Do you ever struggle with knowing what to pack for a camping trip? Are those memories of what mom and dad brought along on those family camping outings is a blur? Don’t worry you’re in the right place.
This extensive car camping checklist will help you the next time you go to stock up for a trip in the outdoors.
HOW TO USE THIS CAMPING PACKING LIST
Before we jump into packing for car camping, I want to give you a quick run down on how to get the most out of this list. Next to each item you will see a few categories, let me explain what they mean.
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: We know that it is easy to get carried away when it comes to packing for car camping. This section will help you decide what you need to bring and what you can do without. Keep in mind, this will vary from the type of trip you are planning.
PRICE RANGE: It’s good to get an idea of how much each item will cost so you can make a budget.
CONSIDER: Some quick tips on what to look for when buying that item.
OUR TOP PICK: Our editor’s choice based on product quality. If you want an outstanding product and don’t mind paying a bit more, this recommendation is for you.
BEST VALUE: If you want a long lasting product that won’t kill your budget, take a look at this option.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE ULTIMATE CAR CAMPING CHECKLIST
1. OUTDOOR HOME
TENT
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $800
CONSIDER: How Many People & Weather Conditions
OUR FAMILY PICK: Eureka Copper Canyon 6 Tent
OUR COUPLES PICK: Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent
ACCESSORIES: Tarp, Tent Pole Repair, Mallet, Dust Pan & Brush
FOLDING CHAIR
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, If There Are No Benches At Camp
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $150
CONSIDER: Quality Build & Comfort
TOP PICK: Helinox Chair One
BEST VALUE: GSI Outdoor Wilderness Chair
ACCESSORIES: Ground Sheet, Ball Feet, Helinox Cup Holder
FOLDING TABLE
ESSENTIAL ITEM: Yes, If There Are No Tables At Camp
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $200
CONSIDER: Quick & Easy Set Up, Sufficient Size For Group
OUR TOP PICK: Helinox Table One
BEST VALUE: Camp Time Roll-A-Table
HAMMOCK
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $800
CONSIDER: Quick & Easy Set Up, Material Quality
TOP PICK: ENO DoubleNest Hammock
BEST VALUE: ErgaLogik Camping Hammock
ACCESSORIES: Hammock Tree Straps
COOLER (AKA CHILLY BIN)
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $500
CONSIDER: Thermal Resistance, Quality Lid Latchers
OUR TOP PICK: Yeti Tundra Cooler
BEST VALUE: Coleman Steel Cooler
SHADE CANOPY
PURPOSE: Provide Shade At Camp
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
CONSIDER: Quick & Easy Set Up, Sturdy Construction
OUR TOP PICK: Coleman Instant Canopy
BEST VALUE: REI Alcove Shelter
ACCESSORIES: Sun Wall, Weight Bag
2. CAMP KITCHEN
CAMP STOVE
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $300
CONSIDER: Fully Adjustable Heat Controls, Windscreen
OUR TOP PICK: Camp Chef Explorer 2-Burner Stove
BEST VALUE: Coleman Triton Series 2-Burner Stove
ACCESSORIES: Carrying Bag, Tank Hose Adapter, Griddle, Grill
COOK STATION
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $70 – $150
CONSIDER: Easy To Store, Multi-Use Tables
OUR TOP PICK: GCI Outdoor Cook Station
BEST VALUE: REI Camp Kitchen
COOKWARE
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $200
CONSIDER: Group Size, Non Stick Pots & Pans
OUR TOP PICK: GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camp Cookware Set
BEST VALUE: Coleman 6 Piece Set
DINNERWARE
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
CONSIDER: Group Size & Durable Materials
OUR TOP PICK: GSI Outdoors Pioneer Dinnerware Set
BEST VALUE: Coleman 24 Piece Set
CAMP KITCHEN ACCESSORIES
3. SLEEPING
SLEEPING BAG
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $75 – $400
CONSIDER: Warmth Retention & Material Quality
OUR MEN’S PICK: Kelty Cosmic Down 20
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Kelty Tuck Ex 20 Women’s Bag
OUR KID’S PICK: Kelty Little Tree
ACCESSORIES: Liner
CAMPING MATTRESS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $40 – $300
CONSIDER: Quick Inflation & Deflation
OUR TOP PICK: Coleman SupportRest Double High Airbed
BEST VALUE: REI Camp Bed
ACCESSORIES: Pump
COT
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $300
CONSIDER: Heavy Duty Construction & Easy To Assemble
OUR TOP PICK: Therma-Rest LuxuryLite Cot
BEST BUY: REI Folding Cot
PILLOW
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $60
CONSIDER: Comfortable
OUR TOP PICK: Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
BEST VALUE: Teton Sports Camp Pillow
4. ILLUMINATION
HEAD LAMP
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, Or Flash Light
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $120
CONSIDER: Water Resistance, Brightness
OUR TOP PICK: Black Diamond Spot
BEST VALUE: Black Diamond Gizmo
LANTERNS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $100
CONSIDER: Adjustable Brightness Levels, Long Burn Time
OUR TOP PICK: Goal Zero Lighthouse
BEST VALUE: Luci Lantern
TENT LIGHTS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $50
CONSIDER: Easy To Set Up & Long Burn Time
OUR TOP PICK: Big Agnes MtnGLO Light Accessory Kit
BEST VALUE: Coleman LED String Lights
5. ADVENTURE GEAR & FUN
6. DAY HIKING GEAR
DAYPACK
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends On Your Plans
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $240
CONSIDER: Lots Of Pockets & Lightweight
OUR TOP PICK: Osprey Daylite Pack
BEST VALUE: Outlander Day Pack
CHILD CARRIER
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends On Your Situation & Plans
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
CONSIDER: Ventilation, Padded Frame (Around Child)
OUR TOP PICK: Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier
BEST VALUE: Kelty Tour 1.0 Child Carrier
ACCESSORIES: Rain Cover, Sun Shade, Carrying Case
WATER BLADDER OR BOTTLES
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $1 – $60
CONSIDER: Holds Sufficient Amount Of Water & Easy To Drink From
OUR TOP PICK: CamelBak Antidote Reservoir
OUR TOP PICK: Aquatic Way Hydration Bladder
ACCESSORIES: Bite Valve, Lock, Cleaning Kit
WICKING T-SHIRT
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $80
CONSIDER: Comfort, Fit, Quick-dry Fabric (Wool or Synthetic)
OUR MEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis T-Shirt
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Tech-Lite Shirt
QUICK DRY PANTS OR SHORTS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
CONSIDER: Lightweight, Comfortable, Quick Dry-Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: Prana Stretch Zion Shorts
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Prana Tess Shorts
WICKING UNDERWEAR
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $50
CONSIDER: Comfort & Quick-Dry Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: Icebreaker BodyFit 200 Oasis Boxers
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Sprite Hot Pant
WATERPROOF RAIN JACKET
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, If You Expect Rain
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
CONSIDER: Seam Seals, Waterproof-Breathable Liner
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Foray Jacket
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Foray Jacket
WATERPROOF RAIN PANTS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, If You Expect Rain
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
CONSIDER: Seam Seals, Waterproof-Breathable Liner
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Helium Pants
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Aspire Pants
WICKING BASE LAYER
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, For Cool Weather Camping
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $120
CONSIDER: Warmth, Breathability & Quick-Dry Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Phase AR Baselayer
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Phase SV Baselayer
WICKING LEGGINGS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, For Cool Weather Camping
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
CONSIDER: Comfort, Breathability, Quick-Dry Material
OUR MEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
FLEECE
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $40 – $200
CONSIDER: Comfort, Warmth, Fit
OUR MEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Fortrez Hoody
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Fortrez Hoody
BEANIE OR BALACLAVA
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, For Cool Weather Camping
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
CONSIDER: Comfort, Warmth & Fit
OUR PICK: Icebreaker Pocket Beanie
HIKING BOOTS OR SHOES
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
CONSIDER: Comfort, Support & Grippy Sole
OUR MEN’S PICK: Salomon X Ultra Mid Boots
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Salomon X Ultra Boots
LEARN MORE: How To Choose Hiking Boots
SOCKS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
CONSIDER: Cushioning, Appropriate Cut For Your Shoes
OUR MEN’S PICK: Darn Tough Vermont Socks
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Darn Tough Vermont Socks
GPS DEVICE
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $200 – $800
CONSIDER: Easy To Use & Long Battery Life
OUR TOP PICK: Garmin eTrex 30x
BEST MODELS: Top GPS Devices of the Year
7. PERSONAL ITEMS & ACCESSORIES
8. FOOD
MORNING
MIDDAY/EVENINGS
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- Chocolate
- Beers & Soft Drinks
- Marshmallows
- Spice Kit
- Drink Mixes
- Crackers
- Cheese
- Cookies
- __________________
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9. DOG GEAR
10. CAMERA GEAR
READ MORE
For more of our top hiking & backpacking gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
This is a great checklist! Nothing’s worse than arriving at your camp sight and realizing you forgot something important. This is a big help! Thanks for posting!
Hey Amanda…Thanks for the great list. For me, tt’s not always easy for car camping. Your list helps me a lot. Thanks again and have a nice day.