The ultimate printable camping checklist

I’m going to just say right now that this printable camping checklist is WAY MORE than you would ever need to bring in one trip. Even if you’re glamping and ignoring the “rules” of camping.

Our family has used this list for about 17 years, and I’ve been updating it as our needs have grown, but I don’t eliminate things as I add new ones, because I love to share my list and those things might be something someone else needs or wants.

While to me it feels exhaustive, it’s by no means complete, so if you see what you think are essentials that need added, please let me know! I will work on a more simple one at another time.

I’ve added a PDF download to use as you’re packing so you can check off things as you add them. A printable glamping checklist makes it handy to have as you dash around the house. I recommend a clip board!

The basics are on here, but so are suggestions about fun recreational activities. This list is intended for anyone, but it is family friendly and includes things for babies and kids that you might need. (When we first started camping, we had a toddler and a preschooler.)

Information

• Area information
• Maps in case of GPS failure
• Credit card/checks/cash
• ID
• Firewood plans
• Address/directions
• Cell phone/GPS
• Reservation confirmation
• Permits/Licenses/Fees

Outdoor living space

• Canopy/tarp/sun panel
• Rope/guy lines/poles/stakes for tarp
• Screen house
• Chairs
• Outdoor rug
• Large folding table
• Small folding tables
• Tablecloths & clips 
• Camp shower
• Citronella candles
• Clothes line 
• Clothespins
• Drying rack
• Hammock
• Flyswatter/electric bug zapper
• Lantern/fuel/mantles/wicks
• Electric Lantern/batteries
• Solar lights
• String lights
• Garden Lights
• Lantern poles/shepherd hooks
• Raid for stinging insects

For the tent

• Tarp/footprint for under tent (sized a little smaller than tent)
• Tent
• Tent pegs/stakes
• Mallet/hammer
• Stake puller/hammer claw
• Mat for outside tent entrance
• Air mattresses
• Sleeping pad
• Cots
• Air pump
• Sleeping bags
• Pillows/cases
• Sheets
• Blankets
• Rugs 
• Side tables
• Lanterns/tent lights/flashlight
• Extension cord
• Power strip
• Phone/electronics chargers
• Small broom or mini vacuum
• Alarm clock
• Laundry bag/basket/bin
• Ear plugs
• Sleep mask
• Hot water bottle
• Container for shoes by the entrance
• Fan (for breeze or white noise)
• Large sturdy bags for storing
• Diffuser/essential oils

Campfire

• Purchase or gather firewood near your campsite to avoid spreading insects or disease
• Waterproof container for kindling
• Crate for firewood
• Lighter
• Lighter fluid
• Waterproof/strike anywhere matches
• Firestarters
• Newspapers/scrap paper
• Fake logs (there are food safe ones)
• Heavy duty gloves
• Propane fire pit if there are fire restrictions
• Fire extinguisher
• Bucket to keep water nearby
• Roasting sticks/forks
• Jiffy-Pop or popper and popcorn
• Long handled toaster for bread
• Grill rack/fire grate
• Griddle
• Dutch oven/lid lifter
• Pie irons
• Campfire tripod
• Potholders/oven mitts (no wimpy ones!)
• Griddle

Tools and misc

• Hammer/mallet
• Rope/cord
• Twine/string
• Small shovel
• Rake
• Extension cords
• Solar panels/portable power
• Batteries
• Screwdrivers
• Small toolkit with screw/nails
• S-hooks (heavy duty)
• Pliers
• Bungee cords
• Flashlight
• Headlamp
• Hatchet
• Saw
• Leather gloves for protection
• Patch kit for pad/mattress
• Waterproof spray
• Super glue
• Duct tape
• Tent pole repair sleeve/splint
• Rubber bands
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Scotch tape
• Sewing kit
• Sharpies
• Quarters
• Plastic bags
• Umbrellas
• Ponchos
• Backpack/daypack
• Pocketknife/multi-tool
• Whistle
• Compass
• Extra bins or baskets
• Camp handbook (Scouting ones work)

Cleaning

• Whisk broom
• Broom
• Dust pan
• Rubber broom
• Bucket
• Dish pan/camp sink
• Dish cloths/sponge
• Dish soap (try for biodegradable)
• Rubber gloves
• Kitchen towels
• Old towels/rags
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Trash can
• Wet wipes
• Scouring pad

Cooking and dining

• Cooler/portable fridge
• Camp stove/griddle
• Fuel
• Lighter
• Portable grill
• Charcoal
• Lighter fluid
• Charcoal chimney/paper
• Skillet/lid
• Pots/lids
• Pans
• Pot holders/oven mitts
• Tea kettle
• Percolator/coffee pot/french press
• Thermos/carafe to keep beverages hot
• Wooden spoon
• Serving/mixing spoons
• Spatula
• Tongs (long & short)
• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups/glasses
• Mugs
• Spoons/forks/knives
• Mess kits
• Napkins
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic wrap
• Can/bottle opener
• Colander
• Corkscrew
• Paring knife
• Large knife
• Serrated knife
• Cutting board
• Blender
• egg keeper
• Grater/shredder
• Ice cream maker
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Batter bowl
• Large bowl
• Oil mister
• Basting brush
• Pitcher/jug
• Toothpicks
• Tray
• Vegetable peeler
• Water bottles/canteens
• Collapsible drinking cup
• Zippered bags (small and large)
• Food storage containers 
• Water purifier

Food favorites

• Coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Lemonade
• Soda
• Tea
• Water
• Milk
• Sugar
• Salt/pepper
• Cooking oil/spray
• Pancake mix
• Syrup
• Crackers
• Chips
• Cookies
• Graham crackers
• Chocolate
• Marshmallows 
• Granola bars
• Protein bars
• Butter 
• Bacon
• Eggs
• Instant oatmeal
• Yogurt
• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Hot dogs
• Hot dog rolls
• Catsup
• Mustard
• Drinking water

Clothes

• Bandana/head wrap
• Underwear
• Bras/sports bras
• Socks (don’t forget extra)
• Pajamas
• T-shirts
• Tank tops
• Camp shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweaters
• Hoodies/sweatshirts
• Jeans
• Long pants
• Sweatpants
• Shorts
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Flip-flops
• Slippers
• Slip-on shoes/Crocs
• Sneakers (old and new)
• Sandals
• Water shoes
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Sun hat
• Baseball cap
• Jacket
• Rain coat
• Rain boots
• Rain and/or quick dry pants
• Sunglasses
• Swimsuits
• Swimsuit coverup
• Moisture-wicking clothes/underwear
• Extra shoe/boot laces

Personal and hygiene

• Mirror
• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes/flip flops
• Body wash (grown-up & kids)
• Soap
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Washcloths 
• Towels (bath/hand)
• Lotion
• Razor
• Shaving cream/gel
• Aftershave
• Comb/brush
• Hair dryer
• Deodorant
• Dental floss
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Ponytail holders
• Bobby pins/barrettes
• Headband
• Face cleanser/moisturizer
• Feminine hygiene
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Nail polish/manicure kit
• Powder
• Tissues/handkerchiefs 
• Toilet paper
• Tweezers
• Vaseline
• Wash basin
• Wipes
• Contacts/glasses
• Contact case/saline

Health and first aid

• Aloe
• Benadryl/allergy meds
• Nasal spray
• First aid kit/bandaids
• Insect/snake kit
• Insect repellent
• Pain reliever
• Sunscreen
• Supplements
• Medications
• Hand sanitizer
• Essential oils
• Special needs gear

Pretty things for glamping

• Toss pillows
• Garland
• Banners
• Art
• Picnic basket
• Picnic blanket
• Camp flag
• Teapot/cozy
• Cozy throw blankets

Cold weather

• Hat
• Gloves
• Fleece shirt
• Fleece pants
• Long underwear
• Base layers
• Down/warm coat
• Warm vest
• Reflective bed liner
• Boots
• Wool socks
• Sleeping bag liner
• Tent heater + CO2/fire alarm
• Snow pants
• Skiis/snowboard
• Sled/tubes

Fun and games

• Bubbles
• Glow sticks
• Balls
• Baseballs/gloves/bat
• Frisbee/disc golf
• Kites
• Outdoor games (croquet, badminton, etc)
• Outdoor toys
• Beach bag
• Buckets/shovels
• Beach towels
• Beach toys/floaties
• Beach umbrella
• Bikes/helmets
• Scooter/hoverboard/skateboard
• Protective gear/pads
• Travel/board/card games
• Deck of cards
• Word puzzles/sudoku
• Electronic games
• Magazines
• Books/Kindle
• Coloring books/crayons
• Camera/charger/memory cards/film
• Cell phones/charger/headphones
• Laptop/charger
• Notebook/pens/pencils/markers
• Journal/Travel log
• Bible
• Radio
• Musical instrument/songbook
• Butterfly net
• Binoculars
• Field guides (birds, trees, flowers, bugs)
• Fishing poles
• Map and compass
• Star chart
• Walkie-talkies

Babies and children

• Pacifier
• Baby wipes
• Baby carrier
• Travel crib
• Day pack
• Potty chair
• Baby seat
• Pull-ups
• Child camp chair
• Battery night-light
• Diapers
• Bibs
• Diaper ointment
• Blankies/lovies
• Stuffed animal

Dogs

• Dog bed
• Bone/toys
• Bowls
• Certificates
• Crate/kennel
• Food
• Leash/collar/harness
• Rope/tether/lead
• Treats
• Waste bags

See? This is SO LONG!