In this day and age, prepping for camping can feel like two different areas. Camping vs. Glamping. But while I might prefer a cot over the ground, I still like to rough it in a tent, and for some, having a camper, trailer, or RV isn’t even an option! These camping essentials are for casual campers who want a fun reprieve from civilization but still want comfort. In this blog post, you’ll learn about fun and necessary things to bring camping and find out what items I personally use. Know that I purchased all of these items with my own funds, but the links in this article contain affiliate links so I will get a small commission for any clicks. These are my camping essentials for a great outdoor unwind that will elevate your camping trip!
Storage Bins
You are going to need to store all your items in one larger bin or a few smaller bins. You don’t need a bin for every little category. Keep it simple… I have a medium bin for kitchen/catch-all items (eating/cooking utensils, small cutting board(s), knives, fire starters/campfire items, etc), a medium bin for cleaning supplies (dish soap, cleaning brush, trash bags, etc), and a third medium bin for outdoor activities such as paddleboarding and hiking items (waterproof phone case, water bottle shoulder bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, etc). Lastly, I have a fourth medium bin for personal items – feminine hygiene, toothbrush/paste, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and even toilet paper! Yes… I’ve been there too.
I recommend medium plastic containers for ease of cleaning if the bin gets dirty or to keep splashing or puddled water off the contents inside. I think the medium (12qt) is a good size as it gives you some extra room for miscellaneous items or forgotten items. But going too big will cause the weight to get too heavy and hard to maneuver.
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Cooler
This is arguably the most important item of the bunch. This keeps drinks and food cold. While most casual campers find themselves not that far away from a grocery store, prices can be almost double what you would pay at your usual grocer. Not to mention the disappointing feeling you get after a day in the sun only to find all your drinks are warm from sitting in your car. It can be extremely critical to the success of a camping experience!
The system I’ve found successful lies in the utilization of two coolers. One huge cooler for all the food and items that need to be stored cold. Another medium-sized cooler for any drinks you’ll consume that day. I may bring a case of pop for a weekend trip but I’m not drinking it all at once. It makes sense to only put what I will drink that day in the cooler to free up space for other items if needed.
What I personally use:
Cast Iron Skillet
I can’t recommend investing in a cast iron skillet enough! Most, if not all, cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned nowadays so you can pick one on your way to the campsite and use it that night! Does anyone actually directly use the grates on campfire rings? I love throwing my cast iron on the grates and using the skillets as a campfire griddle.
Cast iron is a tried and true material that can retain heat and can withstand even direct fire or even coal contact! On a recent camping excursion, the fire ring had no grates to put my cast iron skillet on. Once the fire was ready, I simply moved the wood around to be able to hold the weight of the 12” skillet. I placed the skillet on top of the burning firewood. Most often, I use my 12” skillet to cook eggs and bacon for breakfast. Most recently, I started to cook hamburgers for dinner and even purchased a small 3.5” cast iron skillet to cook round egg omelets for breakfast sandwiches! The skillet will get additional seasoning from use over time from cooking greasy foods like bacon. I also throw a small jar or bottle of cooking oil just in case. Cast iron skillets are the most versatile cookware and absolutely makes it a camping essential!
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Oven Mitts
One thing to keep in mind with cast iron is that the handle has no guard so there is a chance of you mindlessly grabbing the handle and burning yourself. Nowadays, cast iron companies have all sorts of options to cover the handle and you can even get fun oven mitts to use. I found a cute pair of elk-themed oven mitts at the Rocky Mountain National Park Alpine Visitor Center.
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Pot to Boil Water
Who here likes the sound of coffee in the morning or maybe a delicious cup of cocoa near the campfire! Either way, you’ll need to boil water to get a drink worth enjoying. Having a small portable pot in your camping essentials is a must. What I decided to invest in is the MSR starter kit. It comes with the MSR Pocket Rocket so if you ever need to cook but can’t get a fire going, you can use the Pocket Rocket with isobutane fuel to cook your food. You also get two bowls, two cups, and two sporks – all reusable! Lastly, it includes a small lightweight 2L aluminum pot that stores all the bowls, cups, and eating utensils. I don’t backcountry backpack but I love using the pot for boiling water while camping. The dishes have proved very useful over the years since most campsites are starting to include dishwashing stations. You can help reduce your footprint too!
What I personally use:
Satellite Messenger
While camping is an opportunity to stray from civilization, we often have loved ones or friends we still need to keep in touch with. A satellite messenger is something to consider if you are going to be camping anywhere with questionable cell service – the mountains especially!
For those who don’t know, your phone connects with your local cell tower which connects with a satellite in space. When you are in the city or in the mountains, the physical features, skyscrapers or mountains, block your phone from connecting to a cell tower. The satellite messenger connects directly to the satellite in space to send messages around the country or world (depending on the messenger plan).
I use Zoleo. Zoleo has three different monthly plans: basic – 25 messages ($20), In Touch – 250 messages ($35), and Unlimited – no message cap ($50). You can also add location share to any plan for $6 and it allows loved ones to check your progress whether you are hiking or backpacking in the remote wilderness. The device itself is $200 but is absolutely worth the money. Here’s why.
The most basic use of a satellite messenger is to communicate in remote or limited cell service locations. But what do you do if you injure yourself in a remote location? Products like Zoleo have an “SOS” function that allows you to communicate with 24/7 emergency monitoring and progress reports for your SOS contacts. Additionally, for Zoleo specifically, there is a medical assist feature. Say you forgot to put on the oven to touch the cast iron skillet and you slightly burn your fingers. You can chat with the medical assistant to get medical advice, find a nearby clinic, or replace medical supplies. To date, Zoleo is the only device to offer this feature!
What I personally use:
Conclusion
Camping essentials to elevate your next camping trip! Don’t be stuck without something important because you don’t keep everything all together. Don’t lose out on dinner because your food got spoiled in the sun. Look into these fun and necessary items to bring on your next camping adventure!
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