Whether you’re about to embark on your next camping adventure or you’re going for the very first time, it’s a wise idea to make yourself a checklist with the essential camping equipment you’ll need for your time away. After all, you don’t want to reach your destination to find out you have forgotten your tent pegs or the gas for your stove!
Below, we look at the main things you will need for camping with our very own checklist for camping that caters for all.
Tent Essentials
Rule number 1: Don’t forget your tent! You’d be surprised how many people worry about food, alcohol and games, only to forget the most essential item.
- Tent – If you forget this, you’ll have a pretty tough time camping…!
- Tent pegs/accessories etc. – Spare pegs always come in handy, as do other tent accessories such as the guy ropes. Double check you have all your tent components before you set off.
- Mallet – You’ll need this to secure your tent pegs properly.
- Lanterns/Torch – To see at night or during the early hours of the morning, a lantern in each compartment will do the trick. 2 will usually suffice for the sleeping and entrance areas, though you may want a light for each camper.
Sleeping Essentials
Depending on what type of camper you are will depend on the type of bed you opt for (if any at all). Make sure you read our sleeping checklist to determine what you’ll need for the nights you are away.
- Sleeping bag – You might be in for a chilly night or two if you forget this!
- Mat, Airbed or Camp Bed – The bed you opt for will be dictated by the level of luxury you want whilst camping.
- Pillows – You mightn’t need these if you have an airbed with built-in pillows… Fancy!
- Pyjamas – Extra night time clothing is a smart move if the weather forecast is due to be on the cooler side. You’ll be surprised how chilly it gets in the dead of night, even during the Summer months!
Campsite Essentials
On top of your tent and sleeping essentials, you may want to take more equipment to make the best of your stay. Our campsite checklist incorporates some of the common items needed to make your pitch a home away from home.
- Furniture – Foldable table and chairs will help to create a mini social/eating area outside your tent.
- Bin bags – Don’t be ‘that guy’ that litters the campsite! Take a few bin bags with you so you can clean up after yourself. Our staff and the environment will thank you for it!
- Backpack – You might want to take an extra empty backpack if you have plans to go walking/hiking.
- Windbreaks – Not always essential in the heat of summer, but definitely good for privacy.
- Torches – If you need the loo in the night, a torch will work much better than a lantern. We don’t have a lot of lighting around the park and it gets incredibly dark at night being in the countryside.
Kitchen Essentials
You might need more or less based on the type of camping trip you are going on. If you’re a single camper, your list will of course be a lot lighter than a family of 4. Scan over our camping kitchen checklist and create your own list based on the things you will need.
- Water container – Most campsites will have water points (ours does!). A 5L container will mean you don’t have to keep going backwards and forwards for water to drink or for cooking purposes.
- Stove/BBQ – For cooking purposes of course.
- Fuel – Gas for your stove or charcoal/firelighters for your BBQ. Please note that although we allow BBQ’s, please ensure that you do not put disposable ones directly on the grass!
- Pots and pans – To cook your favourite dishes.
- Cutlery – Unless you want to eat with your hands…
- Cooking utensils – Spatula, wooden spoon etc.
- Tableware – Plates, bowls, cups etc.
- Kettle – For that essential morning brew.
- Bottle or tin opener – Depending on what you have bought to eat and drink.
- Washing up bowl / liquid – Your bowl will come in handy to carry dirty dishes to and from the wash area.
- Cool box / bag – To keep things fresh.
- Matches / lighters – To get your fires started.
- Cleaning essentials – Such as wet wipes or kitchen roll.
Other Essentials
This checklist contains miscellaneous items for health and safety or other purposes. These extras can really come in handy.
- First aid kit – Along with any other personal medication that might be needed.
- Sun cream – No-one likes getting sun burnt!
- Inspect repellent – No-one likes getting bitten either!
- Extra batteries – If you have lanterns/torches that work using batteries, extra batteries are always a good idea.
- Pocket knife – You are camping after all…
- Extra toilet rolls – You don’t want to get caught short without toilet roll (no elaboration needed).
Create Your Own Camping Checklist
You might be looking down the list thinking; ‘I need that’ or ‘I don’t need that’, so now’s the time for you to create your own list based on what you will need for camping. This way you can make sure you don’t forget any of your camping essentials!