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Must-Have Camping Gear
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items Whether you’re setting out for a weekend in the woods or rolling the RV toward another state-capitol quest, these are the camping gear picks I always pack (or wish I had). From budget-friendly upgrades to “why didn’t I bring this sooner?” classics. T...
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Camping Supplies
Camping Supplies
This list helps you spend smarter, stay comfortable, and bring just the right stuff so you’re free to explore instead of stressing.
A good insulated water bottle is worth its weight in gold at camp. It keeps drinks cold on hot trail days and hot when those mountain mornings get weirdly chilly. It’s a solid long-term investment that actually survives road trips, drops, and campfir...
Insulated & Stainless Steel Water Bottles - Hydro Flask
Camping World is my go-to for RV camping staples when I need something reliable and need it quickly. Great place to stock up before a big loop road trip so you’re not hunting for random parts in tiny towns.
Camping World: RV Parts, Supplies, Accessories & Outdoor Gear
These chairs are ridiculously comfortable. I could sit in one for hours watching a sunset or listening to a campfire crackle. Lightweight, easy to pack, and way better than the cheap ones that sag into a hammock slump by day 2 of camping.
Outdoor Chairs | Folding, Rockers, Beach & More | GCI Outdoor
These make campfire s’mores a million times easier. No hunting for questionable sticks or worrying about splinters. Plus, everyone gets their own color so no one “accidentally” takes yours. 😉
MalloMe S'mores Sticks for Fire Pit
A screen room is such a game-changer in buggy areas. You can actually eat, play cards, and hang out without becoming mosquito dinner. We’ve used these on trips where we just wanted a little sanity + shade and it was worth every square inch of space.
Best Camping Screen Houses & Rooms
Water shoes are perfect for rocky beaches, lake entries, and those questionable campground showers. Lightweight, easy to pack, and they save your feet from surprise sharp rocks and slimy mystery textures.
Water Shoes
Campground picnic tables can be… questionable. A tablecloth just makes everything feel cleaner, more inviting, and way more picture-worthy for those camp meal moments.
Outdoor Tablecloth
Electric blankets are amazing for those unexpectedly cold camp nights (especially in shoulder seasons). It’s like having instant cozy without having to layer yourself like a marshmallow.
Shop Amazon.com | Electric Blankets
This is my go-to sunscreen because it’s lightweight, not greasy, and protects well even on long outdoor days. I’ve used it on beach trips, hiking days, and camping weekends and it holds up every time.
Sunscreen Products, Sun Care & Sun Protection | Coppertone®
Rain boots at camp are underrated heroes - especially on dewy mornings or muddy trails after an overnight storm. They keep your feet dry so you can stay comfortable instead of squishing around all day.
Womens Rain Boots
Camping in the rain isn’t ideal, but it happens and a solid raincoat makes it so much more tolerable. Lightweight + packable ones are perfect to toss in your gear bin so you’re covered when the weather turns.
Raincoat
No one wants bugs crawling into their potato salad and these pop-up food covers are a lifesaver at camp. They pack flat, set up fast, and help keep your food protected from all the flying freeloaders.
Outdoor Food Covers
A lantern or campsite light makes evenings so much easier for cooking, card games, organizing gear… all way better when you’re not fumbling in the dark. I always keep at least one in the car so we’re never relying on just phone flashlights.
Camping Lights & Lanterns
Perfect for those middle-of-the-night walks to the restroom or checking outside noises that definitely sound like a bear (usually just a raccoon). Small, bright, and easy to pack.
Lighting EVER High Lumens LED Flashlights
A reliable cooler is a camping must. It keeps food safe, drinks cold, and makes multi-day trips feel way more doable. Worth investing in one that actually holds ice longer so you’re not running for more every 12 hours.
Coolers: Premium Durability & Insulation
Don’t forget your lips need sun protection too. They burn faster than you think, especially with wind + high elevation camping. An SPF lip balm is small, cheap, and saves you from painful cracked lips later.
SPF Lip Balm
These are a camping MVP because they dry insanely fast and don’t stay soggy forever like regular towels. Perfect for beach days, river dips, campground showers, and quick wipe-downs after hiking.
Quick Dry Towel
This little clothesline is the easiest way to dry towels, swimsuits, and random wet gear at camp without taking over tree branches. It packs tiny but is surprisingly useful on every single trip.
Retractable Portable Clothesline for Travel
An activity pack of fun games to play while on your way to the site & some games to play at the campsite!
Boredom Buster Activity Pack
This guide walks through how to mix road trip travel with camping so you get more adventure out of each mile. If you're curious about adding camping stops to your road trips - this is a great starting place.
Road Trip Camping: Your Ultimate Guide to Adventure
Camping doesn’t have to be expensive and this guide breaks down how to camp smarter while spending less. A solid read if you’re trying to stretch your travel budget so you can take more trips instead of fewer.
Cheap Camping Made Easy: Your Ultimate Guide