Camping Essentials
Do you need all of these essentials? Nope, but they do help adjust to camping.
We’ll share what to bring and why as we get our campsite site up.
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Sleep
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Tent
Tents are sized based on the number of people that can sleep in them. If you want to bring personal belongings in the tent or have some extra space, then get a larger tent than what you need.
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Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags are temperature rated, making them the best way to stay warm at night.
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Sleeping Pad & Camp Pillow
After your tent, a sleeping bag and pad are where to spend more to make sure you get a good nights rest.
Eat
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Dishware, Cup & Utensils
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Food, Drinks & Cooler
Meal-planning helps know how much food to bring. Keep it simple with meals that can be cooked in one pot and only take 5 ingredients or less. This minimizes the number of ingredients to prepare and dishes to wash.
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Camp Stove, Pot, and Spatula
Camp stoves are the fastest and easiest way to prepare a hot meal for hungry campers! A two burner propane stove will feel like you are cooking at home. Propane canisters can be found at any camp supply store.
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Water Bottle & Jug
Check ahead if campground has potable (aka drinking) water. Whether bringing water or campground has water, it helps to have a water jug at the campsite to refill your water bottle or to wash dishes in wash basin.
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Coffee Percolator / Tea Kettle
Coffee percolators make it easy to have hot coffee when you wake up in the morning. If you're more of a tea drink, there are camping tea kettles.
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Wash Basin
A wash basin is a portable and collapsible container designed to hold water so you can wash your dishes at camp.
Clothing & Hygiene
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Layers of Clothing
Bring layers of clothing to adjust to changes in weather temperatures. It never hurts to bring a warm jacket, long and short sleeves, pants, shorts, hat, sunglasses.
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Footwear
Hiking shoes or boots depending on activities. Light weight shoes for hanging out around the campsite that are easy to slip on/off when going in/out of the tent. Flip flops for showering or have wet/muddy feet.
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Toiletries
Shampoo, soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, sunblock, mosquito repellant, & lip balm.
Lighting
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Headlamp
Headlamps make it easier to see at night and still have hands free. No need to carry a flashlight around if you have a headlamp.
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Lantern
For more lighting after sunset, a lantern or string of lights are nice to have as well.
Campfire
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Firewood, Kindling & Tinder
Many campgrounds have high quality firewood available for purchase. This is both convenient and reduces the risk of spreading insects and diseases that can travel on firewood.
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Matches / Lighter
Yes, you can start a fire without matches, but bringing a lighter/matches takes the pressure off.
Additional Essentials
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Trash Bag
Enjoy the environment and leave no trace by putting trash in the bag.
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Tarp
A tarp can be used below your tent to protect the tent floor or can be used for rain cover. It’s just overall handy.
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Rope
Got wet clothes that need to dry. Ta-dah clothing line to dry clothes. Rope is another item that has multiple uses.
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First Aid Kit
Never know when you’ll get a bruise, scrape, or cut. This is one of those items you may never need it, but good to have just in case.