Interested in getting outdoors, but nervous because you’ve never done it before? Yas grew up camping, but Dev didn’t, and now its something we both love doing together! Read on to find out essential information in our beginners guide to camping.
List of Basic Supplies
- Tent
- Sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Sleeping Mat
- Camp chairs
- Cooler
- Food and Drinks
- Propane Stove or Grill
- Dining wear
- Camp mugs
- Paper Towels
- Trash Bags
- Foil
- Hiking Boots
- Headlamps
- Lighter, firewood, firestarter, lighter fluid
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, other toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellant
- Hammock, s’mores ingredients, board games, etc.
If you’re interested in our specific product recommendations, you can find that on our camping essentials page here.
Who
Figure out who is going to be in your camping party. This is important for a variety of reasons. Will you need a big tent, or a small one? Does everyone have a sleeping pad and a sleeping mat? How much food will you need to bring?
If you are starting fresh and looking into invest in a high quality sleeping bag for cold weather, you can’t go wrong with the Marmot Never Summer. It’s on the pricer end of sleeping bags, but keeps you deliciously warm even in very cold temperatures. If you’re looking for a lower end more multi-use sleeping bag, consider this one. Its lightweight and water proof, and packs up really small.
We also highly recommend investing in quality sleeping mats to place under your sleeping bag. They have multiple purposes. They insulate you from the cold ground, and they also give a squishier, softer base than hard dirt or rock. We only started using these a few years ago, and they have been a complete game changer. We are now able to camp much more comfortably in more rugged terrain. They may seem like a superfluous purchase but TRUST US THEY’RE WORTH IT.
What
You’re going outdoors! Keep in mind most campgrounds do not have cell phone or wifi service. This is one of the benefits of going camping, to unplug!
Keep in mind you may see or hear animals while you are camping. This is completely normal, as you are in their territory. Be respectful and keep in mind any warnings or regulations from the park rangers. Make sure to stow any food in a bear proof container or in your car, especially if you are camping in California.
Where
We love camping in our home state of California, but so does everybody else it seems like! Camping reservations are often booked far in advance, especially over the summer months. We love this search tool for campgrounds across the nation whereas this one is for California only.
If you have specific dates in mind, its a good idea to be flexible with regards to which campground you want to visit. If you have a specific location in mind, then make sure you book well in advance to secure a spot.
Sometimes we end up camping at KOA’s which are private campgrounds and tend to be a little pricier (still cheaper than a hotel). Other times, we have found county campgrounds that are also really great (we love this one that overlooks Ojai).
When
The season that you are camping in is incredibly important. This will inform you on where to camp and what sort of clothing and bedding you need to bring with you, as well as water. For example, if you’re visiting Joshua Tree during the summer, it’s going to be over 100 degrees every day and you’re going to be extremely hot and thirsty. If you’re visiting a cold and rainy climate in the winter, be prepared with higher rated sleeping bags and hot water bottles to keep you cozy at night. Definitely bring supplies to build a fire (firewood, lighter fluid, lighter, and quick-start fire starters like these ones, 30% off with coupon).
Also keep in mind that if you’re camping during a season with limited daylight, and there’s not going to be a full moon, it’s a good idea to bring a headlamp. We really love our Duracell headlamps because they are super bright and are really helpful when walking around the campground at night.
Why
Think about why you’re going camping. Is it to escape? To connect with family and friends? Is it to go on a specific hike, or see a certain waterfall? Then make sure you carve out time to do just that! Consider making s’mores around the campfire, or playing board games with the family. We love these telescoping s’mores sticks that come in lots of cute colors.
Hungry for more? Check out our post on Droolworthy Camping Recipes!