Brandon and I love camping. It’s one of the best ways to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and reconnect with each other. After so many outdoor adventures, Brandon and I have fine-tuned our camping gear list to make sure every trip is comfortable, fun, and hassle-free. Here’s our tried-and-true packing list—with a few personal stories sprinkled in to bring it to life!

The Essentials

• Tent, stakes, poles, and rainfly: We love our tent from REI—it’s spacious enough for both of us and our dog, Royce. On our trip to Montana, we were hit with an unexpected downpour, and the rainfly kept us completely dry!
• Sleeping pads: We use two different ones because we have very different sleeping preferences. I like a firmer setup, while Brandon is all about cushion.
• Sleeping bags: Don’t skimp here. Cold nights are much more enjoyable when you’re warm and cozy.
• Blanket: A soft blanket is perfect for cuddling by the fire or adding an extra layer inside your sleeping bag. We love our Ruppl blanket!
• Pillows: I always bring my pillow from home, but Brandon’s travel pillow works just fine for him.

Cooking Gear

• Camping stove: This has been a lifesaver for morning coffee and quick meals after long hikes.
• Propane tanks: Don’t forget to bring extras—running out mid-cooking is no fun.
• Coffee press: There’s nothing like sipping fresh coffee while watching the sunrise at your campsite.
• Pots, pans, and roasting sticks: Perfect for cooking everything from pancakes to marshmallows.
• Reusable cooking utensils and eating utensils: We’re all about minimizing waste.
• Tinfoil and cooking oil/spray: Tinfoil is great for campfire cooking or storing leftovers, and the spray makes cleanup easier.
• Camping sink and sponges: We learned the hard way that cleaning up without a sink is messy. Now we bring a collapsible camping sink to make things simple.

Camping Comforts

• Camping chairs: A must-have for relaxing around the fire. We usually will not bring camping chairs if our campsite has a picnic table.
• Lanterns and hanging lights: We’re obsessed with our campsite string lights—they add such a cozy vibe.
• Hammock: Some of our best campsite naps have been in our hammock.
• Speaker: We love playing music softly while cooking or hanging out—it sets the mood perfectly.
• Tablecloth: A simple way to make your picnic table cleaner and more inviting.
• Games: Card games and travel-sized board games are our go-to for evening entertainment. Not the most travel friendly size board game but Brandon and I love Trekking The National Parks, a national park board game.

Safety and Practical Gear

• Headlamp, flashlight, and torch: Always bring backups! When we camped in Olympic National Park, these were lifesavers when setting up in the dark and taking Royce for late night walks.
• Extra batteries: Essential for your lanterns and flashlights.
• Fire starter and lighter: Brandon and I are not good at starting fires but these help tremendously.
• Portable chargers and a solar charger: We like having both for our phones and other gadgets.
• Lifestraw: An extra lifestraw is a small item that can be a lifesaver on hikes.
• Trash bags: Leave no trace—always pack out what you bring in.
• Tarps or Footprint: One for under the tent and one for inside the tent so Royce’s nails don’t rip the tent floor.

Food Storage and Prep

• Cooler and ice: Keeps food and drinks fresh for days.
• Ziploc bags: Great for storing leftovers or packing snacks.
• Microfiber towels: Quick-drying and multi-functional—we use them for everything.
• Reusable containers: Perfect for meal prep and reducing waste.

Extras That Make a Difference

• Binoculars: Ideal for spotting wildlife—we’ve had amazing views of moose and even bears.
• Thermacell: This portable mosquito repellent is a game-changer for evenings around the fire.
• Camping table: Some campsites don’t have picnic tables, so this is a great backup.