It can be intimidating to pack for a camping trip. Unlike most trips, if you forget anything, you will likely need to manage without it. On the other hand, if you have too much gear it can quickly become overwhelming and hard to organize between your car and your tent. 

When my friends and I go camping, I always make a GoogleDoc in advance of what gear we need to bring so everyone can sign up to bring what they have. I have a base packing list that I customize to fit our trip needs. We plan our meals in advance to decide what cooking gear we need throughout the trip. I will also make adjustments based on the weather, the region, the park, or the type of camping I am doing. For example, if it is raining, I would add tarp, paracord, and dry-bags or bag liners to the list. Or, if there is a bit of a walk to my campsite or I am backpacking in the backcountry, I would opt for my more lightweight camping gear or remove items from the list to pack only the essentials and pack additional safety gear.

If you are getting together your first set of camping gear, check out my article on how to choose your tent, sleeping system, cooking gear, and safety gear here.

 Group gear

• Tent(s) 
• Tent lamp 
• First aid kit
• Fire starters 
• Fire-safe gloves 
• Trash bag + recycling bag 
• Sunscreen
• Bugspray 
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer 
• Cards and other small games

Cooking gear 

• Cooler
• Stainless steel cooking pot 
• Stainless steel or cast iron pan
• Baking sheet 
• Wooden or stainless steel spatula, spoon, or any other cooking utensils
• Can opener
• Knife
• Cutting board 
• Mixing bowl
• French press, stove top coffee maker, Aeropress, or instant coffee 
• Stove + Fuel 
• Lighter and/or waterproof matches
• Kitchen towel
• Biodegradable soap + sponge 
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towels

Personal gear 

• Headlamp 
• Water bottle(s) (at least 1L capacity)
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Sleeping mat 
• Camping chair 
• Utensils 
• Bowl
• Mug
• Fast dry towel (often called a pack towel)
• Book or craft

I generally bring one or two sets of daytime clothes, warm layers for the night, and pajamas. I bring daytime clothes I can easily mix and match together comfortably just in case any of my clothes get rained on or really dirty. I love packing wool and other natural fibers for camping, because they tend to hold less odor than polyester and other synthetic fibers. I always pack extra layers because it is often cold in high elevation and in the woods. These are helpful in the morning and evening. Especially during rainy trips, I avoid wearing my pajamas during the day or outside the tent to keep them dry. For me, there is nothing worse than sleeping in wet clothes. 

I always bring gear for inclement weather because the weather can change quickly in the woods. Even a forecast that predicts full sun may have some rain. Especially if you are going for multiple days, the forecast can change during your trip.

In terms of shoes, I bring a pair of running or hiking shoes for daytime activities as well as a pair of comfy shoes to wear around the campsite, ideally slip on.

Is there anything you would add to your base camping list? DM, email, or let me know below!