Camping Checklist: 10 Items You Need to Bring for Outdoor Camping

Outdoor camping is a fun activity for everyone, but it will be quite a hassle if you don’t bring all of the items that you need.

Make sure that you create a checklist of all the camping essentials so that you don’t miss anything once you’re at the site for camping. To help you get started on your camping checklist, here are ten items that you need to bring for your outdoor camping trip.

1. First Aid Kit

If you’re going to be on a days-long hike along with the camping trip, then a first aid kit is a must.

When you’re going camping, you might get into a few bumps or bruises here and there, so you should make sure that you have a first aid kit with you. If you’re going to be leaving the campsite, make sure that you also bring a first aid kit with you.

2. Sleeping Bag and Pillow

Of course, an outdoor camping trip won’t be complete if you don’t have your sleeping bag and pillow with you. Even if it’s the summertime, and you don’t think a sleeping bag will be comfortable to sleep in, it is still essential that you have one with you. 

In the evenings you won’t be sure of how warm it might be, so you should have a sleeping bag just in case.

3. Flashlight

An essential tool that will be useful for you when your camping outdoors is a flashlight.

If you’re going to be camping with numerous people, you should make sure that each one of you has your flashlight. It can be quite a hassle if you need to start a fire or cook or do anything without one once the sunsets.

4. Water Bottle

When you’re going outdoor camping, another essential item that you should bring with you is a water bottle or any water receptacle. If you go camping often, then it’s a worthwhile investment to have a water bottle that is easy to drink from and doesn’t spill.

When your outdoor camping it’s unlikely that you’re going to get cutleries or other accouterments that will help you serve food. Having a water bottle with you is essential, especially if you’re going hiking. 

5. Food

The food that you’re going to bringing for your outdoor camping will depend a lot on a lot of different factors.

Some campsites have a fire pit so you can bring your own grill or maybe a gas stove and bring hot dogs or anything that you can cook on a campfire.

You should make sure that you also bring food that doesn’t need to be prepared or cooked beforehand just in case you won’t have access to the fire.

6. Campfire Supplies

Another essential thing to bring with you is campfire supplies.

Wrap your matches in anything that will keep out the moisture. Bring dry fire with you and some newspapers, and you should be good to go.

Some campsites offer stone campfires where you can start a campfire safely.

7. Bug Repellent

Outdoor camping means having to deal with the outdoor elements, as well as the insect that comes with it.

Sometimes no matter how much clothing you wear, you will still be attacked by a lot of insects. Thus, it’s best that you bring bug repellents with you.

If you’re bringing children with you, then make sure that you have the right kind of bug spray because some known bug repellents aren’t safe for children.

8. Alternate Weather Wear

No matter what the weather forecast says, you must prepare extra clothing just in case things go haywire.

Depending on where you’ll have outdoor camping, sometimes there will be an expected rain or the wind will be a little too cold. That said, you should make sure that you have extra clothes that will warm you up.

9. Toiletries and Toilet Paper

A lot of well-maintained campgrounds already have bathrooms with running water and toilets that actually work. There are even those with shower stalls for you and your fellow campmates to use.

Of course, you have to provide your own set of toiletries, and you should have your toilet paper as well. 

10. Books and Games

Since you’re not going to be accessing the internet during your camp, you should be sure that you have any other form of entertainment with you.

A good book, a set of cards, and maybe some board games are a great way to entertain yourself and everyone else you are camping with. 

 

Going camping can be a great bonding time with the people you’re with. However, if you don’t prepare beforehand, it will be a stressful event for everyone involved. With the list of items above, you should be able to cover a lot of the essentials for any camping trip. You should add on some more items just in case we forget anything on the list.