The great thing about camping is that you can do it with family or friends or even on your own. State and national parks, private campgrounds, the backcountry, and even your own backyard are all excellent places to enjoy camping.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur, seasonal or lifelong camper, every time you do it, you get a little wiser and more experienced.
Over time, you upgrade your inventory list for camping gear and add new items to your camping essentials kit. If you’re new to camping, you may not know what to bring when you go camping for the first time. So if you’re looking for a comprehensive list for camping basics, check out this Camping Checklist by MEC.
What to expect from this list for camping essentials?
On this list, you won’t find basic camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, bug spray, etc. We’ve compiled what we consider to be the top camping essentials to elevate your camping experience. We’ve got emergency essentials, kitchen essentials, gadgets, comfort must-haves, and more.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list – we know there are plenty of other items that could have been included. We’ll keep updating this list so if there are any items that you think should be on it, let us know in the comments below.
- LifeStraw Emergency Water Filter
- 16-in-1 Outdoor Survival Multi-Tool
- GoGirl Portable Bathroom Female Urination Device, Washable Medical Grade Silicone
- ReadyWise Emergency Freeze Dried Food Supply, Entrees, 60 Servings
- Rechargeable LED 4-Mode Motion Sensing Headlamp With 230° Illumination, Waterproof
- Portable 2-in-1 LED Camping Lantern and Whisper Fan
- Solar Powered 10,000mAh Power Bank With Qi Wireless Charger, USB Type C Inputs, Dual Flashlight and Compass
- Camping Double Hammock With Hammock Tree Straps
- Inflatable Camping Air Mat Sleeping Pad With Pillow And Built-In Pump, Ultralight, Durable, Waterproof
- 200W Car Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter With 2 Outlets And 4 USB Ports
- GATLING, CO. 21-Piece Camping Cookware Set - Portable Camping Kitchen Utensils
- Camping Cookware Mess Kit, Nesting, Non-Stick, Lightweight
- All-Purpose 299-Piece Emergency First Aid Kit
- Magical Cosmic Flames Campfire Color Changing Packets (12 Pack)
- Coleman Outdoor Folding Table | Ultra Compact Aluminum Camping Table
Water filtered by the LifeStraw Emergency Water Filter is free of bacteria and parasites. With 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of safe, clean drinking water, it lasts a long time. The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), and 99.999% of waterborne parasites (including giardia and cryptosporidium). It also removes microplastics and other nasty stuff from your water. When it comes down to it, having access to clean drinking water can be the difference between life and death.
Everyone needs a good multi-tool. They are useful in so many situations. You can take this 16-in-1 outdoor multi-tool everywhere you go. It’s small enough so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and is made of durable black oxide stainless steel. It's very compact and all the tools fit in with each other like a puzzle. It has a 2-model plier and screwdriver, wire cutter, hammer, hatchet, plier handle, file, spring, mini knife, bottle opener, hex wrench, fish descaler, wood saw, and a safety lock.
The GoGirl is a discreet, reusable, funnel-shaped urination device that’s made of soft, moisture-resistant, latex, and BPA-free medical-grade silicone. In other words, it’s a high-end state-of-the-art bathroom solution for you to take with you everywhere. The GoGirl urination device allows you to urinate while standing up. As GoGirl says, it’s neat and it’s discreet. It fits easily in your purse, pocket, or glove compartment. It’s got a splash guard as well to eliminate messes and spilling.
Freeze-dried and dehydrated food has quickly become one of the most popular meal options for outdoor enthusiasts heading into the backcountry. ReadyWise makes freeze-dried and dehydrated food that tastes great and come in a diverse array of flavorful options. This 60 service tub includes a variety of meals including Cheesy Lasagna, Creamy Pasta, Pasta Alfredo, Chili Mac, Chicken Noodle Soup, Savory Stroganoff, Hearty Tortilla Soup, Potato Pot Pie, Teriyaki and Rice, Baked Potato Casserole, Tomato Basil Soup, Southwest Beans and Rice, and Cheesy Macaroni.
Having a good headlamp when you’re camping is a must. It frees up your hands from holding a flashlight and gives you ample direct and ambient lighting wherever you look. I recently picked up this rechargeable LED headlamp with 230° illumination. It charges with a USB so I don’t bother with batteries anymore. It’s waterproof, has 4 modes, and is motion sensing so you don’t have to fiddle to turn it on and off. Just put it down and it turns off by itself, and then when you pick it up to use again it automatically turns itself back on.
When you’re camping and the sun starts to set, you’ll want to get out your camping lanterns so you have visibility around your campsite. This 2-in-1 camping lantern and fan has a super bright 18 LED lantern that will illuminate your campsite, as well as a powerful (and quiet) fan to cool you down or to keep spaces (like inside your tent) well-ventilated and comfortable.
Going camping is a great excuse to digitally disconnect and get some quality time without any electronics. But sometimes you need to make sure you have power in your camping gadgets (like lights, fans, etc.) or maybe for your phone in case of an emergency. Due to its solar charging power bank, you’ll have unlimited power for whatever you need, as long as you can catch the sun’s rays. The wireless Qi charging feature is perfect if your phone or device supports wireless charging. And the added flashlight and compass features are handy in a pinch. It’s great for camping, but also other outdoor activities like cycling, fishing, hiking, etc.
Setting up my hammock is one of the first things I do when I arrive at my campsite. It’s my go-to spot for a quick rest or when I want to curl up and lounge with a book. It’s also my favorite place to take power naps and it’s so comfortable. This double camping hammock is made to accommodate two people and can support a total weight of 500 lbs. That’s a lot of weight! If you’re into hammock camping, this hammock is ideal as it’s made of 210T nylon, is super lightweight, and is very easy to set up (less than 3 minutes).
Sleeping on hard ground can be pretty uncomfortable and prevent you from getting a good night's rest. This Inflatable Camping Air Mat Sleeping Pad With Ergonomic Pillow And Pump is so great because it’s 2.5 inches thick which makes it feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud and not hard rocky terrain. The ergonomic built-in pillow is super comfortable and supports your cervical spine leaving you to wake up feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to continue on your adventures through nature. This sleeping pad inflates in under a minute and deflates just as quickly.
If you don’t have an AC outlet in your vehicle then this power inverter will help you keep all your electronics charged, and also operate low wattage appliances. It’ll accommodate your phones, iPads, and laptops easily. It’s got 2 AC power outlets and 4 USB ports. It works by plugging into a cigarette lighter outlet in your vehicle, and that’s it. You can now plug in, charge, and use your electronics. It’s just a little bigger than a standard credit card and 1.5 inches thick. Built to last a long time, and guaranteed to come in handy when you need power.
Something else that you’ll need when backcountry or car camping is a good set of kitchen and cooking utensils. It should be diverse but still have everything that you need. The kit of choice is the 21-Piece Camping Kitchen Utensils set as it has everything that I need and packs down into a slim carrying bag. When it comes to working in the campsite kitchen, this 21-piece camping kitchen utensils kit will give you everything you need.
Another thing that you’ll need when camping is a quality camping cookware mess kit with a variety of options for cooking anything that your heart desires. This Camping Cookware Mess Kit is perfect for all your needs. It’s ideal for 2-4 people and includes 2 pots with lids,1 frying pan, 1 kettle, 4 BPA-free bowls, 2 BPA-free plates,1 BPA-free foldable soup spoon, 1 rice ladle, and 1 cleaning sponge. This camping cookware set is lightweight, and super easy to carry since it's designed for all the pieces to nest within each other for maximum space-saving. This camping cookware mess kit will make cooking your meals in the kitchen quick and easy.
If you’re going to take a trip anywhere outdoors, it is absolutely essential that you take a first aid kit. Not just any first aid kit, but one that has everything that you would need should anyone need any first aid out in the wilderness. Not only will a great first aid kit help with any injuries that might occur while you’re camping, but it can also keep you prepared for any survival situations that you might face while you’re on your trip. The idea of having a great camping first aid kit is that you hopefully will never need to use it, but if you need it, you’ll be really glad you invested in a good first aid kit.
Cosmic Flames by Magical Flames are the fun little packets that you can toss into your fire to create a truly magical experience! The campfire is a sacred element of camping outdoors, and anyone who loves campfires or bonfires will love watching the color of the flames change. It’s truly mesmerizing. These Cosmic Magical Flames Fire Color Changing Packets work on wood fires only, and last about 30-45 minutes. It’s the best thing for campfires since roasting marshmallows!
One thing that often gets overlooked, is the need for a table when you’re out camping. If you're going camping you’ll want to bring this Coleman Outdoor Folding Table. It’s ultra-compact and folds into a slim carrying bag, so it won’t take up much space and will be easy to carry. Folding it up and putting it away takes no time and is also quick and easy. Whether you need somewhere to put your kitchen essentials or need a table for meals (this table has enough seating room for 4 people), this Coleman outdoor camping folding table will not let you down.
