Packing for a last-minute camping trip is easy when your essentials are packed and ready to go. Photo by Brandon Scherzberg
I’d been shuffling through plastic bins in the back of the van for 45 minutes when I reluctantly came to the conclusion I’d forgotten the sporks. Or any utensil, for that matter. In hindsight, grabbing those plastic spoons at the gas station we passed an hour ago was a good idea.
When you decide to try car camping, no one tells you how much gear you’re going to forget the first few times. Between the tent, the headlamps, the cooking equipment, the cooler, the hiking gear, the fire starters, the road snacks, and the car keys, something inevitably gets left behind—leaving you scrambling to invent something or make it to Walmart before it closes for the night.
Be prepared for every spontaneous car camping trip, beach trip, and music festival by building your grab-and-go kit in advance. A little prep work will save you time, money, and from having to use your fingers to eat chili. Just grab a few big plastic bins and fill them with these essentials:
A camp stove, a sleeping bag, and a fire starter can get you far on a camping trip. Photo by Johnie Gall
Camping gear
Dry wood (if necessary, you can also pick this up on the way)
A fire starter like matches or a lighter
A small axe
Camp chairs or pads to sit on
Cash to reserve a camping spot with
Toilet paper and a micro-fiber towel
Camp shoes, like flip-flops
A rain jacket
A portable lantern
A basic first aid kit
Tent and sleeping gear
Tent, poles, and stakes
Tent footprint (this is the layer between you and the ground)
Spare tarp
Sleeping pad (Store this loosely folded with some air in it)
Sleeping bag (Keep this stored in a loose cotton bag or hanging in a closet so it doesn’t lose its loft.)
Camp pillow
A lantern or headlamp
A lightweight hammock
Cooking equipment
A cooler and plastic bags for storing loose food in
A knife
Oil for cooking
A spatula
A set of sporks
A can opener
Mugs, cups, bowls, and plates (you can buy these in lightweight camping sets)
Liter bottles for fresh water
A camp stove and fuel
Dish soap and trash bags
A bear canister (you can leave this at home if your campground has bear boxes)
Dry spices, cereals, and instant drink and sauce powder mixes
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