.

45. Trash Bags

One per day is usually sufficient.  It’s nice to collect trash at the campsite, then place it in the dumpster at night.

46. Sunscreen

Protect your skin with your favorite, non-toxic sunscreen.

I like to print out a personal packing list for each person in the family.  No matter how many times you’ve packed, it’s easier to remember everything if you have a list staring you in the face.  

CLOTHING/APPAREL

Next to this list, I put quantities for each item, so the kids know how many pairs of shorts, socks, shirts, etc. to pack.  

Packing clothing goes SO MUCH FASTER if all the laundry is done and put away.  In fact, you should be able to pack all personal items in less than 30 minutes if they’re all clean and in their proper place!  I try to have all laundry washed/folded/hung up two days before our trip departure date.

47. Bathing Suit/Shorts

48. Bottoms (pants/shorts/skirts)

49. Hats/Caps

50. Outerwear (jackets, sweatshirts, rain ponchos)

51. Pajamas

52. Flip Flops

53. Active Shoes

54. Socks

55. Tops

56. Undergarments

57. Cover-up

 

TOILETRIES

Packing your toiletries in a bag or shoebox tote is helpful when camping.  I like using a shoebox tote, especially since many of the campgrounds we visit are have bears, so it’s easier to throw a tote in the bear box than a toiletry bag (that can rip or get dirty).  Also, having it in a tote helps with clean-up in the event that something leaks from elevation change.

58. Conditioner

59. Contact Solution, Case & Extra Contacts/Glasses

60. Deodorant

61. Dental Floss/Flossers

62. Lotion

63. Tweezers/Nail Clippers

64. Make-Up (if you wear make-up camping–I don’t)

65. Shampoo

66. Soap

67. Toothbrush 

68. Toothpaste

69. Hairbrush

70. Hair Ties and Bands

 

 

OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS

71. Meds

72. Pillow

73. Personal Blanket (the kids like taking theirs)

74. Sunglasses

75. Phone

76. Phone Charger

77. Dirty Clothes Bag

78. Towel

79. Washcloth

80. Flashlight

81. Backpack/Daypack

Backpacks are helpful for day hikes and taking fresh clothes and a towel to the shower.

82. Reusable Water Bottle

83. Purse/Wallet (with quarters for pay showers)

The following items will change depending on your camping destination.  I keep a running list of all the things we typically take and just cross off the ones we won’t need.

84. Wetsuit

85. Kayaks

86. Boogie/Bodyboards

87. Surf Boards

88. Sports Equipment (spike ball, volleyball, frisbee, ladder ball, etc.)

89. Life Vests/Jackets

90. Fishing Pole

91. Fishing License

92. Tackle Box

93. Hiking Boots

94. Binoculars

95. External Charger

96. Bikes, Skooters & Helmets

97. Bike Pump

98. Beach Umbrella/Shade Tent

99. Other Water Toys

100. Hatchet (for cutting firewood, if permitted)

101. Books/DVDs/Activity Pages

If you have a bit of a drive, car games like road trip BINGO, Tic Tac Toe, the License Plate Game, and I Spy, will keep kids entertained.  Check out my Road Trip Activity Binder with 43 car games for your next adventure!

 

102. Games (cards, dice, dominos, etc.)

ENJOY YOUR CAMPING TRIP

Having a good packing list is the best way to start your first (and 100th) camping trip off right!  It will save you headaches and additional purchases at the camp store, which are notoriously over-priced.

Pack well, and most of all, have fun!