Make your list and check it twice! Don’t hit the road or the trails without being well prepared and perfectly packed. Camping in your new or used RV and spending quality time with your family can be as relaxing as you make it – and one essential key is mindfully packing everything you need and leaving behind everything you don’t.
Nothing is more frustrating than not having the essentials when you need them, but overpacking can be an equal nightmare. Follow our camping checklist suggestions below to make sure you stay on track with your packing!
Clothing Needs
Plan one outfit per day per person, plus a few extra items. Also think in terms of layers and re-wear the items that you can, more than once, and find items that can serve multiple purposes. You probably don’t need 4 or 5 sweatshirts, for example. Pack short sleeve shirts and then a durable, lightweight jacket that’s also weather-resistant. You can also get weather-resistant pants that convert into shorts by unzipping the bottom portion at the knees.
A good rule of thumb for packing clothes for warm weather camping:
- One pair of shorts per day
- One t-shirt/tank top per day
- One set of underwear and socks per day plus one extra pair for every two days (ex. Pack 12 sets for an 8 day trip)
- One to two long sleeve shirts
- Weather resistant jacket
- One to two pairs of sweatpants
- Swimsuit
- Hiking/running shoes
- Sandals
Kitchen & Cooking Utensils
Meals are an important part of camp life! Mindful packing means you can choose lightweight items and tools that serve more than one purpose, saving you space in your RV’s kitchen as well as reducing the weight. You’ll also avoid overspending your food budget because you’ll have the items you need to prepare the meals you’ve planned – no need to eat out just because you forgot half the kitchen!
Items you’ll want to pack include the following:
- 1-2 saucepans
- Medium skillet
- Medium baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spatula & wooden spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Oven mitts
- Coffee maker
- Toaster
- Cutting board
- 2-3 sharp knives (paring, chopping, butcher)
- Can opener
- Grill lighter
- Foil
- Dish soap
- Plates – 1 per person
- Utensils – 1 set per person
- Cups/glasses – 1 per person
- Coffee cups – 1 per coffee drinker
Toiletries & Medication
Keep it simple and travel size! Full size bottles take up a lot of space. Also consider traveling with shampoo and condition bars – these are solid versions of hair products and don’t risk leaking.
The toiletries and personal items you’ll want to bring include the following:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap: both for shower as well as hand soap for each sink
- Shaving cream and razor
- Hairbrush/comb
- Ponytail hair bands
- Q-tips
- Feminine hygiene products, if needed
- Prescription medication
- Tylenol/Motrin
- Bug repellant
- Sunscreen
- After-burn aloe ointment
- First aid kit
RV Tools
You’ll want a basic repair toolkit at the ready for any minor breaks! You can consult our RV service department for more advice and recommended tools, but a quick guide on some must-have items include the following:
- Set of socket wrenches
- Screwdrivers – both flathead and Phillips
- Headlamp
- Duct tape
- WD-40
- Rope
- Tarp
Camping Gear & Outdoor Toys
Don’t forget all of the gear you need to really enjoy the great outdoors! A quick tip: don’t feel the need to buy all of these items. One way you can camp more affordably is to ask to borrow from friends, or even rent some equipment at your campground. Outdoor gear we recommend includes the following:
- Fishing gear
- Kayaks
- Bikes
- Camp chairs
- S’more roasting sticks
- Hammocks
- Umbrellas/ponchos
- Binoculars
- Flashlights
- Clothes drying rack (perfect for hanging swimsuits and towels)
Fur Baby Checklist
If your doggy is planning to come along, make sure to pack their things, too! A quick checklist for your fur baby includes the following things:
- Leash
- Food & water bowls
- Pet food & treats
- Pet waste removal bags
- Their favorite toys
- Dog bed
- Longer outdoor leash (many RVs include exterior leash hook ups!)
- Pet first aid kit
- Any prescription medications they take
We hope these camping checklist suggestions can help you pack smart and relax more on your camping trip! We can also help you pick out the perfect new or used RV that ticks all the boxes on what your family needs in a camper. Stop in or contact us today!
