Here’s a camping gear list I came up with to cover most camping excursions:

1. Tent
A tent is one of the most basic forms of shelter. There are literally thousands of variations of tents, finding the right one for you revolves around the number of people sleeping in it, where you are sleeping, what time of year you camp, and how you are traveling to your camp site.

2. Tent Footprint
A tent footprint is basically a tarp that is cut to the shape of where your tent touches the ground. This keeps bugs, water, and anything else unwanted from coming into your tent from below.

3. Tent Pegs
Most tents need tent pegs to hold down either the tent itself, or just to keep the rain fly in place. Metal tent pegs hold everything better and are more difficult to break than the safer plastic tent pegs.

4. Seam Sealer
Manufactured tents (vast majority of tents), even if waterproof, will let water in through the seams if it is constantly rained on. To prevent this discomfort, treat the seams with a good seam sealer.

5. Sleeping Bag
Everyone planning on keeping warm and comfortable when sleeping will want a sleeping bag. There are many different options when it comes to sleeping bags from size to weight and color to warmth.

6. Sleeping Pad
Sleeping on the cold, hard ground is honestly not the most comfortable thing in the world. A sleeping pad will provide a thin layer of insulation between you and the ground and protection from those countless, annoying pebbles that would be digging into your back.

7. Flashlight/Headlamp/Lantern
A light source is a good idea to have around a camp area because if you are staying overnight, unless you’re in Alaska, it will get dark.

8. Food & Water/Drinks
Everyone needs to eat and drink. When camping you may bring whatever food you like, the only restrictions depend on your transportation. If you are traveling in an RV, you can bring more than would fit in a backpack.

9. Camping Stove & Fuel
If you bring along food that needs to be cooked, the easiest and most environmentally sound way to get the job done is to bring your own camping stove and fuel. Extra fuel may be needed, depending on how long you will be camping.

10. Cookware
Pots, pans, silverware and other cookware are must-haves when cooking, even when you are camping. This is one category that many people forget to think about.

11. Axe
A campsite is just not a campsite without a campfire and a campfire is nothing without wood. The best thing for you to do is to gather wood already on the ground, but sometimes that just is not enough, that is when the axe comes in.

12. Lighter/Matches
When rubbing two sticks together is just not practical, a lighter or a box of matches will get that campfire roaring in no time. Plan ahead and bring enough to start more than one.

13. Roasting Sticks
Marshmallows and hot dogs roasting over the fire is a must. To prevent burned hands, brings some roasting sticks.

14. “Bathroom Supplies”
If you are going to a restroom-free area, you will want to pack a few key items in a gallon baggy: 1 TP Roll, a small shovel, and some hand sanitizer. When nature calls, just take your supplies and cover it up, oh and stay at least a few hundred feet away from water for everyone’s sake.

15. Camping Chairs
Camping chairs are a must on a campsite, especially if you will be there for a few days. Trust me, your back and butt will appreciate it.

16. Knife
The uses for an everyday knife are countless, especially when camping. Just be safe…no running.

17. First-Aid Kit
You should bring a First-Aid kit for the same reason you have auto insurance, accidents happen. Anti-nausea medicine, aspirin, bandages and antibiotic ointment is a good start.

18. Overnight Food Storage
A thick cooler is usually the best to keep out unwanted dinner guests.
PS. You are in the animals’ territory so they think your food is fair game.

19. Clothing
The only restriction on the clothes you wear when you go camping is the surrounding temperature. Remember: most environments get colder at nightfall.

20. Hiking Shoes/Hiking Boots
Wearing hiking shoes or hiking boots is a good idea because chances are, if you are camping, there will not be much level ground and these kinds of footwear have sturdy soles.

Optional Camping Accessories:
1. Water Purification
If you do not want to haul around a ton of water, you can simply gather water from a nearby, freshwater stream and purify it with a filter or purifying chemical tablets.

2. Sunscreen
We all need the sun, but we all need to be protected from it as well.

3. Insect Repellent
Depending on where your camp location is and what time of the year you go camping, the bugs may be out like crazy, insect repellent will give you added protection from discomfort and possibly disease.

4. GPS
A Global Positioning System is a great tool to keep you from getting lost whether you are driving down the road or climbing a mountain. Tip: Make sure to write down your starting coordinates and take them with you on your mini-adventures.

5. Camp Shower
A camp shower is a nice alternative if there is no river or lake around to wash up in.

6. Hammock
There are very few better ways to relax than just hanging out in a hammock listening to the crackle of you campfire.