Are you excited to go camping this summer, but don’t know where to start looking for gear? Well, you’re in the right place!
This exhaustive guide includes lists and descriptions of our favorite camping equipment in each of these categories:
- Tents
- Sleeping gear
- Meals
- Must-have accessories
This post is all about what to take camping this summer!
What to Take Camping: Finding the right tent for you!
2-Person Lightweight Tent
PROS:
- This is the exact REI Half Dome Tent that Larry and I have been using for 7 years. We have never had an issue with it, never had to return or exchange, and we would buy it again in a heartbeat.
- Smaller, lightweight tents take up the smallest footprint usually. That leaves more room for cooking space, games, camping chairs, and fun in general!
- Light means that it’s easy to take through-hiking or on any other backpacking adventure
- If you’re flying to a camping trip, let’s say you’re going to Utah to explore the Mighty 5, this is easy to fly with.
CONS:
- You can’t comfortably sit in there too long, and you can’t stand up at all. So it’s really just for sleeping.
Foldable Tent
PROS:
- If you’re dreading the put-up and take-down process, this Affordable Foldable Tent is a super beginner-friendly option. It truly just pops up in seconds!
- We went car camping last month with a big group last month, and a friend of ours brought one of these. I’ll be honest, I was jealous of the set up and take down process! While we were taking our time matching up tent poles, they were already relaxing!
CONS:
- The main downside to this tent is that it doesn’t fold down very small. Not an issue when car camping, but I would not take this backpacking.
- Folding it down takes a little practice, but is super easy once you get the hang of it. The whole process is very similar to those collapsable sunglasses for a car.
Family tent:
PROS:
- This is the exact Family Tent that we used recently with 2 other couples. We were 6 adults total in this model, and we could certainly have fit 2 more. We lovingly call this the “Tent-mahal”
- You can fit a lot of people, or a whole family, into one tent footprint. The more the merrier!
- Many of these tents come with multiple entryways, so every person or couple has their own entrance and egress. That way, you don’t need to step over each other in the middle of the night!
- Most of these types of tents come with privacy curtains that you can easily put up and take down within the tent. Honestly, this made me feel like my little partitioned part of the tent was my own accommodation! I could even change my clothes in complete privacy while others were in the tent.
CONS:
- This may be obvious, but privacy curtains can’t block out noise. You’ll likely hear each other talk at night, get in and out of the tent to use the bathroom, and snore.
- Don’t be too discouraged by this particular downside, however! I just popped in a couple soft ear plugs and slept like a baby.
What to Take Camping: Get the best night’s sleep possible!
I’ll brag for a minute … I’ve got a killer sleeping gear combination that lets me VERY comfortably. This perfect system is not about one miracle product … it’s about layers!
- Base layer: Therm-a-Rest Camping Pad & Inflatable Mattress
- Both of these layers are super lightweight, and therefore appropriate for car camping or backpacking
- Don’t let the “inflatable” element scare you, it only takes a few quick puffs.
- This pillow is so comfy and has a big elastic band that I use to keep these layers stacked and not slipping off each other.
- Trust me, pillows will make or break your experience. I like two pillows, one for my head and one for my knees.
- This is my favorite pillow for my head. I love that it’s inflatable (again, you don’t need a pump or anything), so it packs down super tiny. AND I love that I can make it as firm or soft as I want by inflating/deflating it.
- This is my favorite knee pillow. So soft and compresses down very small.
- When it comes to sleeping bags, I’m very simple. I have this Sleeping Bag I use for almost everything
What to Take Camping: Enjoy meal time with these tried and true items!
We typically just keep a plastic bin stocked with all the below items. This plastic bin lives in our garage, and as soon as we decide to go car camping, we just throw it in the trunk.
Eating Utensils
- This is the exact Mess Set we’ve used, but to be honest, it’s pretty bulky. In the future, I think we will go for something lighter.
Best Stove
- This is definitely the best stove out there. Everyone I know uses this model, and we personally love it! Remember to bring extra propane, a lighter, aluminum foil, and a little skillet and spatula if you’ll be doing that kind of cooking.
Campfire Supplies
- You want to look into what’s available or required at your campsite. For example, some national parks want you to use only firewood sold within a certain distance from the park.
- A lighter and lighter fluid
- S’more stick
Clean Up
- Collapsable sinks
- Dish rags – no special link here … truly just a plain ole’ dish rag.
- Campsuds
Mugs
- We use This Exact Mug for water, coffee, adult beverages, everything. We like that it keeps our coffee warm and is super easy to wash out.
What to Take Camping: Must-have accessories every camper needs!
Soft Ear Plugs
- If you tend to wake up after others, fall asleep before others, or if you’ll be at a somewhat crowded campground, you won’t want to be bothered by others’ noises.
Camp Chair
- On most camping trips, you’ll be spending a long time in your camp chair. If you’re car camping, spring for this very sturdy version. When you’re backpacking, choose something more lightweight like this one.
Headlamp
- A good head lamp doesn’t need to be expensive. We can personally vouch for this Particular Headlamp. Has multiple settings, gets super bright, and my favorite part? It’s motion activated! So even if your hands are dirty or full, you can just wave an arm in front of your headlamp or move your head up and down quickly to turn it on and off! So useful.
Wet Wipes
- AKA a camp bath. Pretty self explanatory, regular wet wipes are a way cheaper and easier method of cleaning up compared to a sun shower. Though if you are interested in a solar shower, this is a good one.
Extra cordage
- You never know when you might need to hang trash, hang food, create a clothes line, secure a bin or box, etc. Bring some extra cordage.
Tarp
- It can be very helpful to have an extra tarp to create an awning if it’s raining.
We hope this post all about what to take camping was helpful!
Is there anything we missed? Leave it in the comments below! Make sure to check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List for more fun outdoor activity ideas!
