A couple weeks ago, my girlfriend and I went camping at the Moraine Park campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was an awesome trip! For those of you who are new to camping or have limited experience, you might ask what we brought with us. Well, if you search online you will find several websites that offer lists of items you should bring for a weekend camping trip. The ten essentials are a must for any outdoor journey. After you have those, however, you will probably also ask:
What else should I bring?
Obviously, you can bring many more items for car camping than for a backpacking trip. I will admit, I am guilty of over packing (especially while car camping). However, I believe in being prepared, being comfortable, and eating the best possible meals within my budget. I have provided the list I used for our most recent car camping experience. I still felt like I over packed but I actually did cut down on the items I brought for this trip, and at no time did I feel that I left something out.
The first thing I like to do is make a list separated into a few categories: Bring (things I already have but I must bring), Pack (things to pack into my overnight bag), Food (food items to bring based on whatever Camp Menu you’ve created for your trip), and Need to Buy (self-explanatory).
Certain items should always be already packed well ahead to speed up this process. For example, notice that the camping kit and bug out bag have already been packed and remain packed at all times. I also have a 72 hour emergency kit in my vehicle but I have not included this on my list.
Below is the list for our recent trip to Moraine Park
(Saturday August 23, 2014 - Monday August 25, 2014).
Bring:
Cast-iron pan
Allergy medication
Camping chairs
Camping kit in a large action packer box- contains utensils, pots, pans, cups, plastic wine glasses, shot glasses, water bottle, camp towels, baby wipes, cleaning supplies (camp soap, dish soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer, dish towel), survival food, water filter, can opener, wine opener, and glow sticks. I occasionally add items as I see fit after each camping trip.
Stove- I have used a propane stove in the past but I now use a butane stove and it works well.
Tent- I have used various types of tents and owned 4. I recommend a 3 or 4 season tent with aluminum poles. Avoid fiberglass poles!
Pop up canopy- EZ Up or Z shade.
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Bug out bag- I am still adding to this but at this time it contains a camp shovel, Leatherman, food (multi vitamin mineral complex, ramen noodles, nuts, energy bars, instant mashed potatoes, instant oatmeal, dehydrated camp food), fishing kit, mosquito netting, waterproof poncho, paracord, Bivvy Emergency Bag, swimming goggles, 3 in 1 survival kit, wind-proof lighter, water filter, first aid kit, compact toothbrush, anti-bacterial hand gel, baby wipes, flashlight, sewing kit, rescue tape, emergency blanket, mini tea candles, fire starter, waterproof matches, and lighter.
Extra day pack backpack
Wool blankets
Cooler with ice
Lanterns- I have several but usually just use a small one and a large one together. I use these:
Coleman Quad_Lantern and
Coleman 4-in-1 Mini-Lantern
Foil
Wine Opener
Pack:
Socks
Beanie hat
Convertible pants/shorts- better than jeans as they dry faster. · Boxers/underwear
Jacket/parka
T-shirts
Wool compression shirt
Under Armour shirt/pants
Flashlight- I usually bring two lanterns, two flashlights, a headlamp, and glow sticks.
Food:
Wine
Chiles
Swiss chard
Spice blend- pepper, garlic, crushed red peppers, shallots, basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning all mixed together in a small zip lock baggie or spice container.
Ice Tea/soda
Bratwurst
Spicy Mustard
Buy:
Small canola oil- will be added to camping kit.
Butane- 8 oz. for stove.
Water- 1 gallon per person per day for hygiene and drinking usage is the minimum amount recommended. How much water you bring can also depend on the amenities of your camp site, as some places provide potable water.
Firewood
Lighter- you should always have extras, as this is the easiest way to start a fire.
Tarp- this is usually part of my camping kit but I needed a new one.
Extra tent stakes (an army surplus store is the best place to find these)
Napkins or paper towels
Toilet paper
Camp Menu:
Lunch (Saturday and Sunday)
Deli Meat and Bread
Dinner (Saturday)
Salad
Carne Asada
Spicy Seafood (Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops)
Dessert (Saturday and Sunday)
Banana Boats (Chocolate Chips, Bananas, Marshmallows, Peaches, Berries)
or Banana Boats
Breakfast (Sunday)
Sausage
Fruit
What do you bring when you camp?
What else should I bring?
Obviously, you can bring many more items for car camping than for a backpacking trip. I will admit, I am guilty of over packing (especially while car camping). However, I believe in being prepared, being comfortable, and eating the best possible meals within my budget. I have provided the list I used for our most recent car camping experience. I still felt like I over packed but I actually did cut down on the items I brought for this trip, and at no time did I feel that I left something out.
The first thing I like to do is make a list separated into a few categories: Bring (things I already have but I must bring), Pack (things to pack into my overnight bag), Food (food items to bring based on whatever Camp Menu you’ve created for your trip), and Need to Buy (self-explanatory).
Certain items should always be already packed well ahead to speed up this process. For example, notice that the camping kit and bug out bag have already been packed and remain packed at all times. I also have a 72 hour emergency kit in my vehicle but I have not included this on my list.
Below is the list for our recent trip to Moraine Park
(Saturday August 23, 2014 - Monday August 25, 2014).
Bring:
Cast-iron pan
Allergy medication
Camping chairs
Camping kit in a large action packer box- contains utensils, pots, pans, cups, plastic wine glasses, shot glasses, water bottle, camp towels, baby wipes, cleaning supplies (camp soap, dish soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer, dish towel), survival food, water filter, can opener, wine opener, and glow sticks. I occasionally add items as I see fit after each camping trip.
Stove- I have used a propane stove in the past but I now use a butane stove and it works well.
Tent- I have used various types of tents and owned 4. I recommend a 3 or 4 season tent with aluminum poles. Avoid fiberglass poles!
Pop up canopy- EZ Up or Z shade.
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Bug out bag- I am still adding to this but at this time it contains a camp shovel, Leatherman, food (multi vitamin mineral complex, ramen noodles, nuts, energy bars, instant mashed potatoes, instant oatmeal, dehydrated camp food), fishing kit, mosquito netting, waterproof poncho, paracord, Bivvy Emergency Bag, swimming goggles, 3 in 1 survival kit, wind-proof lighter, water filter, first aid kit, compact toothbrush, anti-bacterial hand gel, baby wipes, flashlight, sewing kit, rescue tape, emergency blanket, mini tea candles, fire starter, waterproof matches, and lighter.
Extra day pack backpack
Wool blankets
Cooler with ice
Lanterns- I have several but usually just use a small one and a large one together. I use these:
Coleman Quad_Lantern and
Coleman 4-in-1 Mini-Lantern
Foil
Wine Opener
Pack:
Socks
Beanie hat
Convertible pants/shorts- better than jeans as they dry faster. · Boxers/underwear
Jacket/parka
T-shirts
Wool compression shirt
Under Armour shirt/pants
Flashlight- I usually bring two lanterns, two flashlights, a headlamp, and glow sticks.
Food:
Wine
Chiles
Swiss chard
Spice blend- pepper, garlic, crushed red peppers, shallots, basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning all mixed together in a small zip lock baggie or spice container.
Ice Tea/soda
Bratwurst
Spicy Mustard
Buy:
Small canola oil- will be added to camping kit.
Butane- 8 oz. for stove.
Water- 1 gallon per person per day for hygiene and drinking usage is the minimum amount recommended. How much water you bring can also depend on the amenities of your camp site, as some places provide potable water.
Firewood
Lighter- you should always have extras, as this is the easiest way to start a fire.
Tarp- this is usually part of my camping kit but I needed a new one.
Extra tent stakes (an army surplus store is the best place to find these)
Napkins or paper towels
Toilet paper
Camp Menu:
Lunch (Saturday and Sunday)
Deli Meat and Bread
Dinner (Saturday)
Salad
Carne Asada
Spicy Seafood (Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops)
Dessert (Saturday and Sunday)
Banana Boats (Chocolate Chips, Bananas, Marshmallows, Peaches, Berries)
or Banana Boats
Breakfast (Sunday)
Sausage
Fruit
What do you bring when you camp?
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