A Tent Camping Checklist

A tent camping checklist will come in handy when preparing for your camping trip. Use this list to help keep your supply ready to go. Storing all the necessary things in a plastic bin and labeled will keep your supplies together.

You can substitute anything on this list to accommodate you and your particular needs.

Taking 12 volt appliances will help you with some of the camp cooking needs.

Camp Cooking


  • Bottled Drinking Water
  • Can Opener
  • Cooking and Eating Utensils
  • Cookware
  • Coolers
  • Extra fuel
  • Fire-Proof Gloves or Pot Holders
  • Food
  • Griddle or Skillet
  • Knife
  • Paper Products, Trash Bags
  • Plates, Cups, and Bowl
  • Portable Camp Grill
  • Trays and Chairs

Camping Gear

  • Compass, Maps and Portable GPS
  • Cot or Sleeping Pad
  • Fire Starters, Lighter
  • Firewood for Camp Fires
  • Flashlights or Headlamps with Extra Batteries
  • Flexible Funnel (if using a liquid fuel lantern or stove)
  • Lantern with Extra Fuel,
  • Batteries and Wicks
  • Multipurpose Knife
  • Multi Tool Rope and/or Bungee Cords
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Tarp or Ground Covering
  • Tent, Poles and Stakes
  • Tent Repair Kit Tool Kit: Camp Saw, Hand Axe, Rubber Mallet and Tent Stake Puller
  • Waterproof Matches

Personal Care

  • Bath Soap
  • Camp Towels
  • Citronella Candles and Insect Repellent
  • First Aid Kit
  • Clothing
  • Rain Gear
  • Toiletries

Eating/Food Prep

  • 12-Volt Appliances
  • Coffee, Coffee Pot
  • Portable Sink
  • Pot Scrubbers and Rags
  • Salt and Pepper or Spice
  • Tin foil
  • Zip Lock Bags or Plastic Wrap

Sleeping

  • Pillows
  • Tent Fan, Tent Light
  • Whisk Broom and Dust Pan

Personal Items

  • Cards and Games
  • Digital Camera with Extra Batteries
  • Flare, Signaling Mirror and Survival Whistle
  • Medication
  • Note Pad, Pencil or Pen
  • Radio with Weather Band
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

There are some short-cuts you can make on this tent camping checklist for space needs. You can use air pillows for regular pillows. Gather your firewood when you get to your camping site.

Food can be dehydrated or dried. You can also bring MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). Freezing water in 2-liter bottles makes a great substitute for ice and lasts longer. You can also freeze ice substitutes and they will last longer than crushed ice.

When packing, roll items up inside other things for space saving.

Bringing a plastic plate, cup and bowl and a metal utensil kit will save on space, but you have to wash it.

Paper products take up more space when packing, but can be burned after it's use.

You have to decide how much room you have for packing and how your needs will be better managed. Camping in tents is fun, if you have all the supplies you need.

Check the list, make adjustments as you need, add to it. Your tent camping checklist needs to be personal for you.


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