In this week’s episode, I’ll cover 15 things to bring camping that you might not have thought about!
By the way, because this is just a list this week, I’m not going to include time markers!
Table of Contents
First, grab the free checklist!
Like I mentioned, I have a free, one-page checklist for you to download.
It’s available for Word and Google Drive, can be customized, and is printable!
1. Plastic storage drawers
Hands-down my favorite addition to our camping gear!
Got this idea from a checklist online and it’s brilliant! Pack your camping gear into these bins and it’ll stay organized throughout your trip.
2. Fire-starter sticks
Sometimes, getting a campfire started is a pain in the butt (seriously, can’t even imagine trying to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together…)
For the past few years, we’ve used Duraflame fire starter sticks to help get things going. These light easily and burn slowly helping start that perfect campfire!
3. Dryer lint
Speaking of getting campfires started, this is an awesome, ~free~ hack: Bring dryer lint to use as fire starter.
There’s a reason you have to empty the lint trap so frequently! This stuff is super flammable ?. Bad for houses, but perfect for campfires!
If you’re planning to go camping, just stuff the lint into a plastic bag instead of throwing it away.
4. Fireplace tongs
While we’re still on the subject of campfires, don’t forget to bring something to prod / rearrange the logs!
5. Tent bug spray
Do yourself a favor and get a can of Permethrin Premium Insect Repellent. Then, spray it all over your tent to keep bugs away.
This was a tip from a friend of mine, and it works incredibly well. The first time I went camping, our tent was covered in bugs each time we woke up in the morning. The next year, we brought this stuff. Bug problem mostly gone!
6. Welcome mat
Get an inexpensive welcome mat from a store like Ikea or Target. Bonus if the mat can be folded up! Put it on the ground outside your tent.
This way, you can take your shoes off outside of the tent, step onto the mat, and walk inside without tracking in (as much) dirt!\\
7. Dust buster
And speaking of keeping your tent dirt-free, bring a cordless vacuum with you! You’ll be very grateful when you have an easy way to suck up the dirt that does manage to sneak onto your air mattress / sleeping bag!
8. Mallet with stake pull
In the camping sections of lots of stores, they sell mallets for pounding in stakes. Some of them have a hook on the end of the handle specifically for helping pull stakes out of the ground.
Believe me, you’ll be glad you made this small investment when it comes time to tear down your tent!
9. Extension cord
Pretty self-explanatory! But, it’s worth investing in one of these Woods reel extension cords. Extra length and outlets go a long way in the wilderness!
10. Garbage can
We bring a basic, tall kitchen trash can (and tall kitchen trash bags) with us.
Just be sure you tie off the bag before going to bed at night! Open bags are a buffet for critters ?.
11. Fan
We bring both battery-powered fans (the ones I talked about in Episode 8) and our standing bedroom fan.
Overkill? Maybe.
Comfortable? Definitely!
Get this amazing portable, rechargeable fan
12. Warm clothes & blankets
I know that, in the middle of summer, when it’s 85+ degrees and you’re outdoors, the last thing you think you’ll need is warm clothes. And warm blankets seem totally out of the question.
BUT BRING THEM. TRUST ME.
The temperature at night can drop into the 50s. You’ll freeze your ass off without some warm gear!
13. Battery pack
Bring your external battery pack. And be sure to charge it fully before you leave. It’ll be more useful than you can imagine!
14. Coffee & French press
It took me 3 years of camping before I finally attempted to make coffee while camping. It’s extra work, but there’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee in the solitude of a chilly morning during a camping trip.
I made French press coffee while camping this year. If you want to learn how, check out episode 7: How to Make French Press Coffee
There are a couple of tweaks you’ll need to make for camping:
- You’ll want to bring bottled water
- You’ll need a way to heat the water. I brought a pan and heated it on the grill.
15. Lube
You never know when the mood will strike you. Better safe than chafed?
Don’t forget your free checklist!
Here’s another chance to grab my free, one-page checklist.
It’s available for Word and Google Drive, can be customized, and is printable!
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