How to Plan a Camping Trip
Camping out in the great outdoors is a fun vacation option for people of all ages. It allows you to live simply, slow down, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Camping trips are also incredibly affordable, and they provide a memorable experience you won’t soon forget.
The easiest way to plan a camping trip is to first decide who’s going, what type of camping you’ll be doing, and which location you’d enjoy most. Once these decisions are made, it’s as simple as deciding what amenities you’re looking for, what gear to pack, and what food you plan to prepare.
Like all vacation planning, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to plan a camping trip. And this is especially true when you don’t have a lot of experience camping.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. So how can you plan a camping trip the easy way without getting overwhelmed?
Simply ask yourself these ten questions:
1. Who’s Going?
It’s important to keep in mind the number of adults, children, teens, and pets you’re planning on taking with you.
2. What Am I Camping In?
Your camping experience will differ greatly based on whether you own or plan to rent a tent, camper, RV, or cabin.
3. What Type of Hookup is Necessary?
Deciding if you want to camp in an entirely rustic location or if you need a partial or full hookup on your site is an important first step.
4. How Far Away Am I Looking to Travel?
Determining the ideal distance away from your home will narrow down the camping options you have available to you.
5. What Amenities Are Important to Me?
Amenities at campgrounds and national parks vary greatly. Options in your area may include swimming pools, beach access, boat launches, hiking trails, fishing areas, playgrounds, dog parks, movie nights, laundry facilities, and more. So you’ll want to decide which ones you can and can’t live without.
6. What Do the Reviews Say?
Once you narrow your search down, check out the reviews from past campers. You can learn a lot more about a campground from the reviews than you can from the professional photos on their website.
7. When Do I Need to Make Reservations?
Campsites fill up quickly and often start taking reservations during the winter season. Check out the reservation schedule for the campground you’re interested in and call to reserve your site well ahead of time.
8. What Do I Need to Pack?
Putting the time into packing carefully, using a packing checklist, and bringing only the items you truly need will make your camping experience a lot less stressful.
8. What am I Going to Eat?
Carefully planning meals and snacks before grocery shopping will ensure that you have food everyone will enjoy and that you have enough space in your cooler.
10. What Activities are Available?
Researching the available activities both in the campground and in the local area will help you plan both your entertainment schedule and your vacation budget.
What to Pack For a Camping Trip
The options of what to pack for a camping trip can seem endless. But rest assured, you don’t need to bring everything you own in order to enjoy your time camping.
When packing for a camping trip, make a list of everything you need to adequately provide shelter, bedding, clothing, food, and hygiene. And using a camping checklist can help you remember other important items like prescriptions, contact lenses, and batteries that you may otherwise forget.
Below is an extensive list of things you may want to consider packing for your trip.
However, your needs may be greater or lesser than others based on your current lifestyle and what type of camping you will be doing. So please keep this in mind and tailor your own camping checklist accordingly.
Shelter
- Tent, camper, or RV
- Ground tarp
- Shade tarp
- Rainfly
- Entrance mat
- Stakes
- Flashlights or lantern
- Batteries
- Chairs
Bedding
- Sleeping bags
- Sheets
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Air mattress and air pump
- Cot
- Hammock
Clothes
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Pants
- Shorts
- Rain gear
- Sandals
- Tennis shoes or hiking boots
- Water shoes
- Socks
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglasses or contacts
- Swimsuits
- Life jacket
- SPF clothing
- Bath towel
- Beach towel
- Day pack
- Hat and gloves
Cooking
- Food
- Condiments
- Seasonings
- Cooking oil
- Beverages
- Cooler
- Ice
- Filtered water
- Pots and pans
- Pie iron
- Portable stove or griddle
- Portable grill
- Coffee pot
- Matches
- Lighter
- Propane or charcoal
- Firestarters
- Table cloth
- Dishware
- Mixing bowls
- Dishpan
- Drinkware
- Silverware
- Cooking utensil
- Skewers
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Dishtowels
- Potholders
- Cutting board
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage bags
- Trash bags
Personal Hygiene
- Shower basket
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Floss
- Soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby wipes
- Toilet paper
- Razor
- Deodorant
- Cosmetics
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
- Hairdryer
- Nail clippers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Lotion
- Aloe vera
- Prescription medication
- Pain reliever
- First aid kit
Tools
- Ax
- Multi-tool
- Duct Tape
- Rope and clothespins
- Bungee cords
- Dustpan
- Camera
- Citronella candles
- Binoculars
- Fishing gear
- Firewood
- Repair kits
- Map
- Compass
Optional Items
- Books
- Playing cards
- Board games
- Journal
- Paper and pens
- Sports gear
- Bikes
- Portable potty
- Pack n play
- Radio
- Walkie talkies
As you see, there are many items that may or may not be necessary to pack when you’re planning a camping trip. It’s best if you make a list of what is actually necessary for your family’s needs before you start to pack.
Camping Checklist PDF
This camping checklist comes in a printer-friendly PDF format and it’s free to download. It includes all the essential items you need for shelter, bedding, clothing, cooking, personal hygiene, and tools. Plus, there are even optional items to make your camping trip even more fun.
Don’t forget to print your free camping checklist PDF now so that you don’t forget a thing on your next camping trip.
Minimalist Camping Gear
When planning your ideal camping trip, you may also want to consider going minimalist and bringing only what is absolutely necessary. The fewer unnecessary items that you pack, the easier your camping trip will be to plan and organize.
Minimalist camping gear includes only the essential items you need to create shelter, drink clean water, and prepare food. You can easily survive for several days with a few essential items that can fit in your pack like a water bottle and filter, a hammock, a muti-tool, and waterproof matches.
This list of minimalist camping gear will help you prepare for a simple, low maintenance trip out in the woods:
- Water filtration system or purification tabs
- Water bottle
- Food
- Backpack
- Tent or hammock
- Sleeping bag
- Chair
- Multi-tool
- Cooking supplies
- Flashlight
- Hiking boots
- Stick lighter or waterproof matches
- Clothing
- Rain gear
- Toilet paper
- Personal hygiene items
Getting back to the basics and bringing only minimalist camping gear with you provides an easy yet memorable life experience for you and your family.
Camping With Kids Hacks
Camping is a great life experience for kids as they’re growing up. Not only will they learn how to live simply, but they’ll also learn valuable lessons about the importance of taking care of the environment, disconnecting from technology, and the joys of outdoor activities like building bonfires, hiking, and fishing.
There are plenty of camping with kids hacks that create a more enjoyable camping experience for both kids and their parents. These hacks include choosing a kid-friendly location, planning fun activities, bringing the necessary gear, sticking to routines, and allowing for plenty of downtime.
Here are 14 camping with kids hacks in detail to make your camping trip go as smoothly as possible:
1. Location
The location of your campsite is even more important when you’re camping with kids. Being close to facilities like bathrooms, showers, and camp stores makes your trip even easier.
2. Kid-friendly Activities
Whether you’re camping at a rustic campsite or a family-friendly resort campground, choosing a place with kid-friendly activities nearby will allow you to easily entertain children of all ages which leads to less boredom, whining, and temper tantrums.
3. Gear
Remember to bring along the necessary gear for babies and young children like child carriers, pack n plays, and strollers. These items are an important part of the camping with kids checklist because they’ll make your camping trip much easier.
4. Practice Camping
A great way to prepare children for their first camping trip is to practice camping in your backyard. It’s a really fun experience for them, and it helps you see how they’ll handle a bigger trip away from home.
5. Involve them
Getting kids and teens involved in packing helps you lessen the workload on yourself, and it also gives them responsibility and a sense of accomplishment when they’re done. Younger kids love being put in charge of packing special toys, games, and snacks for the trip.
6. Favorite foods
A great way to entertain kids while camping is to teach them how to cook their favorite foods in a fun new way. Teaching them how to safely start a fire, roast hot dogs or marshmallows, and how to make hobo pies are both skills and memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.
7. Extra Clothes
Making sure to pack extra clothing for children will take away a lot of potential headaches. They should have layers for the changing temperatures throughout the day but also extra socks, underwear, and outfits in case they spill, have accidents, or get really dirty playing.
8. Technology Free
Camping is the perfect excuse for everyone in the family to put their technology away. Focus on technology-free activities for the whole family like hiking, fishing, telling stories around the campfire, and roasting marshmallows.
9. Bring Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are not just for babies. They’re a convenient way to do a quick clean-up for people of all ages, pets, and sticky picnic tables.
10. Lighting
Make sure to bring plenty of sources of lighting, especially for late-night exploring and bathroom breaks. Younger children love to play with glow sticks, flashlights, and headlamps. It also helps everyone feel safer in the dark when moving around outside.
11. Setup
Involving your kids and teens in the setup process will teach them valuable skills they’ll have for life. Whether you’re teaching them about putting tent poles together, setting up a pop-up, or how to connect the hookups on your RV, they’ll feel more confident in planning their own camping trips as adults.
12. Environmental Stewardship
Camping is the perfect time to teach children about the importance of environmental stewardship. Even the youngest children can learn how to pick up their own trash, can help clean up after pets, and can make sure they’re leaving nothing behind before checking out of the campground.
13. Stick to Routines
Sticking to regular routines while camping helps children transition between activities without blowups. So giving 5-minute warnings, sticking close to their normal bedtimes, and getting tucked in will all help things run smoothly.
14. Down Time
Everyone needs downtime to relax and recharge. Don’t forget to include downtime into your daily schedule each day so that all family members feel rested.
Camping with kids can be a really enjoyable experience for the entire family. These 14 camping with kids hacks will help things continue to run smoothly so you can focus on creating beautiful memories with your family.
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What are your best camping hacks? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Hey Brooke,
I have never gone camping before, but when I last road-tripped around Victoria, Australia, I visited a few national parks where people were camping! I was impressed by how they all had makeshift tents and canvas sheets over foldable tables and chairs.
Camping isn’t a huge thing where I’m from. The only ‘camping ground’ I can think of is the instaworthy tents they set up at the airport during COVID for staycations. I love that you have a checklist here for anyone who is going camping soon. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Camping is huge in the United States. It’s a simple way to travel and get back to slow, intentional living. You should try it sometime.
You have some excellent tips here! I definitely need this to plan my camping trip next time 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you. I spent a long time making the list so I could use it on future trips too.
Very good information! Thanks for sharing! Hopefully can go camping soon and use this checklist.
We just went and used it. I hope it helps you out too.
Great tips and the checklist is really useful.
Great! I’m glad you like it.
This is an excellent post! I love the checklist! We plan to take our kids camping more often. I think we’re going to ease into it with a cabin first in September!
That’s a great idea. Enjoy! I’m sure you will all love it.
I’ve never been camping (I like my comforts too much) but if we ever did decide to give it a go then this list would be perfect to refer to. It’s super detailed and helpful, thank you for putting it together! Lisa
I used to feel the same way. But then I realized that it’s a great way to forget makeup, put my hair in a messy bun, and just relax in the sunshine.
You’ve got some great tips here! I’m glad that you mentioned checking when reservations open up. Here in Ontario, the reservations are open 5 months prior to your vacation date at 7 AM and those who want to get the best sites are online at 6:59 waiting for that clock to change so that they can nab those sites before someone else does. I’m usually a little more laid back on what I want, but I did push myself to get a booking in for a BEAUTIFUL waterfront site at our favourite campground last weekend and it was worth the stress to try to get that reservation in before anyone else lol
It is the same in the US. Usually, you have to book in the dead of winter or you are going to have a hard time finding a spot. Camping is worth it though.
Great article! A complete package of planning a camping trip. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you! I tried to include everything you might possibly need for camping.
This is such a great in depth post about what you need when camping! And I love the checklist was definitely something I wouldve needed last time I went!! Have camped both very remotely with basically 0 ameneties and in a camp ground with its own water park I can definitely agree that asking yourself what ameneties you need is so key. Additionally, when I camped in the mountains I was so worried about bears I didn’t sleep half the night, think it’s so important to know the area you’re going. Great tips thanks so much!
You make a great point. I have done the all-inclusive family campgrounds and backcountry camping with only the items that fit in my pack. It is a vastly different experience for sure.
I love this awesome checklist! We always end up forgetting that one essential little item we need, but your list is as full a list I have ever seen. Checking reviews of any given camping spot is a great way to judge its feel. 🙂
Thank you. I tried to list everything you might possibly need.
Thanks for sharing, some of your list sounds like the kit list for a Girl Guide camp!!
Nic
Yes! I bet the packing lists are very similar. Thanks for reading.
This post is fab! I have never been camping but it is something that I would love to try and this post has everything I need to know in it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Glad to hear that. It really is a great way to escape normal life once in awhile.
I LOVE KOA! I’ve owned two vintage campers over the past few years. The first one’s engine exploded. The second we could’ve fixed but we let it go because all the storage units were full 🙁 I really want to get back to it! Although, nothing beats OLD FASHIONED TENT CAMPING! WOO!
Vintage campers are cool. You are right though, tent camping is a great experience also.
This is such a helpful list! I loved the picture of your little dog too and the checklist is really cool☺️
Thank you. He is such a sweetie.
What a super helpful post. Some great things to check and remember. We try go camping a few times a year with our trailer tent, we always end up forgetting something, the check list sheet you shared will be so useful.
I know right. I always forget something too. I am going to use this checklist for all of my future trips too.
I’ve never camped a day in my life, but I’ve always wanted to! This was very helpful and informative for people like me who have no idea what we’re doing when it comes to camping!
It really is such a great life experience for everyone in my opinion. Getting back to a simple life and getting off of technology for a few days is really relaxing and peaceful.
These are some really useful tips and a great helpful checklist. I’ve just got back from camping and would definitely add to the list a portable charger for “just in case”.
I don’t own one. Good idea.
Wow this is such an indepth post about camping – literally everything you’ll need! I’ve never been camping really, not like PROPER camping. I don’t think it’d be for me but I’d love to give it a go!
It can sound really overwhelming at first, but once you get there, it really is one of the most relaxing ways to vacation. I love just spending my days out in nature.
This is such a good post. Whenever we used to travel I would always worry about what we were taking and get panicky because I thought we had forgotten something. Thank you for sharing this!
I do the same thing. I am always worried I will forget the most important things. That’s why I use lists and check them off as I go. It makes it a lot less stressful.