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Camping weekend packing list: the essentials and what to skip

A camping weekend packing list in five groups: shelter, sleep, cook, wear and safety. Includes a short leave-at-home list and a check before you leave.

Baptiste Moreau3 min read

A small tent pitched on grass with a rucksack and stove beside it
Photo by Kris Møklebust on Pexels

Camping weekends fail because of small gaps: no matches, no pegs, a mat that leaks. The list is short, but every line matters.

This camping weekend packing list is for two nights at a campsite with road access. Campsites set their own rules on fires, food storage and noise, so read the booking page. Weather varies, so check the forecast for your dates.

The formula

5 groups: shelter, sleep, cook, wear, safety. Test each at home.

Shelter

  • Tent with poles, pegs and a groundsheet
  • A spare few pegs and a small mallet
  • A tarp or a small mat for the door

Put the tent up in the garden or a park before you leave. A missing pole is easier to find at home.

Sleep

  • Sleeping bag rated for the night temperature
  • Sleeping mat
  • Small pillow or a bag of clothes
  • Earplugs

The mat matters more than the bag. Cold comes up from the ground.

Cook

  • Stove, fuel and a lighter
  • A pot, a pan and a spatula
  • One plate, bowl, cup and fork per person
  • Water carriers
  • Washing-up soap and a cloth
  • Rubbish bags
  • Cool box with food for 2 days

Plan 3 meals simply: breakfast you can boil, a cold lunch, a one-pot dinner.

A small camp stove with a pot and a mug on a flat stone
Test the stove at homeImage by nasircoolboy1 from Pixabay

Wear

  • 2 tops, 1 warm layer, 1 waterproof jacket
  • 2 bottoms
  • 3 pairs of socks, one just for sleeping
  • A hat for the evening
  • Closed shoes and sandals

See what to wear by temperature for the layers.

Safety

  • Torch or headlamp and spare batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Phone, power bank, offline map
  • Sun cream and insect repellent
  • Any medication

Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

Leave at home

  • Cotton jeans (they stay wet)
  • Glass bottles
  • Three changes of shoes
  • Anything you would hate to get muddy

If it goes wrong

  • Rain starts. Move gear inside, cook under cover, and follow campsite safety rules about fire and stoves in tents.
  • Cold night. Wear a hat and dry socks. Put a water bottle filled with warm (not boiling) water in the bag.
  • No fire allowed. Use your stove.

Combine this with the road trip packing list if you drive there. Day hikes from camp are covered in what to wear hiking for a day trip.

Quick questions

What should I bring camping for the first time?

Tent, sleeping bag, mat, stove, food, water and a torch. Add warm clothes.

How do I stay warm in a tent?

Insulate from the ground with a mat, wear dry clothes and a hat.

Do I need to bring water?

Check the campsite. Some have taps, some do not.

Can I light a fire?

Only where the campsite allows it. Rules vary.

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