How to Pack for a Weekend Camping Trip
You should pack for a weekend camping trip with the primary focus of "less is more." Packing less clothing and fewer items will enable you to enjoy outdoor activities and not be weighed down with bulky items you may not need. Weekend trips come and go quickly, so focus on what you want to do, not on what to wear doing it. Focus on the essentials and prepare for weather patterns that can change quickly, and your camping trip will be much more enjoyable and relaxing.
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Things You'll Need
- Mid-size backpack
- One- to two-person tent
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Fleece liner (optional)
- Storage bins
- One set of lightweight clothing
- One set of mid-weight clothing
- One pair socks
- Waterproof stuff sacks in several sizes
- Rain gear: hat, jacket and pants
- Hiking boots
- Camp shoes or sandals (optional)
- Food
- Camp stove or lightweight backpacking stove
- Fuel for camp or backpacking stove
- Firestarter
- Water purification kit
- Water purification tablets
- Container of fresh water
- Camp kitchen: pot for boiling water, pan, spoons, forks, knives, mugs and cups
- First aid kit
- Headlamp
- Extra batteries
- Repair kit: duct tape, needle and thread, wire, and spare parts for backpack
- Toiletry kit: small toothpaste, toothbrush, compact waterless body soap and sunscreen
- Sanitation kit: toilet paper, trowel and hand sanitizer
- Cooler
- Refrigerant or ice
- Compass
- Pocket knife/multitool
- Camp towel
- Small trash bag
- Zip top bags
- Rope (optional)
- Airtight food containers (optional)
Instructions
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Spread your gear in an open space where you can organize, and begin packing only the essentials.
Check the weather for the weekend and either add or subtract items based on weather and your comfort level. For shelter, pack a tent and sleeping bag. If you are in a warm climate and the forecast doesn't call for rain, you may consider leaving the tent and enjoy a night under the stars in a sleeping bag.
If car camping for the weekend, you will have much more room for additional items, but will still need to pack in as organized a manner as possible. Use storage bins with lids that can be secured. Label each bin for easy identification of contents. Pack your items in bins instead of a backpack. With the additional room you can bring more food, more drinks and more comfort items; however, applying the "less is more" concept will go a long way toward reducing clutter and making the most of your time.
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Pack clothing that is good for layering and can easily be stuffed in a stuff sack in your backpack. It is always best to layer your clothing and remove items as you get warm. It is best to be a little chilly than it is to be too warm and begin perspiring. Stuff clothing you don't need to wear into one stuff sack.
Keep rain gear in a part of the pack that is easily accessible if the weather changes quickly. Rain gear includes a waterproof jacket and pants.
Choose footwear based on your comfort level and preference. If you want to go as light as possible, wear only your hiking boots. Many hiking boots today are waterproof, well ventilated and comfortable enough for all-day wear. If you must take a second pair of shoes, sandals or lightweight camp shoes are best to keep your pack weight down.
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Pack food that is no-cook or dehydrated (just add hot water) to save weight. Pack for calories and number of people. Dehydrated food will require a means for boiling water. Pack a backpacking stove for dehydrated foods. Pack a water purification kit, as carrying water in your pack will add weight. If you have a hydration pack or small water container, fill it and bring it along.
For warm-weather camping and activities, packing 3,500 calories per day should suffice. In cold weather you will burn more calories to stay warm, so pack 5,000 calories per person. You should end up with two to three pounds of food altogether.
Pack a camp stove and your camp kitchen for car camping. You can pick up a 5-gallon water container for less than $5 at most big-box stores that have a sporting goods department.
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Separate and organize all similar items and pack them together in one stuff sack per category. All clothing should be in one stuff sack, food in another, first aid and repair kit in another, and so on.
Your backpack will have exterior compartments that are ideal for items to which you may need quick access. Pack your first aid and repair kits in one of these pockets. Your headlamp and batteries should also be stored in a stuff sack and kept in an outside zipper compartment of your backpack.
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Pack the sleeping bag at the bottom of the backpack, and pack your heaviest items on top of the sleeping bag.
Pack food at the center of the pack closest to the frame of the backpack. Pack the tent (if you are taking one) and clothing along the side of the backpack.
Cinch your straps on the sides and top of the backpack and compress the pack without over-cinching the straps. A few good pulls and you are trail-ready.
Pack your car by storing the items you will need during the drive at the back of the vehicle for any pit stops. Your cooler and road trip snacks will need to be accessible for the kids, so be sure not to bury these. Pack your sleeping, clothing, cooking and comfort items toward the front of the car. Pack items like the tent toward the back with the food cooler. Using storage bins will make it easier to pack and maintain an organized car camping adventure.
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Tips & Warnings
Always put your pack on and be sure the weight is comfortable. If it's uncomfortable, you packed too much.
Synthetic clothing is the best clothing for camping. It's lighter in weight, dries quicker and has a better warmth-to-weight ratio. Go light whenever possible.
Pack your car with travel time to your camping destination in mind. Items you are likely to need should be made accessible, with everything else packed behind them.
Whatever you take in with you should also come home with you. Leave nothing behind.
A pack that is too heavy at home will feel twice as heavy on the trail.
Be aware of fire warnings when planning your trip.
Read up on the wildlife where you intend to camp and take necessary precautions. If you are in bear country, place your food in airtight containers and use rope to hang your food items from a tree limb with a knot that enables you to easily retrieve your food.
Never store food in your tent, as this can draw wildlife to the one place you don't want visitors.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ben Alder camping image by lhaxton from Fotolia.com
