Ultimate Camping Checklist

Here is a list of items that can be brougt on a camping trip. You won't need everything, and you can buy travel sizes in alot of these to make more room. Plastic tubs also work real well especially in the kitchen department and stack real nice. You can even label each tub so you know what goes in what. Look through the list here and decide what you would bring as this is my own personal list. The hygiene list you can virtually pack up in small overnight bag and some of the kitchen items you can condense into plastic baggies rather than taking bulk. I love my camping kitchen and would recommend them to everyone. I am able to virtually place all my kitchen items in it and it's neat and organized. I even place my camp stove and cook on it, as well as do the dishes.

General

• stove
  
• sleeping bag


• ice chest


• lantern


• flashlight


• air mattress


• coffee maker


• foam mattress


• portable toilet (dump sanitizer in it)


• camp kitchen


• table


• shovel


• compass


• water


• binoculars


• canopy


• power inverter


• tarp


• portable shower


• rope, knife, hatchet, axe


• tent


• chairs

Kitchen

• pots and pans (old kitchen ones will do)
• spatula, thongs,wooden spoon
• cups, plates, bowls (plastic is real nice and recycleable)
• ice
• food
• dishsoap (condense in a small travel bottle)
• water
• towels
• garbage bags
• spoons, knives, forks(plastic works well)
• sharp kitchen knife
• slat, pepper, spices(fill plastic baggies with these)
• plastic bags,baggies, scissors
• paper towels
• plastic tub for dishes
• can opener, bottle opener, wine opener (find the all-in-one gadget)

Hygiene

• body soap
• first aid kit
• towels, washcloths
• toothpaste, toothbrush
• soap, deodarant
• feminine products
• ear cleaners
• face soap
• tweezers
• nail clippers
• mirror
• hair clips (optional)
• shampoo-conditioner
• hairbrush, comb

Bedroom

• blankets, pillows
• shoes, socks, underwear
• coat, jacket, long johns,gloves
• shirts, shorts, pants
• hat
  
  Pet

• your animals
• food, bowls, snacks
• leash, harness, collar with pet tag
• kennell
• first aid kit
• medications, flea,tick repellant
• proof of vaccinations
• plastic waste bags (platic grocery ones work well)
• Toys
• Picture of your animal (in case they get lost)
  
  

Misc

• matches
  
• propane


• toilet paper (bio degradable)


• radio


• batteries


• cell phone (make sure it's charged)


• sunscreen


• repellent


• magazines, books, games, playing cards

What is the basic camping gear I need?

Ok, I hope by now you have a destination in mind because here comes the fun part-NOT! Packing can be simple but remember, you have to think ahead on what to bring. So you ask yourself, what do I bring? It is up to you to decide on the length of your camping trip and it is up to me to help you figure out what to take. The most important gear is as follows:

• Tent
• Coolers (you will need one for food, and one for drinks)
• Camp stove
• Sleeping bags
• Chairs
• Lantern/Flashlights
• Knife, saw, shovel, and hatchet

Vehicle Preparation

Before heading out of town make sure your vehicle is good optimal working condition. A broken down vehicle=No camping for you. Here are some basics to follow:

Check all tire pressure including the spare.
Have your belts, hoses, brakes, lights, engine oil, and all fluids checked
Check windshield wipers and make sure they work
Carry a flashlight, batteries, emergency flares and reflectors, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher
Carry a jack, lug wrench, tools, and don't forget the jumper cables.

Introduction into Camping

Camping can be a lot of fun, but only if you plan successfully for it. The key is, to figure out where you want to go, what you will take, and what you will do when your there. Camping requires you to take a miniature version of your home with you. From pots and pans to your toothbrush. Sit back and relax, as I unfold what a beginner camper will need step by step to have a great camping experience.

Labor Day 2008 Camping Trip

Labor Day weekend in Arizona can be pretty crazy since there are thousands of motorists fleeing to the cooler parts of the state. My family and I camped just a few feet below a small little town outside of Payson, Arizona called Whispering Pines. Not sure of the population, but I can say it is pretty secluded little place. For the most part the weather was beautiful but other moments of the day we fled for shelter from the rain. It was a muddy weekend. One exciting part of the trip was early Saturday morning maybe around 5 am, what I knew was an elk call while others had no clue what that noise was but knew that it was so loud it woke almost everyone up at camp. I jumped up and put my shoes on and walked down the road a bit and looked up on the mountain ridge and saw about 5 cows (female Elk) and one Bull (male elk). What a big rack he had. I am not sure if it was a just a good morning for my new friend or he was just happy to be around all them girls. None the less, what a great site to see. For the rest of the time we were there, we did not hear or see any other animals except birds. That may be because so many other campers came in on Saturday and it was pretty noisy by then. For the rest of the time on Saturday, we just kicked it around camp and then on Sunday we drove to Railroad Tunnel Tr. and Colonel Devin Trail. The Railroad Tunnel Tr. is a hike we plan on going to tomorrow. I will post some pictures when I return. On Monday on the way out to head home, we stopped at some old Indian Ruins called Shoofly Village Ruins in Tonto National Forest. Not a whole lot to see since the ruins are pretty much broken down and only ground rocks exists where there were once massive dwellings. If anyone is interested in learning more about anything on this post let me know and I will make sure and post it for you.