4 Packing Tips for Your Next Camping Trip

1. START WITH THE ESSENTIALS

There are two primary things to think about when you’re figuring out what to pack for a camping trip: (1) protection from the elements and (2) food and water. If you have both of these things covered, you’ll be fine. There are plenty of supplies that can result in more fun and comfort, but as long as these are taken care of, you’ll stay safe and healthy.

2. RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION

It’s important to know the climate, location, and amenities at your destination. If you’re going to the Aberdares, you need to ensure you have warm enough clothing, while near Lake Magadi it’s a good idea to think through effective sun protection. Does your location provide water? If so, is it clean enough to drink or is it just for washing? These details will give you the foundational information to guide your packing choices. 

This information is also something we offer on this website, but we need your help to have a comprehensive list. Have you been camping somewhere recently? If it’s already featured on our website, do you have any updated information? And if it isn’t featured yet, we would love to change that! Would you take a moment to fill out this form so that others can learn from your experience?

3. DON’T START OVER EACH TRIP

Camping can definitely take quite a bit of prep time, so think through the things that you can do one time that will set you up well for the next trip. For example, have a camping trunk / box / cupboard with a list of everything that is included in it. If it’s all stored together, it makes it much easier to get out the door. If you have a vehicle, you can even make sure this box fits nicely into the back, so you can just transport it directly there without having to rearrange unnecessarily. 

It can also be helpful to have a master camping supply list. This wouldn’t be something that you do every time, but something that is stored either in your camping box, or maybe on your computer or phone.  

And how you end your last camping trip can set you up nicely for your next one. When you unpack, do so with the next trip in mind (whether it’s been scheduled or not). Don’t wait to clean your tent or sort through the food. Take stock of what you have, be aware of the things missing or broken, and address those gaps as soon as possible.

4. LEARN AS YOU GO

There are plenty of things you’ll want to improve each time you go camping. Sometimes you don’t realize you need something until you need it! Update your master supply list each time you take a trip. Learn from past experiences about how to conserve space and work best with the vehicle you’re using. It’s inevitable that you’ll keep making mistakes, but hopefully you won’t make the same one twice! If you want to receive regular camping tips and resources that can help you do this, click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Bonus:

If you’re new to camping and don’t know what you’re doing, let the people you’re going with know — and ask lots of questions! If they judge you for it, they’re probably not the people you want to go camping with anyway. 

If you’re someone who goes camping often and you want to get other people into it, you may be interested in buying extras of the essential supplies (i.e. sleeping bags or tents) so that others who are new to camping can be included without forcing them to make the investment right away.