Fifty Camping Items You May Forget To Bring

Even after more than 20 years of camping together, Melissa and I still forget to bring things when we go camping. I’d love to say it wasn’t true, but almost every single time we go camping, one of us leaves something behind that was important, or that could have made our trip much easier.

Woman drinking coffe while camping. — It’s not on the list, but did you remember to bring the coffee?

Here are Some Commonly Forgotten Camping Trip Items

Batteries of all sizes – “Honey, does the tent’s dome light take AAA or AA??” Just bring ’em all, they’re little and they don’t take up much space.
USB cords – Have you switched phones lately as we have? We have tons of one kind of phone cord, but only two of the ones we really need. (Putting in my Amazon order now)
Bug Spray – You can never have enough bug spray on hand – at least in some places. You may leave some camping places few liters of blood short if you forget to include this. (Goose Island State Park, near Rockport, Texas, is one example)
Band Aids and other First Aid Supplies – Don’t forget the first aid kit, and make sure it includes Caladryl, Benadryl, Imodium or Pepto Bismol, pain relievers, allergy meds, etc.
Contact Solution and Case – If you have to remove your extended wear contacts, you’ll ruin them if you don’t have your case and contact solution, but you knew that already. If you wear glasses, don’t forget to pack these as well!
Feminine Supplies – A man is writing this, but I’m pretty sure these shouldn’t be forgotten.
Toilet Paper – Bring several rolls, because using paper towels is just not very comfortable.
Sunscreen – Several tubes of sunscreen are always good to bring along. This stuff does go bad, so don’t expect last year’s sunscreen to work very well.
Camera Memory Cards – It’s good that you remembered your camera (drone – GoPro etc.), but is the micro SD card still stuck in the back of your computer at home?
Pen and Paper – You may need to write a check for self-service camping (yes, it’s still a thing) (bring the checkbook too), or you may have to fill out a trail log sign-in sheet, etc.
Ground Tarp – If your tent is older like ours is, the bottom has probably lost its waterproofing. A plastic tarp or sheeting can save you from having a wet sleeping bag.
Dog Food – Are you bringing Rover along? Don’t forget his dog food, bowl, meds if applicable, poop bags, leash, bed and their favorite chew toy.
Books – A good book, Kindle, etc, can be good to have if the excitement winds down and you’re bored to tears.
Oars, Paddles & Life Jackets – Bringing your kayak or SUP board along? Don’t forget the paddle, or you’ll be up the creek… A patch kit for inflatables is handy to have as well.
Jumper Cables – You might not think a 5 volt USB phone charger can drain a car battery, but it can, and faster than you think.
Wallet – Your wallet – or rather the stuff inside it – just might be useful on a road trip. Is it sitting on the dresser beside the bed?
Fishing License – It’s probably in your wallet by the bedside.
Rope or Line – You may have to hang up things such as sun showers and food cache or even fashion a clothesline. Some para-cord or heavy line can come in really handy when camping.
Hammer – (Because beating in tent stakes with a rock just looks uncivilized).
Porta-Potty Chemicals – If you bring along a porta potty, as we do, you’ll want to bring that bottle of blue stuff to keep it from stinking.
Trash Bags – Bring lots of heavy duty trash bags on your camping trip, because you’ll generate way more trash than you think
Important Medicines – Don’t forget to bring the stuff that helps keep you alive.
Air Pump – You remembered the inflatable thingy and the oars, but what about the air pump? (My jaw hurts just thinking about blowing up a big floatie the hard way).
Gas Can – Are you bringing along something with an engine? A gas can and some two cycle oil might come in handy.
Battery Charger – If you’re bringing something such as a fishing boat with a deep cycle battery, don’t forget the battery charger.
Extra Socks (wool ones are great to keep feet warm and dry) – Having clean socks can help campers remain smelling better for their tent-mates and save your feet on a long hike.
Deodorant – See # 26. Wait…and toothbrush/toothpaste/floss. Keep your pearly whites white and spare your tent-mates from morning breath.
Baking Soda – This stuff is a must have for camping. From soothing insect bites and indigestion to use as item #27, or even for putting out cooking fires, its great to have some on hand.
Soap and/or body wipes – Also see # 26.
Tool Kit – All kinds of things tend to break and need fixing when you’re camping. A tool kit can come in very handy.
Fuses – It can be easy to blow the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug’s fuse with something like an air compressor or camping fridge. Keep a few of your vehicle’s fuses on hand, just in case this happens.
Warm Jacket – Often when camping it can get way cooler at night than you expect. Bring a warm jacket and wool hat just in case it gets cold.
Chairs For Everyone – (Because you don’t want to get stuck sitting on the tailgate or the Igloo cooler.)
Duct Tape – This stuff is more valuable than gold when you’re camping. A tube of Super Glue can come in handy as well.
Cooking Utensils – Check that you’ve packed every utensil that you might need when camping, such as spatulas, forks, knives, potato peeler, fillet knife, etc.
Extra Flashlights – It’s always good to have several flashlights on hand, just in case the switch or bulb goes bad in one.
Shovel and Bucket – Some national forests require dispersed campers to carry these, and they can come in pretty handy as well.
Can Opener – (Because it’s not fun opening a can of pork and beans with a pocket knife.)
Camping Fuel & Lighter Fluid – Safely pack and bring the fuels you need for stoves, lanterns, etc.
Kitchen Scissors – It’s way easier to open plastic food packages with a pair of scissors instead of a knife.
Pillows – You may not keep your pillows with the rest of your camping gear, so don’t forget your favorite one.
Spare Keys – If your keys fall in the lake or you lose them while hiking, do you have a backup set?
Flip Flops or Water Shoes – If you’re going to be showering in a public facility, you probably don’t want your bare feet to be touching the floor. Did you bring a towel?
A Roll of Quarters – If you have to use a coin operated laundry or shower you’ll need these.
Stored Music or CD’s – A lot of the places we like to camp don’t have cell service or radio stations. Listening to your favorite tunes in the middle of nowhere is the best.
Walkie-Talkies – In areas without cell phone reception, GMRS or FRS 2-way radios can be handy to help corral wide-ranging older kids at dinnertime (unless of course they hear you – and just ignore you.)
Maps – Google is great to use for directions, but many camping areas don’t have cell service. Bring a paper map or map book with all the roads on it that you’ll be traveling on.
Cooking Oil – (Because if there was ever a time to fry something, it’s when you’re out camping).
Paper Towels – They’re wasteful yes, but very handy for soaking up oil from things you fry with your cooking oil.
S’mores Items – Lastly, and most important: Don’t forget to bring the marshmallows, Graham crackers and chocolate!