Camping Trip Essentials!
- Sarah Mell
- May 8, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: May 8, 2023
If you are planning a tent camping trip, there are several essential items you'll need to bring with you to ensure a safe and comfortable camping experience. Here are some of the most important necessities that I personally recommend and have used on many camping trips around the United States:
Note: Many items recommended will earn me a small commission from this page.. but are all items I personally own and have used on my many camping trips. Enjoy!
1. Tent: This is obviously the most important item you'll need for your camping trip. Make sure to choose a tent that is the right size for your group and the weather conditions you'll encounter. I recommend an easy up tent LIKE THIS ONE FROM CORE. We have also extended the tent out by adding a camping rug to help keep the dirt out of the tent and is a great place to take off shoes when going in and out during the day.
2. Sleeping bag: Choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the temperature and climate of your camping location. I have made this mistake in the mountains and misjudge how cold it can get in the summer...don't do that. It makes for a rough nights sleep. We have a large variety of sleeping bags but my favorite are the two person ones. Even if I was by myself I would still go that route because you can fit extra blankets in there with you. And I don't like feeling like I'm in a cocoon personally. And if you have small children that want to sleep by you this is a great option.
3. Air mattress or Cot: It is important to have something that provides insulation and cushioning between you and the ground. It's an essential item for a comfortable night's sleep. We have do an air mattress for us and then cots for the kids. When they were younger we would just get two big mattresses and line them up. Having a
comfortable place to rest is essential while camping, especially on long trips. You need to get your rest for all the adventures you want to have!
This King Koil Mattress was great as it had its own battery operated air pump. Not all
camp sites have electricity so this is a great option and easy to use when you are just ready to go to bed!
These cots have been great and we used them more than just camping. They now come with the option for mattresses that go on them and will be ordering them for our next trip for sure!
4. Camp stove: A portable camp stove will allow you to cook meals and boil water for drinking and washing up. I recommend a Coleman Stove. We also upgraded on our last trip and got a stand for our stove which freed up the picnic table space. This was a major bonus since we have a large family.
5. Cookware and utensils: You'll need pots, pans, plates, bowls, and utensils to cook and eat your meals. This was an investment but has been so nice not having to pack any paper products especially for a really long trip when you do not have the extra space. We have been really happy with all the Wealer products we have purchased. We have the plates, bowls, silverware, cups and cooking set. And make sure to get a collapsable wash basin for doing your dishes LIKE THIS ONE!
6. Cooler: A cooler is essential for keeping food and drinks cold and fresh. With so many options out there we have a few different ones. We have a hitch attachment that we load the coolers up on making them easy to get to as well as to drain out any water. We also keep a smaller cooler with items we do not want getting wet and are easy to snack on, as well as a smaller soft sided one inside the vehicle for even easier snacking! Those car rides get long! A side note...if you are going out to the Western United States where they require your food to be in a bear box.... make sure your cooler is not too big. We almost had to leave a campsite because our cooler wouldn't fit in the box and they would not have allowed us to stay. We learned the importance at that site very quickly tho! If you would like to read about our trip from Minnesota to California and the bears at Lake Tahoe CLICK HERE!
7. Headlamp or flashlight: You'll need a
reliable light source to navigate your
campsite at night. This is so important. We have also found that the inflatable lanterns that you can attach to the tent are great which we would do on each side of the door at night.
8. First aid kit: Accidents can happen, so it's important to bring a first aid kit with basic supplies like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers. If you do not have these items something is bound to happen; especially when you are far away from any conveniences.
I do not think you can overdo it on the "what-ifs" in this department. You don't want your trip to have any bumps that you could have prevented by packing these few items. I personally make sure to have anything I
would need if I had discomfort in my stomach, my eyes and my skin. All things you do not think about as much as scrapes and cuts but can be even more of a nuisance on a camping trip.
9. Insect repellent: Mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs can be a nuisance, so bring
insect repellent to protect yourself. I am not a big fan of using any repellent but sometimes it is just necessary. I have found some natural products to work great as well as the bug bracelets.
10. Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays with a good-quality sunscreen. One forgets even when it is not that warm out how much sun you are being exposed to. A go to in sunscreen for us has been the Sun Bum brand. No other reason than we like it and seems to work good.
These are just a few of the essentials you'll need for a tent camping trip. Depending on your specific needs and the length of your trip, you may need to bring additional items such as a water filter, a map and compass, and extra clothing.
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