Here it is – my checklist from years of car camping! Every time I forgot something, the missing item gets added to the list. Just last weekend, I forgot the propane adapter for my camp stove, so I added it to the list.

I don’t bring each item on the list each time I camp. It would be a little silly to bring sleeping pads, cots and an air mattress. 🙂

I simply print out the checklist and cross out the items I don’t need. Once I gather all my camping gear, I check off all the items that I am bringing.

Here are two downloadable versions of the list:

Also, check out my matching Camping Menu Planner.

Here’s the complete list, along with my tips and recommendations.

Before you leave:

• charge air pump
• charge rechargeable batteries
• charge camera battery
• charge led lantern
• freeze blocks of ice
  I use a food storage container to freeze several blocks of ice for my cooler. Then I release the blocks by running hot tap water over the container. These blocks take forever to melt and make it easier to pack the cooler.
• get cash
  You’ll need smaller bills to pay for firewood, entrance fees and your campsite.
• grocery shop

Buy near campsite:

• firewood
  To avoid spreading Emerald Ash Borer (and breaking the law), buy firewood near your campsite.
• more ice
• cold beer
  Things that start cold, stay cold. We like to drink local beers when we’re traveling. On our last camping trip we picked up some New Glarus and Potosi brews.

Nearby in the car:

• directions
  My phone’s GPS has a meltdown when we’re driving on country roads. Print directions as a back-up.
• guidebooks
  The tent camping guides from Menasha Ridge Press are great. I can’t recommend them enough.
• reservation info

Lounging:

• chairs
• blankets
  Billy gave me a camp blanket like this for Christmas. It’s great for snuggling up around the campfire and we also throw it over our sleeping bag on cold nights.
• book/kindle
• clothes line
• clothes pins
• canopy
  We have a Eureka! Northern Breeze Screen House. It seems like it will last a lifetime, and it is great when the bugs are bad or when there are few trees to block the sun.
• canopy poles
• canopy stakes

Chilling food & beverages:

• beverage cooler
  The beverage cooler gets opened (and left open) a lot. Bring a separate cooler for food.
• food cooler
• ice
• water jug
  I use my parents’ Coleman water jug from 1984. The camping tradition continues…

Campfire:

• torch lighter
• matches
• newspapers
• shovel
  To pull hot coals out of the fire for cooking.
• tarp
  To keep your firewood dry.

Shelter:

• tent
  I love, love, love my tent. It has huge windows, so I never feel claustrophobic. I have the older version of this tent. And just so you know, a 4 person tent will only fit two people and a dog comfortably.
• tent footprint
• tent poles
• tent stakes
• hammer/mallet
  We picked up this mallet at Menards a while back. It’s lighter than a hammer and makes hammering and removing stakes a lot easier.
• sleeping bags
  We got a double sleeping bag recently, and we love it. For warm-weather camping, it’s a lot better than being twisted up in a mummy bag.
• pillow cases
• pillows
  Mini pillows are big space savers in the car. Or, you can just bring pillow cases and stuff them with clothes.
• sleeping pads
• cots
• air mattress
  We have been through a lot of air mattresses. The cheap ones get holes really easily. It may be best to avoid air mattresses if you have a dog.

• air pump
• sheets
• entry rug
  I use an old rag rug. Great for taking off shoes and keeping dirt out of the tent. Plus I can just throw it in the wash when we get home.