So, you’re ready to get the heck out of Dodge and enjoy a weekend away in the outdoors. You are excited about your mini getaway and want to make sure that everything goes according to plan. What will you do if it rains or the bears come out? This article goes over the essential camping gear you need for your weekend away. Read on to learn what to take with you for the ultimate camping experience.

Camping Wardrobe and Accessories

As a rule of thumb, bring more than you think you’ll need. That extra pair of clothes might just save you from run-ins with sticky pine trees, poison ivy, and unexpected downpours. If nothing but s’mores goop ends up on your shirt, this is still an excellent reason to bring an extra pair of clothes.

For your clothing items, stick with short and long-sleeved shirts, a couple of pairs of pants and shorts, hiking boots, socks, flip-flops, a warm winter jacket, a windbreaker jacket or vest, a pair of sunglasses, and a hoodie in case you get chilly at night.

Outdoor hats for men are also great to avoid scalp sunburn. Bring your earplugs or noise-canceling headphones as well if you think the crickets will keep you up.

Your Campsite Essentials

For an effective campsite, you need to take with you all the essentials for shelter, warmth, and light, so you can get outdoors and get moving without interference.

Bring all different kinds of lighting with you, including your lighter, lanterns, flashlights, string lights, and a charged smartphone (to access flashlight mode), as well as sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, and most importantly, your tent WITH footprint and stakes.

You’ll also need high quality OTF knives to open up packaging, and you’ll end up putting them to more than a few uses.

Don’t forget to bring extra batteries, firewood, and an axe to chop wood for additional security. Don’t forget your toiletries and first aid kit when critical moments strike.

You can also never have enough bug spray, sunscreen, or toilet paper with you while camping. To pack lightly, choose biodegradable soap, quick-dry towels, and travel-size bottles of hand sanitizer.

Camping Tools and Gadgets

In addition to your axe and can opener, bring one solid pocketknife with you and a bottle opener. You’re going to want something to crack open a cold drink after a hot day. Bring all your fishing gear with you and extra ice to keep your catch cold in the cooler.

Camping Kitchen Gear

Depending on what’s available at your campsite, you may or may not need to keep certain kitchen essentials with you. Learn about the accommodations at your camp ahead of time, so you know what to take with you.

At the very least, bring a portable coffee maker, cast-iron cooking pans, cooking utensils, grill and charcoal, and odor-trapping food containers to keep wildlife away.

If you can put your leftovers in a cooler or store them in campsite lockers, you are in a safer position to avoid attracting wildlife. Don’t leave your food out. Bring trash bags and recycling bags with you as well.

You should also decide what the water situation is so you can ensure you’ll have enough water while you’re camping. Bring water jugs if you don’t have access to potable water on-site.

Camper recipes like hot dogs and beans, fire-baked potatoes, and ready-to-eat meals are always options. Still, if you bring a can opener with you, you can make tuna sandwiches, camper’s stew, and other goodies from ingredients that sit in your pantry.

What The Doctor Ordered

A camping weekend getaway is just what the doctor ordered. Remember to bring the above essentials with you for the ultimate camping experience!