Vinnie's Car Camping Gear List
For would-be campers to get started, and for more experienced ones to refine their lists, here is a gear list along with a few tips. I’d welcome any of your questions and suggestions, and will revise accordingly.
While on most trips, you try to be a minimalist - when car camping, you can often bring a few more luxury items that you would pass over for a backpack trip. But the secret is still to take small, lightweight versions of what you do really need, and no more than you absolutely need for the trip. Another secret is to pack it all snugly, in duffle bags, keep boxes, etc, to make it easier to carry to the tent, and keep things stored in. Waterproof keep-boxes are inexpensive ways to store your gear at home, and have them ready to bring on a camping trip, carry them to the site, and keep them stored at the site when not in use. Cardboard boxes, shopping bags, etc, inevitably get rained on or just weakened from the morning dew.
I’ve indicated what for me at least are absolute essentials in ALL CAPS - so if you’re packing late and in a hurry, you could probably ignore the lower-case stuff. Beginners especially should trust providence, or at least your fellow man -- someone will have what you forgot, or you won’t need it anyway. Good luck, and may you enjoy a wonderful outdoor sport, which gives you access to natural treasures and the fresh outdoors.
1 TENT
This can be anything from a small backpacker’s tent to a large multi-room tent. Easily rentable, for those without one. Another option for those without a tent is to see if any other attendees have extra space in their tents.
2 TARP, or PLASTIC GROUND CLOTH...
...for under the tent. It there’s rain predicted, some folks string an extra tarp above their tent.
3 SLEEPING BAG
Depending on the type of camping you do, and the times of year you camp, there are a variety of options from which to choose.
4 AIR MATTRESS/SLEEP PAD
You will want something between you and the ground. The options vary from backpacker’s pads to inflatable queen-sized sleeping mattresses for two. Should you choose the latter, you can bring sheets along, and use an unzipped standard square sleeping bag as a comforter. Note: Regular pool floats don’t make good pads for sleeping, as you slide off them, and they puncture too easily.
5 PILLOW
There are small camping pillows available, or bring a full size one. Another option is to bring a pillowcase, and stuff clean, dry sweaters, sweatshirts or towels in it at night to substitute as a pillow.
6 OTHER CONTAINERS
Daypack or fanny pack, several LEAF OR TRASH BAGS (a million uses -- as a waterproof pack cover, for instance), some nylon STUFF BAGS, ZIP-LOK BAGS, PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES (Collapsible Platypus bottles are great.), a few plastic grocery bags (for litter, etc.) etc.
7 CLOTHING
Depending on weather, length of trip, availability of water to wash up in, and need to make fashion statements -- synthetics are generally better than cotton, which is heavier and never dries after it gets wet. Think layers: long pants, shorts (or those great pants with zip-off legs), t-shirts, long-sleeved flannel shirt, sweatshirt, underwear, socks, thermal long johns, warm jacket, knit cap, gloves, RAIN PONCHO, rain pants and jacket, bandana, sun hat, bathing suit, Hiking boots, Tevas. (Mesh lined river shorts are a good substitute as both shorts and bathing suit.)
8 FIRST-AID KIT
A first-aid kit should include the usual Band-Aids, antiseptic, analgesics, insect repellant, etc., plus moleskin, hydrocortisone lotion, sun screen, EMERGENCY BLANKET (a lifesaver if you get chilled in a storm or cold during the night), folding scissors, any MEDICATIONS you might need, etc.
9 POCKET KNIFE
Get one with a CAN OPENER and a few other good tools on it. (Swiss Army Knives are great!)
10 WATER
If there is no portable water at the campsite, bring WATER, or a water filter or purification tablets (or plan to pack it all in or boil it for 5-10 minutes).
11 Depending on the trip...
...camera, sun glasses; beach towel or sheet; snorkeling, climbing, or caving gear; binoculars; star chart; field guides; etc.
12
NYLON CORD in handy lengths (And do learn to tie two half hitches with a slip knot.); stretch Cords are also handy.
13
Small FLASHLIGHT, extra batteries, tiny extra flashlight, candle lantern and candles.
14 TOILETRIES
SMALL PACK OF TISSUES (Bring a big roll of toilet paper, unless you like leaves.), backpack TOWEL (great thing -- makes terry cloth towels obsolete!), biodegradable SOAP, TOOTHBRUSH, PASTE, FLOSS, MOUTHWASH, comb, DEODORANT, razor, sun shower, massage oil, etc.
15
Matches or a LIGHTER, (the Gun types that are 6-8 inches long are great for stoves or fires). If you bring matches, keep them in a zip lock bag.
16
Deck of cards, small paperback book, magazines, harmonica, kite, frisbee and other toys.
17 DRINKS
Powdered drink mixes ( Gatorade, lemonade. Tang, hot chocolate, spiced cider, milk, etc.), tea bags, coffee bags, creamer, sugar (Get them from McDonald’s – don’t pack large amounts in bulky containers.), juice pouches, alcohol (in plastic, not glass), etc.
18 FOOD
Ideally, anything tasty, nutritious, non-perishable, lightweight, and compact -- and preferably not freeze-dried backpack fare, unless you don’t mind the expense or the taste. Perishables can be frozen and stay in a cooler until used, and can be eaten early in the trip. Food keeps better in cold weather, of course -- and you can submerge stuff in a cold creek, if you double-bag it well. Anything canned is fine. Plan a menu for every meal to make sure you have the right amount. Not too much or too little. Planning and cooking meals with a second camper is easier, and less work.
19 CONDIMENTS
Little packets of salt, pepper, mayonnaise, mustard, jelly, ketchup, soy sauce, duck sauce, parmesan, etc. (McDonalds or an Asian restaurant!), spices, olive oil, butter or margarine, etc.
20 COOLER
Cooler, if any food, drink or condiments need to stay cool.
21 BACKPACK STOVE
Lightweight, one-burner type – many brands; FUEL; lightweight grill.
22 COOKWARE
Small, lightweight POT, Teflon frying pan, tea kettle, spatula and pot handle.
23
CUP, SPOON, PLATE, bowl and utensils.
24
Table cloth or place mats, in case the tables at your camp are nasty!
25
Small broom, to sweep out your tent, and to sweep off the picnic table, as needed.
26 PAPER TOWELS...
...napkins, plastic wrap, aluminum foil (but not whole rolls).
27
Sponge or washcloth for dishes, along with detergent (you can use biodegradable soap listed above.
28
Day Pack or Fanny Pack for day hikes; plus water bottle or hydration kit for hiking.
29 BUG REPELLANT
Something with high concentrate Deet if bug season, Skintastic if not. Also, using Skin-so-soft oil after a shower also provides some protection from bugs.
30 Camp chair
There are nice fold-into-storage-bag chairs available today at low prices at Target & Wal-Mart.
31 Sun shower
If you want a warm shower, and aren’t camping where there is a shower facility, this item is essential.
32
WHATEVER you’ll need that I forgot or do not consider essential for me.