Not necessities, these are the kinds of things that you'll write on your "bring next time!" list with each trip as you discover them. It's going to be different for everyone. Niceties are great fun gifts to put on your "get me" list for us or others to treat ourselves, as the love of solo camping and related activities grows.

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• Hammock

• Hammock pillow

• Hamock/Camp blanket

• Hammock rainfly

• Hammock insect tent

• Outdoor tent (over picnic table when raining, or extra sun shelter, over chairs, over supplies, etc)

• Candle lantern and citronella can candles

• Camp shovel

• Compass

• Camp Journal

• Fishing gear

• Walking/trekking stick(s)

• Mountain bike w/helmet

• Kayak, Canoe, or Paddleboard

• Camp footstool or rocker

• Additional folding camp table (use for prep etc in addition to picnic table)

• Immersion blender

• Camp-safe portable propane fire pit (study campground rules carefully!)

• Camp portable grill (must be safe and in accordance with camp rules)

This is just a list of basics that *I* take, and that work for me. I've added and subtracted and modified this list as I've added adventures, and situations presented themselves for each trip. Whatever works for you is what works!

 

• 1 - Tent

• 1 Set tent stakes (plus a few extras)

• 1 - Mallet

• 1 - Rainfly

• 1 - Tarp or under-tent footprint

• 1 - Smaller tarp (for general camp rain coverage)

• 1 - Pillow

• 1 Set bedding of your choice (sleeping bag, etc; I carry one, plus several thick sherpa/fleece blankets)

• 1 - Air mattress or thick sleeping pad

• 1-2 Lanterns (I like LED ones)

• 1 - In-tent rug

• 1 - Outside of tent doormat

• 2-3 Camp chairs

• 1 - Toiletries kit with handle

• 2 - Bath towels

• 2 - Washcloths 

• 1 - Large ice chest for cold food

• 1 - Medium ice chest (just ice)

• Camp kitchen kit (includes stove)

• Camp pantry

• Camp consumables

• Camp fresh foods and road snacks

• Drinking and cooking water

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I suggest getting a large handled clear storage bin, and designating it your Camp Kitchen. Mine isn’t terribly organized, and that is okay with me. I know if I paw around in there, I’ll find it. You may wish yours to be more organized; entirely up to you. Whatever works for you is what works!

 

• 1 - Camp stove

• 1 - French press 

• 1 Set of 2-3 nesting camp pots w/skillet lids and handle

• 1 - Metal coffee pot (Can be a percolator) for heating water

• 1 - Colander 

• 2 - Place-settings silverware

• 1 - Rubber spatula

• 1 - Metal or teflon spatula

• 1 - Cutting board

• 1 - Pair utility scissors

• 2 - Mugs

• 1 Set of 2-3 mixing bowls with plastic lids

• 2 - Vinyl table cloths (heavy, made for re-use)

• 1 - Plastic dish tub

• 1 - Dish Brush

• 2 - Potholders

• 4 - Dish drying towels

• 1 - Dish cloth

• 2 - Potholders

• 1 - Frying pan with folding handle

• 1 - 1 Cup measure

• 1 - 1/4 Cup measure

• 1 - Tablespoon

• 2 - Kitchen spoons

• 1 - Set knives - chopping, serrated, steak, paring (can be inexpensive)

• 1 - Kitchen fork 

• 1 - Utensil container (SO handy! Not necessary, but WOW!)

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Your food staple items will vary based on your taste and flavor preferences. It's great to keep a staples bag or box, so that you know you've got some basic things that you need to cook or enhance a meal.

 

• Pancake mix (add-water kind preferred)

• Ground coffee

• Powdered creamer 

• Cooking oil (I like avocado oil)

• Salt & pepper

• Cinnamon

• Herb blend or dried parsley

• Oatmeal cups

• Sugar

• Brown sugar

• Honey

• Dried cranberries, raisins

• Pancake syrup or maple syrup

• Bottled water (2 gallon jugs)

• Irish cream or other coffee additive

• Vanilla extract

• Pasta

• Pasta sauce

• Stovetop stuffing

• Can of chili

• Can of soup (that doesn't require milk)

• Chicken boullion

• Granola

• Granola or power bars

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These I put in my Camp Kitchen clear storage bin, although you may want them in a separate container - totally personal preference. I suggest keeping a notepad and pen in the container, and writing down, right now while I am out there, anything I am running low on, forgot, or would like to add for next time. I like to replenish my camp kitchen consumables  upon my return, so that it is ready to grab and throw into the car with confidence next time. 

 

• 1 Batch of at least 15 assorted sized ziploc bags (in a ziplock)

• 5 - Tall-kitchen garbage bags

• 2 - Large heavy black garbage bags

• 2 - Doubled brown Kraft grocery bags or other recyclable bag

• 1 - Box wooden matches 

• 1 - Cling wrap

• 1 - Heavy duty foil

• 1 - FULL roll paper towels (I like 1 additional in the car also)

• 12 - Lunch sized chinet-type paper plates

• 25 - Lunch-type paper napkins

• 1 - Small plastic squeeze bottle dish soap

• 1 - Long-handled lighter (like for candles)

• 1 - Sponge (I cut a regular sponge in half - DISCARD after each trip)

• 4 - Bundles LOCAL firewood (note: can often buy at campground. Check ahead, can save valuable room in the car. I use 1/2 to 1 bundle per fire, and I have a fire morning and evening)

• 1 - Bundle LOCAL Kindling

• 1 - bag of at least 8 paraffin fire starting cubes

• 2 - FULL propane tanks (can ALSO take partials from previous - mark the caps P for partial; but have 2 fulls on hand)

• Newspapers

• 1 - Full or partial citronella candle

• 1 spray bottle of kitchen cleaner (for use on tablecloths and stove)

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