This is the almighty check list.

* Click here to download the PDF version of the camping checklist

Packing

• Backpack, daypack, and/or fanny pack
• Bags – Tent bag, grocery bags, etc.
• Cardboard boxes if needed
• Ice chest with ICE

Lighting

• Check batteries!
• Flashlights
• Spare batteries and bulbs
• Lantern (gas or electric)
• Spare lantern fuel and mantles
• Matches (preferably water proof)

Shelter/Bedding

• Tent
• Tent rain tarp
• Extra tent stakes
• Dining fly
• Plastic ground cloth for under the tent
• Sleeping bag
• Mattress or pad – Inflator for air mattress
• Pillow
• Space blanket

Medical

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Poison ivy block
• Poison ivy remedies
• Allergy medicines
• Pain relief pills like aspirin
• Tummy medicines (for diarrhea etc.)
• Tweezers for splinters
• Antiseptic
• Band-Aids and bandages
• Itch cream for bug bites
• Mole skin (to prevent blisters if you hike a lot)
• First Aid Kit (may include all the above items)
• Prescription medicines (if prescribed by your doctor)
• Extra pair of prescription glasses

Cleaning & Personal Items

• Bar soap (biodegradable)
• Washcloth
• Shampoo (biodegradable)
• Toothpaste (biodegradable)
• Toothbrush
• Comb or hair brush
• Razor (shaving cream)
• Toilet paper
• Case or bag to carry the above items to the shower house
• Bath towel

Equipment

• Ax (do not cut any living or standing trees)
• Bow saw
• Extension cord (if at campsite with electric hookup)
• Duct tape and/or electrical tape
• Hammer for pounding in tent pegs
• Rope
• Clothesline
• Clothes pins
• Whiskbroom to clean table and tent site

Miscellaneous

• Pocket knife
• Compass and area map
• Fishing pole and gear (+ license & bait!)
• Beach chairs / Camping chairs
• Walkie-talkies
• Safety pins
• Cellular phone w/extra battery and car adapter
• Camera w/good battery and extra film
• Camcorder w/good battery and extra tapes
• Money, credit card, ID
• BOOKS, radio, cards, GAMES, toys, etc.
• Sports equipment
• Citronella candles
• Binoculars
• Field guides for identifying wildlife
• Park mini-map (get one when you arrive)

Clothing

Dress for the season
Bring warm clothes in case the weather turns cold
Don’t forget these special items

• Wide-brimmed hat to block the sun
• Jacket – As weather dictates; Eskimo style, mackintosh, windbreaker, etc.
• Rain gear
• Poncho – Doubles as emergency tent/lean-to
• Shower shoes/FLIP-FLOPS
• Hiking boots
• Work gloves
• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses

Repair Kit

• Hammer
• Pliers
• Duct tape
• Screwdriver set

Cooking

• STOVE with fuel & lighter or charcoal & lighter fluid & grill for BBQ
• Newspapers for lighting a campfire
• Firewood
• Frying pan with lid (pancake griddle)
• Cooking skewers (for hot dogs, marshmallows, etc.)
• Campfire cooking grill / grill basket
• Pot or sauce pan with lid
• Can opener
• Tongs (long for fire) & fire gloves
• Coffee maker & filters
• Pot lifter and/or pot holders
• Tablecloth
• Cutting board

Dishes

• Plates – Partition tray/plate is nice
• Mugs/cups (Stainless steel coffee mugs)
• Knifes, forks, spoons
• Kitchen knife
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Scrub pad
• Dishpan for washing dishes
• Dish Towel
• Container for water

Consumables

• Paper towels & napkins
• Trash bags
• Plastic Bags (for leftovers)
• Aluminum Foil (plastic wrap)
• Dish soap (biodegradable)
• Water bottle, to carry while hiking
• Water jug to fetch water from the pump or faucet

Food & Drink

DON’T FORGET COFFEE!

Bring whatever food you wish, but remember that you will have limited space for food that needs to be refrigerated. Make sure that you have adequate cooking dishes and utensils to prepare what food you bring. Outdoor appetites are usually large so be prepared!

Be sure to store food in a safe location to keep animals from your food. Keep food in a car trunk or in the interior under a blanket, or hang your food between two trees.
Fresh fruit and vegetables do not need refrigeration and need minimum preparation
Kids will want to cook over the campfire so bring hotdogs and marshmallows (and graham crackers and chocolate for s-mores)

Don’t forget condiments;

• Salt, pepper, spices, sugar
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise

DON’T FORGET

• Mountain Bikes
• CDs / Music
• Beach gear

* Firewood can often be purchased near the campgrounds, but it is often overpriced and not reliably dry.  If you have seasoned dry wood, or can bring dry kindling to start wet firewood, it is strongly suggested to bring what you can. Note – most parks now will not allow you to bring in firewood from out-of-state to prevent the spread of pests. If you do bring in wood, within the quarentine area, you should burn it all before leaving.