Packing for a trip is challenging under normal circumstances. Deciding whether to simply carry-on a bag, or to check one, size restrictions on liquid containers, making everything fit, trying not to forget anything, deciding what to wear; the challenges seem innumerable. I can safely say that I have traveled enough that I have packed well for trips, and have packed poorly for trips, and have learned a few lessons along the way. In this series on packing, I want to give a few of my tips for different types of travel, so that my readers hopefully will not make the same mistakes that I have already made. So, without further ado, tips for packing for a camping trip.

I’m new to camping…as in I’ve only slept in a tent twice in my life. But I think that also means that I’ve probably thought more about what to take while camping than perhaps those who camp regularly. Here are the things that I recommend packing for a tent camping trip.

• Camera
• Smartphone (useful for GPS and photography)
• Cash, credit cards, driver’s license
• Kindle/books
• Charging cables that can be plugged into your vehicle
• Battery charger
• Paper plates
• Plastic silverware
•  Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Bottled water
• Large water jug (for putting out campfire and for drinking water)
• Lighter/fire starter
• Ax
• Cooler
• Camp food–things (we did burgers/chips, hot dogs/chips/MRE macaroni and cheese, and pizza for our dinners; smores for evening snacks; prebaked banana bread muffins, poptarts, bacon/cheese/biscuits for breakfast)
• Granola bars (for camping and snacks)
• Travel games (we had a deck of cards, Farkle, and Zombie Dice which we liked so much that we purchased it when we got home!)
• Camp chairs
• Hammock (ours is a Portable Folding Hammock that is really awesome for camping)
• Tent
• Sleeping bag (this is the one that I just purchased, and I love it!)
• Pillow
• Air mattress (with a device to fill it) or a cot
• Sunblock
• First aid kit
• Bear Spray (if you’re travelling to an area where this will be needed)
• Bug spray
• Bug bite lotion
• Flashlights
• Backpack/Camelpak (for snacks, water, first aid kit while hiking)
• Hiking/trekking poles
• Sunglasses
• Raincoat
• Hoodie sweatshirt
• Gloves
• Hat
• Stocking cap (mine is Northface like this one)
• Hiking shoes/boots (I personally really like these from Keen)
• Flip flops (for around the campsite, late night trips to the bathroom, and the shower if you have shower facilities at your campsite)
• Swimsuit
• 2 towels (one for swimming, one for showering)
• Moisture wicking socks for hiking
• Wool socks for sleeping (if camping in a place where it gets cold at night)
• Undergarments
• Long-sleeved shirt for sleeping (if camping in a place where it gets cold at night)
• Fleece-lined leggings for sleeping (if camping in a place where it gets cold at night)
• Comfortable/breathable shorts/capris
• Comfortable/breathable t-shirts/tank tops
• Shower items
• Hair items (hairbrush, dry shampoo, hairspray, hairties)
• Teeth items
• Chapstick
• Deodorant
• Prescription medications/vitamins
• Baby wipes (these are super useful if you don’t have shower facilities, or even just to clean your hands while cooking and eating)
• Toilet paper
• Packing cubes (to keep everything organized)

What items do you leave off of your list? What items do you take that I haven’t listed? And if you’d like more packing tips, check out Packing for a Scuba Diving Trip, Packing for Kaaboo Del Mar, and Packing for a Conference.