The Ultimate Camping Checklist
All the Things You Need to Survive In the Wilderness
I love me some campin’! And I’m sure you do too. But apparently our short-term memory can only hold onto 7 things before breaking down in the “did you remember to pack…” area.
That’s why we’ve got you covered at Ready Tribe with the ultimate camping checklist for surviving in the outdoors. Now you might not need everything we talk about in this list. But it’s a comprehensive checklist for any situation.
So don’t think you’ll need to pack absolutely everything on this list for each camping trip. But it’s a good idea to go through it thinking about what your plans are and packing accordingly. Don’t need pet food this trip because the dog’s with the neighbors? No problem.
It’s easy to personalize and adjust this list according to your needs.
We’ve compiled this list thinking about every possible thing you might need in a variety of different situations. The wilderness is no joke sometimes, so you want to be prepared for anything.
But hey – we’re not perfect. We might’ve missed a thing or two. And that’s why we want this to be a living list. If you see something we’ve missed here, please chime in below in the comments section.
Let us know what you think we missed, and why it’s important. Let’s make this the best camping checklist on the internet!
By the way, you can download this checklist complete with check-boxes to keep your next camping trip organized! Just share this article and you’ll be able to download a printable PDF of this checklist below.
Camping Checklist PDF Download
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And without wasting any more time, here is the Ready Tribe Ultimate Camping Checklist:
The “Live or Die” Essential Survival List
This stuff is the “must-haves” of the entire list. These are things you cannot (and do not) want to be caught without when you’re out camping. Make sure you take everything in this list so you’re prepared for whatever situation mother nature throws at you.
A tent w/ tent-poles, stakes, guylines and tent footprint- Tent-pole repair sleeves
- Sleeping bags and sleeping pads
- Pillows, thick sheets/blankets
- A multi-tool like The Leatherman
- A mallet or small hammer
- An axe
- Small shovel
- A knife (pocket-size or large)
- Duct Tape
- Flashlights (yes.. multiple)
- Lanterns w/ extra fuel (just in case)
- Batteries (lots and lots, different types)
- Solar power charger
- Water filtration/purification accessories (can be as simple as a Brita filter)
- Matches, lighters and lighter fluid
- Extra bags (plastic and reusable)
- Compass
- Maps
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes/cream
- Full first aid kit
- Medications you may need
- Binoculars
- Two-way radio or walkie-talkies
- Rope and string
- Canvas or plastic tarp
- Homemade or store-bought fire-starting tinder or kindling
- Insect Repellent
- Small cooking pot
- Thermos
- Star chart
Here are more "must-have" camping essentials kits that won't break the bank.
Essential Clothing
You never know what kind of weather you’re going to have when you’re out in the wild. It’s important to be prepared for anything. Some of this stuff can be left behind if you’re going camping during certain seasons but make sure you’ve got everything you need for everyone you’re with.
Moisture-wicking t-shirts and underwear- Long sleeve shirts
- Quick dry pants and shorts
- Insulated pants and jackets/vests
- Thick and thin socks (synthetic or wool)
- Fleece sweaters/shirts/pants
- Long underwear
- Swim gear
- Rain gear
- Waterproof and/or windproof jackets/pants
- Sleepwear
- Hats/caps
- Bandanas
- Gloves + Mitts
- Hiking Boots
- Walking/Running shoes
- Flip-flops
- Thermal socks, gloves, leggings, shirts
- Down jacket (for cold climates)
- Toque + scarf
- Extra layers!
The Adventurer’s Essentials
Are you the adventurous type? You’ll definitely want to pack this stuff so you can experience the wilderness like it was meant to be experienced – wild!
- Trekking/hiking poles
- Bikes + bike trailers
- Inflatable boat + paddles or a canoe/kayak
- Inflatable life jackets
- Fishing gear
- ATV or dirt bike
- Climbing gear
Foodstuffs + Other Consumables
Sure, you could probably find a way to live off of nature, and it’s a great skill to have. But let’s face it, sometimes you just want some pancakes! Here are some essential foods and consumables you might need during your camping trip.
- Spatula + other cooking utensils
- Frying pan
- Cutting board
- Foil paper
- Plates, bowls, mugs/cups, cutlery
- Cooking oil/spray, butter/margarine
- Cereals, granola, breakfast bars, oatmeal
- Pancake mix + syrup
- Energy foods (protein bars, trail mix, etc.)
- Powder or fresh milk
Meat (fresh or jerky)- Eggs (freeze-dried or fresh)
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Cheese
- Bread + crackers
- Soup Mixes
- Canned foods
- Chips and other snacks
- Tea/Coffee + Electric or stove-top kettle
- Beer, wine and other liquor
- Cocoa / Hot Chocolate
- Marshmallows
- Hot Dogs
- Salt, pepper and other herbs for seasoning
- Dish scrubber
- Soap + Shampoo
- Toilet Paper + Paper Towels
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Floss and mouth wash
- Travel Deodorant
- Pet food (if you have pets)
The “Nice to Have” Stuff
This stuff is not exactly essential, but it’d be great to have while you’re out in the middle of nature. Some of the stuff will require a power source of some sort, others not so much. It won’t kill you to forget this stuff, but it might make things a lot more inconvenient.
Stand-alone GPS device / Sat-Nav- Folding chairs/table
- Air mattress + repair kit and air pump
- Portable stove/grill
- Can opener
- Charcoal and firewood
- Food storage containers + Zip Lock bags
- Battery powered cooler
- Funnel
- Bath Towels
- Nail Clippers
- Tweezers
- Collapsible water containers
- Sunscreen
- Mirror
- Lip Balm
- Toiletry kit
- Sunglasses
- Smartphone w/ camera
- Additional memory cards (if applicable)
- Alarm Clock
- Umbrella
- Wind screen
- Mosquito netting
- Large picnic sheets (to sit on)
- Large plastic storage tub
- Scissors
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Entertainment Essentials
Camping is great, but sometimes things get too quiet and dare I say… boring. Packing up some of this stuff will make sure there’s always something to do when you’re away from home.
- Radio/music players
- Headphones + portable speakers
- Books to read
- Playing cards
- Notepads w/ pens or pencils
- Frisbee, football, soccer ball
- Board games
- Guitar
- Telescope
Got Kids?
If you’ve got small children there are a few other things you’ll want to make sure you have. This checklist is for the new(ish) parents who want to take their children camping and not struggle with it.
Child carrier or baby backpack- Folding stroller
- Portable crib
- Portable high chair, baby chair and potty
- Personal Flotation Devices
- Water Wings
- Chalk, crayons and markers + sketch pads
- Baby wipes
- Baby food
That’s essentially it. All the stuff you need to worry about when you’re camping. Remember you can always download this checklist, print it out and keep it with you for you camping trips. It’ll make it much easier to be sure you’ve got everything you need.
All you have to do is tweet this article or share it on Facebook to download the printable PDF of the Ready Tribe Ultimate Camping Checklist.
Did we forget anything? Let us know your camping essentials we might have missed in the comments below!
