Ultimate Camping Essentials: Camping in Style

Are you already preparing for summer? I know I am! I’m ready for warm days, long hikes, dips in the pool, and-of course- camping! I love to camp in the spring, summer, and fall! However, I love summer best, because I enjoy camping somewhere by a lake to cool off. When I was a senior in high school, my family spent a summer camping around California, and we seemed to deal with a different issue at each location. Heat, bugs, cold nights, rain-you name it. Since then, I’m like a boy scout- always prepared- with my ultimate camping essentials!

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Camping Essentials

Coffee

I’ve already written about different ways to make Camp Coffee, but this Stanley Mountain Vacuum Coffee System is my favorite. It makes a mean cup of Joe, but it also can be washed and used for water the rest of the day!

Towels

I bought this travel towel for a trip to Europe in 2015, and I’ve been traveling with it ever since. It can easily hook on branches or tent poles and is quick drying! When I’m not camping, it’s a great yoga towel!

Tablecloth

Think of every picnic table you’ve ever sat at. You’re imagining a dirty table, right? Bring a wipeable tablecloth! If you have a baby, it’s also great to lay on the ground to give your baby an area to crawl around on.

Bucket

If you forget the tablecloth, never underestimate the power of a bucket! When we were in northern California, we had a dirty picnic table- covered with bugs. Eww! Dish soap repels bugs. I made a bucket of soapy water and cleaned the table. Presto! The bugs didn’t come back during our 3-day stay. Camp bucket are also great for washing dishes or rinsing out clothes.

Air Mattress

I’ve never slept well on the floor. It’s just not my thing. Maybe, I’m a glamper, but I don’t care. I don’t camp without an air mattress. Just make sure that you have an air pump that your able to use in your camping conditions as there are many varieties: an outlet, car charger, hand pump, or battery operated.

Portable Fan

Sometimes in the South, it remains hot and muggy all night long. Before traveling to Bonnaroo Festival in 2013, my brother and I bought two battery operated fans to create a cross-breeze at night. Game-changer! The fans have been on my camping essentials list every since! (I have more specific tips for Festival Camping here!)

Chairs

You’ve got to have a place to sit, right? Camping chairs are great, and there are several options besides the traditional variety. When I went camping in college for an outdoor leadership class, I was impressed by these chairs that my classmates were able to carry in their packs. It makes sitting on a log much more comfortable, and they are great for sports games at stadiums!

If you want a more traditional chair, these chairs are much smaller than traditional chairs and can easily fit into a pack.

Firestarter

Sometimes, getting a fire started is the most frustrating activity of the whole camping experience. I bring firestarterswith me that bring peace of mind to my fear that all the kindling will be wet because it rained the night before our trip.

Camp Stove

If cooking over a fire isn’t for you, Coleman has got you covered. My mom never enjoyed cooking over a fire, so we’ve been using our Coleman propane stove for over 20 years for delicious dinners at the campsite.

Drying Rack

This may seem like a crazy idea and a waste of space, but my mom always packed our drying rack on any camping trip. It’s great to hang swimsuits and towels on to dry, but you can also put up the sides to let dishes air dry as well.

Twine

If you don’t want to bring a drying rack, always bring a ball of twine. It can make an easy clothes lines, but it can also help you tie any loose ends together. Once, I didn’t bring any hemp and needed to tie down one of the flaps of our tent, so I ended up tearing some loose strands of thread off of an old towel. Hemp is always in my bag now. Your kids can also use the twine to make bracelets! Here’s a youtube video tutorial!

Hand Sanitizer

If you’ve read my travel hygiene post, you know I clean any public toilets with hand sanitizer (especially at campsites), but I also bring hand sanitizer camping because it’s a great fire starter. Put some on a wad of toilet paper and light it up!

Bandanas

Since a small stint with the Girls Scouts, I always camp with a bandana. You can wet it and wrap it around your neck or head to keep cool. Use it as a napkin, headband, or sweatband on your wrist as well! Have a diffferent color for everyone in your group to know who it belongs to or have it personalized on Etsy!

Camp Games

When the sun goes down, make sure you have something to pass the time. A deck of cardsdeck of cards provides multiple games for your family and friends to play! Mad Gab, Apples to Apples, Cards Against Humanity(adult game), Bananagrams, or a number of campfire activities that don’t require anything will keep everyone entertained around the campfire!

Other camping essentials

Have any other camping essential? Leave them in the comments and don’t forget to pin!