Not sure what to take camping? Or don’t want to forget anything? Our handy camping checklist will ensure you don’t forget anything important. This list is designed for a couple/family camping at a camp site- you will need to add to/adapt it if you are wild camping. For all your camping needs, check out the Mountain Warehouse camping store.
Always pitch your tent prior to your trip to make sure there are no tears in the fabric and no poles or tent pegs are missing.
Choose a season rating that suits where you are camping and what temperatures you might expect.
A comfortable night’s sleep on hard ground won’t be possible without a sleeping mat or airbed.
A groundsheet will protect the bottom of your tent from damage and provide protection against damp.
If rain is forecast a flysheet is a smart idea, it will keep rain off your tent and belongings. If you don’t have a flysheet, then just arrange a tarpaulin across your camping area. You must ensure the flysheet or tarpaulin is pulled taut and does not touch your tent, as this will allow water to seep in.
Essential for a successful pitch, especially if the ground is hard!
A camping essential, duct tape is perfect for fixing holes and rips in your tent should something go wrong mid-pitch.
Essential if you’re taking an airbed!
Blankets are great for extra insulation on colder camping trips. You can put them under your sleeping bag, over your sleeping bag or even snuggle up by the fire with one when the sun goes down.
Half the size of a standard pillow but with just as much comfort.
A hanging lantern will keep your camp illuminated once the stars come out (opt for a wind up option to save on batteries!). Lanterns and torches are also invaluable when trying to find the bathroom in the middle of the night!
Forget about sitting on the cold, hard ground, take along some compact and lightweight folding chairs to relax in after your camp has been constructed.
A small folding table is perfect for keeping food and candles off the floor, away from bugs and pesky insects. A level surface is also useful for chopping/cooking on.
Whether you are whipping up a hearty dinner or making bacon sarnies a portable stove is essential for easy cooking outdoors.
Essential for keeping your cold foods, such as meats, milk, butter and cheese, cool.
Keeping a bottle of fresh water with you is always a good idea. It saves on trips to the campsite tap every half an hour and keeps you hydrated in the heat your tent will create when you sleep.
You won’t be able to keep chilled foods for more than a few days (in a coolbag/box) so most of your food should be unperishable. Biscuits, crisps, bread and tinned food such as baked beans and chopped tomatoes are ideal. Basics such as teabags, coffee, salt, pepper and cooking oil should also not be forgotten!
Always be prepared! A basic kit should include bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, antibiotic cream, aspirin and latex gloves.
Unless you love waking up with the dawn, you’ll want to take a sleeping mask with you to keep the sun at bay till you’re ready to emerge from your tent.
Citronella candles are perfect for keeping the bugs at bay as well as being a useful light source for the evenings.
Even if you have shower facilities wet wipes are useful for cleaning hands/face.
You never know when the weather will turn and you don’t want to be caught unawares! Wellies are always good to have on hand in case you need to pack your camp up in the rain.
Come sundown, the temperature is going to fall so wrap up warm with a fleece or hoody.
Wherever you are camping it’s likely to get chilly at night. Make sure you wear sleepwear you’d be happy to walk around the campsite in!
A lightweight packaway or poncho is the ideal just in case jacket.
Essential if your campsite has a pool!
Even if it’s hot in the day when the sun goes down it will feel chilly.
