Camping List for Beginners

Having a camping list can not only save you time packing but can also guarantee your comfort and relaxation in the woods. This Camping list is just going to cover some of the basic beginner camping gear that you should bring but like any list, adding and modifying items is always going to be a must. So feel free to leave a comment sharing your camping list and the things you think every beginner needs.

Let’s Start!

Ground Tarp – Putting a tarp under your tent will increase the lifespan of your tent by keeping sticks and pine needles from poking holes in the bottom. It will also help by keeping the moisture from the morning dew from soaking into your tent floor.
Tent – Having a private place to change, escape the elements, and get a good night sleep is a must when you are out enjoying nature.
Air Mattress – A comfortable nights sleep is very important especially after a long day of hiking, swimming, fire building, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Air Mattress Pump – Being able to easily inflate your air mattress saves on a lot of frustration just make sure to the batteries are charged.
Sleeping Bag – Having a sleeping bag that is rated to the temperature you are going to be sleeping through is key to a good night sleep. Sleeping bags that are rated to warm will be too hot all night but too low of a rating and you will freeze. So always make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly remember you can always bring extra blankets.
Pillow – There are many different kinds of camp pillows on the market but just bringing what you have at home is always a good comfortable option just make sure to wash the pillow case when you get home.

Now you should have a nice place to call home for the night or weekend depending on your trip but, what are we going to cook with? There are a ton of options when it comes to camp cooking but just to get you started let’s start this list like this.

Camp Stove – This stove is very easy to use and works much like the propane stoves you find in some homes. All you need is a full canister and you are ready to cook anything you want just like you would on a stove top. Just remember to keep a close eye on everything because it’s hard to gauge how much heat is being put out.
Grill Lighter – Having a grill lighter makes starting your camp stove and the fire pit much easier because you are able to reach down into the center of your tinder. You can find these at any local gas station.
Cookware – When it comes to pots and pans this really comes down to personal preference. Some people go very minimal with small pans and cups. While others who love to cook go all out with full sized pots and pans and eat like a king in the woods. Both have their pros and cons.
Cooking Utensils – Making sure you can flip your bacon is a must in my book. Again this is different for everyone, some people use a fork while others bring actual kitchen utensils. There are a ton of camping options for this one so make sure to do your research.
Eating Utensils – The minimal spork is always a camp favorite but cheap plastic silverware works just as well and save on time you spend on clean up.
Plates and Bowls – Again there are a ton of lightweight options for packable plates and bowls but paper plates and wax paper bowls will save you time on cleanup and give you more time enjoying the great outdoors.
Cooler – Your cooler is your outdoor mini fridge just make sure you bring lots of ice to keep the food and drinks cold. A trick I use is freezing water in old Gatoraid bottles before the trip. I can use the bottles as ice to keep the cooler cold but as they melt I have water to drink during the day.
Water Jug – It’s time to do the dishes. When you are out camping you don’t always have running water. So by having a water jug, it makes things like clean up that much easier. I always bring bottles of water to drink and just use my water jug for cleanup.