Summer is upon us, and the call of the outdoors is strong and insistent.
This is the time of the year that’s perfect for getting outside in the great national parks and wildernesses. Whether you’re out among the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains or sticking with the iconic Yellowstone or Yosemite National Parks, there are plenty of places to get away from it all.
And this means you’re going to need essential camp gear to make your outdoor adventure a success. Of course, there’s a difference between driving your car to a campsite and pitching a tent, and backpacking into the wilderness. One requires much more preparation.
The good thing is that lightweight backpacking gear works for both backcountry and car camping. So let’s take a look at what camping gear is essential to enjoy your time outdoors.
Essential Camping Gear
This is the basic equipment that’s critical to a successful camping trip.
It’s the camp gear that you always think of first—tents, sleeping bags, hiking gear, etc. Think of these items as the core camping essentials around which you’ll need to build your assortment of camp gear.
Tent Gear
There isn’t much camping to be had without a good tent.
This will likely be your most expensive purchase. But if you find yourself a good tent, and take care of it, it can last you for quite some time—and believe me, it’ll be the source of memories to last a lifetime.
Now, there are different types of tents for different purposes. If you’re undertaking some serious backwoods backpacking, there are incredible ultralight tents designed just for that. On the other hand, there are also plenty of roomier and more spacious tents for campsite glamping.
Backpacking tents will often come with a rain fly in case bad weather rolls in; otherwise, you’ll want to get one just in case. Plus, it’s usually a good idea to purchase a footprint, which helps to keep water out of your tent.
Sleeping Bags
Obviously, sleeping bags are another important item in your checklist of essential camp gear.
A good rule of thumb is that you’ll spend around $150-$200 for a good sleeping bag. Keep in mind that sleeping bags come in different ratings and weights, which corresponds to the temperature ranges they can handle.
That’s why it’s important to determine how and when you intend to use your sleeping bag. If you’re doing most of your camping in the warm summer months, you won’t need something that’s rated to withstand sub-zero temperatures.
Plus, consider getting a sleeping pad. If you’re camping in the backcountry, these can be a lifesaver. The ground is almost always rough and rocky, particularly if you’re camping in the high country, and a sleeping pad will help you get a good night’s sleep.
Finally, don’t forget an inflatable pillow. It may not be the most comfortable pillow in the world, but after a long day of high-country hiking, it’ll help you sleep soundly.
Lanterns and Flashlights
Part of the whole charm and mystique of heading out into the woods is that you get to enjoy the beauty of nighttime in the wilderness.
But that also means it gets really dark. The kind of dark that city folk just don’t understand. So it helps to have a sturdy and reliable flashlight or lantern to light your way through the woods.
A good headlamp is a perfect, hands-free way to negotiate the dark at night. It’s also a lifesaver if the sun goes down before you get your tent up.
A lantern also helps, since you can hang it from a tree branch or tentpole, or place it on a rock to light up your camp. Energizer lanterns are good, but if your Energizer LED folding lantern won’t stay on, there are plenty of other lanterns to choose from.
Backpacks
Don’t forget to find a decent backpack.
Of course, the type of backpack you’ll need depends on the kind of camping you intend to do. If you’re just kicking it at a campsite, a daypack will come in handy for short hikes during the day.
On the other hand, a sturdier, heavier-duty backpack with the ability to handle serious loads will be crucial to longer overnight backpacking trips.
Water Purifiers
If you’re planning to spend any time in the backcountry, you’ll need to have a water purifier or water filtration system of some kind.
The older method was to carry along Iodine tablets, and of course, these still work just as well. But a good water filtration system is a useful choice to get the freshest and best-tasting water in the wilderness.
First Aid Kit
Never overlook the importance of this item. It’s among the most important of your essential camp gear.
If you’re going to be backpacking in remote areas, far from the services of civilization, you’ll have to rely on what you’ve packed in to handle any emergencies. A first aid kit can’t handle every emergency, of course, but it can help with small issues.
A good first aid kit will include essential items like painkillers (aspirin, etc.), bandages, space blankets, gauze, and other assorted emergency material. A good knife or multitool also tends to come in handy, along with a reliable fire-starter.
Get the Essential Camp Gear Before You Go
When you’re ready to explore the outdoors, it’s important that you assemble all the essential camp gear first. This list of critical camping items will help get you started.
We hope you enjoyed this article, and while you’re here, please check out the rest of our site for more great travel tips and advice.
