How To Make Your Own Custom Camping Checklist

Have you considered making a car camping check list right before you make your next adventure trip? A checklist is my basic insurance policy so I can remember things like my camp stove, warm clothes, and a tent. One of the greatest benefits of car camping is that you can usually purchase things on the road that you forgot to put on your camping check-list. However, you can preempt that by developing your own checklist prior to your next trip.

I suggest starting out by making a rough outline of all the things that you think that you will be needing.  Chances are that you are going forget a lot of things until you run through this drill several times.  When you make the final draft, you will then start whittling down this list to the bare bones essentials.  When you go on family camping trips there are lots of things that are nice to have and many more things that you must have.  Learn to differentiate between those two and you are well on your way to a fun and fulfilling camping trip.

It’s a good idea to break your check list down into different categories. Every camping trip that you take will be a little different, so make sure that you update your camping checklist annually. I don’t advise going over-board with your checklist at first because it will evolve as you go on other trips. On the other hand, if you have never gone on a car camping trip, then it will be prudent to use a generic camping checklist and tailor it to your needs before your departure.

Your camping checklist needs to be custom tailored for your family. The list that you develop will depend on where your destination is and how long you will be on the road. Before I was married, I went on frequent car camping trips that included several days of backpacking in wilderness areas. I could not afford to forget critical items such a stove fuel and light weight meals.  Creating a checklist before I left and following it was paramount to my survival in the wilderness.

Basic Essential Car Camping Checklist Suggestions

Water Storage Dispensers

2.5 gallon water jug.
Stainless water bottles.
Portable water filtration unit.

Productive Camp Kitchen

Stainless steel pressure cooker.
Camping stove and fuel.
Caste iron skillet or griddle.
Vegetable strainer.
Stainless steel cups for drinking.
Lightweight flatware.
Stainless steel measuring cup.
Stainless steel measuring spoons.
Plastic wash basins for dishes, vegetables, and fruits.

Camping Equipment

Easy to put up camping tent.  The tent mus be sturdy and water proof.
Fuel funnel and filter.
Camping lantern.
Down sleeping bags.
Self inflating camping pads.  Read air mattress reviews prior to departure to ensure decent sleeping conditions.
Air mattress repair kit
Water proof ground cloth to protect your tent from water and sharp object damage.
Synthetic car chamois to clean tent floor and ground cloth.
Camp ax/hammer to pound in ten stakes.
Spare tent parts.
Clothesline.
Camping lighter.
Matches.

Car Equipment Checklist That Will Make Your Family Traveling Smoother

Maps for campgrounds.
Local maps.
Campground books
Flash lights.
Multiple outlet power inverter,
Camping cooler.
Small water bottles.
First aid kit.
Dried fruit, nuts, and snacks to eat while traveling.
Ipod for listening to music when no radio station is available.
Jumper cables or battery booster pack.
Car jack and spare tire.
Tie wraps.
Spare key that is well hidden on the frame of the vehicle. A tie wrap works great!

A good assortment of tools.

Be advised this this list is not comprehensive nor is it intended to be.  If my family had a full size four wheel drive pickup with a camper shell, we would be traveling with a lot more equipment.  The downside of taking too much stuff is that it will take you twice as long or more to pack and unpack.  More and more stuff does not always mean the trip will be more fun.  I try to live the by the rule that I would rather carry a little extra equipment and not use it rather than not carry something very important and need it.  It’s a balancing act.