21+ Camping Road Trip Essentials (Checklist Inlcuded)

Are you getting ready for camping and road trip season, but not sure what to pack? We’ve listed all of our camping road trip essentials. It’s a great family camping gear list to get you started.

We’ve been doing multiple road trips since our kids were babies, from short weekend getaways to long cross-country road trips. Plus, we’ve been tent camping and camping in our converted van quite a few times.

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Camping with our kids in Sundre Alberta
Camping with our kids in <a href=httpslovelifeabroadcomfun things to do in sundre alberta title=>Sundre Alberta<a>

The Camping Road Trip Essentials: The Sleeping Basics

There are several essential items to add to your camping and road trip packing list. The following items are not a luxury or nice-to-have items. They are all camping must-have gear. Those camping and road trip essentials will ensure your trip is an enjoyable success rather than a stressful failure.

You can also download our detailed car camping road trip packing list to ensure you don’t forget anything.

An Easy Setup Tent

camping-gear
First Tent Camping Trip with our 18 month old

A quick and easy tent to set up (and pack away) will save valuable time and stress on a camping trip. When making a camping road trip, there are good chances that you’ll be moving around often, changing locations almost every day (maybe every two days).

The last thing you want is a tent that is hard to set up.

And trust me, I’ve been there on a solo camping trip with my kids. I just wasn’t able to set the tent (and the kids couldn’t/woundn’t help me). I ended up renting one of their yurts.

Also, ideally, choose a tent with a flysheet and groundsheet. It will protect you from the rain and cold, and don’t forget to practice putting the tent up before embarking on your trip. We have the Decathlon Arpenaz 4.2 Tent, which is perfect for families, but not really easy to set up.

Decathlon has many options for easy-to-set tents. The Quechua pop-up tent is perfect for a small family.

You can compare Decathlon tents here.

Otherwise, Crua Outdoors designs great quality tents that are easy to set up and lightweight.

Camping Sleeping Pads & Mattresses

Camping and road trip adventures with kids can be exhausting. A good night’s sleep is essential, which means your sleeping pads or mattress our one of the camping must-haves.

Depending on the type of camping you’re doing (tent camping or car camping), you’ll need different types of camping sleeping pads and mattresses.

I recommend camping sleeping pads that are self-inflating. Those self-inflation camping sleeping pads don’t require a pump or electricity. But they are usually thinner than big double camping sleeping pads.

The Decathlon 2-person self-inflating camping mattress is perfect when camping in a tent.

You could also opt for air mattresses. But make sure to add an electric air pump to speed up the blowing process.

Compact Camping Sleeping Bags

Mummy-shaped, tapered camping sleeping bags provide the best warmth. But try to choose a sleeping bag with a compression sack. These sacks have compression straps that enable the sleeping bag to be squashed into a small, compact size.

The Hiking Sleeping Bag 5°C – MT 500 from Decathlon is a good option. It shouldn’t be too warm in the summer (depending on where you camp, of course), but it should also be comfortable for fall and spring camping.

You can find more camping sleeping bags at Decathlon, REI (USA only) and MEC (Canada only).

Kids can also have their sleeping bags. Decathlon has a nice model as well as MEC. Our own kids don’t really like sleeping bags. They prefer soft blankets, so we also pack a few soft blankets from home.

Camping blankets like the Rumpl puffy blankets are also great. They are lightweight and small when stored, but still keep you warm.

Car Camping Road Trip Essentials

If you are planning on a car camping road trip, there here are a few extra items you should plan for:

Car Camping Sleeping Pad

You’ll need a mattress if you plan on sleeping in your car. While you can use a standard air mattress or regular camping sleeping pads, some options are explicitly made for car camping.

For example, Luno has a car camping air mattress available in multiple size configurations to fit over 1,800 vehicle types. HeyTrip also sells a model of car camping air mattresses on Amazon. It’s supposed to work on most SUVs.

Car Window Curtains

If you are converting the back of your car into a bed, you’ll want to have some window curtains for cars. It will make sure the car is in dark early in the morning. It’s also great for intimacy.

You can use reflective aluminum sheets that you cut to the windows’ size. This is what we did for our converted campervan. We can buy a roll on Amazon or any hardware store.

You can get a car privacy curtain if you want to add some privacy. Luno has a model of car privacy curtain specifically made for car camping.

Screen Windows for Cars

If you’re looking for window curtains that are specifically made for your car, Luno offers an excellent option for screen windows for car. It’s a good alternative if you need to open the windows overnight. They do not provide the same blackout effect as reel car window curtains, but it still works great, especially if you stay in the woods with lots of mosquitos.

Kitchen Camping Road Trip Must-Haves

There is a wide variety of camping cooking products on the market to make camping trips with kids easier and more organized. These are the basic essentials to bring on every camping adventure.

Camping Stove

Camping meals are the best
Camping meals using our <strong><a class=thirstylink rel=nofollow target= blank title=Coleman Camping Stove href=httpslovelifeabroadcomrecommendscoleman camping stove data shortcode=true>Coleman stove<a><strong>

One of the biggest advantages to camping while road-tripping is cooking your meals. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it also helps you save money when travelling. Plus, it allows you to stop where you want to when you want to.

A classic propane stove, like the Coleman stove we are using, is always useful when camping with kids. Having two burners is ideal. Don’t forget to pack a lighter and extra propane cylinder.

Otherwise, the BioLite Campstove is a good alternative. This camping stove captures and stores electricity from the burning wood scraps or pellets used in your cooking. This is a helpful feature when camping off-grid.

Then, for a small and quick option, the JetBoil cooking jet is great, especially if you do lots of backpacking and hiking. This cooking set is really small and can fit in your backpack. You can find the JetBoil cooking jet at REI or on Amazon.

Camping Cooking Set and Cutlery

Make sure you bring a complete camping cooking set with the following

  • plates,
  • cups,
  • bowls
  • glasses
  • cups
  • cooking utensils
  • cutlery
  • pots and pans
  • cutting boards and knives
  • matches,
  • lighter,
  • salt and pepper
  • oil and
  • bowl, cloth and soap for washing up.

Pro-Tip: Save time by creating a camping cooking box to store at home so you won’t have to pack a new box for each trip.

HydroFlask has a great camping cookwear kit. Decathlon also have a nice cooking set for beginners.

Cooler

An electric cooler will keep food and drinks cold on extended trips but require a power source. A non-electric cooler that uses ice packs or frozen water bottles to stay cool works best for short trips.

There are also hybrid coolers. Those coolers can charge from your car battery whilst driving but do not need a power source at your destination. You can simply add some ice to it.

The YETI 125-liter hard cooler is amazing. It’s big enough for a family long road trip and it stayy cold for a while.

When we camping, we use this 45-liter electric cooler I got on Amazon. It has a 12V car charger as well as a 120V charger. But we often use it with ice when we don’t have electricity. It’s a good cooler, but of on long road trip, it could be nice to have a little more space.

Other Kitchen Camping Must-Have

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Enjoying <a class=thirstylink rel=nofollow target= blank title=Wild Land Coffee href=httpslovelifeabroadcomrecommendswild land coffee data shortcode=true>WildLand Coffee<a> at Lake Powell campground

Camping Dishcloths

You can use any type of dishcloths for camping, using old ones you have from home.

But we love using the Tru Earth swedish cloths. Swedish cloths are perfect for camping because they dry very quickly. When doing a camping road trip, you’ll be on the go a lot and might not have time to let dish towel dry before packing up in the morning.

Swedish cloths are thus perfect. You can check ou to Tru Earth Swedish Cloths, otherwise there are a few options on Amazon with 6-pack Swedish cloths with cute design.

Coffee Set

We are a coffee family 😉 And there is nothing better than waking up from a camping night and prepare a good coffee cup.

Camping French Press or “Pour Over coffee maker” are best when camping and road tripping. Of course if you’re traveling in an RV, you can use a regular coffee maker, but you’ll need to rely on electricity.

The Stanley French Press is perfect for camping. It’s made in stainless steel so less fragile than the ones in glass. Plus, it double vacuum insulation allows you to prepare your coffee and drink it later, which is ideal when in a hurry in the morning.

We also love using the WildLand Coffee bags. It’s the same principle of a tea bag, but it’s made from fresh coffee grinds. It’s delicious and you only need to have boiling water.

Other Camping Road Trip Essentials

When you have packed your sleeping, cooking and kids essentials, you need to think about safety and hygiene essentials for your camping road trip.

Fold-up Camping Chairs

decathlon camping chairs
We bring our Decathlon camping chairs on most of our trips

Add comfort to your camping trip by packing a few fold-up camping chairs. You will be glad of it after a long, tiring day of driving. They don’t take up too much space and can be used at the campsite, at the beach and in any park.

Portable Toilet

A portable toilet is a must-have item when camping, especially if you are planning on doing random camping (dispersed camping). Portable camping toilets can be as simple as a seat over a bag or a more familiar compact chemical unit with its own flush. Purchase a pop-up toilet tent to avoid having the toilet in your sleeping tent.

We use the Serene Life Portable Toilet. It comes with a water tank and a transportation bag. It’s ideal for road trips and pretty useful in our small converted van. It’s pretty simple to clean.

REI also sells a portable toilet with a 5-gallon waste tank.

Portable Charging Station

Using a portable power station to charge our electronics
Using a portable power station to charge our electronics

The ability to charge devices makes life easier but can also save your life in an emergency. The Jackery Explorer 500 is a compact portable charging station. Still, it is powerful enough to run a mini-fridge or even a T.V. There are many other options, such as Bluetti Power and EcoFlow.

🤔 Not sure which portable charging station to get? 🤔
Read our article on the best camping portable charging station.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are essential for road trips as they keep belongings compact and organized in small spaces. Buy different coloured cubes for each family member so you can easily identify each other’s belongings.

First Aid Kit

We have had to use a First Aid Kit on several trips and consider this an essential item for any family camping checklist. This stylish Adventure Medical Kit is designed by a travelling family for travelling families and contains all the essential things you might need.

The Adventure Medical Kit is also a great one to have. It’s perfect for camping and hiking.

Bug Spray

Insect bites can ruin a family camping trip, so don’t forget to pack bug spray. We tried a few different ones, but prefer natural bug repellent over stronger ones.

Cleaning Wipes

venture-wipes
Cleaning the kids feet with <strong>biodegradable wipes<strong> after a day outside

Cleaning wipes help you stay clean and fresh whilst camping and are useful when staying off-grid. Choose sustainable, biodegradable wipes.

Quick-Drying Towel

Quick-drying microfiber towels are the perfect type to pack on a camping trip. They are compact and dry fast. We have a set for swimming/water fun and shower time.

Decathlon has different options for microfibre towels, from tiny hand towels to XL shower towels. We use that model in multiple colours.

Lights

Beautiful Car Camping Set Up With Lights
Beautiful Car Camping Set Up With Lights

When camping, it’s essential to bring some light. Plus, it’s always nice to decorate a little campsite or car for a cozy evening.

There are a few options for lighting and camping, but here are the 3 types of lights we always bring with us during camping and road trip adventures.

Lanterns

A wind-up lantern is helpful to any camping road trip essentials list. It is a durable, sustainable product and is easy for kids to use at bedtime.

We don’t recommend using propane or gas lanterns in your tent and car. We prefer using battery-powered lanterns such as the BioLite Aspen 5Amazon BioLite - LanternAmazon BioLite - Lantern Lantern or the Decathlon Lantern.

We own a few of the Decathlon Lanterns.

Headlamps

Headlamps are also a must-have when camping. They are so compact and easy to carry. A hands-free lamp is another camping road trip camping essential.

You can keep your headlamp in the glove compartment for road trips emergency use or when you arrive at your camping spot in the dark.

We always bring our headlamps The kids love walking around with headlamps. Plus, it’s perfect for extra lighting for reading by the fire.

Decorative Lights

Now, decorative lights are NOT essentials, but they do create a fun atmosphere at night when camping. There are many options on Amazon, dollar stores or any hardware stores.

Hammock

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Our camping setup with our <a class=thirstylink rel=nofollow target= blank title=Amazon UNI Gear Hammock href=httpswwwamazoncomUnigear Portable Lightweight Parachute BackpackingdpB08CMTGS4R data linkid=21923 data shortcode=true>Unigear hammock<a>

Hammocks are always fun when camping. It’s a great alternative to packing chairs for each family member.

And enjoyable campsite accessories. I LOVE lying down on our hammock at the end of the day, reading a book while the kids are having fun searching for bugs. I rarely have time (or take the time, I should say) to read at home, but I love it when we camp.

We love the UNI Gear double hammock. It’s sold on Amazon. A double hammock is ideal when camping with kids.

Decathlon also sells a 2-person hammock.

Picnic Blanket

Choose a picnic blanket with a waterproof base and ideally one that secures when folded or rolled. Most campsites have picnic tables, but with a picnic blanket, you’ll have more freedom to eat on the go.

We have the Decathlon Picnic Blanket that we bring everywhere, but Crua Outdoors also have a good option.

Camping Road Trip Essentials for Kids

camping-bin-pack

Camping with kids is rewarding, but it can be challenging and exhausting. Make life a little easier by including the following items on your family car camping checklist.

For specific kids’ camping gear and apparel, check out this article.

13. Baby /Toddler Carrier

A carrier is essential if you plan on hiking or sightseeing in places with limited accessibility. The fabric-based Tula baby carrier offers multiple carry positions with adjustable head and neck support. Ergobaby also provides excellent options.

We always carry our Tula carriers. They are great because they don’t take up much space and can be carried in a day backpack. Plus, Tula offers a toddler size that holds up to 60 lbs

🤔 Wondering which baby carrier is the best for hiking? 🤔
Check out our post, where we show the best carriers depending on your child’s age.

Kids Camping High Chair

Feeding a baby on your lap is not easy and can result in your meal going cold. Pack a portable, foldable, camping highchair but make sure your highchair is stable, adaptable to rough terrain and easy to clean.

Entertainment Box

Fill a lidded box with games and toys for the kids. Pack lightweight items such as a pack of cards, Aqua draw or puzzles. An ‘I Spy Camping’ book is a fun addition for younger kids. Avoid things that require power or can damage your tent, such as felt tip pens.

For more inspiration, check out our article on road trip games for kids.

Final Thoughts: Our Favorite Camping Road Trip Essentials

You now know what to bring when camping in the woods. I hope this camping must-haves trip will help you prepare for your family camping trips, so you don’t forget anything.

With this list, you should have a good base for planning your next family camping and road trip adventure. You’ll need to find some clothes, pack the car and hit the road.

You can also download our detailed car-camping road trip packing list to ensure you don’t forget anything.