All the Things You Need to Survive In the Wilderness

I love me some campin’! And I’m sure you do too. But apparently our short-term memory can only hold onto 7 things before breaking down in the “did you remember to pack…” area.

That’s why we’ve got you covered at Ready Tribe with the ultimate camping checklist for surviving in the outdoors. Now you might not need everything we talk about in this list. But it’s a comprehensive checklist for any situation.

So don’t think you’ll need to pack absolutely everything on this list for each camping trip. But it’s a good idea to go through it thinking about what your plans are and packing accordingly. Don’t need pet food this trip because the dog’s with the neighbors? No problem.

It’s easy to personalize and adjust this list according to your needs.

We’ve compiled this list thinking about every possible thing you might need in a variety of different situations. The wilderness is no joke sometimes, so you want to be prepared for anything.

But hey – we’re not perfect. We might’ve missed a thing or two. And that’s why we want this to be a living list. If you see something we’ve missed here, please chime in below in the comments section.

Let us know what you think we missed, and why it’s important. Let’s make this the best camping checklist on the internet!

By the way, you can download this checklist complete with check-boxes to keep your next camping trip organized! Just share this article and you’ll be able to download a printable PDF of this checklist below.

Camping Checklist PDF Download

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And without wasting any more time, here is the Ready Tribe Ultimate Camping Checklist:

The “Live or Die” Essential Survival List

This stuff is the “must-haves” of the entire list. These are things you cannot (and do not) want to be caught without when you’re out camping. Make sure you take everything in this list so you’re prepared for whatever situation mother nature throws at you.

A tent w/ tent-poles, stakes, guylines and tent footprint

A tent w/ tent-poles, stakes, guylines and tent footprint Tent-pole repair sleeves

Sleeping bags and sleeping pads

Pillows, thick sheets/blankets

A multi-tool like The Leatherman

A mallet or small hammer

An axe

Small shovel

A knife (pocket-size or large)

Duct Tape

Flashlights (yes.. multiple)

Lanterns w/ extra fuel (just in case)

Batteries (lots and lots, different types)

Solar power charger

Water filtration/purification accessories (can be as simple as a Brita filter)

Matches, lighters and lighter fluid

Extra bags (plastic and reusable)

Compass

Maps

Rubbing alcohol

Cotton swabs

Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes/cream

Full first aid kit

Medications you may need

Binoculars

Two-way radio or walkie-talkies

Rope and string

Canvas or plastic tarp

Homemade or store-bought fire-starting tinder or kindling

Insect Repellent

Small cooking pot

Thermos

Star chart

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Essential Clothing

You never know what kind of weather you’re going to have when you’re out in the wild. It’s important to be prepared for anything. Some of this stuff can be left behind if you’re going camping during certain seasons but make sure you’ve got everything you need for everyone you’re with.

Moisture-wicking t-shirts and underwear

Moisture-wicking t-shirts and underwear Long sleeve shirts

Quick dry pants and shorts

Insulated pants and jackets/vests

Thick and thin socks (synthetic or wool)

Fleece sweaters/shirts/pants

Long underwear

Swim gear

Rain gear

Waterproof and/or windproof jackets/pants

Sleepwear

Hats/caps

Bandanas

Gloves + Mitts

Hiking Boots

Walking/Running shoes

Flip-flops

Thermal socks, gloves, leggings, shirts

Down jacket (for cold climates)

Toque + scarf

Extra layers!

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The Adventurer’s Essentials

Are you the adventurous type? You’ll definitely want to pack this stuff so you can experience the wilderness like it was meant to be experienced – wild!

Trekking/hiking poles

Bikes + bike trailers

Inflatable boat + paddles or a canoe/kayak

Inflatable life jackets

Fishing gear

ATV or dirt bike

Climbing gear

Foodstuffs + Other Consumables

Sure, you could probably find a way to live off of nature, and it’s a great skill to have. But let’s face it, sometimes you just want some pancakes! Here are some essential foods and consumables you might need during your camping trip.

Spatula + other cooking utensils

Frying pan

Cutting board

Foil paper

Plates, bowls, mugs/cups, cutlery

Cooking oil/spray, butter/margarine

Cereals, granola, breakfast bars, oatmeal

Pancake mix + syrup

Energy foods (protein bars, trail mix, etc.)

Powder or fresh milk

Meat (fresh or jerky)

Meat (fresh or jerky) Eggs (freeze-dried or fresh)

Fruits and Vegetables

Cheese

Bread + crackers

Soup Mixes

Canned foods

Chips and other snacks

Tea/Coffee + Electric or stove-top kettle

Beer, wine and other liquor

Cocoa / Hot Chocolate

Marshmallows

Hot Dogs

Salt, pepper and other herbs for seasoning

Dish scrubber

Soap + Shampoo

Toilet Paper + Paper Towels

Wet wipes

Toothbrush + toothpaste

Floss and mouth wash

Travel Deodorant

Pet food (if you have pets)

The “Nice to Have” Stuff

This stuff is not exactly essential, but it’d be great to have while you’re out in the middle of nature. Some of the stuff will require a power source of some sort, others not so much. It won’t kill you to forget this stuff, but it might make things a lot more inconvenient.

Stand-alone GPS device / Sat-Nav

Stand-alone GPS device / Sat-Nav Folding chairs/table

Air mattress + repair kit and air pump

Portable stove/grill

Can opener

Charcoal and firewood

Food storage containers + Zip Lock bags

Battery powered cooler

Funnel

Bath Towels

Nail Clippers

Tweezers

Collapsible water containers

Sunscreen

Mirror

Lip Balm

Toiletry kit

Sunglasses

Smartphone w/ camera

Additional memory cards (if applicable)

Alarm Clock

Umbrella

Wind screen

Mosquito netting

Large picnic sheets (to sit on)

Large plastic storage tub

Scissors

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Entertainment Essentials

Camping is great, but sometimes things get too quiet and dare I say… boring. Packing up some of this stuff will make sure there’s always something to do when you’re away from home.

Radio/music players

Headphones + portable speakers

Books to read

Playing cards

Notepads w/ pens or pencils

Frisbee, football, soccer ball

Board games

Guitar

Telescope

Got Kids?

If you’ve got small children there are a few other things you’ll want to make sure you have. This checklist is for the new(ish) parents who want to take their children camping and not struggle with it.

Child carrier or baby backpack

Child carrier or baby backpack Folding stroller

Portable crib

Portable high chair, baby chair and potty

Personal Flotation Devices

Water Wings

Chalk, crayons and markers + sketch pads

Baby wipes

Baby food

That’s essentially it. All the stuff you need to worry about when you’re camping. Remember you can always download this checklist, print it out and keep it with you for you camping trips. It’ll make it much easier to be sure you’ve got everything you need.

All you have to do is tweet this article or share it on Facebook to download the printable PDF of the Ready Tribe Ultimate Camping Checklist.

Did we forget anything? Let us know your camping essentials we might have missed in the comments below!