The Ultimate Tent Camping Checklist: What to Pack & What to Skip

Key Takeaways

• A reliable canvas wall tent from Wall Tent Shop is the most important item on your list of tent camping essentials.
• Other must-pack items include sleeping accommodations, food, water, storage for perishables, layerable clothing, emergency items, and comfort-enhancing items.
• Bring necessities, but try not to overpack.

Putting together a tent camping packing list can be overwhelming, especially for novice campers. Luckily, we’re here to help!

Wall Tent Shop is a veteran-owned business founded and run by an outdoorsman who spends six to seven weeks a year camping in the Idaho wilderness while hunting elk, deer, and bear. Our community consists of hunters, scouts, backpackers, and long-duration campers. Rest assured, you’re in the right place for an expert-approved tent camping checklist!

A top-quality wall tent is the most important item, as it provides reliable shelter and protection from the elements. But you’re going to need more than just a tent to enjoy the experience to the fullest. Here’s a comprehensive list of what to bring and what to leave at home.

1. Tent

One of the most common mistakes we see new campers make is buying a mass-produced synthetic tent from the local big-box retailer. They’re flimsy and provide poor protection, and by the end of the trip, they often have holes and broken poles.

Canvas wall tents belong at the top of every tent camping checklist. They outperform synthetic tents in every way, including durability, weather resistance, and insulation. Plus, they can last for years with proper maintenance.

At Wall Tent Shop, we use Army Duck double-fill canvas, which is the highest quality canvas available. Whether you need a glamping tent for family vacations, a spike tent for solo camping, or a hunting tent for long-term trips, you can count on your tent to last for the long haul.

Many of our tent packages include tent camping essentials like a floor, fly, and frame. You can also buy only the tent and use an angle kit to build your own frame at a lower cost. Check this guide for information: How to Measure a Tent for Angle Kit.

2. Sleeping Essentials

Next on your tent camping checklist, think about sleeping requirements. If you’re unable to get a good night’s rest before the daytime activities, you’ll likely have a negative experience for the rest of your trip.

At the bare minimum, your tent camping packing list should include weather-appropriate sleeping bags. A padded sleeping mat prevents morning back pain. If you have room, a foldable cot is even better. Bring extra blankets in case the nighttime temperature drops more than expected.

Be sure to buy a tent that allows everyone to sleep comfortably. Check this guide: Sleeping Capacity vs. Tent Size if you need help figuring out which tent size to get.

3. Cookware

What you eat and drink is up to you, but make sure you have the gear required to prepare and store your provisions.

Adding a tent stove or camping oven to your tent camping checklist lets you enjoy hot meals and beverages. Be sure to buy a hot tent if you plan on using it inside the tent. This setup will let you enjoy winter camping, too.

Other tent camping essentials to pack include plates, utensils, mugs, and cookware. It can be difficult to find a place to dispose of paper products, so we recommend a mess kit with reusable camping supplies that are designed for portability.

You’ll also need somewhere to store your perishables. A cooler with ice and ice packs will last a little while, but you may need to bring non-perishable items for extended trips.

4. Clothing & Gear

Your tent camping checklist must include weather-appropriate clothing. The goal is to be able to adapt to changing temperatures and inclement weather. Bring layerable attire, waterproof gear, sturdy boots, sunglasses, and a protective hat. You may also want some sandals or sneakers for leisure time.

5. Safety & Navigation

Your tent camping packing list must include emergency and protective items. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

Here are some items you’ll be glad to have should the need arise:

• First aid kit
• Dependable GPS system
• Map and compass
• Fire starter
• Water purification filter and/or tablets
• Emergency whistle
• Satellite phone (if no service is available)
• Tool kit or multi-tool
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick/lip balm
• Extra stove fuel

6. Optional Comfort Items

A tent camping checklist should also include items that keep you relatively comfortable while you’re away from home. Many novice campers look forward to roughing it, only to find that they’re miserable after a day without creature comforts.

These items are not necessarily tent camping essentials, but they’ll go a long way in preventing your trip from ending early due to unhappy campers!

• Travel pillow
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Headphones
• Journal
• Books
• Folding chairs/table
• Power bank
• Body wipes/personal hygiene products
• String lights/lanterns
• Electronics
• Rugs
• Hammock

7. Don’t Overpack

What you don’t bring is almost as important as what you bring! If your tent camping checklist is too long, you’re going to struggle to move from point A to B, and getting set up and broken down will be a major hassle.

The goal is to keep your tent camping packing list as simple as possible without leaving must-have items behind. This requires strategic planning.

Some of the most commonly overpacked items include:

• Clothing: Bring a few layerable pieces that can be added and removed as needed.
• Bulky & Heavy Items: Can you easily carry it a mile?
• Fragile Items: Will it break if you drop or bump it?
• Non-Essential Gadgets: If you’re not sure you’ll use a gadget on your tent camping checklist, leave it at home.
• Too Much Food: Plan your menu per person, per day. Bring a little more than you think you’ll need, but don’t go overboard.

8. Follow These Quick Tips

Now that you have a list of tent camping essentials to bring, let’s wrap things up with some tips for managing your loadout.

• Prioritize items that are useful, versatile, durable, and lightweight.
• Store gear in labeled bins or bags for quick and easy access.
• Test all equipment at home before heading out.
• Make sure you know how to set up a canvas tent and how to fold a wall tent before leaving.
• Be prepared for unusual weather.
• Write a physical tent camping checklist and check off each item as you pack.
• Put your most important items in a separate bag for immediate access.

Order Your Camping Essentials Today

Your tent camping packing list will set the tone for the entire trip. We can’t stress enough how much of a difference the right supplies make for your comfort and safety. A dependable tent from Wall Tent Shop sets the foundation for many successful adventures to come. Shop our selection of affordable, top-quality tents now, and enjoy free shipping and no sales tax.*

*Items shipped to an Idaho address must pay Idaho sales tax.

Also in Blog