Weekend Car Camping Packing List
Car camping means you can bring more, which is exactly how people end up forgetting the lighter. Here's a list built for two nights at a drive-up campsite.
Shelter & Sleep
- Tent with footprint and stakes
- Sleeping bag rated 10°F below expected low
- Sleeping pad or air mattress
- Pillow
- Mallet
- Extra tarp
Camp Kitchen
- Two-burner camp stove
- Fuel canisters
- Lighter and backup matches
- Cooler and ice
- Pot, pan, and spatula
- Plates, cups, utensils
- Biodegradable soap and sponge
- Trash bags
- Water jug (5+ gallons)
Clothing
- Rain jacket
- Warm layer (fleece or puffy)
- Hiking shoes
- Camp sandals
- Beanie for night
- Extra socks
Camp Comfort
- Camp chairs
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Lantern
- Table cloth with clips
- Firewood (buy local)
Safety & Misc
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Multi-tool
- Campsite reservation printout
- Toilet paper
Tips
- Buy firewood near the campground. Moving firewood spreads invasive pests and many parks ban it.
- Freeze water jugs instead of buying ice; they keep the cooler cold and become drinking water.
- Pitch the tent once at home if it's new. Finding a missing pole in the dark is no fun.
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