Tent Camping Checklist - Things To Take Camping

This Tent camping checklist article will provide a camping equipment checklist and tips when considering what things to take camping based on an individuals circumstances and camping needs.

If car camping, backpacking and hiking, a camping checklist is valuable and a must have, to arrive at a camp area with all our camping essentials.

Failing to Plan is Planning To Fail

Have you ever been shopping, camping, on vacation or left home and realised you forgot something you really needed? It is a pain to say the least; I know....

Why Use A Tent Camping CheckList ?

A camping equipment checklist will save time and money by preventing having to buy items when arriving at a campground. If somewhere local even sells camping gear or the camping essentials needed, which could be unlikely.

It may also prevent ending a trip because of forgetting to bring camping equipment that is essential. This applies even more for hiking, mountaineering or climbing trips because safety issues and survival.

Lists in general are a fantastic way of being organised. It prevents keeping a list inside our heads that takes up way to much energy and we always forget something.

Its also a great feeling when you have ticked off what you have done and no worries about what you haven't because you are able to refer to your tent camping checklist.

Camping Needs

Camping needs will vary from person to person dependent on the length of time on your trip, the amount of people camping, whether family camping, group camping or solo camping.

The abilities for individuals and the type of trip taken will also determine what gear is needed.

Here's four different examples of trips I have taken, which required more or less gear when preparing a tent camping checklist.

Minimalist: I went hiking without a tent and we had to create a place to sleep for the night before it became dark. We found a great place under a rock and shared space to create warmth and ate basic food.

This camping equipment checklist was the bare essentials which included, a backpacking stove, dried food and oatmeal, map and compass, sleeping bag, backpack, torch and that's about it.

This trip was about being very lightweight (minimalist) for basic survival, whilst cooking freeze dried food and eating treats such as kendal mint cake with only the essential kit.

Base camp/ Car camping: Another occasion in the Lake district, I set up camp with everything I needed and packed the car full of creature comforts. I was able to go hiking for the day and return to the campsite (base camp) and my camping gear without backpacking it lightweight.

Family Camping or Group Camping: When camping with the family or within a group, there are other people's needs that we have to consider. We have to consider Comfort, level of enjoyment and the safety of others. If I go car camping with the kids I take whatever will fit in the car and try and keep us all as comfortable as possible.

Backpacking and hiking: A tent camping checklist when backpacking does not have to be minimalist, although going lightweight is still a priority. I have backpacked with my kids which made it tricky to keep the weight down and take care of the kids needs at the same time. There's a lot of great gear and things to take camping lightweight, although costly for the best gear.

I use the examples above to show how various situations require different camping gear, camping food, and camping supplies.

Your Tent Camping CheckList

This is not an exhaustive camping equipment checklist of items to take camping but will guide you to understand what items can be taken and what gear is essential.

The items on this tent camping checklist may or may not be needed and more optional items can be added, of course.

( * additional items)