Maine Tent Camping Checklist: Everything you Need to Camp Comfortably in Maine

Camping is one of the best ways to spend quality time with people you love. Whatever the reason is for your camping trip—nostalgia, relaxation, or maybe just connecting with nature, MyMaine can help you effortlessly prepare for your trip so you can focus on what really matters—making memories that will last a lifetime.

Through many, many camping trips in the woods, at campgrounds, in good weather, and in bad weather— I like to think that I’ve perfected our tent camping checklist. It has everything you need to sleep comfortably, lounge freely, and have a bit of fun. I’ve updated it to include baby items and direct links so you can shop my favorite camping gear all in one place.

Tent Camping Packing Checklist

Check out my Amazon Storefront to view and shop all of my camping essentials in one place.

Sleeping

• Tent (my husband, baby, dog, and I sleep comfortably in this 6-person Big Agnes tent from REI).

• Sleeping pads or cots (we love these therm-a-rest self-inflating pads)

• Sleeping bag (a 30-degree or 40-degree bag is usually sufficient for June through September)

• Pillow (I like to bring a regular pillow from home and throw on a travel pillow case in case it gets dirty)

• Extra blanket (either a nice outdoor down blanket or a wool-blend blanket)

• Compact, handheld broom (to sweep dirt out of your tent—I like this one)

Kitchen

• A large frying pan (we like to use cast iron pans or this cook set from GSI when camping)

• Large pot 

• Medium pot 

• Mixing bowls 

• Camp stove (we like this stove from Coleman because it has a removable cast iron skillet)

• Propane tank(s) for camp stove

• Metal spatula

• Metal spoon

• Metal tongs

• Metal whisk 

• Strainer (this collapsible one from Amazon stores well)

• Can opener

• Aluminum foil  

• Oven mitts 

• Knife/cutting board set (we LOVE the GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife set)

• Bins/cloths/dish soap for dishes 

• Garbage bags 

• Plates, Cups, Bowls (we LOVE this enamel dish set from GSI Outdoors)

• Silverware (this stainless steel enamel cutlery set is hardy and looks so cute with our enamel dishes)

• Paper towels or cloth kitchen towels

Entertainment

• Bluetooth Speaker (we LOVE our Bose portable speaker—it has kept our spirits high during many rainy camping trips)

• Board game(s) (pick your favorites—Yahtzee! Cribbage! Catan! Clue! Bananagrams!)

• Playing cards

• Lawn game(s)—corn hole, ladder ball, etc.

• Bicycles (there is no better feeling than riding your bike around a campground)

• Fishing gear (if allowed, be sure to check the campground and local rules and regulations)

Campfire Essentials 

• Axe 

• Camp chairs (like these kickback rockers from GCI)

• Lighter/matches 

• S’mores sticks (these metal s’mores sticks are worth the investment)

• Hammock stand (needed if you’re going to be camping somewhere without trees)

• Hammocks (these are essential!!)

• Wood (we usually buy this at campground to prevent spread of pests)

• String lights (optional, but can be really festive, bonus if they are solar-powered!)

• Side table (also optional, but very convenient for sitting around the campfire!)

Miscellaneous Items

• Extension cord (you just never know when you’re going to need one!)

• Toilet paper (I usually bring two rolls—just in case)

• Towels (quick-drying towels or beach towels work great!)

• A box fan or small fan (to help circulate the air in your tent when there is no breeze)

Baby Items

• Stroller—we love our Thule Urban Glide 2. It is a jogging stroller, so it does really well on dirt and gravel campground roads.

• Stroller accessories (rain cover, bug cover, bassinet, etc.)

• Bouncer (it’s great to have a place to set your baby down while cooking, playing cards, etc.)

• Pacifiers

• Bassinet or pack n’ play (for sleeping)

• Quilt (to tuck into bed mattress for added warmth)

• Stroller fan (to help circulate air on hot days)

• Toys (books, stuffed animals, etc.)

• Sun hat

• Warm hat (wool is a great option, as it regulates their temperature)

• Adjustable Booties (to keep their feet warm on cold nights)

• Wipes

• Diapers

• Bunting (I love wool bunting, as it actively regulates baby’s temperature)

• Clothes

• Burp cloths

Safety Items

• Extra batteries (for headlamp, lantern, etc,.)

• Jackery power station (we bring this on every camping trip to keep our phones, bluetooth speaker, and Garmin InReach charged)

• Garmin InReach (we always have a satellite communication device when we are camping, you can send a signal to first responders, track/send your location, and send messages via satellite to loved ones)

• Duct tape (no explanation needed)

• Flashlight/headlamp (this is my current headlamp)

• Lantern (great for lighting up the picnic table at night while playing cards)

• Hand sanitizer 

• First aid kit

• Utility knife

• Scissors

I hope this comprehensive packing list helps make packing for camping easier and less stressful. The less time we spend packing, the more time we can spend with loved ones.

All of these camping essentials and more are conveniently listed on my camping essentials Amazon Storefront for easy shopping!

Happy camping,

My Maine