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Basic camping equipment …
Essential camping gear
This camping list of basic gear and equipment will get you started. It includes the essentials needed to set-up your own campsite with the necessities, plus some suggested “nice-to-haves.”
From bare essentials to “luxury” gear that will really enhance your camping enjoyment.
Tip: The #1 first thing to start with is a complete camping checklist, and a budget. Looking at a camping list of all the gear you might use/need, and an idea of how much money you have to spend, plus knowing what kind of camping you want to do, will help you decide exactly what camping equipment and gear is essential for you.
Here is a printable Master camping checklist that will help you decide what you want to get first.
The weekend camping trip …
The most common first-time camping trip is a weekend trip – Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, in a non-extreme, (not Mt. Everest, or Arctic Circle), campsite or campground. Having electric, water, and bath facilities will make things easier, but with these essentials you can still enjoy camping without those amenities.
*Note: This is gear you need to set-up a campsite, and doesn’t include personal gear and food, but there are links to those resources too.
Also, all shopping and comparison links used are my own Amazon Affiliate links – which I only use to recommend good-quality camping gear – Gus>
Your camping gear list:
- Tent – See How to Pick The Right Camping Tent for You
- You also need a ground cloth to go under the tent, and of course, tent stakes
- You also need a ground cloth to go under the tent, and of course, tent stakes
- Camp stove – For most new campers this would be a 2-burner propane camp stove. See How to Pick The Right Camping Stove for You
- Cooking gear – the minimum would be a frying pan, a couple pots and pans, plus a spatula and camping knife. See a list of the basic camping cookware
- Bulk water container – Collapsible 5-gal plastic ones work great.
- You can just use gallon jugs of water, but a bulk container is a lot easier to use and transport. Especially the collapsible camping bulk water containers.
- You can just use gallon jugs of water, but a bulk container is a lot easier to use and transport. Especially the collapsible camping bulk water containers.
- Cups and plates
You can always use paper plates and cups, or even some old plates and cups from home, but you will quickly appreciate the organized ease of pre-packaged camping dining sets. Not a necessity, but a nice touch. Inexpensive camp dining sets.
- Camp Cooler – How to Pick A Camping Cooler tips
- Camp Lantern – Your choice; battery, propane, liquid fuel.
*Gus recommends Coleman propane camping lanterns
See examples of camping lanterns and lights
- Camping Chairs – this may not seem like must-have gear, until you try camping without them. See tips to Pick the Best Camp Chair for YOU
- Ropes and cords – You will discover that somehow, you always need extra ropes or cords for something. So it’s must-have gear. At a minimum have a 50′ length of paracord, (the duct tape of the camping world). Paracord – a campers “Duct Tape”
Tip: Unless you find a hot sale somewhere, Amazon will almost always offer the best prices for the camping gear you need. Plus, almost every item mentioned qualifies for FREE shipping.
Some “extra” camping gear you might need:
If you want to do campfire cooking.
- Campfire cooking grate
Most campground campsites now have built-in fire-rings that include a cooking grate, but if not, you will need a cooking grate.Gus recommends one like the Texsport grate with folding legs.
See a selection of campfire cooking grates
- Heavy-duty campfire cooking gloves
A must have for campfire cooking, and not just your regular camping gloves. See why
- Cast iron skillet:
Besides being the best tool for the job, it just “ain’t” campfire cooking without a cast iron skillet, (you can do almost everything with one), or Dutch oven. But you should go slow here. Cast iron cookware can get addictive. You should start with just a skillet, here are some camping cookware examples to consider.
Some “useful” camping gear you will probably want:
- Camping axe or hatchet
A camping hatchet, or short-handle axe will take care of most of your chopping needs. And you will almost certainly encounter some chopping or hammering needs on a camping trip.
Non-gear stuff you also need:
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Tips:
Here is a page-formatted, printable personal gear checklist that includes things like your clothes and sleeping gear.
And here is that complete detailed camping gear checklist again.It will give you an idea of other camping equipment and gear that might be “essential” to you.
The easy way: – Here is a wish list selection of camping gear for new campers. Just pick the items you need, in the price range you want, and get the complete package with just a few clicks.
• Camping gear for new campers
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Camping equipment for new campers
Is it more than just an invite? Do you need more than just your personal camping gear? Do you want to build your own supply of camping gear?
Check out these related camping resources:
Camping Stove and Cookware Starter Set:Complete Camping Stove and Cookware Starter set, all in one package! Great for the new camper. All the basics needed for campsite cooking in one inexpensive package. – Camp Stove, Pots and Pans, Cooking and eating utensils, Plates, Cups, and more.
>>> More “How to pick…” camping equipment guides
Here are some examples of the camping equipment discussed above.
Even if you are not interested in buying now, they will give you an idea of the choices you have and the prices you can expect.
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