List - General Camping Supplies

This list serves most directly the park-and-camp camper. It is not intended to be a guide for backpackers or RV owners. Many of the items on the list are obvious necessities, but they are listed anyways, the objective being that you can print and use this as a general checklist to which you can add other items specific to the trip you are planning.

Remember that resourcefulness is a great value, especially when camping. Many items listed below can have dual or multiple purposes. For example, one large bowl can function in many ways – as a container for food on the way, as a salad bowl for dinner, as a washbasin to wash dishes and silverware, then as a bowl to mix pancake batter in the morning. Clever resourcefulness cuts down on bulk and makes you feel smart.

Basics
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Tent (including all poles and stakes) – check your tent beforehand to make sure you’ve
got everything to set it up correctly
Hammer
Tarp – to keep ground moisture from bottom of tent
Lantern (propane or battery-powered) – propane gives brighter, better light.
Fire materials

Fire
Firewood
Kindling
Newspaper
Matches/Lighter
Hatchet (to make kindling or cut logs)

Cooking*
Fire with grill/Barbeque/Portable Stove
Propane tank for stove
Hot Pads/Oven Mitt
Pot
Skillet
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Spatula
Can opener
Cutting Knife
Tea Kettle/Coffee Percolator

*Consider your foods and any preparation to know what specific utensils to bring.

Cleaning
Dish washing cloth
Dish scrubber
Drying towel
Dish soap
Bowl or Basin – to fill with warm, soapy water
Trash and recycle bags

Food Storage
Cooler
Ice
Ziplock bags

Eating
Plates
Bowls
Forks
Knives
Spoons
Napkins/Paper Towels
Unpainted Metal Hangers (for s’mores)

Personal Hygiene/Toiletries
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap – in a plastic bag or container
Towel
Quarters – many campgrounds require quarters to use the showers

Clothing Extras (consider weather at all times of day where you’ll be camping for basic clothing to bring)
Swimsuit
Hiking Boots
Sandals (for easy in and out of tent)
Sunglasses
Beanie

Other Important Items to Consider
Flashlight
Multipurpose Knife
Rope – you’ll probably need it for something like hanging clothes or a lantern
Duct tape – always useful
Water Pouch/Bottled Water/Water Jugs – most campgrounds will have drinkable
Insect Repellant
Sunscreen
Aluminum foil
Charcoal (if you want to barbeque)
Charcoal starter
Extra lantern ‘socks’ or batteries
Extra propane tank for lantern or stove
Metal tub – You can use to keep drinks cool, then heat the water and use as a washbasin
First-aid Kit

Extras
Nature guides
Binoculars
Cards
Board games
Sports equipment