Tent Camping Gear Checklist: Must-Have Tent Camping Items

After tent camping for the last three decades, I’ve overpacked or underpacked more times than I care to remember. I wish I had developed this tent camping gear checklist many years ago because it would have saved me much frustration. Lucky for you, I’ve made it much easier to know what you actually should bring while tent camping and what you can leave at home.

Tent Camping Gear Checklist

I’ve broken up this tent camping gear list into sections to make it easier to pack all the similar items together. This has been a game-changer for me over the last few years. 

Personal Items

These are must-have items to get you to and from the campground.

• Cash & a credit/debit card
• Cellphone (who goes anywhere without their mobile device, nowadays?)
• Identification
• Proof of campsite reservation (If needed)

Sleeping Gear

These are the items I use most while tent camping, and forgetting one can make for a very uncomfortable few nights.

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Pillow

Clothing

I recommend packing enough clothes for a day or two more than you plan to stay, in case some of your clothes get wet or soiled.

• Quick-drying pants and shirts
• Moisture-wicking underlayers (T-shirt, underwear, and synthetic socks)
• Long-sleeve shirt (Performance sun hoodies are fantastic for keeping you cool and protected from UV rays)
• Pajamas (Your typical sleepwear will work, I just wear a T-shirt and shorts in the summer and sweats and a hoodie for winter camping)
• A rain jacket and rain pants
• Hat/sunglasses
• Hiking boots or shoes (waterproof is ideal)
• Leather gloves for working around the camp (especially if you plan to cook with a fire)

Cold-Weather Clothing

Here are a few must-have cold-weather camp clothing items. I don’t pack these during summer camping trips, unless I’m camping in the northern half of the U.S or higher elevations.

• Long underwear
• Insulated jacket
• Warm gloves
• Beanie or warm hat

Health, Hygiene, and Toiletries

A quick way to ruin a camping trip is to get hurt or sick. These items will ensure you don’t have bad hygiene or health while camping. 

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper/baby wipes
• Towel
• Toiletry kit/bag (to keep everything together as much as possible)
• First-aid kit (a basic first-aid kit is fine, but as you camp more, you’ll learn what’s needed and what’s not)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent/ Insect repellent device
• Brush/comb
• Alcohol/ antiseptic wipes
• Sanitation shovel/trowel (When no toilets are available)
• Feminine products (For the ladies)

Cooking

I enjoy eating, but it takes a lot of gear to ensure happy and full campers for any length of time. In this area, I always seem to forget something because I didn’t replace it when it ran out, or an item broke. If you plan to pack only what you can carry in a backpack, this list will be much shorter, but if you’re camping at a site and have your vehicle nearby, most of these items are must-haves.

• Camp food (Keep it simple with pre-packaged meals, canned foods, and other non-perishable food items)
• A way to cook your meals and treat water if needed (firewood, charcoal, camp stove, griddle, Dutch oven, and/or grill)
• Firestarter/matches/lighter
• Camp pots and pans
• Cooking utensils
• Oven mitt (or the leather gloves I mentioned earlier)
• Eating utensils
• Bottle opener, can opener, and corkscrew
• Sharp knives
• Cutting board
• Plates and bowls
• Cups
• Aluminium foil
• Paper towels
• Food storage containers
• Cooler (with plenty of ice or cold packs)
• A way to wash dishes (large water jugs, wash bin, soap, sponge, and dish towel)
• Trash and recycling bags

Camp Tools

I always keep a small toolbox in my vehicles for basic car repairs. However, I also bring more tools while camping, such as: 

• Camp chairs
• Camp table (If the campground doesn’t have tables)
• Compass
• Duct tape
• Fire blanket
• Hand broom and dust pan
• Headlamp/ flashlight/ Lantern
• Mallet/hammer
• Map of the area
• Multi-tool
• Pad/air mattress repair kit
• Paracord/rope
• Saw and axe
• Tent-pole repair sleeve
• Whistle

Nice-To-Have Tent Camping Gear

The following gear makes tent camping more enjoyable, but are unnecessary for a successful trip.

• Binoculars
• Books
• Camp rug
• Cards, board games, frisbee
• Clothesline and clips
• Cosmetics
• Dog gear
• Earplugs (I’ve had neighbors keep me up with their snoring…)
• Field Guides
• Fishing gear (this is a must-have for most trips for me)
• Hammock
• Hot dog and marshmallow roasting forks
• Kayak, paddleboard, canoe
• Musical instruments
• Portable camp shower/bathroom
• Portable coffee/tea maker
• Portable power bank
• Sleeping bag liners
• Sleeping cots
• Spare glasses/ contact supplies
• Swimsuits
• Tablecloth and tape or clips
• Tarp/sunshade
• Water shoes

Concluding Thoughts: Tent Camping Gear Checklist

The one packing tip I’ve found most helpful for keeping me organized while camping and for storage is to keep all the related items together in plastic storage bins. It makes packing much faster, and I lose fewer items because they all have a specific place after being used.

Feel free to print this tent camping gear checklist off to use, and let me know in the comments if I forgot any items.

Wesley Littlefield

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