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Weekend Getaway Guide

Camping Packing Checklist

Illustration of a campfire

Use this cheat sheet to remind yourself of what you need to bring along when camping. Adjust the list according to the season.

Accessories

  • Backpack
  • Bandanna
  • Day pack for shorter afternoon hikes
  • Glasses and/or contact lenses, if needed (plus an extra pair)
  • Hiking boots
  • Pack cover
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Wide-brimmed rain or sun hat

Clothing

  • Fleece or wool gloves or mittens
  • Fleece jacket or wool sweater
  • Fleece or wool vest
  • Hiking socks
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Quick-drying pants and/or shorts
  • Quick-drying swimsuit
  • Rainwear (tops and bottoms)
  • Regular underwear
  • Short-sleeved shirts
  • Warm hat (fleece or wool)
  • Warm pants (fleece or wool)
  • Wicking liner socks
  • Wicking long underwear

Equipment and Gear

  • Alarm clock
  • Axe
  • Batteries for small electronics and cameras
  • Camera (and film, if needed)
  • Cell phone (to use in case of emergency)
  • Collapsible water container
  • Compression sack (for stuffing bulky sleeping bags into backpacks)
  • Extra nylon stuff sacks
  • Lantern
  • Matches/lighter
  • Rainfly to cover your tent in case of inclement weather
  • Rope
  • Sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack
  • Sit pads or sleeping pads to place underneath sleeping bags
  • Stove and fuel
  • Tent
  • Tent stakes
  • Video camera

Food and Cooking Tools

  • Aluminum foil
  • Cooking/eating utensils
  • Cookset and dishes
  • Drinking cups
  • Food
  • Funnel
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Pot grabber
  • Pot scrubber and dish towel
  • Resealable plastic bags
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Water filter/purifier
  • Water-purification tablets

Health and Beauty Items

  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Body lotion
  • Comb and brush
  • Contact lens solution (if needed)
  • Deodorant
  • Face cleanser
  • First aid kit, including gas relief tablets, antacid, antidiarhheal medicine, antihistamine for allergies, bandages, candied ginger for motion sickness, mild laxative, nonaspirin pain reliever, thermometer in a hard case
  • Floss
  • Insect repellent
  • Lip balm (choose one with SPF 15)
  • Personal-hygiene items
  • Prescriptions
  • Razors
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Shaving gel
  • Small mirror
  • Sunscreen (at least one all-purpose sunscreen with SPF 15)
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste

Miscellaneous

  • Healthy snacks (chewy granola bars, dried fruit, mini bagels, nuts, and pretzels)
  • Maps and directions
  • Money (cash, ATM cards, traveler’s checks)
  • Printouts of campsite reservations (if necessary)
  • Travel journal

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