I have been camping my whole life. My parents took me and my sister when we were younger and we actually still go camping with them about once a year as adults with our own kids. Mom and Dad still head out often by themselves. The kicker for most people? We tent camp! Yes, even my parents at age 67 still tent camp. It makes the experience feel a little more authentic and when you only go for a few nights at a time, it’s definitely manageable. A few years ago my dad sent me this list of camping supplies he uses when packing, so I thought I would share here. Here is the ultimate tent camping packing list!
Packing Food for Camping
My parents have all of the cooking supplies for camping, including camping stove, coffee maker, etc. Of course, you have to utilize the campfire for cooking as well. One of my kid’s favorite parts about tent camping is having grandma make delicious food with them at the campsite. This list will obviously need altered based on what you’re planning to make, but here’s a general list of foods to think about. Cold items get stored in large coolers with ice.
- bacon
- sausage
- eggs
- bread for french toast
- cereal/milk
- coffee
- orange juice
- butter
- syrup
- sugar
- pancake mix
- chocolate chips
- yogurt
- baked goods/donuts
- buns/hot dogs/brats
- marshmallows/chocolate bars/graham crackers
- potatoes
- ketchup/mustard
- peanut butter/jelly
- chips/crackers
- tortillas
- cheese
- beef/chicken
- nuts/trail mix
- cooking oil/spray
- garlic/avocados/onions/tomatoes
- fruit
- beer/wine/soda
- bottled water/gallons of water
- pie filling
- salsa
- ice
- salt/pepper/seasonings
Camping Supplies to Prepare Food While Camping
My parents load their car up with color coded tubs so they know where everything is. The food/food prep stuff stays near each other. Here is a list of supplies needed to prepare food at a campsite. This is no joke the amount of effort. But, it’s always worth it for the memories!
- drink cups/travel coffee cups
- cutting board
- coozies
- tablecloth/hold downs
- plates/bowls (reusable that can be washed)
- paper plates
- silverware
- foil
- dish soap
- cooking spoon/spatula/tongs
- can opener/bottle opener/wine bottle opener
- ziplock bags
- dish rags/small towels/scrubber/dish pan + rinse pan (for dishes)
- hand sanitizer
- clothes pins/chip clips
- paper towels
- vases and water lights (my mom always picks little flowers and puts them on the picnic table with little lights)
- coolers (one for drinks + one for food)
- cook stove + small folding table to set supplies on while cooking
- propane canisters for stove
- grate for cooking over the fire
- containers for leftover food
- oven mitts
- pots/pans/skillets
- tea kettle/coffee pot
- trash bags/plastic grocery bags
- camping toaster
- skewers for kabobs
- roasting sticks for hot dogs/marshmallows
- lighter
- pie irons (I wrote a blog post on how to use these)
- Thermos
Tent Camping Packing List for Sleeping
As mentioned before, my parents (and I) have always tent camped. My parents use a smaller dome tent because it’s usually just the two of them. I purchased a large tent for our family several years ago and it’s still going strong. It’s a two room tent that sleeps 4 comfortably with air mattresses. Yes, we sleep with air mattresses! The only way in our old age – ha!
- Tent/stakes/tarp to place under the tent
- hammer for tent stakes
- mat or rug for tent entrance (my mom list to keep it cozy and cute!)
- air mattresses
- air pumps (we use the kind that can be plugged into a car adapter)
- pillows
- bedding/sleeping bags/sheets/blankets
- portable fan
- flashlight/lantern
- dust pan/broom for cleaning inside of tent
Clothes + Toiletries to Pack for Camping
When you tent camp, you have to use the facilities at the camp ground you stay at. It’s a good idea to stay somewhere with nicer facilities if possible! Here are the things to think about packing for when you have to haul it all to the facilities center to shower, etc. Obviously this list depends on the time of year you go camping. My parents have been both so hot they can’t sleep and so cold they can’t sleep!
- toiletries inside portable bag
- flip flops for showering
- water shoes if near a lake
- old tennis shoes/boots
- bath towels
- pajamas
- sweatshirts/sweatpants for cold nights
- warm socks
- ponchos
- hat/visor
- swimsuit/cover up
- shorts/tee shirts
- undergarments
- dirty clothes bag
- bag for wet clothes
Miscellaneous Items To Pack
This list is items is all the extra things to think about when packing up. Tent camping takes a lot of time and effort and planning. You have to have a car that can store/hold all of these things!
- umbrellas
- sunscreen
- fishing poles/bait/tackle
- backpacks for hiking
- water bottles for hiking
- lawn chairs/beach chairs
- paper/fire starter
- reading materials
- phone chargers/portable chargers
- medicine
- cash
- bikes/helmets/tire pump/gear oil
- firewood (can usually buy this in the campground or right near it)
- notes for upcoming trips/day excursions
- travel tool kit
- portable toilet
- flashlight/batteries
- first aide kit
- disinfectant wipes/bathroom wipes
- bug spray
- insect fogger
- toilet paper
- rope
- duct tape
- things to entertain kids (painted rocks, volleyball, football, skateboard, jump rope, books, etc)
I hope you found the ultimate tent camping packing list helpful for your future camping adventures! And don’t forget you have to be prepared for all types of weather. My parents have been caught up in storms/cold/extreme heat. The destination will matter as to what you pack as well. Are you near a town to grab things? Near water? Hiking/biking/boating? Everyone’s list will vary, but here’s a good jumping off point. We are world travelers and my kids still think camping is one of the most fun things to do! Happy camping! XO