Top 10 Supplies You Should Have for Camping
Whether it is luxury car camping or roughing it in the backcountry while backpacking, most people enjoy some form of camping. Camping gives you the opportunity to go out into nature and connect with the wild side of life. It allows you to re-prioritize your commitments in a way that is often not possible while immersed in the hustle and bustle of your regular life.This list covers the items you should or might want to have when venturing into the wild. You may be car camping at a KOA campground with access to showers and a pool, or you could be far beyond the reaches of phone service. Either way, these items can make your experience much more enjoyable.
Sometimes it's nice to sleep out under the stars, but depending on your climate, weather, and season, it might not be feasible. That's where your tent comes in. A good one will protect you from the elements, such as sun and rain, as well as keep the bugs at bay.
There's no point in going camping without a tent.
Sure, you could go with the lantern your grandpa used, but that can be inconvenient when you need to relieve yourself in the middle of the night. A good headlamp will have a combination of LED bulbs for standard use and a higher-powered halogen (or equivalent) for seeing glowing animal eyes from a distance.
Whether you go with a high-tech mummy bag or the tried-and-true square style, a sleeping bag will give you both a place to sit and sleep. It doesn't really matter how great your days go if your nights are spent freezing and sleepless.
From the quick and simple Therm-a-Rest to the luxurious Exped, having a sleeping pad can make a huge difference in your experience. They both cushion the ground and provide warmth, as most of your body heat dissipates downward into the ground.
Many campers choose to cook everything over a fire, which is nice. However, in many parts of the country, fire restrictions are in place that prevent you from lighting up. In those situations, you'll need to either eat your breakfast cold or fire up the camp stove.
You can get a two-burner stove that folds up into a small briefcase or a Jetboil that will boil water in 90 seconds. Once you know what your cooking contraption will be, you can then plan your meals.
If you're car camping, then packing a nice camp chair shouldn't be a problem. If you're roughing it in the backcountry, then it might be more of a luxury than you can afford to carry. If you do decide to bring a chair, options range from a full-body recliner to a three-legged stool. I prefer something in the middle. Make sure you test the chair out first to ensure it's comfortable.
If you're backpacking, you'll want a sturdy water bottle to carry with you. If you're car camping, you might be okay with a large three-to-five-gallon jug to pour into a glass (reusable, of course). I recommend both.
I suggest a three-to-five-gallon plastic water jug with a spigot so you can fill your water bottle for hikes or other activities. Brands like Klean Kanteen and Nalgene are good choices.
Is a chair more important than water? But you don't need a chair to survive, haha.
With today's technology, there's no good reason to use disposable silverware and plates. With a foldable washcloth and a bit of water, you can wash your plates and utensils for reuse at the next meal. This saves on waste and benefits the environment. You can get lightweight Lexan plastics or sturdy metal options. Decide whether weight or space is an issue, and then choose what best fits your needs.
Even a simple splinter can be both painful and dangerous if you can't remove it. Make sure your first aid kit contains the items you'll need for the specific trip you're taking. Perhaps bandages and tweezers are enough, but maybe you'll want a snakebite kit and some extra burn ointment. Just be sure to know what you have and how and when to use it.
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No water, no life. It's essential for survival.
A polytarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material. It's often made of cloth such as canvas coated with polyurethane, or of plastics like polyethylene. It can be used to cover the tent in case of rain.