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 years of camping experience and small mishaps, I like to think that I’ve perfected the tent camping checklist. It has everything you need to sleep comfortably, lounge freely, and cook on the campfire. I’ll even add links to some of my tried and true camping items! Note that clothes, hygiene products, water, and food, are not included in this list. I cover those in separate posts that you can find under the camping tab.

Tent Camping Packing Checklist

Sleeping 

Tent (my husband, dog, and I sleep comfortably in this Adventure Dome tent from L.L Bean)

Sleeping pads/cots (we love these sleeping pads from L.L Bean)

Bedding/sleeping bag (a 35 or 40 degree bag is usually sufficient for June-September, I like this sleeping bag from L.L Bean)

Pillow (I like to bring a “normal” pillow from home and throw on a different pillow case that I don’t mind getting dirty)

Extra blanket (usually one that is fleece or a wool-blend)

Handheld broom (I like this one from OXO)

Kitchen 

One large frying pan (we like to use cast iron pans when camping)

One medium frying pan

Large pot 

Medium pot 

Mixing bowls 

Camp stove (we like this stove from Coleman)

Propane tanks for camp stove

Metal spatula 

Heat resistant spoon 

Metal/heat resistant tongs

Whisk 

Strainer (this collapsible one from Amazon works nice)

Can opener

Aluminum foil  

Oven mitts (silicone oven mitts are great for cooking over the campfire)

Knife/cutting board set (like this one from GSI Outdoors, or you can just bring a variety of knives/cutting boards)

Bins/cloths/dish soap for dishes 

Garbage bags 

Plates 

Cups 

Silverware 

Paper towels 

Entertainment 

Bluetooth Speaker

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

Cards 

Lawn game(s) (corn hole, ladder ball)

Campfire Essentials 

Axe 

Camp chairs (like these from REI)

Lighter/matches 

S’mores sticks (I find that it’s worth it to invest in the metal s’mores sticks, the wooden ones are cheap but they burn and then you have to buy more!)

Hammock stand (needed if you’re going to be camping somewhere without a lot of 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)

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

Additional Items

Flashlight/headlamp (this headlamp is one of my favorites)

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

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

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

Duct tape (no explanation needed)

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

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

Hand sanitizer 

First aid kit

Scissors

Happy camping, friends!

MyMaine