🏕️ Camp Trip Planner
Pick your camping style below, then use the printable planning checklist to get ready for an amazing trip!
Choose Your Camping Type:
🗒️ Your Camp Trip Planning Checklist
Print this out and check things off as you go!
📅 Reservations & Timing (6–12 Months Out)
- ☐ Decide on your camping type and destination
- ☐ Research campground options (Recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica, KOA.com, Hipcamp)
- ☐ Check peak season dates for your chosen area
- ☐ Make campsite reservation as early as possible (popular spots book 6 months out)
- ☐ Reserve any required permits (wilderness permits, fire permits, bear canister rentals)
- ☐ Book any guided tours, boat rentals, or excursions
- ☐ Check cancellation policy
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
📅 2–4 Weeks Before Your Trip
- ☐ Confirm your reservation and print/download confirmation
- ☐ Check campground rules (quiet hours, fire rules, pet policies)
- ☐ Plan your driving route and note nearest gas stations, hospitals, and ranger stations
- ☐ Check weather forecast for the area
- ☐ Arrange pet care or bring pet gear if needed
- ☐ Notify a trusted contact of your trip details and return date
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
⛺ Shelter & Sleeping Gear
- ☐ Tent (correct size for group) + extra stakes and guylines
- ☐ Tent footprint / ground cloth
- ☐ Sleeping bag (rated for expected temperatures)
- ☐ Sleeping pad or air mattress
- ☐ Pillows
- ☐ Tarp or canopy for shade/rain
- ☐ Camp chairs and folding table
- ☐ Lantern or string lights for camp ambiance
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
🔥 Fire & Cooking Gear
- ☐ Camp stove + fuel canisters
- ☐ Matches/lighter + waterproof backup
- ☐ Firewood (buy locally — don’t transport it)
- ☐ Fire starter (newspaper, fatwood, or fire starters)
- ☐ Cast iron skillet or camp cookware set
- ☐ Pot and lid
- ☐ Cooking utensils (spatula, tongs, ladle)
- ☐ Cutting board and camp knife
- ☐ Plates, bowls, mugs (reusable)
- ☐ Dish soap, sponge, and camp sink basin
- ☐ Trash bags (pack it in, pack it out!)
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
🥘 Food & Drinks
- ☐ Plan meals for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- ☐ Pre-chop veggies and marinate proteins at home
- ☐ Bring enough snacks (trail mix, jerky, granola bars, fruit)
- ☐ Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa supplies
- ☐ S’mores supplies (marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate — non-negotiable!)
- ☐ Cooler with enough ice or ice packs
- ☐ Water bottles / hydration packs (1 per person)
- ☐ Water filter or purification tablets (for backcountry)
- ☐ Camp coffee maker (percolator or pour-over)
- ☐ Aluminum foil (great for foil packet meals)
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
🧴 Personal Care & Hygiene
- ☐ Biodegradable soap and shampoo
- ☐ Toothbrush and toothpaste
- ☐ Toilet paper and trowel (for dispersed camping)
- ☐ Hand sanitizer
- ☐ Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- ☐ Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
- ☐ Lip balm with SPF
- ☐ Feminine hygiene products if needed
- ☐ Towels (quick-dry recommended)
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
🩺 First Aid & Safety
- ☐ First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, blister pads, moleskin)
- ☐ Any personal medications (prescription + OTC: ibuprofen, antacids, allergy meds)
- ☐ EpiPen if needed
- ☐ Emergency whistle
- ☐ Satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT) for remote trips
- ☐ Bear canister or hang bag (required in many areas)
- ☐ Emergency blanket
- ☐ Headlamp + extra batteries
- ☐ Flashlight backup
- ☐ Compass and paper map of the area
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
👕 Clothing
- ☐ Moisture-wicking base layers
- ☐ Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down jacket)
- ☐ Rain jacket / windbreaker
- ☐ Hiking boots or trail shoes (broken in!)
- ☐ Camp sandals or flip flops
- ☐ Extra socks (more than you think you need)
- ☐ Hat for sun + warm beanie for nights
- ☐ Gloves (for cold nights or mountain trips)
- ☐ Swimsuit (beach, lake, or river trips)
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
📱 Navigation & Tech
- ☐ Download offline maps (Google Maps, AllTrails, Gaia GPS)
- ☐ Fully charged phone + portable battery pack
- ☐ Car charger
- ☐ Camera or GoPro + extra batteries
- ☐ Headphones for downtime
- ☐ Solar charger (for longer trips)
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
🎉 Fun & Entertainment
- ☐ Camp games (frisbee, bocce ball, cornhole, cards)
- ☐ Books, journals, or sketchbooks
- ☐ Stargazing app or star chart
- ☐ Campfire songs playlist (downloaded offline)
- ☐ Binoculars for wildlife and stargazing
- ☐ Fishing gear and valid fishing license (if applicable)
- ☐ Kids’ activities if camping with children
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
✅ Day-of Departure Checklist
- ☐ Load all gear into the car the night before
- ☐ Double-check reservation confirmation and directions
- ☐ Let your emergency contact know your final plan
- ☐ Leave no trace — check your home before leaving
- ☐ Fuel up the car
- ☐ ___________________________
- ☐ ___________________________
Happy camping! 🌲 Remember — the best trip is the one you actually take. Don’t overthink it, just go. — Coach Joe
