If you’re looking to get away from the chaos of the Corona pandemic, a camping trip in the great outdoors is a great way to clear your mind, refresh your spirit, and unplug.
Although camping is considered a simple pleasure, it requires some time to plan what to bring on your camping trip. There are some basic camping essentials that every beginner and experienced outdoorsman should be sure to pack to ensure a safe and fun camping experience. Here are the necessities you’ll need:
You’ll need something to sleep in, so a tent should be at the top of your priority list. Most tents come in two varieties: three-season and four-season. Three-season tents are good for just about anything but winter, while four-season tents have more durable fabric that can handle snowdrifts
The Marmot Limelight is a great 2-person tent
Best Tent For Families: North Face Wawona – it is simply amazing to be able to walk into a tent!
With enough room for you and your brood, the North Face Wawona is an ideal home away from home.
A good sleeping bag is essential to a good night’s rest, so this is one area where it pays not to skimp. if you’re miserable and can’t sleep, you won’t enjoy your trip. Bags are rated to be comfortable in a certain temperature range, so look for one that handles the coolest temps you’ll face
Big Agnes
Nemo
Another piece of camping equipment that can make or break a good night’s sleep is a sleeping pad. A sleeping pad is crucial because it puts a layer of cushioning and insulating air between your body and the cold, hard ground.
A Inflatable Pillow is totally worth it and much better than putting extra clothes in a stuff sack
One of the first things you’ll want to investigate once you make your camping plans is if there will be water available or if you’ll have to bring your own.
Most campsites have potable running water, or at least a pump where you can get water to filter yourself. If not, be sure to bring plenty of drinking water to keep everyone hydrated and to use for cooking. Alternatively, you could also bring a filtered water bottle, which lets you drink directly from the source
A stove is crucial for preparing tasty meals, but it can also be used to purify water and make warm drinks to keep your core temperature up in cold climates. This Coleman is a straightforward and rugged stove that cooks quickly and evenly. It’s a 50-year-old classic for a reason.
If you want something smaller and more portable, check out the Jet Boil stove
This tool boils water fast…and I mean FAST! It’s durable and fairly light. I always look forward to getting back to my campsite after a long hike to cook with this bad boy.
The TOAKS Titanium is an outstanding ultralight cooking pot.
If you drink coffee, you want something to make coffee with in the morning and the Aeropress Go is pretty quick, easy and portable
Ka-Bar Tactical Spork is the perfect utentsil for camping
It may seem like a small thing, but not being able to light a fire or your stove while you’re camping and having to attempt the old “rubbing two sticks together” trick is a real pain. It’s essential to have waterproof matches or a dependable windproof camping lighter
It gets dark in the woods, so you want something to help you see at night. This lantern pumps out 1200 Lumens and has an unbreakable, lifetime LED.
A good headlamp is one of the most underrated pieces of camping and hiking equipment out there. Headlamps are perfect for making your way to the facilities in the middle of the night, rifling through a backpack hands-free, and looping through the poles inside your tent’s roof to make a lantern as you get settled in for the night.
After a long day of hiking, fishing, or hanging out in the great outdoors, there’s almost nothing better than sitting in a comfortable chair by the campfire and roasting marshmallows. Don’t forget to bring comfortable, collapsible camp chairs to pull up to the fire at the end of the day. The Kijaro camp chair is sturdy, well-built and comfortable
If you want maximum comfortability, the Nemo Stargaze reclines and rocks and is perfect for looking out at the night sky and contemplating the beauty of life.
A portable camping table that you can cook and dine on
Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap – You can use it as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and fifteen other things, It’s totally organic, biodegradable, paraben free and if you bring the original bottle it provides some fascinating reading material.
The pocket knife is the ultimate multipurpose tool of the outdoors. A knife can be used to cut rope, cut fishing line, dice bait, slice cheese or sausage, slice potatoes, or spread cream cheese on a bagel Without a knife, such tasks become nearly to outright impossible. If you leave your knife at home, expect to feel frustrated–often.
Paracord – multifunctionality makes it a worthwhile addition to your equipment list
It can be used in so many situations. I’ve used it for repairing my bear bag, guy lines, even used some to splint a sprained knee on a buddy. I’ve also been in some sketchy situations on the mountain where I needed to do some technical rock climbing and wasn’t comfortable doing it with my pack on, so I tied the cord to my pack, tucked the cord into my belt, and hauled my pack up after the climb. Never used it for things like traps/snares/fishing/constructing emergency litter, but I feel like the slight amount of extra weight is totally worth it.
If you have camping questions regarding packing, tools, surviving in the elements, food, and more, this guidebook has the answers
Permethrin Insect Repellent – It helps with ticks and such, too. It’s an anti-parasitic. Just lay all your clothes, tent, bag, etc in the drive way, spray, flip, spray. Let sit for a bit then pack everything.
Cuts, stings and other pains are common while camping, so you should always pack a first aid kit. You should never go camping without one!
