Best 8 Essential Gear for Camping Beginners

The ultimate essential Gear for Camping beginner campers is an experienced outdoorsy person to help you. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend with a campground reservation and a garage full of gear to share, then you already have a head start.

Even if you’re the most urban of creatures, the urge to get out of the city—to camp out, in fact—can seize your imagination at any time. If you find yourself contemplating car camping for the first time, but find gear selection and prep to be a little daunting, don’t despair. We’re here to help.

If you want to learn more about camping in anticipation of a future trip, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll cover everything from what gear you’ll need and what to wear to meal-prepping tips and guidance on finding a campsite.

Essential Gear

Camping is like staying in a primitive cabin, minus the cabin itself. So, in addition to your tent, pack as though you’re going to stay someplace where there’s little or no furniture, no electricity, no stove or refrigerator, and the cupboards are bare. In a developed campground you will have running water and a community bathroom a few hundred yards away. A typical campsite has a table (if not, you’ll want to bring one), a place to park a car and a place to pitch your tent.

You can keep your initial investment low if you borrow or rent the priciest items—typically, the tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Renting is often a better strategy than paying bottom dollar for something that might not last through a single camping trip. Plus, renting allows you to test out different gear to get a feel for what you like. That said, if you are ready to invest in your very own camp kit, here are a few tips to help you decide exactly what to buy.

Tent: If your budget can go a little bigger, then go bigger with your tent. Consider choosing a tent with a capacity larger than what you envision needing. For instance, if you’re camping with just one other person, a 3-person shelter will provide you both with a little extra breathing room.

And a family of four can more easily achieve harmony in a 6-person tent. You can also check the tent’s peak height if you want a shelter you can stand up in, which can make getting dressed and moving around easier. Other nice-to-have features: Vestibules outside the doors are great for stowing muddy shoes, and having a tent with two doors can help you avoid climbing over sleeping tentmates for late-night bathroom breaks.

Tip: Practice setting up your tent at home before you head outside. And don’t forget to purchase a properly sized footprint—if you have a ground sheet that’s too small, it won’t fully protect your tent floor from debris like rocks and sticks. if you have one that’s too big, it can catch rainwater and pool it underneath your tent.

Sleeping Bag: When selecting your bag, temperature rating is a good place to start. If you’re planning on only going fair-weather camping, a summer bag is probably all you’ll need. But a 3-season bag will give you more leeway for unpredictable shoulder-season weather. If you’re always cold (or always hot), adjust accordingly. And no need to go with a super-snug mummy bag like backpackers use. A rectangular camping bag will give your body more room to roam.

Tip: If you’re someone who runs cold, fill a bottle with hot water and toss it into your sleeping bag at night. This will add an extra dose of warmth. 

Sleeping Pad: A good sleeping pad provides comfort, but it also has high-tech insulation to prevent you from losing body heat to the cold ground. Big air mattresses, like what your guests sleep on at home, might look temptingly plush, but their lack of insulation will likely leave you feeling chilly. Take a look at specs when comparing sleeping pads, paying close attention to thickness, length, width and insulation value (known as the R-value).

Tip: Setup your tent, bag and pad as soon as you arrive at camp, so you don’t have to do it in the dark.

Lighting: Campsites don’t have illumination, so you have to bring your own. A flashlight is OK, but a headlamp frees up your hands for camp tasks. A lantern is nice for ambient light. Or you can build a campfire, but research fire restrictions ahead of time. 

Tip: If you only want to invest in one type of illumination to start, go with the headlamp. Then, if you want dispersed light for a bit of ambience, add your headlamp to an empty Nalgene bottle. Voilà: You just made your own lantern.

Stove: A classic two-burner propane camp stove should do the trick. You won’t spend a fortune, and you can cook breakfast and prepare your morning brew at the same time. Bring at least a couple of fuel canisters and a lighter.

Tip: Test your camp stove in your backyard or patio ahead of your trip to get a feel for how it works. It’s easier (and safer) to problem solve at home before you’re out in the wilderness.

Cooler: You probably already have a cooler at home that will work just fine for a camping trip. Just be sure you have enough capacity for your perishable food and a few cold ones, along with enough ice to keep ’em chilled. If you’re in the market for a new one, there are plenty of options. Some have extra-thick insulation to keep things colder for longer. Others are designed to be worn like backpacks, making them easier to tote from car to campground. 

Tip: Freeze as much of your food as possible before you pack it and let it thaw throughout the day. The frozen items will act as ice blocks and keep the rest of your food cold.

Pots, Plates, Cups and Sporks: You should bring everything necessary for food prep and consumption. You can raid your home kitchen for these items, but leave the fina china at home. You can also invest in camp-specific dinnerware, cutlery and cookware. These items are typically more durable, lightweight and compact than what you would use at home. And unless you plan on taking dirty dishes home, you’ll need a scrubber, biodegradable soap, a towel and a small washtub or two (one for dirty, one for clean).

Tip: Pack all your kitchen gear in a large storage bin with a lid. That way, it’s all in one place the next time you want to camp.

Camp Chairs: These are optional, but downtime will be a little more enjoyable if you have a comfy place to perch. You can also consider a hammock, which is great for afternoon naps. 

Tip: Mesh camp chairs let water drain easily, and they dry quickly if left out in the rain or morning dew.