Packing list for two nights

I like to be prepared when I camp and have what I need when I want it. Here is my giant packing list to get you started.

Context: Washington State summer in August & early September

FOOD

• Water jugs
  • TIP: freeze to serve as ice in the cooler
• Pancake mix
• Spatula
• Tongs (for moving food cooking over the fire)
• Hot cocoa mix
• Coffee mix
• Milk
• Hot dogs / buns
• Dinner entrees
  • Cooking spray if necessary for pots/pans
• Ketchup/ mustard
• Salt / pepper
• Butter
• Syrup
• Bacon
• S’more makings
• Tortillas & cheese
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Gas stove top and fuel
• Pots/pans (amount depends on what you’re cooking; plan ahead)
• Cooking and eating utensils
• Paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• Tablecloth and clips (to hold down the cloth)
• Plates/bowls/cups
  • recommend using items that you can rinse and reuse, especially cups
  • If you don’t get reusable plates/bowls at least get eco-friendly flammable material
• Roasting sticks

PERSONAL

• Clothing
  • Light jacket
  • PJs
  • Swim suit
  • campsite wear
  • Hiking outfit and shoes
  • Flip flops
  • Sneakers you don’t mind getting trashed/super dirty
• Beach towel
• Shower towel
• Skin care
• Brush
• Lip balm sunscreen
• Biodegradable soap (body and dish)
• Peppermint oil spray (I read somewhere that it spiders don’t like it)
• Book
• Journal
• Any medication & water bottle
• Hiking backpack
• Camera, case, accessories

CAMPING GEAR

Sleep

• Tent
• Tarp (to go under tent)
• Sleeping bags
• Blankets / pillows
• Foam mattress topper
  • you can find “camper pads” at Fred Meyers for as low as $10
  • I have an old Twin XL size foam topper from my college dorm days that I now use for camping (“glamping” really, its so glorious to sleep on)
• Hand broom and dust pan
  • dirt inevitability gets in the tent, nice to clean throughout and just before repacking tent
  • Also handy for dirty tables at the campsite
• Small outdoor rug
  • similar to one you’d place outside your front door for guests to wipe their feet on. Helps prevent the need to sweep inside the tent or track in dirt!

Food related

• Dish soap and sponge
  • Make sure it’s biodegradable! I’ve never used this brand of dish soap but here’s an idea.
• Bucket (to help rinse dishes)
• Dish rack for drying (small RV racks exist on Amazon)
• Hand sanitizer
• Hand towels
• Cooler
• Ice (plenty of it!)
• Trash bags
  • Fancy tip – purchase a pop up mesh laundry bin and use it as a trash bin

Essentials

• Lantern and/or flashlight
• Camping chair(s)
• Lighters (extra long to avoid putting your hand near the base of the fire)
• Wood (plenty of it!)
• Axe
• Fire starters (Like duraflame firestarters)
• First-aid kit
• Travel toothbrush and paste
• Sunscreen
• Aloe vera

Glamping accessories

• Flushable wipes (Costco sells wipes for cheap – keep in mind the plumbing availability and capabilities)
• Citronella candle(s)
• Bug repellent spray
• External battery packs
• Phone charger cables
• Phone charger wall nuggets (if wall outlets available / if you don’t have an external pack)
• Outdoor blanket (that can handle a rocky beach or grassy meadow)
• Outdoor games

Eventually I’ll post a downloadable camping list that you can customize but I can’t find the file right now… Post any camping trip essentials I missed in the comments below! 🙂