Making a Camping Checklist? Here Are 30 Essentials for Your Next Adventure
Stock up on these must-haves before you hit the road.
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Ready to hit the road with your family and venture to your favorite national park for the ultimate weekend camping trip? Before you embrace the great outdoors, don’t leave home without first taking stock of your camping checklist—especially if this is your first big camping trip (or you're going car camping). You never know what you and your family might need when the weather changes, hunger strikes, or bugs bite. Aside from the obvious supplies, like the tent and food, you should also make room for these incredibly helpful outdoor must-haves—like a solar shower bag and portable privacy tent. From practical safety gear to cozy comforts, this is the ultimate camping checklist.
When you're lugging your equipment around, every ounce counts. Thankfully, this inflatable foam pillow, which fits into a tiny drawstring pouch when not in use, won't weigh you down. Not to mention, it's actually pretty comfy.
For another compact essential, Vmotor's silicone travel bowl can condense into just 1.2 inches tall.
Aside from your tent, this pack-and-go aluminum table makes the best spot to hang out and unwind—especially when it's filled with food. Don't worry about carrying this around, either. This camping checklist must-have conveniently fits inside a travel bag.
Get multiple uses out of this five-gallon, on-the-go shower, which relies on a corresponding solar panel to heat the water inside. It even comes with a shower head for the full effect.
Nothing kills the camping mood faster than sharing your site with unwanted critters. This high-powered lantern will keep your bug bites to a minimum and illuminate your tent at night.
You'll be surprised at how often this rope and hook setup will come in handy. Once you fasten it around a nearby tree, you can hang your supplies in one spot, air wet clothing out to dry, or keep pots and pans clean. Plus, no more worrying about a ground-level critter invasion.
Keep your legs protected during any upcoming hikes. And once temperatures climb, the bottom portions can be unzipped for a quick change into shorts.
Do Mother Nature a favor by keeping your campsite tidy and litter-free. This compact trash won't take up much room and the lightweight design makes it easy to transport.
From a changing room to a shower and beyond, there's no shortage of uses for this multifunctional camping checklist must-have. There's even a hanging rope inside to hold your clothes while you get ready.
Because what would a camping trip be without s'mores from the campfire? This set of five extendable roasting sticks will be a huge hit with your little ones, and the adorable bag keeps them safely stashed in one place.
This supportive and durable hiking boot is so comfortable, you won't even need to break 'em in before your next hike.
This lightweight backpack is not only waterproof, but it can also be rolled up and tucked away when not in use. Bonus: The reflective stripes make it (and whoever's carrying it) easy to find in the dark.
While there are plenty of bug sprays on the market, Permethrin is one of the few that's safe and thoroughly protects you from ticks and mosquitos. It's just as effective as DEET, but much safer for kids and stays on your clothes for up to six weeks.
You'll be so glad you packed this lightweight folding chair when you're roasting marshmallows by the fire at the end of a long day.
These collapsible lanterns are easy to pack and let you control how much light they emit.
Make sure all that wine you packed for your girls' weekend stays fresh with this easy-to-roll cooler.
Whip up a big batch of cheesy enchiladas, savory cornbread, a rich s'mores cake, or one of our other favorite Dutch oven recipes in this must-have oven.
Because you can't head out for a weekend in the great outdoors without one!
This compact 100-piece kit has everything you need to be prepared for the worst.
Why tote around a bulky charcoal or gas-powered gadget when you can pack this lightweight over-the-fire grill?
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