Camping Pack List (Epic Road Trip Planning Part 5)

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Our camping pack list (now available in PDF format) has everything you need for an awesome camping trip!

The size of your vehicle, number of passengers, and activities you want to do will determine what you can and can’t bring on a camping trip. If you have a smaller vehicle, prioritizing essentials, consumables, and luxuries will help with packing. What can you do without? What can you buy along the way or at your destination? My downfall is packing half the pantry when it would be easier to buy groceries in a few days. Our pack list is broken into several categories with essentials at the beginning and nice-to-haves at the end to make it easier to prioritize what comes with you.

Before kids, our epic road trips were done in a 1995 Honda Civic hatchback. Since it was just the two of us, and we had compact backpacking gear, we had plenty of room for everything we needed. Bikes or skis could go on the roof; everything else could be safely stowed in the vehicle. We got used to stooping to get into our backcountry tent, and cooking one small pot over an ultralight campstove.

When we had kids, we lost the back seat cargo space and needed more stuff… from a bigger tent and two-burner stove to travel cribs, toys, diapers, and clothes.. so many extra clothes (how do kids get so dirty?!)… so we needed a larger vehicle. We sprang for a small SUV; installed a hitch, bike rack, roof rack, and roof box; and were finally ready to travel in style. With this setup, we could go road tripping for weeks at a time.

Although we have TONS of camping experience (my first backcountry trip was at 6 weeks old!), we still rely on a camping pack list so we don’t forget anything. Scroll down for product recommendations, or download the PDF pack list here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, but all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting our website!

CAMPING PACK LIST: PDF + Gear Recommendations

DOWNLOAD THE CAMPING PACK LIST BELOW:

1. Tent + Footprint

Get a tent with a reinforced “bathtub” floor, two doors, and fly that goes down to the ground (see photo above). You will also need a footprint/groundsheet that is the same size as your tent. As for size, the taller the tent, the less stable it will be in strong winds. While you won’t be standing up in your tent much except to get changed, large vestibules and doors will make it easier to get in and out (especially when it’s raining). For more information on getting the best tent for your budget, please read our story: Choosing a Tent.

Pro Tip: Practice setting up your tent before your first trip, so you can set it up properly in any conditions. You will appreciate knowing how to set your tent up fast when it’s dark, a storm is rolling in, or you are being eaten alive by mosquitoes! Also, remember to peg the fly out and tighten guy lines to keep rain out. The most expensive tent will not keep you dry if you fail to put the fly on right.

Recommended tents: The MEC Base Camper 4-Person Tent is a roomy, reliable tent that won’t break the bank but it only has one-door. If you can afford to spend a bit more, the MEC Cabin 2.0 4-Person Tent is worth it: 2-doors, very spacious, lots of headroom, cord access for lights/phone charger/electric heater, and 8 internal storage pockets. For backcountry camping, we love our Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL.

2. Sleep System

Most of the time, when I ask people why they don’t like camping, they say it’s because they don’t like sleeping on the cold, hard ground. There is no reason to be uncomfortable just because you are sleeping in a tent! There are several great options for camping bedding, and while some of them are costly, high quality sleeping pads / self-inflating mattresses / cots and sleeping bags will last for several years.

Learn more about camping sleep systems (sleeping bag + sleeping pad) and what baby should sleep in in our story: Camping Sleep Systems.

Sleeping Bags

We recommend -7 C / -10 C down mummy bags, Therm-A-Rest self-inflating mattresses, and Therm-A-Rest pillows for camping in Alberta. If you camp in warmer climates, however, you may want a barrel bag for extra space, or 0C bag to save bulk and money. We recommend the following:

• TOP ALL ROUNDER: Therm-a-Rest Questar -6C/20 F Down Sleeping Bag – Unisex 650-fill hydrophobic down, high loft, zoned insulation (more on top), an insulated footbox, and light weight (light enough to take backcountry camping!) make this an attractive sleeping bag. It comes with removable straps to hold your sleeping pad in place too. The small is only 837 grams and the regular is 991 grams! Available in Small and Long lengths, and Regular and Large widths. Regular fits to 5′ 7″ – 6′ (170-183 cm) and Long fits 6′ 1″ to 6′ 16″ (185-198 cm).
• WOMEN’s (Spoon-shaped for Side Sleepers): Nemo Disco -9C / 15.8 F Down Sleeping Bag – Women’s With 650 fill hydrophobic down, vertical baffles to prevent cold spots, and draft tube to keep cold air out, you will stay toasty warm all night. A unique blanket fold at the top allows you to adjust coverage for comfort so you don’t feel confined; and in case you get too warm, there are vents on the torso. Small fits to 5′ 4″ (163 cm) and Regular fits to 5′ 10″ (178 cm). 1.4 kg.
• SPLURGE: Western Mountaineering Ultralite -7C Down Sleeping Bag: This incredibly light and compact sleeping bag, insulated with 850+ fill power down is perfect for backcountry or bikepacking trips but can also be used for frontcountry camping. The draft collar keeps cold air out and narrow profile allows you to warm up quickly. Tip: Use the sleeping bag with a silk liner so you don’t have to clean it as often. Small fits to 5′ 6″ (168 cm) and weighs 795g; Regular fits to 6′ 0″ (183 cm) and weights 820g (Regular Left Zip); Long fits to 6′ 6″ (198 cm) and weighs only 880g. The only downside is its pricetag.
• VALUE PICK: Marmot Women’s Angel Fire 25 Down Sleeping Bag is rated 6th in Outdoor Gear Lab’s Top 15 Women’s Sleeping Bags. Fairly roomy for a mummy bag, Tested Comfort: 21.9°F / -5.6°C, and insulated with 650 fill power down, it’s a solid, affordable option. Regular weighs 1.2 kg (also available in short and long).
• KIDS/YOUTH: MEC Draco Jr.-5 Down Sleeping Bag – Youths: 650 fill power down, Regular fits to 5′ 0″ (154 cm), Small fits to 3′ 10″ (118 cm). The sleeping bag + 8 L compression sack (not included) weighs just over 1 kg.
• LITTLE KIDS: Big Agnes Little Red -9C Sleeping Bag: has synthetic fill but is super warm. Fits up to 4′ 5″ (135 cm) and weighs 822 grams. The hood is roomy so kids won’t feel constricted, and the bag has an integrated sleeve to hold a sleeping pad so kids won’t fall off in the night.

Sleeping Mats/Pads

• Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm Regular Sleeping Mat “offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any air sleeping pad construction.” This sleeping pad is a favorite of backcountry campers because it weighs only 0.4 kg (15 oz) and packs down the size of a Nalgene bottle, but inflates to 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) thick and boasts a 6.9 R-value. Although the material is a bit crinkly, I don’t mind because I’m so comfy! If you’d prefer the rectangular version, go for the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Max WV Sleeping Pad.
• If the Neoair Xtherm is the Lexus of self-inflating sleeping pads, the MEC Reactor 6.5 Sleeping Pad – Unisex is the reliable Toyota. With durable 150-denier ripstop polyester, 6.5 cm thickness for comfort, great insulation (5.0 R-Value), and rectangular shape that allows you to place mats side by side to cover the tent floor, the MEC Reactor 6.5 Sleeping Pad is ideal for car camping. Weight: 1.6 kg.
• For a lightweight, affordable option, try the MEC Reactor 3.8 Sleeping Pad – Unisex. 3.8 cm thick, 3.4 R-Value, Available in Short (153 cm) or Regular (183 cm, 730 grams).

Camp Pillows

If you have a mummy sleeping bag, you’ll need a smaller pillow. Look for a compressible one that you can bring backpacking. There are also hybrid (inflatable and compressible) pillows that are even more compact but more comfortable than an inflatable pillow.

• The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch Pillow is super comfortable and size Medium (300 grams) fits perfectly inside a mummy sleeping bag.
• Save space and pack weight with the Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Deluxe Pillow. This hybrid foam/inflatable pillow weighs only 195 grams!

3. Clothes and Sleepwear

• Bring 1 pair of wool socks and underwear for each day of your trip, and clothes that mix and match and dry quickly. Don’t forget a midlayer (fleece or down sweater) and waterproof/windproof layer. I love my Helly Hansen Verglas 3L Shell; it is waterproof, breathable, has vents, taped seams, and an adjustable hood.
• Sleepwear: Bring a change of clothes, clean toque, socks, and liner gloves. Do not sleep in the clothes you wore during the day; for bear safety as well as comfort (clothes you hiked in all day might be sweaty and damp, making you feel cold!). Since it’s so chilly in the mountains at night, I usually sleep in Patagonia Midweight Capilene base layers or microfleece long underwear.
• Baby sleepwear: Dress babies and toddlers in PJs and a fleece sleepsack or fleece bunting suit with fold-over mitts and booties. If necessary, put booties and mitts on baby’s hands and feet. We loved a blanket sleeper with the MEC Ursus Bunting Suit. Columbia and North Face also make quality fleece bunting suits.

4. Camp Kitchen

• Something to make coffee in: I like my collapsible silicone coffee dripper. You still need coffee filters (size 1 or 2), but the coffee dripper hardly takes up any space when it’s collapsed.
• Cooler & block of ice (lasts longer than cubes): For extra cooling capacity, get the 12V plug-in type by Koolatron or Coleman. We have the Koolatron P95 45-Quart 12 V Electric Cooler and find it works well and reduces the amount of ice we need to buy. A good camping hack is to freeze (clean) milk jugs full of water so you have drinking water when they melt.
• Camp Stove: Camp stoves are preferred for car camping for stability and simmering capability. The Coleman Triton Series Two Burner Stove is affordable and reliable. If you don’t have room, the Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove (single burner) is excellent and reasonably priced. You can simmer on it, it is very stable, and the propane cans can readily be found at hardware/outdoor stores, camp stores, and even some gas stations in the summer.
• Stove backup: In the event your camp stove fails, it’s good to have an extra stove (backcountry stove), folding emergency stove, or hotdog sticks and pie iron to cook over the fire.
• Fire making kit: Lighters, stormproof matches, flint and steel; purchase or make your own fire starters and pack them in a Ziploc bag or sealed plastic container; hatchet/axe
• Water filter/purification device: For family or group camping, I like the LifeStraw Gravity Water Filter System 3L, Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter, and SteriPEN Handheld UV Water Purifier. Bring extra batteries for the Steripen. Other alternatives are to boil water or use water treatment tablets. Even if drinking water is readily available at camp, it is useful to carry a water filter in hot weather so you can refill your water bottles on a long hike.
• Sturdy bins for your nonperishables. Shopping bags rip or allow your cereal and chips to get crushed. Clear bins allow you to find things quickly, but we use mostly Rubbermaid Roughneck bins because they’re durable and won’t crack.
• Dishes, cutlery, and cookware should go in a separate bin from your food for convenience. Don’t forget a tablecloth, can opener, spatula, cutting board, colander, sharp knife with cover, potholders, cooking oil, and spices. Learn how to make a cutlery roll here (saves space and can be brought on picnics).
• Cookware: Backpacking pots that nest inside each other save space! If space/weight are not an issue, a medium-sized cast iron skillet can be used over a fire or 2-burner camp stove.
• Dishwashing kit: Bring biodegradable dish soap (Campsuds) and a small dish scrubber in a ziploc bag (dries faster than a washcloth and some are made of antibacterial materials); Collapsible bucket for hauling dishwater; quick drying dishtowels or camp towels
• Roll of aluminum foil
• Roll of paper towels
• Hotdog roasting sticks: Get extendible roasting sticks to keep kids a safer distance from the fire.
• Ziploc bags of varying sizes for packing lunches or snacks
• Small/medium sized garbage bags (bring extra for dirty laundry)
• Nylon rope and clothespins for a camp laundry line
• Waterproof stuff sacks keep clothes and sleeping bags dry. They’re also useful for backcountry and walk-in camping if you have to hang food up or keep items with a scent separate from everything else. Put food items at least 100 metres from your tent and never cook near your tent. Best practice is to also hang up clothes you have cooked in.
• Finally, FOOD! Make a meal plan for your trip so you don’t forget anything. Keep spices, cooking oil, and non-perishables like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, marshmallows, macaroni, and canned soup permanently in the food bin so you don’t forget them.  Pro Tip: Pack several extra dehydrated meals in case of emergency. Also good for when you want to camp an extra day but don’t want to drive back into town for groceries.

5. Other Necessities

• Phone / tablet chargers (car chargers + plug-in)
• Power bank: This 20,000 mAh power bank can charge your phone five times.
• folding camp chairs
• LED headlamp: one per person + extra batteries
• Solar powered lantern: no batteries required!
• Tarp and lengths of rope for a rain shelter. Steal: 12′ x 16′ Guard Polytarp made of woven polyethylene (most affordable), Splurge: MEC Scout tarp (size M is 12.8′ x 9.5′) made of 75-denier polyester ripstop or MEC Silicone Scout Tarp (Size M is 12.8′ x 9.5′) is made of silicone coated 30-denier nylon ripstop. 
• sunscreen and bug spray (this one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks)
• Backpacks – for a daypack checklist, click here. Don’t forget a first aid kit, bear spray, rain poncho or emergency blanket, and signalling devices (whistle and mirror).
• water bottles or hydration packs – one each
• towels, washcloths
• coins/tokens for showers, shower sandals/flip flops
• toiletries -soap or body wash, shampoo and conditioner, razor
• baby wipes
• rope and clothespins to make a clothesline
• potty or bucket for emergencies
• duct tape
• hand sanitizer
• dust pan and broom
• tarp/mat for tent/trailer entrance

6. Nice to Have

• bug screen house / rain shelter
• pie iron
• hammock
• solar gear for recharging cell phones etc. / battery booster
• firewood hammock
• air compressor for filling air mattresses, balls, rafts
• Raft/air mattress, floaties, snorkelling gear, wetsuits for lakeside trips

7. Fun Stuff

• Magical Flames 
• Glow sticks
• Your camera, with extra batteries and memory cards, and charger
• Sturdy digital camera or old cell phone so kids can take their own photos. Create a photo scavenger hunt and make a photo book after the trip for priceless memories.
• Fishing gear & fishing licenses
• Coloring books, sketch books, pencils, crayons, markers
• Binoculars, magnifying glass
• Stand up paddleboard or inflatable kayak
• For the beach: Life jackets, sand toys, inflatable beach ball, kite
• Bikes and helmets if you have room; at the very least, bikes for the kids make getting around camp quicker.
• Smartphone, iPad or tablet loaded with bedtime stories. There’s no need to give up a good bedtime routine.
  • Apps to consider: Geocaching app, Merlin Bird ID, The Night Sky
  • audiobooks for the drive
• Board games or cards
• Soccer ball, frisbee, bubbles

Finally, don’t forget car safety kit & essentials such as battery booster, cell phone charger, and first aid kit. Pump up your spare tire too. See this story for more details on getting your vehicle ready for an epic road trip.

Don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post for handy reference! ⤵️

Related Posts

• Epic Road Trip Planning Part 1: Vehicle Check
• Epic Road Trip Planning Part 2: Budgeting Tools & Tips
• Epic Road Trip Planning Part 3: Embrace the Journey
• Epic Road Trip Planning Part 4: Deciding Where to Stay
• How to Choose a Tent
• Camping Sleep Systems: sleeping bags, sleeping pads, travel cribs
• Walk-In Campgrounds Near Calgary