A Master Camping Checklist
A camping list you can make fit your camping needs.
Free printable camping checklist. From lists for camping gear and supplies, to food and kids clothes.
From beginners to veterans – a checklist can make the difference between a camping trip that is as fun as you hoped, or one you suffer through. They can be especially helpful to new campers because they may also suggest camping items you might not have thought of.
As you scan the list below, don’t get overwhelmed – remember, you will not need everything on it. It is intended to include everything you might need, not everything you have to take.
Also, when printed or viewed as a pdf, (links below), this checklist is formatted as a one-page “checkable” checklist
*Note – all shopping links are my own Amazon affiliate links – which I only use to recommend good-quality camping gear – Gus
Complete camping checklist:
Personal gear, Camping equipment, and Camp food & cookware list
Bedding
(essentials)
☐ Sleeping bag w/stuff sack
☐ Sleeping pad/air mattress
(optional)
☐ Pillow/Headrest
☐ Sleeping bag liners
☐ Extra blankets/sheets
☐ Pump for air mattresses
Tip: A pillow isn’t really “optional,” you will want one, even if it is only a small camping-size pillow.
Also, whether it is a comfort or age choice many car campers, (this isn’t gear you want to back-pack into your site), have switched from sleeping pads to inflatable air mattresses/beds. Coleman has an air mattress/cot combo that is rated as an Amazon Choice Top Pick that comes in it’s own gear bag. Take a look and see what is available for your camping comfort.
Shelter
(essentials)
☐ Tent
☐ Tent stakes/Guy-lines
☐ Tent ground cloth
(optional)
☐ Tent rain-fly or tarp
☐ Stake mallet and stake puller
☐ Tent light
☐ Entrance door mat/carpet
☐ Sm. Wisk broom – dust pan
☐ Cot(s)
☐ Mosquito/Insect netting
☐ Rope for extra tie-down lines
☐ Extra tent stakes
☐ Duct tape or tent repair kit
☐ Tent-pole repair sleeve
☐ Guy-line markers
Tip: Just like a camping pillow, a tent light isn’t really “optional” unless you are a back-packing or “bare-bones” camper. You can use a flashlight to look around, or make-do, but once you use a tent light you will really appreciate the convenience and versatility ot it.
Personal Gear
(essentials)
☐ Backpack/Duffel bag
☐ Clothes (Personal checklist)
☐ Flashlight
☐ Canteen/Water Bottle
☐ Camping knife
☐ Lighter/Waterproof Matches
☐ Drinking Cup
☐ Hat
Personal Gear
(optional)
☐ Personal pocket First Aid kit
☐ Stuff sack for dirty laundry
☐ Small stuff sack for small items
☐ Camp Shoes – Slip-ons
☐ Camp chair/Stool
☐ Headlamp/Hat light
☐ Fork/Spoon
☐ Toilet paper
☐ Insect repellant
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Camping Multitool
☐ Camera/film/data cards
☐ Fire sparker
☐ Whistle
☐ Compass
☐ GPS unit
☐ Glow Sticks
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Extra shoe/Boot Laces
☐ Safety pins – assorted sizes
☐ Cord – nylon or parachute cord
☐ Lip Balm
☐ Binoculars
☐ Journal/pen/pencil
☐ Book(s)
☐ Deck of cards
Toiletries
(essentials)
☐ Soap
☐ Toothpaste/Toothbrush/Floss
☐ Deodorant
(optional)
☐ Shower shoes/Flip-flops
☐ Shampoo, Conditioner
☐ Pocket mirror
☐ Brush/Comb
☐ Razor/Shaving cream
☐ Aftershave
☐ Face cloth/Hand towel
☐ Shower cap
☐ Nail clippers
☐ Special needs products
☐ Personal medications
☐ Feminine products
Lighting
☐ Lanterns
☐ Extra lantern mantles
☐ Extra lantern fuel
☐ Strike-Anywhere kitchen matches
☐ Lantern – battery powered
☐ Camp flashlight – large
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Table-top Citronella candle
Camp Tools and Accessories
General Campsite
☐ Campsite First Aid kit
☐ Camp chairs
☐ Camp shovel
☐ Camp rake
☐ Camp axe and/or hatchet
☐ Camp saw
☐ Camp pliers – med-size pair
☐ Camp gloves – leather gloves
☐ Camp potable water containers
☐ Camp water bucket (5-gal. Pail)
☐ Tarp for eating/gathering Area
☐ Rope for tarp and guy-lines
☐ Tarp poles/Stakes
☐ Camp shower
☐ Portable camp toilet
☐ Clothesline rope/clothes pins
☐ Extra rope/cord/baling twine
☐ Camp wash basin
☐ Caution tape/White cloth strips
☐ S-hooks, approx. 6 ea. 2″ s-hooks
☐ Assorted bungee cords
☐ Duct tape
☐ Boy Scout Handbook
* it will provide answers/how-to’s
to almost any camping question
you have.
Tip: Once again, something that could be an “optional item” turns out to be something you will soon discover you need and will really appreciate having – a small or folding camp shovel. They are so handy and inexpensive you really should consider adding one to your camping gear.
Camp Kitchen and Cooking
☐ Camp stove(s)
☐ Camp stove fuel
☐ Fire grate
☐ Campfire tripod
☐ Gloves – heavy-duty
☐ Folding table(s)
☐ Fire-starter/Firewood
☐ Charcoal/Charcoal lighter fluid
Camping cookware
☐ Skillet(s), Skillet lid
☐ Griddle
☐ Dutch Oven
☐ Pot(s), large, small, lids
☐ Coffee pot
☐ Pie iron(s)
☐ Dutch Oven lid lifter
Cooking Gear/Utensils
☐ Spatula(s), Serving spoon(s)
☐ Tongs
☐ Knife, large, Sm.
☐ Cutting board(s)
☐ Can/Bottle opener
☐ Measuring cup(s)/Spoons
☐ Basting brush
☐ Cups, Bowls, Plates
☐ Forks/Knives/Spoons
☐ Personal mess kit
☐ Campfire roasting forks
Disposables
☐ Trashbags
☐ Paper towels
☐ Toilet paper
Camp Kitchen/Chuck Box
☐ Coffee, Tea
☐ Coffee filters
☐ Powdered creamer
☐ Sugar
☐ Hot chocolate Mix
☐ Instant cold drink mix
☐ Cooking oil
☐ Cooking spray (Pam, etc.)
☐ Salt & Pepper
☐ Spices – personal choices
☐ Pot holders/Hot pads
☐ Corkscrew
☐ Heavy-duty tin foil
☐ Paper towels
☐ Trash bags
☐ ZipLoc bags
☐ Dish soap
☐ Scouring pad
☐ Dish washing tubs
Extras
☐ Water filters
☐ Lantern poles
☐ Charcoal chimney
☐ Camp heaters
☐ Camp flag
☐ Fishing/Sports/Activity gear
Save/Print this camping checklist
*The printable “master” list can be edited, (a customizable MS Word doc), to become your own personalized camping list – just print a copy for each camping trip.
 As a customizable MS Word format … that you can edit to become a personalized camping list for your camping trips. |
 As a PDF format … which can also be customized with a PDF editor. |
Check items when you gather them, but make that check an “X” as you actually load them. It doesn’t do any good to remember to get extra lantern mantles if you leave them on kitchen counter when you leave.
Do you need to get a few pieces of gear, or supplies?
Check the prices on Amazon first. Just *click the Amazon logo and enter what you want in the search bar.
Ready to plan your meals and food list?
Here are some camp meal ideas, How-to guides, plus, complete weekend menu packages – with formatted grocery lists.
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New to camping, or just starting your planning?
An organized camping trip needs planning! This checklist will walk you through the planning stage – step by step. Almost all public camping areas have camping and campfire regulations/restrictions. To-do’s and No-no’s, you need to know to plan your camping trip!
More individual camping checklists:
Sometimes all you need is a specific individual camping list. Particularly when it comes to personal clothing, food, and supplies.
These checklists are intended to be complete enough to cover almost any type of outdoor camping; from an over-night tent camp out in a local field, to a week-long hunting camp in the mountains, but of course there may be stuff you need to add for your particular needs.
NOTE: Each camping checklist will have printer-friendly options for print-outs in MS Word format that you can edit and customize, or as a PDF doc that you can download and save.
Camping with young kids, toddlers, and babies means it is extra important not to forget those items that are especially important to them.
Whether it is a group outdoor camping event with a base camp, or a hiking trip where it is all on your back, there are some items that are basic/personal and needed no matter what type of outing you are going on.
Being mindful of camping safety and basic First Aid can keep minor issues from becoming major problems. This should be your most important checklist.
It’s easy to remember the lanterns and tarps for your campsite, but it’s amazing how often the little things that make camp life easy, (like S-hooks), get forgotten and left behind. This checklist will help.
Tents/Shelter Checklist:
A tent camping checklist might seem pretty basic, but you only need to forget one or two small items, and what should have been a pleasure can quickly become an ordeal! Now where are those tent stakes?
Campfire Checklist
This campfire checklist includes the basics needed to build a campfire, and what you need for campfire safety! From a small hiking campfire, to a large group-use campfire.
Campfire Cooking Checklist:
A campfire cooking checklist can be as simple as a fork, spoon, and individual mess kit, to a multi-page full camp kitchen set-up. Just evaluate your single or group meal needs to pack the right items.
How to customize this Master camping checklist
You can customize this to be a camping list tailored to your specific camping gear and equipment.
It is in DOC column format. So all you have to do is add or delete lines and the columns will automatically adjust.
Bingo! You have a camping checklist made Just for you. And it’s FREE. So you can print, (or even change it again), as many copies as you need for each camping trip.
Handy Camping Gear You Might Like:
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Note: This free printable camping checklist can also help involve the kids in the family camping trip. You can assign specific sections, or items, to the kids to gather and check off. If you have more than one kid, they can pass around the camping list until all items are gathered.
Don’t just use your checklist to gather your gear – it should be the last thing you look at as you get ready to leave. Scan the camping list to make sure all the stuff you remembered actually got packed and loaded – not left lying on the counter or in the garage.
A checklist isn’t just for remembering what to take, it’s also for remembering to actually take it.
A printable blank grocery checklist for camp food and recipe ingredients for all camp meals and menu items is also available: Free Camp Food Grocery Checklist
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Related Posts:
- Campfire Cooking – Foods, Recipes, and Meals
- Camping Menus – Complete Ready-to-go Meal Packages
- How to Plan Camping Meals and Menus
- Camp Meals – How to Pack Smart
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