How to Pack For a Classic Tent Camping Trip
You might be a tent camping PRO. Or, you might be new to the whole idea, but totally ready to get a little dirty, spend a few days off the grid, and wake up to beautiful nature views. If that’s you, welcome to this wonderful new world!
Rob and I both grew up camping, and we know there’s nothing like waking up to the sound of a light drizzle on the roof of your tent, smelling the fresh air and the scent of your sleeping bag, then slipping on your sandals to watch the sunrise. if you can’t already tell, camping is our happy place. We want to make it a little easier for the first time camping couple so they can rest assured they have everything they need for a great time.
The Gear You’ll Need
A Four-Person Tent (we recommend this even for two people so you have enough room for your bags and any extra supplies you want to bring in for the night) and a hammer to pound in the tent stakes.
A tarp to put on the ground to set your tent up on (in case it rains and the ground gets muddy).
A camping stove (and propane) and a mess kit to make cooking simple + reusable utensils.
We love this campfire griddle on Amazon.
A lighter for your stove and camp fire.
Sleeping mats to avoid any bumps on the ground. We love these from Amazon.
Sleeping bags and your pillows (some sleeping bags come with camping pillows)
A cooler for any cold lunch meat, condiments, etc. (you can purchase bags of ice at nearby gas stations to keep everything at temp throughout your trip)
Camping chairs for hanging out around the fire.
Sealable bins to store your food in (to keep the bugs and critters away).
Camping Meal Prep
Tin Foil Meals (wrap potatoes, steak, carrots, peppers, green beans, garlic salt, etc in a piece of tin foil and cook your bundles over the fire)
Rice meals (boil water over the fire or your camping stove and cook rice, then add jarred Indian sauce over the top. We recommend this kind from Aldi)
Canned veggies and fruit (with a pop tab, or bring a can opener)
Prepackaged snacks (cheez-it’s, granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix)
Good old classic hot dogs over the fire.
PB&J ingredients or cold lunch meat and cheese for sandwiches.
Eggs and oatmeal packets for breakfast
24 pack of water bottles
Campfire Booze
Graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows for s’mores, of course.
Personal Items
A few gallon jugs of water for washing hands/brushing teeth/washing dishes/sponge bath and a refillable water bottle.
Scentless soap and shampoo/conditioner (non-fragrance will keep the bugs and other creatures (bears) away) as well as dish soap and a rag.
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
A Roll or two of toilet paper
Baby wipes and hand sanitizer / First Aid Kit
Weather Protection: Sunscreen and Aloe Gel / Ball caps or hats / Sunglasses / Rain Jackets
Plenty of layers (temps may drop in the night), extra under garments, sandals for the shower house
Bluetooth Speaker for campfire jamming / phone car charger
Tree Hammocks for afternoon naps
Find more tips for tent camping from us here.