Summer vacation means one thing for our family: Camping. Whether we camped in a tent or an RV, we made a lot of memories. And over the years we’ve also made a lot of last-minute Wal-mart runs for that-thing-we-forgot.
To help save new campers some time and keep you from having to leave your campsite mid-trip, here is a list of the things our family found most useful. I’ll leave off the obvious stuff like camp chairs and sleeping bags because if you’ve made it to the packing stage, you probably have those already. (You have those, right?)
Grab and Go
Put together a tote of all your essentials so it is always packed and ready.
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Flashlights/headlamps
- Batteries
- Lighters/matches
- Firestarter kit
- Towels – from showering to swimming to pop-up rain storms, you can never have enough towels
- Biodegradable toilet paper – always have extra
- Full set of toiletries
- Extra blankets
RV Basics
These are some things every RVer should keep in their rig at all times.
- Owners’ manuals – even if you’ve had your camper for years, these are good to keep with you
- Extension cords
- 50-to-30 amp converter plug
- 30 amp-to-120 volt converter plug
- Fresh water house
- Black water house for flushing toilets – you don’t want to get these hoses mixed up!
- Entry rug to reduce dirt in the RV
Cooking Essentials
Campsite cooking doesn’t need to be complicated so make sure you have the right tools.
- Small coffee pot or single-serve coffee maker – this is a must. Pack it now.
- Basic kitchen utensils, pots, and pans
- Aluminum foil pans make cooking and clean-up easy
- Aluminum foil – you will always need it for something
- Paper towels – bring more than you think you need
- Rubber gloves
- Long skewers for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs over the campfire
Murphy’s Law
Keep these in the trunk of your car or in your RV and hope you won’t need them.
- Small toolbox with basic tools, duct tape, electrical tape, and zip ties
- Tire patch kit
- Jumper cables
- Basic first aid kit including pain relief, antihistamines, and itch cream
- Umbrellas/ponchos
What to Wear
Comfort and function are key at the campground.
- Comfortable clothing you can layer
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Flip flops for the camp shower
- Water shoes
- Rubber boots/rain shoes
- Extra sweatshirt or jacket
- Cold-weather gear like hats and gloves
Just for Fun
- Extra lighting to make the campsite feel cozy
- Board games
- Playing cards
- DVDs for rainy days and movie nights
- Activities for kids – we always went to the craft store or dollar store and got cheap crafts for the kids to do
- Ingredients for s’mores – graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars
Campsite Odds and Ends
- Dog tie-out for your four-legged friend – most campgrounds limit this to 6-feet, but check with your location
- Clothesline for wet towels/swimsuits
- Plastic tablecloth for picnic tables
- Quarters for the camp laundry
- Cash for the camp store
- Laundry basket
- Cleaning supplies/broom
- Themed decorations – many campgrounds have themed events, especially around holiday weekends. Check before you go so you can participate in the fun!
