Camping Gear Guide
There's nothing quite like camping to help you reset and let go of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Investing in basic camping equipment is essential to staying safe and comfortable as you explore mountains, deserts, and forests galore.
Camping Gear 101
Camping doesn't necessarily mean living minimally out of a backpack for a week as you hike over all creation. Family friendly car camping trips — full of nature appreciation, good food, and campfire fun — are easily within your grasp. Camping at groomed state or national sites and parks makes it easy for camping beginners and campers with young children to enjoy nature without some of the risks of being completely alone in the wilderness. All you need to do is make a list, check it twice, and invest in quality camping gear to make your woodsy vacation safe, comfortable, and fun for the whole family. This guide will help you understand the basics you need to make your camping trip a success.
Camping Sleep
Sleeping well is a priority during vacation, and a camping vacation is no different. Investing in the right gear will help you stay comfortable and cozy during your trip, even though the ground is the base of your bed. Tents, sleeping bags, and mats all play a part in giving you the good night's rest you deserve.
Investing in the right gear will help you stay comfortable and cozy while camping.
Camping Sleep Essentials
Tents
Sleeping under the stars seems romantic, but there are several advantages to using a tent. A tent is an insulating shelter from the elements, whether you need a little shade or shelter from a rainstorm. It also offers privacy, and it keeps bugs and other wildlife away from your sleeping area. You can get camping tents ranging in size from small enough to sleep one to large enough to sleep 16. Since tents come in several fabrics with several features, do a little research to determine the best fit for your needs. To learn more about tents read How to Choose a Tent and our Tents Buying Guide.
Sleeping Bags
Even in the dead of summer, temperatures drop significantly in many mountain ranges and deserts. Investing in quality sleeping bags that keep you warm — even in sub-zero temperatures — is an investment you won't regret. Down sleeping bags are generally the warmest and most breathable; plus, they compress well, saving room while packing or storing your gear. Synthetic-fill sleeping bags are bulkier, but they are machine washable. Learn more about sleeping bag materials in our Best Fabrics for Sleeping Bags guide.
Camping Mats, Air Mattresses & Cots
Your bed choices for camping vary widely. Camping mats, air mattresses, and camping cots come in a huge range of sizes and comfort levels. Your decision will depend on how much you want your camping bed to be like your home bed and how much space you have to store your camping gear when it's not in use. Learn more in about your options in our Camping Cots vs Air Beds guide.
Camping Pillows
It's true, when you go camping you can simply bring your favorite pillow from your home bed. However, there are advantages to using a camping pillow. First, when camping, there's always a risk that anything you bring will get stained; additionally, anything you bring camping will smell like smoke if you have a campfire. A dedicated camping pillow also takes up less space than a standard bed pillow, and some are even meant to fit perfectly in sleeping bags for additional comfort. Finally, a camping pillow doubles as an excellent hammock pillow.
Camping Kitchen
Don't let camping stop you from planning amazing meals.
Don't let camping stop you from planning amazing meals. Planning out your meals and snacks to a tee saves space while packing. Plus, it means you know exactly what prep space, cookware, utensils, and other kitchen sundries you'll need to prepare and clean up for each meal. Whether you plan to use a camp stove or an open flame, each method requires consideration of the tools and fuels you'll need.
Camping Kitchen Essentials
Camping Stove
Cooking over an open flame sounds rugged and fun, but aside from roasting marshmallows, it's not the easiest way to cook while camping. Plus, you'll want an easy way to boil water for cleanup. Use a camp stove for versatility and meal variation. From a small, single burner to a three-burner propane stove, there's a cooking source that will work for your camping crew. Read our Tips on Different Types of Camp Stoves guide for more information.
Camping Utensils & Cookware
Think ahead and bring the right cooking tools with you to make meal prep easier while camping. Think through your meals to plan for items you'll need, like a camping-stove griddle, a coffee percolator, a can opener, pots, stirring spoons, and sharp knives. Enamel plates and flatware are both lightweight and durable, which are perfect features for all your camping dining needs.
Camping Table
Most designated car camping areas will include a fire pit and a permanent, sturdy picnic table. But a lone table won't always give you the space you need to prep food, play games, or make crafts while camping. A lightweight, collapsible camping table is your solution. Camping tables come in several sizes, including large family sizes, and some styles have pop-off tops for easier packing and storage.
Camping Cooler
Unless you're backpacking for a week, MREs won't be a part of your camping meal plan. That means you'll need plenty of cooler space to store your meals and to keep critters from getting into your goods. If you properly store perishables in coolers, food will stay perfectly usable for several days. Don't forget water coolers to keep plenty of drinking water at your campsite.
Camping Seating
After a full day of hiking, fishing, and playing, you'll need to sit down and take a breather, especially if you're camping with children. Sit still and let the sights and sounds of nature be your companion. For ultimate relaxation, bring a hammock and take a nap to the tune of a bird-led lullaby. However you choose to relax, you'll need comfortable seating for each of your happy campers.
However you choose to relax, you'll need comfortable seating for each of your happy campers.
Camping Seating Essentials
Camping Chairs
Having a comfortable camp chair for everyone is a must while camping, especially as you linger by the campfire at the end of the day. Collapsible camp chairs are usually made using nylon in industrial weaves, making the chairs both durable and easy to clean. Some camp chairs also come with extras like trays, cup holders, and footrests. You can also use them for extra seating at your next backyard barbeque or local parade.
Camping Hammocks
A portable camping hammock takes up about the same amount of space as a sweatshirt, so it's an easy luxury to add to your camping gear. Most camping hammocks come with straps and hooks for hanging the hammock between trees. If the one you choose does not, you'll also need rope and a basic knowledge of knots. Make sure the trees you choose are strong enough to hold the weight without damaging the tree, and you'll be made in the shade.
Pop Up Canopy
Your campsite may be surrounded with trees, but that doesn't guarantee all-day shade. Don't worry, it's easy to bring shade with you in the form of pop-up tents and canopies. These pop-up shelters come in several sizes — some as big as 16 feet square — and you can easily move them throughout the day to get shade where you need it. Bonus: Use your pop-up tent in your own backyard for extra shade in the summer.
Zero Gravity Chairs
Anti-gravity or zero-gravity chairs are lounging chairs that only require slight weight from your feet to get into a perfect lounging position. These chairs are bulkier than camp chairs when folded, but the added comfort of zero-gravity chairs cannot be denied. They're also easier to get in and out of as they don't have the bucket seat structure of camping chairs.
Camping Lighting
From heading to the bathroom to getting into your tent, you'll need to bring lighting with you when you camp.
Great stargazing is a definite plus when camping away from city lights. That being said, there's not enough ambient light at any given campsite — even with a campfire — to safely maneuver at night. From heading to the bathroom to getting into your tent, you'll need to bring lighting with you when you camp. Flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps all have benefits based on your planned evening and early morning activities.
Camping Lighting Essentials
Lanterns
Lanterns will give you the most light at your campsite. They're especially useful to light up your table during your evening meal or games. Traditional lanterns run on either kerosene or propane and emit a more pleasant light than a bulb, but you can also get battery-powered lanterns that are safe to hang in your tent. To learn more about lanterns types, read our Tips on Choosing the Perfect Coleman Lantern guide.
Flashlights
Your options are practically endless when it comes to flashlight choices. From penlights that fit on a keychain to large Maglites used by law enforcement, there are enough flashlight options to satisfy all camping needs. Whatever you choose, make sure you have at least one flashlight per tent for late night bathroom runs. Check out our Flashlight Buying Guide to learn more about your flashlight options.
Headlamps
Headlamps are your hands-free solution when you need both hands after sunset. For some, a headlamp will come in handy when something needs to be fixed or set up in camp after dark. For others, it's all about reading a bit before sleep while snug as a bug in a sleeping bag. Headlamps can replace your need for traditional flashlights; it's all about personal preference. Bonus: Headlamps are perfect for early morning sunrise hikes.
Extra Batteries
No matter which lighting options you choose, make sure to bring along extra batteries or fuel. Many campers can tell you from personal experience that feeling your way down a dark, narrow trail to a dark campground bathroom is an unpleasant experience. Bring enough extras to replace the batteries in every flashlight, headlamp, and lantern you bring camping.
Camping Health and Safety
It's almost inevitable that someone in your camping group will at least get a minor cut or scrape, especially if you're camping with kids. But like any good Boy or Girl Scout will tell you, a great deal of staying safe while camping is being prepared. While you can't foresee everything, a little basic emergency preparedness will go a long way as you explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Like any good Boy or Girl Scout will tell you, a great deal of staying safe while camping is being prepared.
Camping Health and Safety Essentials
Portable Phone Chargers
You go camping to leave your everyday life behind, not to play or work with your smartphone. However, if you use your phone for GPS while hiking, or if you find yourself in a life-threatening emergency, you don't want a dead phone battery. Portable phone chargers come in "lipstick" sizes that can fully charge a phone once or twice, and larger portable charges will serve up much more juice. Bonus: Many portable chargers also have a built-in flashlight.
First-Aid Kit
Any basic car first-aid kit or 72-hour emergency first-aid kit will also work as your camping first-aid kit. But building your own kit can help you modify it to fit your family's needs. Beyond the basics, don't forget to include extra hygiene items like toothbrushes, floss, and hand soap, as well as small repair items like a sewing kit and safety pins. Of course, it's always a good idea to include extra prescription medications your family needs.
Washing Station
Create a dedicated place to wash hands and faces to keep everyone happy and healthy while camping, especially since many campground bathrooms don't have running water or sinks. A simple tub with water heated on your camping stove and a bar of soap may suffice, but a camp shower will give you the convenience of heated and pressurized water flow. A camp shower is also nice to wash your hair if you're camping for longer than a day or two. You can also use it to fully bathe if needed.
Sunscreen & Mosquito Repellent
A sunburn can easily push a perfectly good vacation off track. Wherever you camp, the sun's rays will find you, so you'll want to bring plenty of sunblock and apply it often. Mosquitos are also a reality of being outdoors, but they aren't your only problem. Biting flies, ticks, and other biting bugs can also become bothersome, and bug bites can be itchy enough to interrupt daytime activities as well as sleeping. Use plenty of insect repellent while outdoors, especially at dusk and when hiking.
Camping vacations in the Utah mountains were a fact of Martha's growing up life. She believes that the smell of fresh air and trees alone could garner world peace. Martha's other peaceful endeavors include writing and editing as well as knitting and sewing more than a healthy human probably should.
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