Essential Camping Checklist

There can be a lot to think about ahead of a camping trip. If you’re packing for a camping holiday for the first time, reduce the hassle and stay self-sufficient by following our tried-and-tested camping equipment checklist. Your actual packing list may vary slightly from the items mentioned below, depending on your preferred style of camping (ultralight backpacking is very different to a full family trip), but it’s a great starting point.

The ultimate packing checklist for camping

Tick off these items as you gather them together to make sure you don’t leave any camping essentials behind. There’s a Google Sheet version of this checklist too, if you’d prefer to tick things off as you go (or even edit & add your own items). The more camping trips you go on, the more you'll be able to refine this list until it's perfect for you.

 1. Tent camping equipment 

• Tent (including the groundsheet, inner body, pegs and poles)

• Tent footprint or tarp 

• Mallet/hammer

• Sleeping bag(s)

• Pillow(s) 

• Extra blankets 

• Sleeping mat or air mattress and pump

• Spare guylines

• Tent pegs and spares (learn about the different types)

• Tent repair kit

• Windbreak 

• Electric hook-up cables (if applicable)

• Outdoor chairs

• Camping table

2. Lighting

• Lighter / matches

• Gas lantern and gas

• Spare lantern fuel

• Electric lantern

• Torch(es) and spare batteries

• Head torch

• Solar or battery-powered outdoor lights

• Citronella candles for keeping insects at bay

Figure out which camping lights to buy with this guide.

3. First-aid kit

• Insect repellent

• Painkillers

• Plasters

• Bandages and safety pins

• Suncream

• After-sun cream

• Lip balm

• Tweezers

• Antiseptic

• Water purification tablets

4. Kitchen equipment

• Tin opener and bottle opener

• Corkscrew

• Sharp knife

• Chopping board

• Stove 

• Fuel (gas canisters, campfire wood and/or barbecue charcoal)

• Lighter and matches

• Kindling (for lighting a campfire)

• Kettle 

• Frying pan

• Saucepan(s) with lid

• Thermos flask(s)

• Plates, bowls and mugs

• Knives, forks and spoons

• Plastic beer and wine glasses

5. Food supplies

• Cooking oil

• Salt and pepper

• Herbs and spices

• Condiments (sauces, salad dressings, vinegar)

• Bread

• Butter

• Instant camping meals

• Tea and coffee

• Water

• Snacks

Planning to have an outdoor cookout? Here are some hints for cooking on a campfire.

6. Storage and cleaning

• Dishwashing sponges

• Washing-up liquid

• Tea towels

• Tin foil

• Sandwich bags / plastic tupperware containers

• Ice chest

• Ice packs

• Dust pan and brush

• Bin bags

7. Clothing

• Swimming shorts or costume

• Wellies and/or waterproof hiking boots

• Sandals/flip-flops (the latter are useful for wearing in the campsite shower)

• Rain gear (waterproof jacket, trousers and an umbrella)

• Extra underwear and moisture-wicking socks

• Quick-drying T-shirts and long-sleeved tops

• Warm layers for nights

• A fleece or a cosy jumper 

• Gloves and scarves (if the weather is cold)

• Hat (for protection from the sun or cold)

• Sunglasses 

• Dirty laundry bag

Get more information on the clothes you need for camping in this guide.

8. Hygiene

• Toilet roll

• Pocket tissues

• Baby wipes

• Hand sanitiser gel

• Shower gel & shampoo 

• Flannel

• Toothpaste and toothbrush

• Hairbrush

• Deodorant

• Razor

• Shaving foam

• Contact lens solution

• Make-up bag

• Towels – at least two

• Hanging toiletries bag (useful for hanging in the campsite shower)

9. Personal items

• Bank/credit card

• ID (passport if travelling abroad)

• Smartphone (with what3words downloaded in case of an emergency)

• Insulated phone case (it extends the battery life of your phone and it floats)

• Spare car keys

• House keys 

• Medication

• Booking confirmation (either on phone or printed out)

10. Entertainment

• Phone charger/spare battery pack

• Camera charger

• Deck of cards

• Puzzles

• Board games

• Books or magazines

• Local area guidebook

• Frisbee, beach ball or inflatable ball

11. Miscellaneous

• First Aid kit

• Safety pins

• Swiss army knife

• Camera

• Clothesline and pegs

• Compass and map

• Doormat or rug for tent floor

• Hot water bottle(s)

• Gaffer / duct tape

• Spare carrier bags

• Empty water bottles

Packing tips for first-time campers

If you haven’t been camping before, here are a few handy tips on how to pack effectively, saving time and space on site.

Pack for the weather

Check the forecast ahead of time and pack appropriately, with lots of waterproof layers if it is going to rain, or lightweight T-shirts with a light jacket for evenings in warmer temperatures. If you’re camping in colder weather, check out our guide to winter camping.

Don’t overpack

Unless you’ve got lots of space in the car, leave the non-essentials behind. You almost certainly won’t need six different jumpers. Leave breakables and valuables behind too. 

Roll your clothes

Rolling – instead of folding – your clothing helps to pack it up tightly, giving you more room in your luggage. The same goes for your sleeping bag and tent. 

Invest in space-saving equipment 

Look out for collapsible items, like washing-up bowls and kettles. It’s also worth buying nested cookware and crockery, as well as ultra-portable folding equipment like tables and chairs.

Pack your car in an orderly manner

Put your tent and other essentials that you need for pitching up in the car last. This means they’ll be easy to grab when you arrive at your campsite.

Store everything together

You can keep most of the essentials (the first aid kit, the cooking implements and so on) in a big plastic box and store it in your home ready for your next trip.

Follow all these rules and you’ll never need to worry about leaving camping essentials behind again. Now you know what – and how – to pack, and what to leave behind, all you need to do is find the ideal campsite for you and your family.

Book your perfect campsite