The Ultimate Camping Checklist

Nothing helps you embrace the great outdoors quite like a camping holiday, but with so much to remember to bring, it’s easy for things to be missed. No one wants to spend hours planning, planning and travelling only to realise you’ve forgotten the tent pegs or tea bags, so we’ve put together a handy checklist to help you make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

Whether you’re off camping with the family, heading to a festival, trying a spot of wild camping or a complete beginner, our checklist will help you have a fun-filled, stress-free trip.

The Essential Camping Checklist

These are the items that you’ll need on all camping trips, and the ones you should pack first to make sure you don’t forget them!

Shelter & Sleeping

A great holiday starts with a great night’s sleep, so setting up your own comfy spot with a few homely comforts to keep you warm and cosy goes a long way to give you a wonderful time. 

• Tent, poles and guy lines
• Groundsheet or tarp
• Flysheet
• Windbreak
• Tent pegs (including spares) and mallet
• Sleeping bags and bedding
• Pillows
• Sleeping mat, camp beds or air mattresses (remember a foot pump!) 
• Hot water bottles (great for chilly nights

Cooking

Spending a whole day out and about exploring everything the local area has to offer is sure to give you an appetite, so it’s important to make sure you have all the right gear to cook up plenty of delicious delights. 

• Stove with fuel supply
• Pots and pans with lids
• Potholder and oven gloves
• Cooking utensils 
• Water storage container and purification tablets
• Kettle (you’ll want a brew after pitching your tent!)
• Jug
• Tin opener
• Bottle opener/corkscrew
• Plastic crockery and cutlery
• Mixing bowl and colander 
• Cool box and freeze blocks
• Matches/lighter and firestarters or newspaper
• Cooking oil
• Paper towels and napkins
• Tupperware
• Tea towels
• Bin bags
• Thermos flask
• Washing up bowl and scrubbing sponge
• Washing up liquid
• Condiments and seasoning
• Tea bags/coffee/hot chocolate
• UHT milk
• Food and drinks of your choice 

Lighting

No one wants to sit in the dark, especially when sleeping outdoors, so don’t forget to pack plenty of light sources for your trip. Be sure to take into account that paths and walksways to shower and toilet facilities may not be lit, so portable options are a must.

• Torches
• Lanterns (battery/wind-up)
• Spare bulbs and batteries
• Headlamp

Clothing

Your wardrobe for a camping trip is expected to look different to a holiday in a rented home or hotel, with plenty of layers, practical footwear and waterproofs to keep you nice and dry. 

• • Waterproofs (coat, trousers, etc.) 
  • Warm fleece or jumper
  • Several pairs of thick, warm socks
  • Waking boots
  • Wellies
  • Flip flops (for showers)
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
  • Warm sleepwear
  • Hat (for protection from cold or sun)
  • Scarf and gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimming costumes
  • Bag for dirty laundry

Toiletries

An essential to keep you fresh, clean and ready to seize the day, toiletries are a must when heading off on a camping adventure. You’ll need your everyday items, as well as a few extras for additional comfort. 

• Toothpaste and brushes
• Shower gel/soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hand sanitiser
• Lip scrub/balm 
• Towels
• Deoderant
• Hairbrush/comb
• Hair ties, bobby pins and clips
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper, tissues and wet wipes
• Contact lenses and solution
• Compact mirror
• Hanging toiletries bag

Health & Safety

With so much excitement about your holiday, it can be easy to forget or gloss over the more mundane items to pack, but health and safety always comes first! Making sure you have everything to keep you safe, secure and healthy throughout your trip is key to giving you a fabulous time. 

• First aid kit
• Pain relief/anti-allergy tablets 
• Any specific medication needed
• Sunscreen and after-sun
• Insect repellent spray
• Bite and sting cream
• Carbon monoxide alarm

Camping Checklist for Families

Aside from all the essentials, camping as a family means there are a few extras you’ll want to think about, especially if you’re bringing small children or pets. Being extra prepared is the key to ensuring a fun, relaxing and memorable trip. 

Entertainment

Keeping everyone entertained is a challenge on all holidays, but 

• Books or magazines
• Board games
• Puzzles
• Colouring books and felt tip pens
• Pack of playing cards
• Favourite toys or comfort items
• Bikes and other sports equipment (footballs, swing ball, etc.)
• Frisbees
• Beach toys

Kid-friendly food

Having plenty of snacks and treats available for the kids is a good idea to keep energy levels up while you’re out and about, or keep them occupied during tasks like pitching the tent or packing away. Here are a few suggestions for some healthy snacks to keep them happy. 

• Cereal bars
• Juice cartons
• Fresh fruit
• Dried fruit/fruit bars
• Favourite chocolate or sweets (as a treat!)

For babies and toddlers

As the smallest members of the family, babies and toddlers may need some extra necessities to keep everyone happy and smiling for the whole trip. 

• Nappies/baby wipes/nappy bags
• Baby carrier/buggy/pram
• Baby food and formula
• Extra layers and blankets
• Baby monitor

For teenagers

Older kids enjoy having independence, even when on holiday, and may want to be in charge of their own packing. Encourage them to bring items they know will keep them happy and occupied on the trip, and they’ll be ready for plenty of family fun. 

• Headphones
• Portable power bank
• Their own stash of snacks

Camping essentials when bringing dogs

Holidays are always better when your four-legged friend can come along for the fun, but there are a few additional things you need to bring along to make sure your pooch’s tail stays wagging the whole holiday. 

• Lead
• Food & treats
• Collapsible water bowl
• Plenty of toys
• Poo bags and wipes
• Dog bed and blanket
• Collar light 
• Electric heat pad (for chilly nights!)
• Medication (if needed) and emergency vet details 
• Pet-friendly first aid kit

UK Wild Camping Checklist

If you really want to get out and embrace the outdoors, wild camping is a wonderful way to feel at one with nature. Wild camping takes freedom to the next level, but being out in the sticks means there are few extra things you’ll need to bring along with you on your adventure. 

Essentials for your wild camping in the UK

• Tent (and pegs)
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Camping pillows
• First aid kit
• Torch/head torch/camp lighting
• Weather appropriate clothing (and plenty of layers!)
• Camping stove and fuel
• Pots and pans
• Dry sacks
• Portable power bank
• Compact bowl and mug
• Kettle
• Compact sink and Wilderness Wash
• Batteries
• Toilet roll
• Water storage container
• Pocket trowel
• Hand sanitiser
• Hot water bottle 

Other things to consider about wild camping in the UK

The number one rule of wild camping is that you should leave no trace. No one should be able to tell that you have camped there, which means you should take care not to damage the environment and take everything with you when you leave, including all litter. As a general rule, you should also be as discreet as possible, choosing a spot away from walking tracks or paths, and if you’re asked to move along, you should do so. You should also never start a fire and only cook with a camping stove. 

You should also be aware of the laws around wild camping in the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is technically prohibited to wild camp, but if you ask the landowner’s permission and they allow it, you’re welcome to pitch up. If you do not seek permission, wild camping will be classed as trespassing, and you could face a fine. The only exception to this is on Dartmoor Commons in Dartmoor National Park, where you may camp for one or two nights in certain areas of open moorland away from roads or settlements. 

In Scotland, wild camping is permitted on public access land, but there are limits to this, so be sure to check the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before pitching up.

Festival Camping Checklist

Festival camping is a completely different experience to traditional camping, and your packing list should reflect this. The last thing you want is to forget something amidst the fun, so double check you have everything on our handy checklist before you head out for the festivities. 

• ID and tickets
• Card (and cash for emergencies)
• Phone, charger and battery pack
• Waist bag
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
• Lightweight waterproof or poncho
• Snacks and instant meals (noodles, soup, etc.)
• Camping chairs
• Waterproof shoes
• Spare socks
• Bluetooth speaker
• Headphones
• Layers and warm clothes (it will be chillier at night!)
• Earplugs and eyemask

What food to bring on your camping holiday

When camping, you want your meals to be quick and easy while still being tasty for the whole family. Bringing a few staples with you is a great idea to make things simpler when you’re setting up, and we have several suggestions for what to pack. 

• Bread
• Eggs
• Fruit and vegetables (fresh or tinned)
• Cheese
• Potatoes
• Cereal
• Oats
• Pasta
• Rice
• Nuts and seeds
• Crackers and rice cakes
• Tinned fish
• Spreads (peanut butter, chocolate spread, jam, etc.)
• Cooking oil
• Sugar and spices
• UHT milk
• Biscuits
• Beans
• Instant meals (noodles, soup, etc.)

Camping with Verdant Parks

Ready for your camping adventure? We offer three ways to enjoy the wonderful world of camping across our parks. 

If you fancy a classic camping trip, Thurston Manor is the choice for you. Offering spacious tent pitches, access to the park’s facilities and a fabulous location in the East Lothian countryside, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxing retreat or a fun-filled family holiday. 

Our Camping Pods at Riverside and Scoutscroft offer all the joys of camping, without the need to pitch a tent. This makes them great for beginners or those who simply want a middle ground between traditional camping and modern comfort. Choose from Standard Camping Pods at Riverside for a more classic experience, or the Superior Camping Pods at Scoutscroft to add a quirky touch to your camping trip.