What To Bring Tent Camping: Beyond the Basics

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Tent camping has come a long way since I grew up. I remember setting up our “wall tent,” a thick, heavy canvas tent with metal poles. It did not have big windows to breathe, so it was hot during the summer camping months. And let’s not even talk about when it rained; you could not touch the fabric since the oils from your fingers would cause a “drip” to start, and it would not stop until the rain stopped!

Today we have great tents and many pluses to make tent camping an excellent, dry, and even fabulous experience. Everyone knows the basics of what to bring, a tent, sleeping bag, water bottle, etc. But I wanted to share what to bring tent camping – items you might not have thought of, so let’s dive right into what you need for a fun and enjoyable night outdoors.

Campsite Gear/Extra Gear

• Tent Cinch sack for hiking
• Sleeping pad/mattress
• Folding chairs to sit by the fire
• Sleeping bag/sheet
• Table cloth
• Pillows
• Folding table
• Knife or multi-tool fan
• Tarp or sun/shade umbrella

When looking for a tent, get one you can stand up in, and that can be stable in rough weather. Nothing is worse than being bent over in a tent and falling during a rainstorm. Also, when they say it can fit four people, know that you will need room for your clothes bags and other personal items, so buy bigger, so you have enough room for “you” in the tent! (Aka: If there are two of you, buy a tent for 4.) You will thank me later!

Something else to look at is a blow-up mattress. It depends on preference, but please purchase more than a simple twin mattress. Make sure it has a pump that comes with it. No longer should we be blowing anything up with our mouths! The mattress should be easy to store and move around.

Fans

Choosing a fan is essential. They have all kinds. They can hang from the center of a tent or sit on a table; they have ones that claim to be portable air conditioners (though I question those), short ones, long ones, and tall ones. I found the ones that can hang work awesome. I also like the ones that plugin, so don’t forget to buy an extension cord. Battery ones still work great for short times, so make sure you bring your power pack (listed under Power source below). I do not hang the fan on the inside of the tent; that is when I use the “desk” part of the fan and place it on a large Tupperware box that holds my clothes. But the hook comes in handy when you go outside and attach it to your table, facing you, cheating on that hot day! Who says you have to sweat if you are tenting!

Sheets

Sheets are the best thing to bring. In the summer, you will rarely need a sleeping bag. They have cooling blankets now, which are wonderful. Bamboo is so soft and helps keep you cool. Another item is Cotton sheets that offer a percale weave. They are lightweight and airy.

Chairs

Chairs are the most important thing you pack! This is where you will be sitting every time you sit. I found each chair is very different to sit in. Make sure to sit on the chair before you buy it. Also, make sure it is easy to fold up for easy carrying.

Hammocks are also nice for when you want to just chill or nap!

Food and Cooking Extras

• Compact cook set with utensils
• Charcoal
• Lighter
• Firewood
• Cast Iron Skillets
• Marshmallow sticks
• Storage containers Foil (everyone needs foil)
• Dishtowel
• Portable Camp sink
• Camp stove
• Drying rack for towels
• Water purifier
• Fly Fans (these will repel the flies)
• Cutting board
• Cooler

Cast Iron Skillets are great since they are so easy to cook on. Get one that is at least 12″ wide. Another item is a 5.5 qt Dutch oven. This is great for dinner that cooks all day on the fire! Several different kinds will get you through every meal, making everything taste delicious.

Containers

Storage containers are a “must” fit-together thing. When you have extras of something, you only have so much space in that big cooler you brought. Make sure you have several containers that will fit together, making simple squares, so you are not wasting space in the cooler.

Tables

A folding table is essential. Make sure to get one that will fit a few things, such as a cutting board, maybe your skillets when the food is done for a “serve yourself” line. Another thing we have now is tables with adjustable legs, so when you are on the unleveled ground, you can adjust those legs, so you don’t lose your meal on the ground!

Lighters

Lighters are essential too. They now have all kinds of lighters where the head flexes, a torch lighter that the wind can’t blow out, and others that are refillable with fuel. Get a nifty looking (your choice) butane lighter that is refillable. That is all you need; you can opt for the one with the long neck to get “under” the firewood, but don’t make it challenging to choose. Also, as a hint, make sure that you save your lint from your dryer. It makes a perfect fire starter! So don’t buy that Kerosene and “cheat”!

Fly Fans

These might be newer items that just came out, or maybe I just discovered them! Fly Fans are fantastic as they mimic a fan. You place them around your table when you eat, and the movement keeps the flies at bay. If I did not see it work, I would not have bought them! They are a “gotta have”!

Lights

• Lantern
• Headlamp
• Flashlight
• Overhead light

Lanterns are essential for when you play board games and get ready for bed! I hear the best is a Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 rechargeable lantern. Most of these lights will give you 300 hours of light, and they can double as a power bank. (Mentioned under Power source below) Unless you are looking for a vintage experience, do not purchase a lantern that needs propane or Kerosene. It is just messy.

Stick to an overhead light that you can hang in the camper that is lightweight. Look around for lightweight specialized hanging tent light bulbs with a clip hook that can hook to the poles in the tent.

Flashlights are essential to spot what is “out there.” When you are all huddled up by the fire and hear something in the woods, you will want a strong flashlight to see 50 to 100 feet away! Do not take an old 4 “D” battery flashlight; get something new, like an LED light; they are much brighter than other bulbs! Rechargeable flashlights are great as long as you remember to recharge them! Something else is to make sure it has a “zoom” feature. That means you can push it to make the light a large circle to see general things, but then you can push it again to zoom the light in on one or two square feet of what you want to see.

Personal Items

• Sunscreen
• Brush/comb
• Bug spray/candles
• Soap – try a gel soap
• Toothbrush/paste
• Mirror
• Toilet paper

When you only have so much water, starting with something that will sud up instantly is easier. Liquid gel soap is all the rage! You don’t need a ton of water to get suds! But please be kind to the earth and use safe soaps such as Wilderness Wash or Campsuds. Remember, soap can kill trees and grass and harm animals who might drink the leftover runoff water. Read these camping safety tips before you head out!

Bug Spray/Candles

Depending on where you camp, you may need a stronger or weaker repellent. If it is a place where there are not many mosquitos or ticks, use a spray that is light on your skin. You can also try candles that will deter mosquitos from coming over. I always try to use as little as possible since it is a chemical you are spraying onto your body.

Entertainment/Games It is the most fun part of the trip!

• Board games
• Cards (there are millions of fun games with cards, and you can get waterproof ones)
• Bow and Arrows (A Bow only costs about $25 and then another $6 for arrows, good fun for everyone!)
• Dodge ball (21 balls from the Dollar store)
• Binoculars for wildlife
• Radio/speakers that you can connect your phone to for your music
• Download 18 Pages of Free Camping Printables

Binoculars

Binoculars are essential to have if you are hiking. The first number is the magnification (Aka, it will pull you in 12 times closer), and the second is the diameter of each lens (Aka, the more light in the lenses will make the object sharper and brighter. For example, for birdwatching, the lens should be at least 10X, but for stargazing but 30X would be better! You can zoom in on birds, foxes/coyotes, or anything out there!

Speakers

Purchase a speaker for your phone. Then everyone can then listen to your music by the campfire. Nothing is more disturbing than having six people playing different music on their phones by the fire! By having it and strategically placing the speaker, people will get the hint that you are providing the music for them. Even if they do not get off their phone to enjoy your music and the fire, they will usually be respectful enough to keep the volume down.

Power Tools

• Back up phone charger in case, the power is out
• Rechargeable batteries
• Lightweight power bank (depending on the number of days you will be there.)
• Solar panel if you are going to be on your own without a campground.
• The most important thing to have is a power bank. This will be handy if the power at the campsite goes out or if you are camping where there is no power. It will charge batteries for your lanterns, cell phones, headlamps or flashlights, and fly fan. One day of camping would use about 10,000 mAh. (This is thinner and lighter than the 20,000 mAh) They are also very lightweight; some are in the ounces!

Where and when you go camping will also depend on what to bring. With so many items to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Start with the essentials but take it from this experienced camper; the little things will make the difference! Tent camping is so much fun these days; just make sure to enjoy yourself and the experience.

Related: 30 Easy Camping Meals To Make On Your Next Trip