The specific items you ultimately bring along will be determined by a few important factors: backpacking versus car-camping, expected weather, number of people in your group, and distance from definitive help (i.e. emergency situations).
First, we’ll start with the basic gear:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad (if inflatable, bring a patch kit)
- Backpack or day pack (with waterproof pack cover)
- Trekking poles (not required but highly recommended if backpacking)
- Headlamp and batteries
- Camp stove and fuel
- Lighter (maybe 2)
- Cook set (i.e. pots, bowl, spoon, cup, knife)
- Biodegradable Soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Water bottles/dromedary
- Water treatment supplies (filter or chemical-based)
- Multi-tool (or pocketknife)
- First aid kit
- Cell phone or satellite communication device
- Map & compass (especially if backpacking)
- Permit or camping reservation (if required)
Next, let’s cover clothing. Backpackers will want to minimize and choose items that they can wear over and over again. And it’s typically suggested that you opt for lightweight, quick-drying fabrics. Car-camping offers more latitude to bring everything:
- Hiking boots or shoes
- 2 T-shirts
- Hiking pants
- Hiking shorts or skirt
- Rain jacket and pants
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Long-sleeve baselayer
- Lightweight fleece or down jacket
- Socks – wool or synthetic
- Sunglasses
- Hat – for sun protection
- Bandana (optional) – can be nice for washing your face, wiping away sweat, or sun protection
Cold Weather Additions:
- Midweight baselayer (long-sleeve) – wool or synthetic
- Long underwear – 1 pair of midweight synthetic bottoms
- Down jacket or synthetic insulated jacket
- Warm hat
- Gloves/mittens – wool or fleece
Personal Items/Toiletries – Backpackers should minimize to only the essentials:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
- Toilet paper/plastic bags and hand trowel
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Prescription meds (if any)
- Sunscreen
- Glasses or contact lenses with supplies (if needed)
Optional Items – These tend to be items that are handy, nice to have, but not necessarily essential:
- Quick-dry towel
- Charging bank and cords for cell phone
- Watch
- Bug Repellent
- Duct tape
- Lip balm with SPF
- Trash compactor bag – if you expect plenty of rain
- Cash, credit card, ID
- Baby wipes – great for cleaning up at the end of the day
- Camp pillow – Lightweight, packable camp pillow
When it comes to food, we could devote an entire article just to meal-planning. But in general, you will have to consider that you will require 2500-3000 calories per day. This includes meals, snacks, and perhaps drinks (like coffee, tea, cocoa, powdered sports drink). Pack items that are lightweight and that have minimal packaging to pack out. When you’re done packing your food, consider packing an additional day’s food for emergencies.
As you gain more experience, you will fine-tune a list that works for you. You always want to make sure you have what you absolutely need first and then you can determine what optional items best suit your desires.

You will want to have a list that covers everything, regardless of a specific destination and expected weather. You can then scale down your list accordingly for each trip. But this backpacking/camping list is a great start for any camper to keep handy as a reliable reference.
