Hi! Iām planning my first ever solo tent camping trip, and Iām honestly excitedā¦ but also kind of overwhelmed š„ŗ
Right now, Iāve only bought one thing so far: a camping mattress. It just felt like the easiest and most comfortable place to start š¤©
I also did a little ātest setupā not too far from home, just to try opening the tent and making sure I actually know what Iām doing. Iām planning to ask for advice firstā¦ and then hopefully go somewhere farther for my real trip š²
But now Iām realizing I have no idea what I truly need to bring beyond that.
I want to keep it simple and not overpack, but Iām also scared of showing up and realizing I forgot something important.
For those of you who camp solo in a tent a lot:
What are the things you always bring and actually use every single time?
And what are the things beginners think they need, but really donāt?
Any advice, personal packing lists, or āI learned this the hard wayā stories would help so much š„²š
Thanks in advance!
by Ok_Resolution_1606
10 Comments
There are some different checklists available on REIās website. Just put checklist in the search and you should find what youāre looking for.
Look at where you’re camping, and make a list off of what you need, and what the area won’t provide.
Think food, sleep and hygiene. Water(or a way to treat it, if needed), toilet paper, handwashing, cooking, sleeping bag, pillow, flashlights, battery packs, lanterns, etc. I usually bring some pepper spray- just for peace of mind.
Depends on where youāre going. If youāre going to like a state park or a place that has bathrooms and showers then clothes, tent, toiletries, food, seasonings for food if youāre cooking, bedding, effective blankets or sleeping bags, weather appropriate clothing, chair(s), entertainment like download movies or have a portable gaming system, towels, pillow, pepper spray, bug spray and sunscreen for spring and summer, some basic tools mainly a small hatchet to use for making kindling and as a hammer for stakes, a cooler, a stove like a Coleman, this is a basic list of stuff I can think of off the top of my head. Remember meals donāt have to be complicated you can cook what you make at home while camping. Have fun, be safe, be respectful, and leave no trace!
Are those Christmas tree ornaments?
Start a camping note in your phone. Every time you go camping or think of something add to it. Over time youāll add to your kit enough that you wonāt have to reinvent the wheel when you go out.
are you camping dispersed or in reserved sites? There is a huge difference and expectations between those types of camping. Being out – truly alone in the boonies has a more serious checklist
Get rid of those scented cherry š hangers unless you want rats chewing everything up.
Wise? I used to as well
Need your cookware for sure. Something for shade normally if there isn’t a ton of trees, whether that’s an ez up type canopy or a tarp set up. You also probably can’t camp directly on the side of the road, in the future.
What season are you planning to camp in? You will need to take that into consideration. But the person who suggested the REI checklist is correct. That will give you a very thorough list of things, and you can decide what else you need or want.
But seriously, you do not want scented anything in your tent unless you are desiring furry creatures to join you on your solo camping trip!