The Ultimate Checklist for Camping Supplies

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Some of the camping gear we remember most is the practical stuff: the lantern we used for nighttime restroom walks, the fan that shared batteries with our tools, and the pie irons we had fun cooking with. Start with what your trip actually needs, then add the comforts you will use. You do not need to buy every item in a product roundup to enjoy camping.

Camping supplies checklist: pack the essentials first

Shelter and sleep: Tent or prepared RV, bedding suited to the forecast, pillows, ground protection where needed, and a dry change of clothes. Check your setup before departure rather than discovering missing pieces at the campsite.

Water and meals: Drinking water, refill containers, food storage, ingredients, cooking equipment allowed at your site, utensils, heat protection, dishwashing supplies, and trash bags. Read our easy RV meals for menu ideas and cast iron care guide before packing away your skillet.

Light and everyday needs: A lantern or headlamp, charged batteries, navigation, first-aid supplies, your regular medication, sun protection, appropriate insect repellent, toiletries, and clothing for changing weather. Keep arrival-night essentials within reach.

For your particular campsite: Reservation details, current fire and pet rules, access instructions, and any required RV hookups or adapters suitable for your equipment. Confirm facilities before deciding what you can leave at home. Our Oklahoma park planning guide covers official booking and parking resources.

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For a compact cleanup tool, an optional Lodge pan scraper can help remove stuck-on food. Match tools to the cookware you already own.

Gear ideas and notes from earlier camping trips

The product photos and experiences below come from our original roundup. Models, bundles, and availability can change, so confirm the current listing before buying. Treat comfort items as options after you have covered the essentials.

A great partner that you can carry to any of your family picnic adventure. This waterproof fleece blanket will provide comfort while you are enjoying the outdoors with your loved ones. Designed to provide comfort for your family picnic and warm as wrap around blanket. Grab this outdoor blanket and plan your next picnic or camping adventure. Add this one to your camping supplies list!

Everyone loves a good camping hammock but we especially love this DoubleOwl Hammock from Wise Owl Outfitters because it’s big enough for 2 people to snuggle in. Hanging in a modern-day Wise Owl hammock is one of the best and most convenient ways to be in the outdoors to relax and unwind. You can take a Wise Owl hammock just about anywhere and in minutes you’re kicking back and enjoying life. Our affordable, premium-made hammocks come as a complete package with everything you need to get that perfect hang. We also recommend pairing with the SnugNet Bug Net and Talon XL Hammock Tree Stats.

Legacy is the culmination of LEKI’s 60+ years experience in designing and producing their own trekking poles. Featuring Ultralite, high-tensile strength Aluminum shafts and innovative Evocon COR-TEC grips. Legacy also includes the next generation SpeedLock Plus which is not only smaller and stronger than our previous design, but further reduces overall weight and enhances the swingweight on the trail. Quite possibly the best value on the market as the perfect pole for any hiker anywhere in the world.

Enbrighten LED Camping Lantern: This lantern is a staple for any camping trip with 360 illumination and three light level settings. The LEDs last a lifetime and there is even a USB port for your phone charger.

Jasco’s Enbrighten 3-in-1 LED lantern: This compact lantern is the ultimate camping accessory! It functions as a work light, lantern, spotlight and flashlight. Whenever you need it most, the 3-in-1 LED lantern is easily transformed to fit the situation. We kept this on our camping supplies list and we used it a ton going back and forth to the restroom at night.

One thing that comes in handy while camping is a good pocket knife! This pocket knife from Groovy Guy Gifts comes with a spring-assisted blade and attached belt clip.  The handle of the knife also comes with a seat belt cutter. The knife fits in your man’s pocket and is has durable but light carbon fiber for lasting use.  There is no better combination then carbon fiber and high quality wood! I love that you can also get it engraved!

Prime your guy to maximize his primitive instincts of charring meat with a barbecue set that will provide sophistication.  Your man will be stabbing, flipping and skewering fine cuts like a magician when he opens up this fantastic case of BBQ tools. This personalized barbecue set will make any butcher proud.  

The Grill Master Set set and case is made of high quality bamboo, coming with a spatula, fork and tongs. The case is extra tough, with secure latches and rugged handle. It measure  19 5/8″ x 5 1/2″.

To make this gift extra special for your guy, we laser engrave the case of this personalized grill set with 2 lines of custom text. The personalization goes on the case, as shown in the pictures. This is a fun item to keep on your camping supplies list.

On one of our trips, the trail turned out longer than expected and we realized we were running short of water. That experience is a reason to plan water for the route and conditions, with a backup plan, rather than assume a stream or lake will provide safe drinking water.

The filter shown above was part of the original gear roundup. A portable filter does not automatically make every natural water source safe. Check what a specific system removes and follow its instructions. The CDC’s camping and hiking water-treatment guidance explains the limits of filtration and other treatment methods. Do not use water known or suspected to contain harmful chemicals.

I absolutely LOVE this Dewalt Cordless Rechargeable Fan. It was a life saver on this last camping trip. Totally helped us beat the Summer heat and even kept our dogs cool! This is something we will take to every camping trip we take and I love that it uses the same battery as our Dewalt tools. BUY IT!

• Corded or cordless operation (extension cord sold separately)
• Multiple hanging options: Freestanding, hang hooks, and wall mount
• Variable speed control: Wide range so you control the speed you want; Airflow 500
• Testing to IP54 (Batteries are not included)
• Battery & charger sold separately. Blade diameter:7 inch

The Coghlan’s Pop-Up Trash Can is definitely a must. when camping. I love that this folds completely flat for travel and that it completely zips to keep the critters out. Please note that the trash bag does not stay in place when closed and you’ll need to lift it off the rim but we didn’t mind because we use the drawstring bags for this. It’s super easy to clean as well. It also has a clear pocket on the top to store extra bags. BUY IT. Don’t leave this off your camping supplies list.

• Spring loaded for easy pop-up camp trash can is lightweight and easy to carry; helps keep campsite, recreational and other use areas clean
• Portable and easy to carry container is made of durable and easy to clean polyethylene material
• Bin features fully zippered top; easily collapses to store with the two Velcro straps
• Fits 30 gallon trash bags
• 19.5 x 24 inches (WxH); empty weight of 1.6 pounds

No camping trip would be complete with out the comforts of this Kelty Loveseat. Folds up easy for travel and is super easy to wipe clean. I love that it also offers cup holders on each side. Our dogs love sitting on this couch with us and makes for a more cozy time by the campfire. View the listing

• Camping friendly cuddle couch: low base 13. 5 inches off the ground; relaxed, slightly reclining design with room for two (plus the family dog). 42 inches of seating space on Cushioned, insulated, nearly indestructible 600D weight polyester fabric.
• The beach chair standard: you don’t have to be at the beach to enjoy, but if you are, the low loveseat is the perfect way to chill in the surf without getting wet. Sturdy and durable steel frame makes this chair an outdoor chilling staple.
• Insulated beverage holders: Each adjustable armrest includes an insulated beverage holder, with enough space left over for munchies, Marshmallows, or the drink on deck.
• Made to last: quality materials and thoughtful Kelty craftmanship will keep your buns and back warm on cool nights for years to come. Steel framed construction, puppy-proof fabric, and a weight capacity of 500 lbs.
• Padded roll tote storage: no need to labor over lugging this thing around, the low loveseat folds neatly into the included roll tote and can be tossed over the shoulder for simple Transport at 15 lbs Total weight.

Obviously a good tent is a must when camping. The type of tent you want , really depends on personal preference but we definitely think one that is easy to set up and take down and has good ventilation is a must. There are a ton of them out there so we say use your best judgment and check the reviews but here is a good place to start if your need to add one to your camping supplies list.

Pie irons are a fun way to cook while camping. You can make all kinds of food wether it be pizza pockets, apple pie, breakfast sandwiches and more. We had so much fun playing with our pie iron at our last camping trip and we recommend getting at least two of them so that you don’t have to wait for them to heat back up in between item you are cooking. Buy IT!

If you love a good hearty meal at the campgrounds then you will want to invest in a camping tripod with grate. This will allow to easily cook over a campfire. You will want one that easily collapses down and its sturdy. There are quite a few good brands out there like Coleman, Grill up dinner over the campfire and then tell stories by lantern light with help from the Coleman Tripod Grill and Lantern Hanger. Easily adjust the 17-in. diameter grill grate so it hangs over the fire at the perfect height for just the right amount of heat. When the meal is done, use the tripod to hang a lantern for just enough campsite light. When the fun is done, the shock-corded, durable galvanized steel legs collapse for convenient storage. BUY IT! We also recommend this dutch oven!

CAMPING ESSENTIALS:

For campsite comfort, pack appropriate clothing and insect protection before adding specialty bite-care gadgets. The product pictured here appeared in the original roundup; check current labeling and instructions if you choose to use one.

Choose an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow its label for application and age restrictions. Our original roundup included Ranger Ready, which we kept in our camping supplies box. Avoid choosing by claims that one registered ingredient is universally safer than another: the EPA’s repellent-use guidance is a better starting point.

CAMPING APPAREL:

Lahti Mens Sweater -Perfect for those chilly days at the campsite. The Official team sweater for the Norwegian National Cross-Country Ski Team for 2016 and 2017. The design features the stripes from the Norwegian flag. Made with 100% merino wool for a naturally soft feel and comfortable fit. Dale is made from wool, which is anti-microbial and anti-fungal, so unless you spill your lunch on your sweater you should only wash it sparingly. When you do, use the wool cycle.

Get AKTIV and get out there with these fantastic pants by Kari Traa. Built for the hike but stylish enough for everyday use. Are you a bit of a shorty? The hem on these pants adjusts with snaps!

The Mozzie Jacket is an attractive bug jacket that blocks mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and biting gnats. It’s designed like a zip up hoodie (pockets and all). They are made with a sheer and super lightweight material that is comfortable even when it’s hot and sticky outside. The machine washable material gets even softer after the first wash. Insecticide-free so you aren’t walking around killing the good insects (like bees). They are great for camping, golfing, mowing the lawn, etc. Since they are so lightweight, they don’t take up any room in the closet! I keep this in our camping supplies box.

Bug-Out Blanket. It folds up into a small portable water resistant pouch that can easily fit into the RV or in a backpack. This is a favorite item for evening campfires. Easy and convenient to carry and use anywhere there may be mosquitoes or black flies. Use it where you need it, around the shoulders, over the legs or curl up your whole body under it! The built in wiring helps you arrange it so the mesh is off your skin to create a protective bubble just for you.

Good Hiking socks are a must to add to your camping supplies list! Feetures’  Everyday Crew socks take the best of their high-performance running socks and add stylish designs that are perfect for round-the-clock comfort. New for this fall, the Everyday Crew is made with Repreve, a blend of recycled fibers! All Feetures socks include moisture-wicking fibers and a seamless toe to help prevent blisters. With targeted compression and an anatomical design (left/right specific), these Everyday Crew socks keep your feet fully supported, cozy, and warm. 

MORE GREAT CAMPING ITEMS:

• First Aid Kit
• Coleman Camping Cot
• Waterproof Solar Charger
• Hammocks
• Portable Fire Pits
• Expandable Smores Sticks
• Cast Iron Camping Tripod
• Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Solar Lanterns
• Solar Generator

State Parks in Oklahoma– changes and new things happening!

If you’re planning on Camping In Oklahoma State Parks, check out our Top 10 places to camp below.