Tent camping checklist.
Sleep on the ground without forgetting the groundsheet. This list starts with a tent and builds out from the people, nights, weather, and activities on your trip.
Build the tent list
Tent camping is preselected. Change the group, weather, or activities to match the trip.
Your pack list
Check items as they go into the car. The list stays in this browser, and the print view fits a clipboard.
No list yet Base camp waiting
Tell us the trip type, weather, and who is coming. We will turn the gear closet into a list for this trip.
Trip manifest / personalized
Pack sheet
What belongs in a tent camp.
Tent camping has the longest gear list per person because the tent is your shelter, bedroom, and closet. The core is simple: a weatherproof tent, a footprint, stakes, sleeping bags and pads, a headlamp, water, food, and a way to cook it.
Do not skip the boring items
- Extra stakes and guylines: wind finds the weakest corner.
- A tarp and cord: shade, rain shelter, and a dry place to sit.
- A repair kit: a patch, tape, and a spare pole section are cheap insurance.
- A headlamp per person: hands-free light beats a phone flashlight.
- A first-aid kit with blister care and personal medications.
Pack for the night temperature, not the afternoon. A warm day can turn into a cold night fast, especially in the mountains and desert.
Good questions.
Short answers. Check the campsite rules before you pack the axe.
What should I bring tent camping?
A tent with a footprint and stakes, sleeping bags and pads, a headlamp, a lantern, a camp stove, cookset, water, food, weather layers, a first-aid kit, and a repair kit. This builder scales the quantities to your group and nights.
Do I need a footprint?
It is not mandatory, but it protects the tent floor from abrasion and moisture. If you camp on rough ground or in wet weather, it is worth packing.
How much water should I bring?
The list starts with about three-quarters of a gallon per person per day for drinking and basic cleaning. Bring more if the site has no potable water, the weather is hot, or you are cooking and washing dishes.
What if it rains?
Choose wet weather and the list adds a tarp, rain jackets, and dry bags. Pitch the tent on high ground, keep gear off the floor, and check the forecast before you leave.