Camping Trip Packing List: Weekend in the Outdoors
Pack everything for a weekend car camping trip without forgetting the essentials. Covers shelter, sleeping gear, cooking equipment, clothing, and safety items with weight-saving tips.
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Shelter & Sleeping
Tent with rainfly and footprint
Set up the tent at home before your trip to check for missing poles or torn fabric. A footprint (ground tarp) cut slightly smaller than the tent floor prevents punctures and keeps the bottom dry. A 2-person tent is tight for two — size up if you want room for gear.
Verify all poles, stakes, and guylines are in the bag
Pack a ground tarp or fitted footprint
Sleeping bag rated for the expected low temperature
Check the overnight low forecast and bring a bag rated 10-15 degrees below that. Sleeping bags lose insulation over time — if yours is 5+ years old, test it in the backyard before relying on it. Stuff sacks compress down sleeping bags but long-term storage should be loose.
Sleeping pad or air mattress
A sleeping pad provides insulation from the cold ground as much as cushion. Self-inflating pads are a good compromise between comfort and packability. Bring a patch kit for inflatable pads — a single thorn can ruin your night.
Camp pillow or stuffable pillowcase
A dedicated camp pillow weighs 3-5 ounces. A stuff sack filled with a fleece jacket works as a free alternative. Bringing your full-size home pillow is worth it for car camping where weight doesn't matter.
Cooking & Food
Camp stove with fuel
A single-burner propane stove handles most camp meals. A 16-oz propane canister lasts about 2 hours of cooking time — enough for a weekend. Bring a backup canister if you plan hot drinks throughout the day.
Pack 1-2 fuel canisters
Bring a lighter or waterproof matches as backup
Cookware and utensils
One pot and one pan cover most camp cooking. Bring a spatula, a long spoon, and a can opener. Nesting cookware sets save space. Pack everything inside the pot for transport.
1 pot for boiling water and soups
1 skillet or frying pan
Cooler with ice for perishable food
Pre-chill the cooler with ice the night before loading food. Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs that become drinking water as they melt. Keep the cooler in shade and open it as little as possible — a well-packed cooler holds temperature for 2-3 days.
Bring 1 gallon of water per person per day
This covers drinking, cooking, and basic cleanup. If your campsite has potable water, bring a refillable container and 1 gallon as backup. A water filter or purification tablets serve as emergency backup for stream water.
Pack biodegradable soap and a sponge
Wash dishes 200 feet from any water source. Strain food scraps from wash water and pack them out — don't dump food waste on the ground. A small basin or collapsible bucket makes dishwashing easier than juggling at a faucet.
Clothing
Pack layers for temperature swings
Temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees between afternoon sun and overnight lows. A base layer, insulating mid-layer, and wind/rain shell covers the range. Pack everything in a dry bag or plastic bag inside your pack to keep it dry.
1 warm insulating layer (fleece or down jacket)
1 rain jacket or poncho
Sturdy footwear for hiking and camp
Waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes handle rocky trails and wet mornings. Bring a second pair of sandals or camp shoes for wearing around the site — your feet need to breathe after a day in boots.
Sun hat and warm hat
A wide-brimmed hat prevents sunburn during daytime hikes. A wool or fleece beanie handles cold mornings and campfire evenings. You lose significant body heat through your head — a warm hat at night improves sleep quality.
Safety & First Aid
First-aid kit
Include adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic, tweezers (for splinters and ticks), pain relievers, and antihistamines. Add moleskin for blisters if you're hiking. A pre-assembled wilderness first-aid kit from an outdoor retailer costs $20-30 and covers most situations.
Headlamp with extra batteries
A headlamp is far more practical than a flashlight — it keeps both hands free for cooking, setting up camp, and navigating trails after dark. Red-light mode preserves night vision and doesn't blind fellow campers.
Fire-starting supplies
Bring waterproof matches or a lighter plus a fire starter (wax-coated cotton balls or commercial fire sticks). Campground firewood is often available for purchase on-site — don't transport firewood from home as it can spread invasive insects.
Bear canister or food hanging kit (if in bear country)
Many national parks and forests require bear canisters — check regulations before your trip. At minimum, hang food in a bag from a tree branch 10 feet up and 4 feet from the trunk. Never store food, trash, or scented items in your tent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tent do I need for car camping?
Buy a tent rated for one person more than your actual group. A 3-person tent for two adults gives room for gear inside during rain. Car camping removes weight constraints, so prioritize headroom and vestibule space over ultralight specs. A tent with a full-coverage rainfly handles unexpected storms far better than a partial-fly design.
How much water should I bring for a weekend camping trip?
Plan for 1 gallon (3.8 liters) per person per day for drinking and cooking. A couple needs about 6 gallons for a two-night trip. Bring an extra 2-gallon container for dishwashing and hand cleaning. If your campsite has potable water, a refillable jug saves trunk space but always bring at least one sealed backup.
What food is easiest to cook at a campsite?
Pre-marinated proteins in zip-lock bags, foil packet meals, and one-pot pasta dishes require minimal prep and cleanup. Prep and chop vegetables at home before leaving since it saves 30+ minutes of campsite cooking time per meal. Breakfast burritos with pre-scrambled eggs wrapped in foil reheat perfectly on a camp stove grate.
Do I need a camping reservation or can I show up?
Popular campgrounds in national and state parks book out 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends. Dispersed camping on national forest land is usually first-come with no reservation needed, but has no amenities. Weekday arrivals and shoulder season (May and September) dramatically improve walk-up availability at most sites.
What temperature rating sleeping bag do I need?
Check the forecasted overnight low and buy a bag rated 10-15 degrees F below that number. A 30 degree F rated bag handles most three-season camping in the continental US. Down bags pack smaller and weigh less but lose insulation when wet; synthetic bags cost less and still insulate if damp.