Your Ultimate Camping Checklist

The list below has the absolute basic necessities you need on every camping trip you ever go on.

• Permits

Get all the necessary fishing, hunting and camping permits required.

• First aid kit

Stuff happens so keep your first aid kit well stocked. At the very least, it should contain;

1. Adhesive bandages
2. Butterfly closures
3. Gauze pads
4. Antibiotic ointment
5. Thermometer
6. Ibuprofen
7. Antihistamine
8. Antacid tablets
9. Cough drops
10. Safety whistle
11. Emergency blanket

• Extra batteries, a head lamp and a flash light

You can never have too much light. Bring all you can

• Sunscreen

You will need it, wear it.

• Rain gear

The forecast may be sunny skies but nature is known to play tricks on us. Carry some warm clothes and rain gear just in case it rains. Keep your tent’s rain fly handy just in case.

You may need a mallet to stick the tent pegs in the ground.

• Inspect repellant

Of course you will need insect repellant. YouTube has some instructional videos on how to make your own.

• Fire starters

Toilet paper rolls and lint with petroleum jelly are simple DIY fire starters if you can’t get some at a store.

• Matches

You will need them.

• Toiletries

• Tooth paste and tooth brush
• Underwear
• Toilet paper
• Towel
• Water

Before you figure out how to get drinking water, it helps to have a supply at hand.

• Shovel
• Firewood

If you have never chopped wood in your life, you should just buy some. Buying wood at campgrounds can be expensive though. Bring some wood with you to the campground.

• Cookware and cutlery

Plan your meals in advance and figure out what utensils you will need. Carry some charcoal if you will need it. Buy disposable plates to minimize washing but remember to collect and dispose of them properly.

• Can opener

Canned food is a staple in camping. Nothing is worse than a can of beans you can’t open.

• Aluminum foil, garbage bags, paper towels

Backpackers may not have room for such frivolities but if you have kids with you, paper towels are an essential.

• A friend who can play an instrument

What’s a campfire without a few songs and the accompanying guitar

• Binoculars

They come in handy when spotting wildlife but can also be great at night for some amateur star gazing.

• Tampons

The art of manliness lists ten ways you can use tampons to survive. They can be water filters, fire starters and even bandages.
You need a good checklist to ensure you have all you need when on your camping trip. Pack without one and you are guaranteed to forget some items.

Have lists, and check items off as you go or you may leave your tent poles at home and have to sleep in the back seat of your truck.

 Do you have a camping ‘Must have’ item? Let us know by commenting below!