Heading out to go camping? Need the ultimate checklist? See below for some of my must have camping essentials for a tent camping experience with a electric/water hookup. Learn more about how to go tent camping your first time in my article How To Go Tent Camping.
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Sleep Gear

- Tent:
- Sleeping bag:
- Affordable: I got my sleeping bag at my local Aldi’s in their seasonal isle and it works great. Here is another affordable Sleeping bag option
- Better: REI has great quality gear, get a GOOD Sleeping bag if you will be in cold climates (Fall can get very chilly in the mornings)
- Sleeping Pad: For some extra comfort use a sleeping pad or an Exercise Mat (or both). No judgment if you pack the air mattress, just don’t forget the air pump if that’s the route you plan
- Comfy pillow
Safety

- Headlamp: This is the one I have, and it works great. It does need 3 triple A batteries
- Flash Light: Get one at a local target or sport store
- First Aid Kit: Get one that has antihistamine cream/medicine and afterbite sting relief
- Also, get some Instant Ice Packs at your local Walgreens and throw it in your first aid kit
- Pack a bottle of Calamine lotion while you are at it
- Large Knife: For the bears! JK, I mean it is good protection, but most of the time its used to cut random things
- Hand Sanitizer
Fire

Make sure to check out my article on How to Start a Campfire
- Lighter: Pack two so you have a back up
- Firewood: Certified heat-treated
- Firestarters: You aren’t getting a badge for starting your first fire, save yourself a little time and frustration and get the firestarters
- Fire Poker
- S’more Sticks: Because duh we are having s’mores! Make sure the stick isn’t too short or your hands will melt along with the chocolate
- Extra newspapers: To use as kindle to get the fire started
- Small/Medium Bucket: To put out the fire or wash dishes/s’more sticks
Food
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- Camping Kettle: A little more rustic way to boil water, just put this in the fire and get the water boiling
- Paper Products: Paper towels, paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils, toilet paper
- Camping Mugs – To drink some hot coffee, tea, or even soup
- Coleman Grill: (optional) Only if you plan to cook, but I recommend to rely as little on cooking as you can on your first trip
- Coffee: French press, instant coffee, maybe even a Keurig if your site has electric
- Soap: To wash hands/dishes at site
- Oven mitt, spatula, cooking spoon, cooking spray, other cooking tools you may need based on what you plan to cook
- S’mores: chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows, s’more sticks
- Water bottles
- Salt, pepper, sweetener, other spices
- Cooler – check out my suggested weekend food packing list in step 4 of my article How To Go Tent Camping
Electronics
- Back – up phone charger: Here is the one I use and I love it, but you can find cheaper ones elsewhere too.
- Batteries: Triple A (headlamps), Double A (flashlights), D batteries (tent Fan)
- Extension Cord
Comfort

- Lawn Chairs: (optional) A picnic table will likely be at your site
- Hammock: (optional) A fun way to kick back if you find a good spot
- Tent Fan: I have this one and I love it for those hot and humid nights in the tent. It does requires 6 D batteries. I also bought this Tent Fan recently and plan to try it out at my next trip
- A good book, board game or deck of cards
- Towel/toiletries: Most campgrounds should have showers
- Slip on shoes: For those late night bathroom runs
- Bug spray: And/or a Mosquito candle
- Sun gear: Sunscreen, ball cap
- Cold gear: Hats, gloves, hot-hands, extra blankets
- Rain gear: Umbrellas, tarps, rain coats
Other

- Tarp
- Rope
- Day bag/back pack
- Thermos: The Stanley thermos keeps incredible insulation for either hot or cold items
- Water Filter or Purification Tablets: More for “roughing it” kind of camping, but always good to have in handy just in case
- Table Cloth
- Clothespins: You will find the most random things you can use clothespins for while you are camping.
- Battery powered twinkle lights: To make your site look cute, duh