Download the Ultimate Camping Checklist

You’ve spent hours gathering and packing equipment and supplies, travelled a considerable distance to reach your destination... and then discovered that you forgot the tent pegs, the tea bags, your cooking stove and several other camping essentials.

Either that or you know from experience that your VW Golf's boot space (passenger footwell, rear parcel shelf, occupant's laps, etc.) cannot possibly contain everything your family would like to take with you!

Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced camper, putting together a camping kit list is one of the best ways you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable camping trip. Your camping essentials list with come in handy year after year, so feel free to laminate it for re-use.

A checklist not only helps you remember what to take camping, but (for the truly organised) is also a handy reminder for equipment and supplies that need to be checked for good working order before you set off.

Of course, your own camping checklist will vary depending on who you travel with, where you're going, the time of year, length of trip, campsite facilities, weather, mode of transport and individual preferences.

So what you need is the Ultimate Camping Checklist. Something you can use to rule things in or out of your own personal checklist and that can offer ideas for your family too.

And that's exactly what we've got for you here. An easy-to-print PDF file with everything you could possibly need.

Remember though, it's not a contest! (or not for all of us at least)

Your camping essentials checklist

• Shelter and bedding
• Lighting
• Entertainment
• Pet supplies
• Cooking
• Clothing
• Toiletries
• Transport
• Miscellaneous extras

Shelter and bedding

Tents can be a dream…or a nightmare depending on what essentials you remember to bring, and the fatal move of forgetting a mallet could leave you frantically stomping on tent pegs! For tent camping with the UK weather in mind, check and re-check your supplies for a windbreaker and rug to cover the tent floor; you’ll love the rug’s cosy feel and it blocks damp during the night.

Every tent will also need a groundsheet or tarpaulin, plus flysheet, poles and guy lines. Fill your pockets with tent pegs, enough to cover every corner of your tent twice and then extra in case you hit a stone and the peg gives up all hope of standing straight.

Inside your new living space a few homely touches will help family camping go smoothly, a dustpan and brush for muddy footprints, a doormat (even better!) and hot water bottles for chilly nights. Safety first, so consider a carbon monoxide alarm.

Sleeping arrangements are a personal choice and we’ve given you the best options, it’s the ultimate camp site decision. A lot of campers swear by their sleeping bag and mat with extra duvets from home, or there may be space to squeeze in a camp bed or air mattress.

If you choose something inflatable to sleep on, bring a foot pump, and a repair kit deserves a space on every planner’s list of camping essentials, before you need it!

• Tent, poles and guy lines
• Groundsheet or tarp
• Flysheet
• Windbreak
• Tent pegs (plus spare pegs)
• Mallet
• Sleeping bags and bedding
• Pillow
• Sleeping mat
• Camp bed or air mattress
• Dust pan and brush
• Doormat
• Rug for tent floor
• Hot water bottle(s)
• Carbon monoxide alarm

For more on choosing essential camping gear such as the perfect tent, take a peek at our What to take camping guide.

Lighting

We love campsites in stunning natural areas, far from city lights and the welcoming glow of a McDonalds, but it’s easy to step in a rabbit hole after dark. A torch will come in handy, or perhaps a lantern. Either way, don’t forget the batteries and spare bulbs!

A headlamp will allow you to play at being a miner and spot wildlife in the bushes hands free so it’s the perfect thing for camping. As evening approaches, curl up outside your tent for dinner and light a citronella candle to keep away pesky insects.

• Torches
• Lanterns (battery/wind-up)
• Spare bulbs and batteries
• Headlamp
• Citronella candles

Entertainment

High priority for family camping, is ‘something to keep the kids entertained on holiday’. Even if you’re travelling without children, camping is the perfect time to step away from your smartphone and remember that book you wanted to read or album you love.

A humble pack of cards can be ideal for a little relaxation. Board games, magazines, colouring-in books and playing cards are indoor activity essentials for camping with kids. When the sun shines, a Frisbee, bike or ball will go down a treat and might even get the neighbours involved too. Not all of these are necessary things for camping, but they are fun things to bring!

• Books or magazines
• Local area guidebook
• Board games
• Puzzles
• Colouring-in books
• Musical instruments
• MP3 player and tablet
• Pack of playing cards
• Toys for children
• Bikes
• Frisbee
• Sporting equipment

Pet supplies

If you’re thinking that one of your top camping essentials would be food, this is doubly true for animals, so pack their treats and everyday food at the top of your heaving luggage. This guarantees you can grab it whenever you stop for a break or can no longer resist that pleading gaze!

Pets keen for a walk will need a leash and collar, plus toys and collapsible bowls for food and water for their trip. Remember to pack any medication or vet details, just in case.

• Food and treats
• Leash
• Collapsible water bowl
• Toys
• Medication if required
• Emergency vet details

Cooking supplies

Talking of hungry campers, your cooking supplies list should include everything needed to prepare food, store leftover morsels and keep things hygienic. A stove or disposable BBQ is a great starting point, and the fuel required.

In spite of what TV might lead you to believe, starting a fire in the wild is a challenge without a few helpful aids. Forget the cave man route and instead know that perhaps the most important things for camping are firelighters, matches, and balled up newspaper to get things going.

Easy-to-forget camping supplies such as cutlery, a tin opener and corkscrew along with bin bags for all the usual rubbish will all save the day. For the truly organised, pack foldaway chairs and a table for a little outdoor dining.

• Stove with fuel supply
• Pots and pans with lids
• Potholder and oven gloves
• Cooking utensils
• Water storage container
• Water purification tablets
• Kettle
• Jug
• Tin opener
• Bottle opener / corkscrew
• Plastic crockery and cutlery
• Mixing bowl and colander
• Cool box and freeze blocks
• Matches or a lighter
• Barbecue and charcoal
• Fire starters or newspaper
• Cooking oil
• Thermos flask
• Folding table and chairs
• Aluminium foil
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Bin bags
• Tea towels
• Scrubbing sponge
• Bucket or camping
• Eco washing up liquid
• Tupperware
• Food
• Drinks
• Condiments

Clothing

Perhaps your biggest decisions around clothing will be, how many times are your prepared to do laundry? Adjust your stock and underwear supplies accordingly. A pair of flip flops for the shower are also a campsite staple.

In terms of clothes, what you need for camping is what you’d bring to an outdoorsy holiday in a rented home, but with more layers to keep you toasty at night. Think walking boots, thick jumpers, and a waterproof layer to cover your top and bottom half.

• Waterproofs
• Spare trousers
• Warm fleece or jumper
• Walking boots
• Several pairs of warm socks
• Flip flops (for the showers)
• Wellies
• Sufficient underwear
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Hat (for protection from the sun or cold)
• Scarf and gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sleepwear
• Swimming costumes
• Beach towels
• Dirty laundry bag

Toiletries

Many camping essentials are items that usually litter bathroom cabinets. Consider bringing your own camping shower and then pack everything you’d need to use, from towels to soap, shampoo and conditioner to deodorant and a comb.

Our bathrooms are also full of electricals that are dear to our hearts, so click through to our electric hook up guide for what appliances you can plug in at certain campsites, and take those into account in your destination choice.

A hanging toiletries bag will save space and you can pop inside contact lenses with solution, hair products, cosmetics and lip balm for dry days. Although not what you might traditionally consider camping gear essentials, don’t leave home without a small mirror, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products- life savers!

Don’t forget to take a full supply of any medicine you need, along with wet wipes, insect repellent (and bite cream- expect the unexpected!) together with sunscreen (and after-sun, for the same reason). For the best tips on keeping unwelcome stings and bites out of your holiday browse our guide: How to avoid insects while camping.

• Toothpaste and brushes
• Shower gel or soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hand sanitiser
• Lip balm
• Towels
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush or comb
• Hair ties and/or clips
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Wet wipes
• Camping shower
• Medication
• Sunscreen and after-sun
• Insect repellent
• Bite and sting cream
• Contact lenses and solution
• Cosmetics
• Small mirror
• Hanging toiletries bag

Transport

No camping holiday packing list would be complete without maps, even if every single camper has a smartphone: have you ever tried to get signal half way up a mountain? Carry emergency maintenance supplies for your car or caravan and a copy of your breakdown recovery protection. Download the latest update onto your GPS and check your driving licence is in your pocket.

Rural destinations aren’t known for their petrol stations, so we’d recommend carrying your own spare fuel canister if heading to isolated areas, and jump leads for that night when you don’t quite remember to turn off your headlights. Something else you might not remember to jot on your packing list is: printed confirmations of your bookings, so you can have everything to hand.

• Maps and directions
• Compass
• Sat nav
• Mobile phone and charger
• Whistle
• Extra fuel and a funnel
• Levelling chocks
• Jump leads
• Booking confirmation
• Insurance
• Breakdown recovery
• Driving licence
• Child car seats
• Travel sweets and games

Miscellaneous extras for your camping packing list

An umbrella is always welcome in your luggage, and no camping list would be complete without a first aid kit and tweezers for any small injuries. As in the scouts, there’s no time when string and strong tape won’t potentially be useful on a camping trip.

Think also about how to keep your clothes smelling fresh after a few days, with a small tub, environmentally friendly washing supplies and a clothes line to string between the tent and the nearest tree.

• First aid kit
• Tweezers
• Camera
• Multi-tool
• Backpack
• Small axe or saw
• Trowel or folding spade
• Clothes line and pegs
• Safety pins
• Notepad and pens
• Water bottle
• Duct tape
• String
• Earplugs
• Binoculars
• Electric hook up cable
• Money (cash and cards)
• Umbrella
• Sewing kit
• Scissors
• Fire extinguisher/blanket
• Foot or electric pump

If you've thought about everything on this list, whether you take it with you or not, you should avoid most nasty surprises on a typical camping trip. Don't forget you can download a printable version back at the top of the page!

Before leaving home...

Give your car some much needed TLC by checking all tyres, including the spare, then checking the oil level and topping up the fuel tank. Indoors, ensure nothing is left in the fridge or bin that could grow mould while you're off camping, water any plants,  persuade unsuspecting neighbours to accept emergency spare keys and feed any stay-at-home pets, or make other arrangements.

Turn the heating low or off and cancel all deliveries. Now, deep breath, lock all windows and doors, turn on the alarm and head for the open road!

Have you remembered to download a copy of our checklist for help with future trips?

• Fill up with fuel
• Check oil level
• Check tyres and spare
• Empty the fridge and bins
• Turn the heating down
• Set timers for lights
• Water the plants
• Cancel deliveries
• Leave key with neighbour
• Arrange pet care
• Lock doors and windows
• Switch on the alarm

Here are a few extras for the glampers and festival goers amongst you...

Glamping essentials

Adding a touch of glamour to your camping experience? Substitute a tent, which would usually be provided by your venue, with a few touches of luxury and creature comforts that will help you feel at home.

Your glamping essentials list could include a jug or pitcher for serving drinks to friends, speakers to liven up the atmosphere and electrical items that need to be plugged in, as glampers may find themselves with a power supply.

You could indulge in a cafetière for that morning coffee and treat yourself to some slightly more advanced cooking equipment. If tinned food doesn’t suit, a chopping board, fresh herbs and a colander are all on the cards.

Think about bringing a parasol, or a large canopy to transform your yurt or hut into an outdoor shady area. For a feeling of magic as dusk draws in, light a row of tea lights dipped inside jars to mark the entrance of your new home- not quite essential glamping gear, but a lovely touch.

Festival camping essentials

On top of everything we’ve said so far, here are some specific festival essentials. No matter how many festivals you go to, the toilets never improve, so seriously consider a portable camping toilet.

At the hottest music events of the year, it’s nice to dig out a few festival fashion staples- flower crowns, leather jackets, and neon clothes, then act like they’re appropriate for muddy festival camping. You will naturally also need jumpers, leggings and a massive poncho for when the reality of the weather kicks in.

Festivals are home to great food stalls, and shops within walking distance often sell out over the weekend so no need to do much food shopping, enjoy the surroundings instead. The queues around ATMs are also crazy, so bring cash.