Camping packing can be overwhelming. Especially if your family's new at camping. You make a campsite reservation drawn by the romance of cool evenings around the campfire gazing at the stars….and now, yikes, what do you pack? What you bring, or not bring, could make or break your first camping experience.
1. First thing you need is a camping checklist. Don't try to keep it all sorted in your brain. You'll break your head. If you can, keep a digital file of your camping list, so you can tweak it to your family's unique needs year after year, so you're not starting from scratch every year.
2. Prioritize. Don't bring everything plus the kitchen sink. Be versatile, be clever, do you really need a spatula and a stirring paddle? Choose simple recipes to spare you from having to pack measuring cups, mixing bowls, special equipment. Check our our 2-step Camping Recipe ideas.
3. Pack by categories – kitchen stuff together, fun stuff together. A camping mom gave me this idea: roll up your pajamas with your sleeping bag – no more poking through all your stuff just to crash on your pad. By the way, at the end of your camping trip, pack your stuff back into the same grouping so you are pre-packed for your next camping trip.
Need a camping packing check list? For our camping packing checklist, click here.
While I have seen so many campers bringing with all their needed stuff to feel comfortable in their camping trip, I agree that there is really no need to bring everything because you are going for a camping and not relocating
Otherwise, you will end up spending a lot of your time packing and unpacking. Nice tips, thanks for posting!
Amazing… God bless you!
Fire starters are considered one of the most reliable means of creating a fire in the wilderness.
I pack many things to go camping, but two things that always stand out in my mind are fire and toilet paper. Forget these things and you are usually in a lot of trouble.
The list will help me get off to a good start for the camping season. We will take the young niece and nephew camping for the first time, another adventure for them.
I always have a checklist, even for a simple weekend vacation. I would never start packing until I have that pen and paper in my hands. It can be very useful not to forget anything and completely bring everything home.
I always enjoying reading the various lists that people make for preparing for camping. I pick up a few new ideas each time. I appreciate you sharing yours.
Great suggestions for camping! Don't forget to bring the sunscreen, water and your JoeShade portable umbrella.
Great list! Thanks for the share! I'm going camping in Colorado in November and will refer to this for sure!
Friends we go camping with have set up a camping wiki so we all can bring something to contribute with not having to pack it all. I can now add some more ideas to our camping wiki now, Thank you.