There are a lot of things to consider when preparing for a camping trip. It can feel overwhelming and stressful. That's the reason so many of us leave it to the last minute and then end up making all kinds of mistakes. In this post, I've compiled a list of things that'll help you pack more efficiently and hopefully make it less stressful.
People mean a lot of things by "camping", so let's establish something before we get to the list. My husband and I primarily go car camping, meaning we sleep in our camper car. If you are doing it camping tent style, obviously, you'll need to bring your camping tent with you apart from everything I'll mention. If you are road tripping/hitchhiking and staying in motels/CouchSurfing/AirBNBing, then you won't need to care about a lot of things I mention, since you will have running water, shower, kitchen etc.
I'm not going to make this specific to a certain kind of camping, so it's up to you to pick whichever supplies are necessary.
Let's start with clothes.
1. Google the weather before you go anywhere. In Russia we're so used to checking the weather report before leaving the house, it comes as natural as breathing. However, I've noticed that people in Southern states such as California don't bother with this. They see the pictures and assume it's warm. They ask somebody who is there/has been there recently and assume their idea of warm/cold/nice is the same. It is not. Those words are subjective and the weather is dynamic. For example, it could be 30C (86F) in the middle of the day and only 8C (46F) at night. If you are sleeping in the camping tent, this matters. If you are going out late in the evening, this matters. And the numbers are exact, so if it says 20C (68F) and you've experienced 20 C at some point in your life, chances are you'll know exactly how it feels like and what kind of clothes is comfortable.
This also alerts you about rainy/windy/cloudy weather.
2. If you have kids, consider how dirty they might get. Generally speaking, you can probably get away with one outfit for each day plus one spare in case your kid has an accident. That's if you are in the city with good weather conditions. If there is dirt, sand or mud that they'll be playing in, bring at least two-three changes for every day just in case. Same goes for rain and snow that's going to leave your clothes soaked.
3. The number of days. Based on weather conditions and how filthy you and your kid will get, calculate how many changes you'll need and multiply by the number of days. If you'll have the chance to wash the clothes while camping, you can get away with bringing a bit less.
4. Regardless of how hot it will be, bring at least one warm jacket, sweater and a pair of pants for yourself and your kid. Speaking from experience, the hottest weather can feel chilly with the wind. You don't want to be cold and you definitely don't want your kid to be cold (if you have one), so prepare for it just in case.
Food.
1. The number of days. If you're going away for a weekend, you can probably get away with roughly planning a few meals and pack for them, but if you are planning a long trip, what I suggest is to pack a lot of "basic" foods such as pasta, rice, lentils, potatoes, bread, canned tuna/beans/chickpeas/corn, oats, eggs etc. Those are things that don't require refrigeration and can stay good for a very long time. You can find a lot of plain things like rice and bread. They go with everything and anything. There are also quick and easy proteins such as tuna, beans and chickpeas. We always bring them as a backup.
We prefer to buy fresh fruits and vegetables to go with all of that upon arrival, but you can buy them in advance if you like.
We don't bring any dairy or meat on our trips. We don't eat a lot of it anyways, but also we have no way of refrigerating them. Normally, if somebody craves a bit of ham, cheese or yoghurt, we'd buy a little bit at a store along the way and eat it that same evening. Obviously, if you have a mini fridge, this is not an issue for you.
2. Accessibility of stores in the area. Always research beforehand so you won't have to find yourself in a situation when you can't get the necessary supplies. Also worth mentioning, that if you are travelling in a country that you're not accustomed to, you should pay extra attention to the research part. In different parts of the world stores, restaurants and other local businesses might be closed at certain days of the week or times of the day. Knowing that will help you plan your groceries better.
Any time Memo and I have the chance to get our food upon arrival (not in advance), we take it. First of all, you get the chance to hit the local markets, check out street vendors and see what the new place has to offer. Second of all, everything is fresh and you can adjust things to your cravings. Also, I've noticed that this way you buy way less processed food.
3. Water. This one should be planned before your food and gas. Water is essential. Whether you're using bottled water (please don't though, it's a huge waste of plastic) or reusable containers, use every opportunity to refill them. Never, never allow yourself to run low on water.
Also, make sure basic sanitation requirements are being met in the place where you're getting your water. Stay safe and healthy.
4. Meal prep. Well, sort of. I do not advise you to have a hard plan that can't be altered. Too many things can change and it'll only stress you out. What I mean by meal prepping is making a rough list of things that you think you'll be making/eating, how many times a day and at what time. For example, we always eat some sort of porridge/oats for breakfast. Sometimes with bananas, sometimes with berries, sometimes with nuts, dates or dried plums. But it's always porridge. I don't have to bother about this one: I take some oats and honey from home and then buy whatever is in season and looks good on a porridge. Then for lunch, I'd plan some sort of pasta or rice or sandwiches and will see what we can add to it in the store. A list of ideas will also come in handy in the produce section. Vegetables go bad pretty fast in a warm car, so I always try to use them that same day. Having a few ideas of what you can make will help you pick only the things that you need and prevent you from wasting food.
5. Equipment. Make sure to tailor your meals and groceries according to the equipment you're working with. We camp in our car, so we have a stove, pots, knives, plates etc. If you are camping with a tent and nothing but fire, go for food that goes with that situation. Perhaps, bring a few extra utensils based on the meal ideas that you've come up with. Basically, imagine yourself in your camping spot and see what you'd like to use. What could you be forgetting? What do you have at home that makes cooking easier and could you bring it along to your trip? If not, then how can you substitute it?
Showering. (ignore this if you are only going for a weekend and are not planning on showering)
1. Water. The way that we shower during camping (if we are in the wild) doesn't require a lot of water, so this is not the biggest concern for us. But in situations when it can be scarce, you'll need to plan ahead. Maybe find a river or another natural source of water. I would also advise you on having separate containers for drinking and non-drinking water. This way you can be less picky about where you fill the one that's meant for washing hands, dishes, showering etc.
2. Public bathrooms. A lot of public bathrooms in camping areas will have showers. Use them if you get the chance. Yes, it's uncomfortable, weird and probably cold, but it's much better than doing it with a bucket.
3. Privacy. If you will take a shower in the wild, come up with some sort of a curtain for privacy just in case. It doesn't hurt. Actually, maybe even a bathing suit will work. Just something for you not to feel exposed.
4. Tools. Whichever way of showering you're going for, make sure you've got everything you need to make it happen.
Toilet situation.
1. Toilet paper. Trust me, there is never enough. Get backup and a backup for your backup. You do not want to run out of this.
2. Accessibility. Check how accessible are toilets where you're going. A lot of campgrounds will have available toilets everywhere. But don't count on it. Always be prepared to do your business in the bushes.
3. Shovel. There is no shame in going to the toilet the old-fashioned way, but leaving it there is definitely not cool. Bring a little shovel so that you can dig it in the ground afterwards. In nice damp soils, you can even leave the toilet paper there, since it's biodegradable and actually decomposes very quickly.
4. Privacy. Plan your toilet spots before you settle on a campsite. Walking a bit further away is not a problem during the day, but at night walking too far away might not be the greatest of ideas.
5. For those who have kids: bring the potty, bring the waterproof sheet (if you are using one) for the night. I'm sure I don't need to explain this. When it comes to potty training, you can never be too prepared. If your kid is still using diapers, you probably know what you need anyways. Just make sure you bring enough.
Period situation for all the ladies out there.
First of all, it helps to know when to expect your period. Even a rough estimate won't hurt. If you are like me and for the love of the world couldn't remember when it starts, there are a ton of apps that help with this. I use Clue, I think it's the best free app of a sort at the moment.
Even if you're 100% sure you won't get your period, bring something just in case. I can't say how many times my cycle shifted because of camping/travelling/moving. Your mood, your activity level, your diet and sleep - everything influences your body, hormones and overall health. Just be prepared. It doesn't hurt.
Tools.
The most basic things like a shovel, a screwdriver and a bunch of screws, some tape (this is essential), some clips and elastic bands, a knife or a small axe if you're camping in the wild - all of those will come in handy sooner or later. Everything you'll need to fix your car just in case. Flashlights.
Also, consider what kind of activities you might do. A lot of places offer great hiking and rock climbing trails as well as fishing. If that's something you're interested in, adjust your equipment accordingly.
First aid kit.
This is a must. Camping is an activity with some extra risks involved and chances are the nearest hospital won't be near at all. Make sure to have the essentials to address a wound, a burn or a bite. Always research what insects and animals you have in your camping area. I strongly recommend you to learn the basics of medical care because it's not always intuitive. If you want to know what we have in our first aid kit, I have written a whole post about it.
Plan your route.
If you've read any of my posts about Baja, you'll know that there are roads in this world where you won't find a single petrol station for miles. Or a store. Or signal. Trust me, you don't want this to be a surprise. To avoid this, open Google Maps, check which roads are suggested to you, check how many gas stations are there and how far apart they are. Check for stores. Just in case, if you're not sure about this camping thing, check for hotels
Let the only surprising thing be the gorgeous view and nature, not the road to them.
This is all that I can think of at the moment. I hope this article was helpful and gave you a few ideas of where to start. This might seem like too much. Forgive me. I have a kid and winging something is not possible for me at this point. Also, if you feel like this is all wrong and none of it is good advice, by all means, do it your way. There is no one way to camp. Everybody is different, everybody's needs are different, everybody's idea of camping is different. That's what makes it so beautiful. It is all up to you. Make it your own thing. Do it like no one has ever done it before.
Have a great day, beautiful stranger. Thank you for reading.
People mean a lot of things by "camping", so let's establish something before we get to the list. My husband and I primarily go car camping, meaning we sleep in our camper car. If you are doing it camping tent style, obviously, you'll need to bring your camping tent with you apart from everything I'll mention. If you are road tripping/hitchhiking and staying in motels/CouchSurfing/AirBNBing, then you won't need to care about a lot of things I mention, since you will have running water, shower, kitchen etc.
I'm not going to make this specific to a certain kind of camping, so it's up to you to pick whichever supplies are necessary.
Let's start with clothes.
1. Google the weather before you go anywhere. In Russia we're so used to checking the weather report before leaving the house, it comes as natural as breathing. However, I've noticed that people in Southern states such as California don't bother with this. They see the pictures and assume it's warm. They ask somebody who is there/has been there recently and assume their idea of warm/cold/nice is the same. It is not. Those words are subjective and the weather is dynamic. For example, it could be 30C (86F) in the middle of the day and only 8C (46F) at night. If you are sleeping in the camping tent, this matters. If you are going out late in the evening, this matters. And the numbers are exact, so if it says 20C (68F) and you've experienced 20 C at some point in your life, chances are you'll know exactly how it feels like and what kind of clothes is comfortable.
This also alerts you about rainy/windy/cloudy weather.
2. If you have kids, consider how dirty they might get. Generally speaking, you can probably get away with one outfit for each day plus one spare in case your kid has an accident. That's if you are in the city with good weather conditions. If there is dirt, sand or mud that they'll be playing in, bring at least two-three changes for every day just in case. Same goes for rain and snow that's going to leave your clothes soaked.
3. The number of days. Based on weather conditions and how filthy you and your kid will get, calculate how many changes you'll need and multiply by the number of days. If you'll have the chance to wash the clothes while camping, you can get away with bringing a bit less.
4. Regardless of how hot it will be, bring at least one warm jacket, sweater and a pair of pants for yourself and your kid. Speaking from experience, the hottest weather can feel chilly with the wind. You don't want to be cold and you definitely don't want your kid to be cold (if you have one), so prepare for it just in case.
Food.
1. The number of days. If you're going away for a weekend, you can probably get away with roughly planning a few meals and pack for them, but if you are planning a long trip, what I suggest is to pack a lot of "basic" foods such as pasta, rice, lentils, potatoes, bread, canned tuna/beans/chickpeas/corn, oats, eggs etc. Those are things that don't require refrigeration and can stay good for a very long time. You can find a lot of plain things like rice and bread. They go with everything and anything. There are also quick and easy proteins such as tuna, beans and chickpeas. We always bring them as a backup.
We prefer to buy fresh fruits and vegetables to go with all of that upon arrival, but you can buy them in advance if you like.
We don't bring any dairy or meat on our trips. We don't eat a lot of it anyways, but also we have no way of refrigerating them. Normally, if somebody craves a bit of ham, cheese or yoghurt, we'd buy a little bit at a store along the way and eat it that same evening. Obviously, if you have a mini fridge, this is not an issue for you.
2. Accessibility of stores in the area. Always research beforehand so you won't have to find yourself in a situation when you can't get the necessary supplies. Also worth mentioning, that if you are travelling in a country that you're not accustomed to, you should pay extra attention to the research part. In different parts of the world stores, restaurants and other local businesses might be closed at certain days of the week or times of the day. Knowing that will help you plan your groceries better.
Any time Memo and I have the chance to get our food upon arrival (not in advance), we take it. First of all, you get the chance to hit the local markets, check out street vendors and see what the new place has to offer. Second of all, everything is fresh and you can adjust things to your cravings. Also, I've noticed that this way you buy way less processed food.
3. Water. This one should be planned before your food and gas. Water is essential. Whether you're using bottled water (please don't though, it's a huge waste of plastic) or reusable containers, use every opportunity to refill them. Never, never allow yourself to run low on water.
Also, make sure basic sanitation requirements are being met in the place where you're getting your water. Stay safe and healthy.
4. Meal prep. Well, sort of. I do not advise you to have a hard plan that can't be altered. Too many things can change and it'll only stress you out. What I mean by meal prepping is making a rough list of things that you think you'll be making/eating, how many times a day and at what time. For example, we always eat some sort of porridge/oats for breakfast. Sometimes with bananas, sometimes with berries, sometimes with nuts, dates or dried plums. But it's always porridge. I don't have to bother about this one: I take some oats and honey from home and then buy whatever is in season and looks good on a porridge. Then for lunch, I'd plan some sort of pasta or rice or sandwiches and will see what we can add to it in the store. A list of ideas will also come in handy in the produce section. Vegetables go bad pretty fast in a warm car, so I always try to use them that same day. Having a few ideas of what you can make will help you pick only the things that you need and prevent you from wasting food.
5. Equipment. Make sure to tailor your meals and groceries according to the equipment you're working with. We camp in our car, so we have a stove, pots, knives, plates etc. If you are camping with a tent and nothing but fire, go for food that goes with that situation. Perhaps, bring a few extra utensils based on the meal ideas that you've come up with. Basically, imagine yourself in your camping spot and see what you'd like to use. What could you be forgetting? What do you have at home that makes cooking easier and could you bring it along to your trip? If not, then how can you substitute it?
Showering. (ignore this if you are only going for a weekend and are not planning on showering)
1. Water. The way that we shower during camping (if we are in the wild) doesn't require a lot of water, so this is not the biggest concern for us. But in situations when it can be scarce, you'll need to plan ahead. Maybe find a river or another natural source of water. I would also advise you on having separate containers for drinking and non-drinking water. This way you can be less picky about where you fill the one that's meant for washing hands, dishes, showering etc.
2. Public bathrooms. A lot of public bathrooms in camping areas will have showers. Use them if you get the chance. Yes, it's uncomfortable, weird and probably cold, but it's much better than doing it with a bucket.
3. Privacy. If you will take a shower in the wild, come up with some sort of a curtain for privacy just in case. It doesn't hurt. Actually, maybe even a bathing suit will work. Just something for you not to feel exposed.
4. Tools. Whichever way of showering you're going for, make sure you've got everything you need to make it happen.
Toilet situation.
1. Toilet paper. Trust me, there is never enough. Get backup and a backup for your backup. You do not want to run out of this.
2. Accessibility. Check how accessible are toilets where you're going. A lot of campgrounds will have available toilets everywhere. But don't count on it. Always be prepared to do your business in the bushes.
3. Shovel. There is no shame in going to the toilet the old-fashioned way, but leaving it there is definitely not cool. Bring a little shovel so that you can dig it in the ground afterwards. In nice damp soils, you can even leave the toilet paper there, since it's biodegradable and actually decomposes very quickly.
4. Privacy. Plan your toilet spots before you settle on a campsite. Walking a bit further away is not a problem during the day, but at night walking too far away might not be the greatest of ideas.
5. For those who have kids: bring the potty, bring the waterproof sheet (if you are using one) for the night. I'm sure I don't need to explain this. When it comes to potty training, you can never be too prepared. If your kid is still using diapers, you probably know what you need anyways. Just make sure you bring enough.
Period situation for all the ladies out there.
First of all, it helps to know when to expect your period. Even a rough estimate won't hurt. If you are like me and for the love of the world couldn't remember when it starts, there are a ton of apps that help with this. I use Clue, I think it's the best free app of a sort at the moment.
Even if you're 100% sure you won't get your period, bring something just in case. I can't say how many times my cycle shifted because of camping/travelling/moving. Your mood, your activity level, your diet and sleep - everything influences your body, hormones and overall health. Just be prepared. It doesn't hurt.
Tools.
The most basic things like a shovel, a screwdriver and a bunch of screws, some tape (this is essential), some clips and elastic bands, a knife or a small axe if you're camping in the wild - all of those will come in handy sooner or later. Everything you'll need to fix your car just in case. Flashlights.
Also, consider what kind of activities you might do. A lot of places offer great hiking and rock climbing trails as well as fishing. If that's something you're interested in, adjust your equipment accordingly.
First aid kit.
This is a must. Camping is an activity with some extra risks involved and chances are the nearest hospital won't be near at all. Make sure to have the essentials to address a wound, a burn or a bite. Always research what insects and animals you have in your camping area. I strongly recommend you to learn the basics of medical care because it's not always intuitive. If you want to know what we have in our first aid kit, I have written a whole post about it.
Plan your route.
If you've read any of my posts about Baja, you'll know that there are roads in this world where you won't find a single petrol station for miles. Or a store. Or signal. Trust me, you don't want this to be a surprise. To avoid this, open Google Maps, check which roads are suggested to you, check how many gas stations are there and how far apart they are. Check for stores. Just in case, if you're not sure about this camping thing, check for hotels
Let the only surprising thing be the gorgeous view and nature, not the road to them.
This is all that I can think of at the moment. I hope this article was helpful and gave you a few ideas of where to start. This might seem like too much. Forgive me. I have a kid and winging something is not possible for me at this point. Also, if you feel like this is all wrong and none of it is good advice, by all means, do it your way. There is no one way to camp. Everybody is different, everybody's needs are different, everybody's idea of camping is different. That's what makes it so beautiful. It is all up to you. Make it your own thing. Do it like no one has ever done it before.
Have a great day, beautiful stranger. Thank you for reading.
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