Camping is a favorite escape for many families. Getting out of the city, slowing down, connecting with nature are just some of the benefits for making the trip into the great outdoors. Below we have compiled a list of 18 things to help you camp comfortably! So you can worry less about the hassle, and feel confident in planning your next campout.
John Muir once said, “Into the mountains I go, to lose my mind, and find my soul”. While I completely agree with this, sometimes all the prep and set up that goes into camping can make it feel like complete chaos!
The effort of packing, setting up, being comfortable, and dealing with the elements can deter many family campouts.
But we’ve got your back! Here’s our list of 18 Things to Help You Camp Comfortably.
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Sleeping
If your least favorite part of camping is setting up & sleeping on the ground, you should be bringing one of these items to make it a little more comfortable!
1. Coleman Tent
Setting up a tent doesn’t have to be difficult. With this 6-person Coleman tent, you’ll be set up for the night in 60 seconds. It’s incredibly easy to put together, very spacious inside and folds into a compact carrying bag for convenience.
We have an older model that looks slightly different and comes with a rainfly. It takes 10 minutes or less to set up and is extremely easy!
2. Roof Top Tent
If you are tired of sleeping on the floor a great option for an avid camper is to invest in a rooftop tent. We love to camp and found that one of our main frustrations was with the sleeping arrangements.
Our first rooftop tent was a cvt tent, we really enjoyed how spacious it was and that we were up high. Especially when camping in grizzly country, this can put a lot of your stress to ease! After about a year, we decided to try out a new style of rooftop tent.
If it’s an investment you are interested in making, I highly recommend researching and going over what would suit your situation best. Switchback Travel has an excellent guide to the Best Rooftops Tents of 2022. You can find their article by clicking here.
So far, we have really enjoyed keeping our tent permanently on our car. It takes one less step packing, and is very simple to set up.
3. Sleeping Bags
My worst experience camping was particularly memorable because I was freezing all night. I woke up several times uncomfortable because my sleeping bag was not keeping me warm enough. Since upgrading to Teton Sleeping Bags, I have never had this problem again!
I love these sleeping bags not only because they keep me nice and warm, but they are also incredibly soft inside. They are lined with super soft blanket material rather than plastic polyester. If you want to be able to sleep with your spouse or kids in the same sleeping bag, you can zip 2 of these sleeping bags together to make one giant, queen sized bag.
4. Sleeping Pad
This ultra-compact sleeping pad, has a pillow, and provides comfort beneath you other than just your sleeping bag. Since it has a built in pillow, you don’t have to pack a bulky pillow that will get all dirty outside.
If we don’t bring an air mattress, we at least bring something like this so we are more comfortable sleeping in our tent.
5. Cot
Maybe you’re thinking- a pad under my sleeping bag still doesn’t sound like enough to be comfortable in the wilderness. My next suggestion would be a cot! Either of these are great options, but get the cot with a sleeping pad for extra comfort! The only downside of cots are that they take up a lot of space in the tent. Even though they fold up, they still take up quite a bit of room.
If you have a large tent and you are camping with a significant other, you may want to consider this queen-sized cot! Not only does it come with a cot, it also includes side tables and a battery-operated air mattress. This is a steal for all that in one plus the fact that it all folds up into one bag makes it an easy solution to making camping easier.
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6. Hammock
The best way to relax or nap while camping is in a hammock! This hammock in particular comes with everything you need to suspend it between two trees and it fits 2 people! We have one just like this that we bring on any outdoorsy trip we go on just in case we find the perfect spot to hang a hammock and relax.
7. Camping Pillow
A great way to keep your camping gear organized is having designated items for camping. It can be a hassle running around the house trying to find all that is on your packing list. Instead, if you can, have items like pillows bought specifically for camping. That way, you can have it packed with your other sleeping gear and be one less thing to think about.
This Camping Pillow from amazon is a great option. It packs down into a separate bag, and can be used for back packing as well. These pillows are designed to be travel size but with maximum comfort. They are also washable and extremely durable!
8. Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Your extremities and head are the most common spots to be cold while camping. Which can make for a pretty miserable night. At a young age I learned to stick hand warmers down my sleeping bag and to stuff them in my pockets to stay warm.
A great option to save money and be more environmentally friendly, is to get a Rechargeable Hand Warmer.
They are UL certified so they have no risk of burning or catching fire. The charge can last 4-8 hours based on temperature settings and can be from 104 to 140 degrees. Also, these warmers can double as an emergency battery bar and can charge your cell phone. The two in one capabilities makes it a great option for making camping more comfortable.
Cooking & Water
9. Dutch Oven
One pan meals make cooking simple whether you’re at home or camping and a dutch oven makes 1 pan meals so easy! What’s unique about a dutch oven is that it can be placed directly on the coals of your campfire. Since you’ll already be putting in the work to make a fire, why put extra effort into creating a heat source for cooking? You can make anything from nachos to burgers to peach cobbler in the dutch oven!
10. Portable Camping Stove
I bet we’ve all been there where were are camping, it’s cold, and we really don’t want to take the time to start a fire to cook a meal. This is where a portable camping stove is SO HANDY. With very little effort, you can have water boiling in minutes and use it to cook meals, make tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Since the stove is so small and collapsable, we can get dual use and take it back packing as well.
We designate old thrifted pots and pans to stay in our cooking container. That way, we can speed up cooking time and have everything in one place. It is also extremely helpful if you arrive to your campsite and find there is only wet wood available. Which makes it very difficult to have a fire to cook and warm your water with.
Below is the portable stove we have used for years. All it needs is a small container of propane and something to light the ignition with. I highly recommend this product if you are looking for simpler ways to heat up your food/water!
11. Water Jug Pump
One of my favorite new additions to our camping gear has been this water jug pump. This is also a rechargeable device that will pump water from a 5 gallon jug. The pump makes it much easier for people to get drinking water throughout the day, and it can be helpful to clean your dirty dishes. The compact design makes it easy to pack and take with you. Charge it completely before you go and it can last for a few days on one charge!
Kids and adults will enjoy the easy-press button to get a steady flow of water. While it may not been seen as a necessity at first, it will certainly make your camping experience much more comfortable knowing everyone can access their own water.
Organization
12. Heavy Duty Storage Bins
As was mentioned above, a great way to relieve stress when going on a camping trip is to have an organization plan. Store as much of your camping gear as you can in the same place. We love to use large Heavy Duty Storage Bins like the ones below. They are waterproof and durable which is great for storing your gear outside, and taking the bins camping.
You can have categories for each bin like, “sleeping”, “cooking”, etc. so you know exactly where supplies are. This helps so you can find items quickly, but also really speed up your packing time before the trip.
13. Picnic Backpack
One of the most useful gifts we received at our wedding reception was a picnic backpack. Since that day, there hasn’t been a campout that we haven’t used it. What makes it so great is that the backpack holds everything you need to eating on the go. The exact backpack we have is no longer sold, so we attached one similar from amazon.
I love that it stores all of our cutlery, plates and spices for eating and cooking meals. I am all about have camping-designated items so you don’t worry about keep them super nice, and spend time searching for them when packing. 10/10 recommend.
Cleanliness
14. Go Girl
Okay ladies, how many times have you been out on a hike, camping, or on a road trip and felt like you’re about to burst but there is no bathroom in sight?? And how frustrating is it that your partner can just go behind a tree and relieve himself wherever? Well, now you can be just like one of the boys. The Go Girl is a compact, flexible urination funnel that allows you to pee standing up. After a little bit of practice, adventuring is that much easier.
15. Rinse Kit
If you haven’t heard of a RinseKit yet, definitely go look them up!
This kit has a hose and pump so you can have pressurized water while you camp. For us, it is extremely helpful to clean off our dirty dishes, and spray off our paddle boards when we are leaving the lake. Others have used it to shower and wash hands when you are camping away from shared bathroom campsites.
RinseKit comes in many different sizes based on your needs. We love how easy it is to use and know you will too! Shop the link here.
16. Privacy Tent
Everyone experiences the point camping when you just want a nice cleansing shower. However, this can be challenging without access to tuning water. This is where the rinse kit and a privacy tent work incredible hand-in-hand. You can take the rinse kit inside with you and shower or wash your hair to feel fresh again. The one linked below folds up flat and takes up very little room when packing, which is very handy!
This 6ft tent can also offer privacy for using the restroom or changing clothes if others are around.The top is inclosed for ultimate privacy, and can also be used as shelter from the rain.
Misc.
17. Camping Chairs
Most likely, you are going to be spending a few hours sitting around the fire talking, eating, and having a good time. You want to be comfortable while doing this! These Coleman Oversized Camping Chairs are our favorite because they are comfortable and practical. With the extra storage pockets on the side, you can keep necessary items on hand without laying them in the dirt next to you. And you still have a spot for your drink!
18. Jackery Portable Generator
Our last recommendation, but certainly not least, is the portable generator made by Jackery. There are many reasons why this device is a HUGE help when camping in 2022. As you probably have seen, many of the items above are rechargeable, so the portable generator will allow you to plug-in and recharge these at anytime.
The battery has proven helpful to recharge our phones and powered lanterns as well! Click the link here or under the image to receive 5% your purchase with Jackery. We purchased the E240, which has been just what wee needed. These are extremely well made and can be re-charged in a wall outlet or your car. To learn more, visit the link, and see what one would work best for you!
Camping always comes with it’s challenges but we hope these items help you camp comfortably! For a complete packing list, check out our packing resources here!
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