Ultimate Car Camping Checklist

The Ultimate Car Camping Checklist (Updated 05/22/2025)

You’re in the midst of an epic adventure and realize you forgot a critical piece of gear at home…yikes! 

We’ve all been there.

Save this checklist so you can do a quick run through before hitting the road on your next car camping trip! 

1. Sleeping System (platform, sleeping bag, pad, etc.) 
2. Charged Flashlight/Lantern
3. Water 
4. Food/Cooler/Ice/Coffee
5. Blanket/Sleeping bag
6. Fire starter/wood/axe 
7. Portable air compressors & fix-a-flat 
8. Tool Kit 
9. Stove/BBQ/Propane 
10. Portable Heater (winter camping)
11. Cooking Gear (pan, kettle, pot, etc.) 
12. Plates/utensils 
13. Sponge for dishes 
14. Soap (body & dishes) 
15. Bug Repellent 
16. Drying towel (body & dishes)
17. Toilet Paper 
18. Hand shovel
19. Camping chair 
20. Charging cables/device 
21. Beer,whisky, other beverage of choice 
22. Bear spray/animal deterrent
23. Human deterrent! (pepper spray, etc.)
24. Toothbrush & paste 
25. Route mapped w/ ETAs 
26. Offline maps downloaded
27. Camping/Overlanding apps (here’s a list of our favorites) 
28. Gas! 
29. Medications 
30. Window coverings 
31. Tow rope 
32. Recovery tracks 
33. Jackery, Goal Zero, solar panels or other power station/bank
34. Rain gear
35. Sunscreen
36. Old towels
37. Playing cards
38. First Aid Kit
39. Multi-tool(leather men)
40. Sharp knife
41. Compass & map (useful if navigation devices fail)
42. Satellite Messenger (new iphones now provide SOS service!)
43. Shovel (compact or full size)
44. Make sure to let a trusted family member/friend know where you are going and for how long

What do you bring on your car camping trip that we didn’t mention here? We want to make this interactive. Please keep the comments coming below so we can add it to this list! 

This list is as comprehensive possible to act as a helpful reminder/memory jog for those about to hit the road. By no means do you need all of these items to enjoy a car camping trip :) 

Got all the gear, but don’t know where to go? Check out our article on How to find dispersed car camping spots

Looking for more helpful content focused around car camping? Check out our full car camping guide!

Happy camping :)