Complete Car Camping Checklist

Checklist Overview

This is my Car Camping Checklist; a list I’ve improved upon over the past 10+ years. I’ve modified this list to include items which may seem redundant (i.e. propane stove, tripod grill, steel grill, charcoal grill), in order to provide you with other camp item options. Before heading out, I print out the checklist and cross off items I’m not bringing. Then, I go through the rest of the checklist and cross off each item as I’m packing up my car. Hopefully this checklist helps you on YOUR next car camping trip! Click on the image above for a Printable PDF version!

Don’t forget to test all battery operated items and charge rechargeable items a couple of days before you leave

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable Battery Pack

Flashlight Batteries

Headlamp Battery

Portable Speaker System (Radio) Batteries

Camera battery

Rechargeable LED Lanterns

Mattress Air Pump

Car Battery Pack

Things to have with you on the ride up to the site (within arms-length & not packed away)

Money

Wallet

Credit Card

Cell Phone/GPS (have the telephone numbers of everyone going camping)

Cell Phone Charger

Misc. Cables/Adapters for Electronics

Camera

Printed Directions as Backup

Maps/Trail Maps

Hat

Sunglasses

Sweatshirt

Power Inverter

Ipod

Medications

Sunscreen

Snacks

Beverages

Paper Towels/Napkins

Things to pick up near your campsite

More Ice

More Beer

Water (fill up your Water Jug)

Firewood – if going to a site that doesn’t allow collecting downed/fallen wood, buy locally. Visit www.Dontmovefirewood.org for rules/regulations concerning firewood transportation.

Personal Hygiene

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Listerine

Unscented Deodorant

Hand Sanitizer

Isopropyl Alcohol/Peroxide

Cotton Balls

Dry Shampoo (when taking a shower isn’t an option)

Feminine Items

Small Mirror

Nailclippers

Other Personal Items

Contacts

Contacts Case

Contact Solution

Chapstick

Sunscreen

Glasses

Shower Essentials

Solar Shower

Towel

Bar of Soap (w/ plastic holding container)

Shampoo/Conditioner

Flip Flops (if using public showers)

Body Wash

Face Wash

Shaving Cream

Razor

Comb

Bathroom Necessities

Toilet Paper – try to use biodegradable when camping.

Small Shovel/Trowel

Baby Wipes

Pepto Bismol

Optional Bathroom Necessity

Bucket w/ Toilet Seat Lid Kitty Litter Garbage Bag



Clothes/Outerwear

Underwear

Socks (bring extra in case it rains)

Long Sleeve Shirts

Long Pants

T-shirts

Shorts

Belt

Poncho/Rain Jacket

Sweatshirt/Hoodie

Pajamas

Hat

Bandana

Extra pair of sneakers/boots

Flipflops

Swimsuit/Swimming Trunks

Beach Towel

Shelter

Tent

Groundcloth/Footprint – cut a tarp just under your tent’s base size. If the footprint exceeds the base of your tent, water will likely pool up underneath.

Mat for outside the tent door (optional)

Tent Poles

Tent Stakes

Mallet (or use the back of your axe)

Tarps

Paracord/Nylon Rope

Canopy – Best screened canopy I’ve ever owned

Canopy Stakes

Hammock

Sleep Gear

Pillow or Pillow Case (stuffed w/ the extra clothes that you bring)

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Optional Sleep Gear

Blanket – to cover yourself around the campfire on cold nights and/or for sleeping.

Cot

Air Mattress

Air Mattress Pump

Kitchen / Chuck Box

Paper Towels

Coffee

Tea

Sugar

Hot Chocolate Mix

Cutting Board

Large Chopping Knife

Mixing Bowl

Cooking Spray/Oil

Spices (Multi Spice Shaker)

Condiments

Serving Spoon

Spatula

Tongs

Oven Mitts

Aluminum Foil

Garbage Bags – clear bags are great with larger group of people. 1 bag for trash, 1 bag for bottles/recyclables.

Disposable Gloves

Can Opener

Dish Soap

Sponge

Disinfecting Wipes

Ziplock Bags

Tupperware Containers (food storage)

7 Gallon Water Jug

Coolers – bring 2 coolers if possible, one for food and the other for beverages. Nothing worse than having food contaminating your ice water where your beverages are being stored. Plus, the beverage cooler is opened more frequently. Food cooler Beverage cooler

Ice – try to freeze gallon jugs or bottles of water. Keeps the cooler cold for much longer and you can drink it after it melts.

Dinnerware

Folding Table

Table Cloth

Camp Chair

Bowls

Plates

Cup/Mug

Hobo Tool (Spoon/Knife/Fork)

Cookware

Lighting

Flashlight

Headlamp

Propane Lantern

Lantern Hanger

Propane Fuel

Mantles

Tiki torches

Citronella oil (Big Bottles)

Campfire

Lighter/Matches

Newspapers

Cotton Pads dipped in Wax

Extra Tarp – to cover your collected firewood in case it rains.

Tools

Axe

Swiss Army Knife

Chain Saw

Mallet/Hammer

Bug Defense

Bug spray Deet Permethrin

Citronella candle(s)

Medications

Personal

Aloe Vera

Benadryl

Advil

Anti-itch cream (Bug Bites)

Cleaning Section

Dust Pan/Brush – to clean out your tent before packing it up.

Old Rag – for cleanups.

Plastic Tub – for cleaning dishes. As long as you clean your plate after eating, this isn’t a problem. It becomes a problem when you wait to clean it the next day.

Dutch Oven Scrubber

Misc. Items

Automobile Items

Spare Tire

Jack

Wrench

The knowledge of how to change a flat tire

Things to Do While Camping

Hiking

Swimming

Late Night Walks

Relaxing in a Hammock

Collecting and Chopping Wood

Cooking Food

Playing Guitar

Writing in a Communal Camping NoteBook

Personal Writing/Drawing Pens/Pencils Notebook

Read a Book/Magazine

Play Cards

Fishing Fishing License – most Walmart’s sell them. Fishing Pole Bait/Lures Sinkers/Bobbers Hooks Lines Tackle Box

Plant ID Book

Wildlife ID Book

Binoculars (Bird Watching)

Games/Board Games

Car Camping Food/Drink Ideas

Food

Hamburgers

Hotdogs

Hamburger Buns

Hotdog Buns

Sausage

Chicken

Pork

Chicken Wings

Veggie Burgers

Ears of Corn

Potatoes

Cold Cuts

Bread

Eggs

Beverages

Water

Milk

Beer

Wine

Mixed Drinks (Punch)

Mini Kegs

Vitamin B Complex/B-12 – Take one preferably before and after drinking. Drinking depletes B Vitamins (specifically B12). Taking this helps to prevent sluggishness. Drinks that contain B12 include: Power Aide and Coconut Water.

Snacks

Chips

Hummus

Triscuits

Cheese

Carrots

PB&J

Fruit

Vegetables

Smores Ingredients

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