Camping is the pleasure of rediscovering simple things and going on an adventure without necessarily going far from home.
But it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you have poorly prepared your camping equipment and essentials are missing.
Prepare your luggage, your bag, and your camping essentials to put in your backpack or trunk, it is the assurance of leaving in peace and avoiding disappointments along the way or once there.
Even if you want to travel light, a minimum of tools, accessories, and utensils are essential for camping with peace of mind.
Here is our checklist of camping equipment to check before leaving.
It will allow you to have everything you need at hand, and probably to help out other less far-sighted campers!
It’s up to you to sort our complete list according to your desires: to go light or comfortable?
Table of Contents
The 10 essential things to go Camping
- Tent with mallet and sardines
- Waterproof groundsheet
- Sleeping bag
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Lightweight towel
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Swiss Army Knife (with a screwdriver, saw, and scissors)
- First aid kit
- Trash bags
Camping Equipment for the Tent
- Tent with mallet and sardines
- Replacement tent canvas
- Mosquito net
- Scraper for digging a channel around the tent in case of rain
- Waterproofing spray
- Tent repair kit
- Hanging lamp
- Electric torch or headlamp
- Windshield
- Padlock
Camping equipment for cooking and eating
Equipment for cooking
- Gas heater
- Gas cartridge for stove
- Barbecue, charcoal
- Stackable cookware
- Kettle
- Airtight food containers
- Sharpening stone
- Blue icebox and ice packs
- Aluminum foil
- Can opener
- Corkscrew
- Lighter or matches
- Thermos
- Coffee maker for stove
- Cutting board
- Pair of scissors
- Kitchen knife
- Bottle opener
- Stove
- Jerry can or water bag
- Aluminum foil
- Economic knife
- Strainer
Staple foods
- Salt / Pepper / Herbs / Spices
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
- Tea and coffee
- Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- Milk
- Pasta and rice
- Preserves
- Mustard
- Dry biscuits
- Rusks/crackers
- Water
Utensils and accessories for eating
- Metal cups
- Reusable plastic cups
- Reusable metal or plastic cutlery
- Reusable metal or plastic dishes
- Insulated water bottle
- Folding table
- Folding chairs
- Picnic blanket
Camping equipment for sleeping
- Groundsheet
- Inflatable mattress
- Inflator or pump
- Mattress repair kit (patch, grater, and glue)
- Pillow
- Sheet or meat bag
- Blanket
- Sleeping bag
- Alarm clock
Camping equipment for hygiene
To take care of yourself
- Biodegradable soap or shower gel
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Solar shower
- Foldable brush or comb
- Nail clipper
- Bath towels
- Q-tip
- Deodorant
- Shaver
- Tampons / sanitary napkins
- Handkerchiefs
- Contact lenses + product
For laundry
- Clothesline and clothes pegs
- Basin
- Detergent powder or cartons
- Canvas bag for dirty laundry
For the dishes
- Basin
- Sponge, scraper, dishwashing liquid
- Tea towels
For general maintenance
- Broom and shovel
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Sponges or cloths
Camping equipment for Pharmacy and Health
- Current medical treatment with renewal prescription
- Earplugs
- Contraceptives
- Pastilles to purify water
- Spray
- Anti-blister dressings
- Solar cream
- Lemongrass or mosquito repellent
- Venom aspirator
- Blanket
- Arnica
- Disinfectant
- Cream for burns and sunburns (Biafine type)
- Anti-inflammatory cream
- Dressings
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Sterile bands
- Pain-relieving analgesic
- Medicine for motion sickness
- Tweezers
- Greasy tulle
Camping equipment for children
- Paper, markers, and colored pencils
- Vacation notebook
- Portable mini-game console / DVD player
- Diapers, wipes, bottles, powdered milk
- Sunscreen index 50
- Sunglasses
- Soft toys
- Toys
- Foldable stroller
- Nipple
- Baby bath
- Bibs
- Bike/scooter
- Inflatable buoy/armbands
Camping equipment for Relaxation
- Portable radio / MP3 player with batteries / charger
- Laptop/tablet with charger
- Books/magazines
- Card or board games
- Camera and film/memory cards, charger
- Abroad: adapter for a power outlet
- Beach rackets
- Petanque balls
- Fishing equipment and fishing license
- Bike, helmet, and bicycle pump
- Kite
- Bucket and shovel
- Mask and tuba
- Inflatable canoe
- Beach umbrella
- Guides/road maps
- Hiking poles/compass
Camping equipment for small crafts
- Tensioners
- Hooks
- Elastics
- Sewing kit (threads, needles, safety pins)
- Do-it-all twine or cord
- Basic toolbox (screwdriver, pliers, hammer, wrenches)
