Camping Must-Haves: Unveiling a List of 15 Essential Items

Last updated on December 6th, 2024 at 02:39 pm

With the rising cost of living and the hectic pace of life, more people are turning to camping as a getaway from the daily grind. Whether you want a quick getaway, a few weeks in the wilderness, or a permanent nomad life, used popup campersare the perfect solution.

But your first time filling your camper can be overwhelming. What’s necessary, and what’s a space waster? In this blog, we’ll unveil a list of 15 must-have items to help keep your camping trip safe and enjoyable.

The Toolkit

Safety and health are priorities anywhere you go, so we’ll start with the essential toolkit. These items will be your go-to helpers, from camper problems to meal solutions.

1. The First Aid Kit: Many camping sites are just outside the city. Still, you don’t want to have to rush to the store or urgent care for every illness or injury. Fill your first-aid kit with preferred cold medicines, stomach aids, and antibacterials. Don’t forget band-aids, an ACE bandage, cold and hot packs, and aspirin. This guide to first-aid kit essentials can help you fill yours with things you might have otherwise overlooked.

2. The Camp Stove: Food is a daily need, but cooking in your camper isn’t always an option. Your pop-up may have limited space or a cumbersome stove. An inside/outside portable cooker will reduce clutter and increase your meal options. There are plenty of options, but look for versatile stoves that offer multiple cooking surfaces. Double burners are a must, but you can also grab a Ninja all-in-one or similar appliance if you have storage room.

3. Jumper Cables: Aside from your spare tire, jumper cables are the next most important thing to keep in a vehicle. Whether your pop-up camper is a tow-behind or a drivable version, jumper cables may come in handy.

4. A Headlamp: Seeing what’s around you is extra important in a dark campsite in the woods. Keep a charged headlamp on hand and never go out exploring without your bright light!

5. A Portable Charger: Electricity isn’t always a guarantee while you’re in the wilderness. Even if you have a generator, you may be away from your charger for long periods, or you might want to save gas and not run it all the time. Having a portable charger maximizes the battery life of your phone without relying on your car or camper’s electric source.

The Organizers

Packing everything you (and your family, if you’re going with other people) could possibly need while you’re gone and fitting it neatly into a small space is one of the most challenging parts about the RV life. Luckily, millions of people have done this before you, and you can learn from their lessons! Here are the essentials that will help you pack and store efficiently.

6. Packing Cubes: If you don’t have quick and easy access to a washer and dryer, you’ll need at least a few days or a week’s worth of clothes. Fold and store them in packing cubes to minimize volume. They will fit in a suitcase, drawer, or small closet with room to spare!

7. A Hanging Toiletry Kit: The more you use your camper, the more comfortable you’ll get maximizing vertical space. Your walls and doors are there waiting to be used! Grab a hanging toiletry kit and screw in a hook to your bathroom wall or door. Hang the bag on the screw and let it fall open for easy access to all your hygiene and cosmetic essentials. Then, if you use the showers on a campground, you can quickly take the bag down, roll it up, and bring it with you without any extra work.

8. Zip Ties and Bungee Cords: You want to use all your cupboards and surfaces, but you’ve learned that everything opens and spills as soon as you start moving your camper. The secret trick to keeping all your doors closed and your counter space organized? Zip ties! Zip the cupboards closed by expanding a tie through the handles and closing it. Keep large items on the counter in place with a bungee cord snug against them.

9. Cupboard Hangers: You have storage room under your sink and in strategic spots around the camper. Maximize those small spaces by investing in a few cupboard hangers, and store your cleaning supplies and other small items in them. You’ll be more organized, and have more room for other stuff!

10. A Quick-Dry Towel: We all need towels after we shower and when we hit the beach. Towels are versatile must-haves, but the typical cotton ones take up a lot of storage room. Instead, invest in a quick-dry towel for every person in your family. These handy towels dry within minutes (if they’re not soaked) and when they’re not in use, they roll up into a small storage bag. Wash them weekly if they’re used frequently, and enjoy the extra space in your bathroom or linen closet.

The Helpful Extras

Although “extras” may not seem essential, you’ll realize you don’t want to live without them when you’re on the road. Add these five helpful accessories to your camper life, and you’ll see what we mean!

11. A VPN: Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are the heartbeat of the digital nomad. If you need to use wifi that isn’t yours, a VPN keeps your data private. The peace of mind is worth the small investment of a VPN.

12. LifeStraw Water Bottles: Concerned that the water source around your campsite might not be hygienic? A LifeStraw water bottle is the solution. This handy gadget uses a filter that cleans 99.9% of harmful bacteria out of the water before you drink it. Grab one for everyone in your family!

13. A Waterproof Wallet and Phone Case: If you enjoy outdoor activities or are on the water during your camping trip, you know how easy it can be to lose your wallet or phone. Store your important documents in a waterproof wallet that you can keep on you at all times. Bonus points if the wallet is a wristlet or hangs around your neck. Always keep your phone in a waterproof phone case.

14. A Cooling Towel: Heading out camping during the dog days of summer? Getting overheated is dangerous, especially for little ones and older people. Keep everyone safe from the heat with a cooling towel that sits around your neck while you’re enjoying your outdoor activities.

15. An Umbrella: Tracking mud into the camper happens, but you don’t have to be soaked while doing it. Grab a travel umbrella that stores efficiently next to your door and you’ll have protection from the rain and wind when you need it most.

With these 15 items in your camper helping you stay safe and organized, your camping trip is ready to begin!