Tent Camping Checklist - What to Take on a Camping Trip

Half the fun of primitive camping is roughing it. With tents, tarps, food, and other supplies, your camping trip will go so much easier if you keep the equipment list simple. More stuff just means more work. But you will need a lot of camping supplies.

Try to get along with as little as possible and adapt yourself to simple living. The basic necessities are plenty when you are living outdoors.Think of what you will need ahead of time. Try to find things that can do double duty. Make a list of supplies and don't get carried away.

Here is a list of some of the things that you will need to make your camp convenient and cozy.

While RV camping may seem comfy and convenient, tent camping is for those hearty souls who want to dance in tune with nature. Tent camping requires you to pare down on equipment, food, clothing and the extraneous junk of modern life.

Here is a list of essentials to make your tent camping experience comfortable and rewarding.

General Equipment

• Tent (with screens and windows), poles, stakes and a mat for outside the door

• Sleeping bags, air mattress and pump or camp pads

• Lantern, fuel and extra mantels

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• Ground cover and tarps

• Rope, cord, twine, or clothesline

• Multi-purpose tool or knife

• Ax – if you are allowed to cut wood for fires

• First aid kit

• Old towels and rags

• Insect repellant (dryer sheets work well)

• Rain gear (poncho)

• Toilet paper

• Biodegradable soap

• Small folding shovel

• Clothing that can be layered

• Sunblock

Kitchen

• Cook stove and fuel (matches in a sealed plastic bag)

• Folding table (or not)

• Camp chairs

• Plates and mugs (those thin enamelware plates stack nicely and are so cute)

• Coffee pot

• Sharp knife

• Frying pan and large pot

• Cooking and eating utensils (large spoon, spatula, knives, forks & spoons)

• Can opener

• Zip-lock bags, trash bags & tin foil

• Cutting board (a large one on top of a cooler makes a nice little table)

• 5 gallon water container (full of water)

• Water bottles for hikes

• Large plastic containers with tight fitting lids (food storage)

• Cooler

• Non-perishable foods

• Small plastic tub for dishwashing

Extra Stuff

• Binoculars

• Camera

• Cards, paper, pencils and pens

• Fishing gear

• Books – novel, puzzle, or wildlife identification books

Be creative. Find multiple use items (mug as a bowl, spork, folded jacket as a pillow). Learn some card games and paper and pencil games in case it rains. If you’ve forgotten something, don’t panic, you’ll adapt. Nothin’ you can’t do with a nice stick – fork, stake, pole, pry-bar, stirring implement, hanger for flashlights, towels, jackets, etc. Learning to make-do is half the fun of camping. Enjoy!