Camping: one of America’s greatest pastimes. Staying in the great outdoors can open up adventures unlike any other. Different than staying in hotels or beach houses, camping can pose some challenges with packing and preparing for the trip.
Follow these 5 stress free tips for how to pack for camping.
Gather Your Shelter Materials
Campsites often have a lot of different parts and pieces, and it’s important that you have everything you need to make your trip a successful one.
Make sure you have the following items:
- Tent and poles
- Tarp for underneath the tent
- Tarp for top of the tent
- Stakes and a hammer
- Extra towels
- Entrance mat for wiping shoes
- Broom/dustpan for cleaning tent
It’s best to bring extras of items such as steaks for keeping the tent secure or tarps for keeping it dry. Once a tent is wet inside, it’s hard to dry it out. Bring towels to wipe any wet spots that start to form and use a mat in front of the tent’s entrance/exit to keep mud, sand, and leaves out.
Prep The Campsite
Before you plan what to bring, think of what type of camping trip you’re going to take. Are you planning on cooking all of your food at the campsite? Will you be completely off the grid, or are water and electric hook-ups available? Answering these types of questions will help to decide what to bring to prep your campsite.
Make sure the inside of your tent is complete. Be sure to bring:
- Air mattress or sleeping pads
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Sheets and blankets
- Sleeping bags (be sure they are temperature appropriate)
- Extra batteries/air pump for mattress
Pack Proper Clothing
Since you can camp in all seasons, it’s important to bring clothes and outerwear that is appropriate for the temperatures you’ll be facing. While the following is a guideline, make sure to bring what is going to keep you warm, cool, dry, or comfortable in whatever environment you’ll be.
- Shoes (boots, sandals, sneakers, etc.)
- Pants (jeans, khakis, hiking shorts)
- T-shirts or tank tops
- Sweaters, long-sleeve tops, vests, jackets
- Coats, parkas
- Socks (and plenty of extra pairs)
- Gloves, mittens, hats, earmuffs, scarf
- Undergarments
- Rain coat/rain gear
- Bathing suit
One of the main aspects of packing clothes is making sure they stay dry, clean, and free of any debris. Bago Travel Bag’s folding sports duffle is perfect for camping. This bag can keep the inside clean and dry, and can be folded and stored away when you’re not using it. Place your dirty laundry in the other compartments inside to keep it separate.
Don’t Forget The Import Supplies
Aside from clothing, a tent, and bedding, there are many other supplies you’ll need to bring along. Don’t forget any of the following:
- Matches/lighter/propane
- Firewood, charcoal
- Bago’s Hiking Bag
- Pans/tin can stove/ oven box, etc.
- Cooler with ice
- Plates, bowls, cups, silverware
- Dish soap/sponges/rags
- Wash bins
- Garbage bags
- Paper towels
- Bago’s Dry Bags
- Duct tape
- Folding table/folding chairs
- Shower shoes/flip flops
- Towels
- Personal hygiene products
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sunglasses
- Extra batteries
- Lantern/candles
- First aid kit
Know Where Everything Will Go
When packing, keep everything organized by how you’ll use it. Pack kitchen and cleaning supplies together, the “outside” supplies such as lanterns and bug spray together, and clothes separate from all the rest.
Electronics are of the upmost important to keep dry. A drybag pouch is perfect for storing your cell phone and electronics during hikes and other outdoor activities. When not in use, store in your car or tent.
Remember to keep all food packed safely – away and out of sight from wildlife creatures (in a tent or car) and at the appropriate temperate. If needed, bring coolers with ice.
Packing for a camping trip doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead. By choosing the right supplies and keeping them in the perfect packs and bags, you can ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.
