Camping Gear Checklist: What to Pack, from Tent to Stove

Build a camping kit in the order a trip actually unfolds: shelter first, then tools for setting up, light for the evening, fire, food, and comfort for the long days. Below are the camping items in our store, grouped that way, so you can pick what your own trip needs and skip the rest.

What do you need before you unpack anything else?

Shelter decides how the rest of the trip feels. Choose it by how often you will move camp and how much weather you expect.

Spacious Butterfly Lightweight Waterproof Camping Tarps Shade

A large, light, rainproof tarp that gives you covered space for cooking or sitting out of the rain and sun. See the Spacious Butterfly Lightweight Waterproof Camping Tarps Shade.

Quick Camp All Season Automatic Pop-Up Tent

An automatic pop-up tent made for quick setup, which helps when you arrive late or tired. See the Quick Camp All Season Automatic Pop-Up Tent.

Star Shadow Mobile Camping Tent

A mobile camping tent with a simple installation, aimed at campers who change spots often. See the Star Shadow Mobile Camping Tent.

Which tools make setting up camp easier?

Most camp chores are small: cutting rope, clearing a spot, processing wood, fixing a loose pole. A few compact tools cover them.

Japanese Manganese Steel Outdoor Folding Saw

Made from Japanese manganese steel and folds down, so it is a practical choice for cutting branches and firewood. See the Japanese Manganese Steel Outdoor Folding Saw.

All-Terrain Tactical Multi-Tool Shovel Kit

A kit that combines digging and cutting implements, useful for trenching around a tent or burying a fire pit's ash once it is fully cold. See the All-Terrain Tactical Multi-Tool Shovel Kit.

10in1 Portable Pro Camping Hammer Tool

Ten functions in one small unit, handy for hammering tent stakes without carrying separate tools. See the 10in1 Portable Pro Camping Hammer Tool.

Versatile Compact Size Pro Tool Set

A pocket-sized tool set for the small repairs that come up on any trip. See the Versatile Compact Size Pro Tool Set.

Tactical Nigh Skull Foldable Pocket Knife

A foldable pocket knife with a sturdy blade for general cutting. See the Tactical Nigh Skull Foldable Pocket Knife.

Titanium Alloy EDC Multi-Tool Keychain Knife

A titanium alloy multi-tool knife small enough to live on your keychain for quick fixes. See the Titanium Alloy EDC Multi-Tool Keychain Knife.

Timber Trek Multi-Purpose Pocket Knife

A multi-purpose pocket knife for jobs like cutting rope or prepping food. See the Timber Trek Multi-Purpose Pocket Knife.

Phoenix Art Thickened Dual Knife

A thickened dual knife built for extra strength, with an artistic design. See the Phoenix Art Thickened Dual Knife.

Ultra Flex Wear-Resistant Heavy-Duty Gloves

Wear-resistant gloves that stay flexible, so you can handle wood, stakes and hot gear with better protection. See the Ultra Flex Wear-Resistant Heavy-Duty Gloves.

What gives you light once the sun goes down?

Plan for two kinds of light: a bright one for tasks and a softer one for sitting around. Carry a backup in case one fails.

Sun Beam Solar LED Camping Torch

A solar-powered LED torch, so it can recharge in daylight while you are out. See the Sun Beam Solar LED Camping Torch.

Night Scape Outdoor Camping Light

A camping light for lighting up the campsite and nighttime tasks. See the Night Scape Outdoor Camping Light.

Elegant Lumina Ambient Outdoor Lantern

A lantern with a gentle glow that suits evenings with friends more than work tasks. See the Elegant Lumina Ambient Outdoor Lantern.

Retro Style LED Outdoor Speaker Lamp

A vintage-looking LED lamp that doubles as a speaker, for light and music in one piece. See the Retro Style LED Outdoor Speaker Lamp.

How do you start a fire or stove reliably?

Pack at least one dependable ignition source. Keep it dry and carry it in a different bag from your backup.

Grill Pro Outdoor Portable Camping Igniter

A portable igniter for lighting grills and stoves. See the Grill Pro Outdoor Portable Camping Igniter.

Cosmo Flame Metal Jet Lighter

A metal jet lighter that is built to be durable in outdoor conditions. See the Cosmo Flame Metal Jet Lighter.

Blue Blast Pro Large Flame Welding Lighter

A lighter with a large flame, useful for getting grills and campfires going. Keep it away from children and tents. See the Blue Blast Pro Large Flame Welding Lighter.

Retro Handmade Pure Copper Kerosene Lighter

A handmade pure copper kerosene lighter, more of a classic keepsake that also lights a fire. See the Retro Handmade Pure Copper Kerosene Lighter.

Is it safe to cook on a stove near your tent?

Fuel-burning stoves and grills produce carbon monoxide, and the CDC explains that this gas can build up and poison people when fuel-burning appliances are used in enclosed spaces. Cook outdoors, in open air, and never inside a tent. For a deeper look at taking care of the places you camp, see the Leave No Trace seven principles.

Which stove or grill fits the way you cook?

Decide first whether you want gas for speed, wood for a fire feel, or a grill for a bigger meal. Then think about wind and weight.

Compact Camp Fire Outdoor Stove

A small outdoor stove, suited to quick meals when space is tight. See the Compact Camp Fire Outdoor Stove.

Windproof Sturdy Outdoor Portable Gas Stove

A portable gas stove designed to hold a steady flame in wind. See the Windproof Sturdy Outdoor Portable Gas Stove.

Ultra Heat High Power Outdoor Gas Stove

A high-power gas stove for faster, hotter cooking when you feed a group. See the Ultra Heat High Power Outdoor Gas Stove.

Adventure Picnic Portable Firewood Stove

A portable stove that burns firewood, for a more traditional cooking feel at picnics and camps. See the Adventure Picnic Portable Firewood Stove.

Dual Burner Portable Picnic Grill Stove

Two burners let you cook two things at once, such as a main and a side. See the Dual Burner Portable Picnic Grill Stove.

Portable Non-Stick Elite Adventure Camping Griddle

A non-stick portable griddle, which makes cleanup easier on the trail. See the Portable Non-Stick Elite Adventure Camping Griddle.

Mini BBQ Non-Stick Japanese Grill

A compact Japanese-style grill with a non-stick surface that is easy to carry. See the Mini BBQ Non-Stick Japanese Grill.

Adventure-Ready Camping Portable BBQ Grill

A portable BBQ grill designed to be moved and set up easily. See the Adventure-Ready Camping Portable BBQ Grill.

Sturdy Supreme Precision Forged Kitchen Blade

A precision-forged kitchen knife for food prep, whether in camp or at home. See the Sturdy Supreme Precision Forged Kitchen Blade.

What makes long days outdoors more comfortable?

Comfort items are the ones people leave out and later miss. Think about your feet, your back and the heat.

Adventurer Tactical Hiking Boots

Sturdy hiking boots made for support and durability across different terrain. See the Adventurer Tactical Hiking Boots.

Hike Seat Combo Telescopic Stick

A telescopic stick with a built-in seat, so you can steady yourself on rough ground and rest when you need to. See the Hike Seat Combo Telescopic Stick.

Lightweight Outdoor Tactical Aluminum Camping Desk

A lightweight aluminum table that gives you a flat surface for cooking prep or games. See the Lightweight Outdoor Tactical Aluminum Camping Desk.

Outdoor Shade Double-Layer Fishing Umbrella

A double-layer umbrella for shade and cover while you fish or sit by the water. See the Outdoor Shade Double-Layer Fishing Umbrella.

Cool Summer Bladeless Waist Fan

A bladeless fan worn at the waist for a breeze in hot weather. See the Cool Summer Bladeless Waist Fan.

Portable Outdoor Mood Light Rechargeable Fan

A rechargeable fan that also has a mood light, for cooling and ambience. See the Portable Outdoor Mood Light Rechargeable Fan.

Where can you read more?

If you camp with a pet, our hands-free pet carrier backpack article may help. If you are shopping for a family member who has trouble on uneven ground, read about an elderly walking support tool. For more everyday ideas, see 13 smart gadgets and unique gifts.

Browse more finds in our Daily Discovery collection.