All The Products You Need To Go Camping

The ~bear~ necessities, if you will.

1. A sturdy tent to keep you and your camp comrades safe and dry. It has a fly for extra coverage and is available in multiple sizes, so this is the perfect starter tent.

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The tent has patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep out moisture and has large windows for ventilation.

Promising review: "I have never been camping before, but bought this to take to a music festival. I chose this one based on prior reviews, as rain was in the forecast. It did not let me down! It rained heavily on Saturday night and throughout Sunday, and everything inside stayed perfectly dry. It was also very simple to set up and tear down by myself. I fit a queen size air mattress inside with room to spare, but I think this would be a tight fit for 4 people." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $39+ (available in two-, three-, four-, and six-person sizes as well as four colors).

2. A multipurpose waterproof tarp for putting under your tent to prevent water ~seepage~, throwing over your firewood to keep it nice and dry, making a shady cover for your camp, and anything else you can dream of.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "This tarp served me well on two lengthy international trips. The first was from Panama to Mexico — eight countries in six months. The second was from Peru to Brazil — three countries in three months. This tarp came in handy for keeping me dry while camping in the rain and was durable enough to travel with and use repeatedly. The grommets around the edge were very handy in setting up camp with the 3/8" polypropylene rope I carried." —Bear the Amazing

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 12 sizes).

3. A Coleman gas stove so you can treat your camp to a hot homemade breakfast and coffee to fuel up for a great day of hiking.

Amazon

The stove runs on propane, has two burners, and features side panels to help protect the flames from being blown out by the wind.

Promising review: "Powerful burner and easy setup. We bought this stove to take with us for extended camping trips and so far have been very happy. With two burners, you can quickly make all your meals in a jiffy. We were able to boil two quarts of water in about seven or eight minutes for coffee for everyone in the morning with no trouble. You do need your own lighter/match to ignite the stove. My only caveat is I wish it had a handle for easier carrying." —J

Get it from Amazon for $43.88.

4. A coffee percolator because even while in the middle of nowhere, coffee is still an essential.

Amazon, amazon.com

The percolator is made of durable, rustproof, high gloss polished aluminum.

Promising review: "This bad boy delivers liquid ambrosia in the wilderness. How could you not love it. Not only does it provide you and your spouse a wonderful kickstart to your day but all your friends as well. Only those slackers forgot coffee cups, coffee, sugar, and cream so they have to use yours and share cups. Or they have to improvise with solo cups but the coffee is blistering hot and almost melts the cups so they have to drink it really fast just to hold the cup. So it all so provides entertainment while sipping your brew. My husband recommends using Baileys Irish Cream while using this." —Craft Family

Get it from Amazon for $13.49+ (available in two sizes).

5. A camping chair for comfortably lounging about and enjoying your campfire. Your dogs are gonna be barking after all your big hikes — give 'em a break!

Amazon

The chair has two cup holders, a cooler pocket, a side pocket, and a bag with a strap for easy carrying.

Promising review: "These are pretty nice camping chairs! They're a bit bigger and beefier than many other models, so if you're a bigger/heavier person, that's a plus. Even if you're not it means they'll probably last longer. The cup holder is likewise a bit bigger than on some chairs, and the little storage areas are also a nice addition. Definitely worth the few bucks more you pay for these versus the cheapest of the cheap $10 chairs or whatever you see around sometimes." —Classic Music Fan

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).

6. A lightweight sleeping bag to keep you snug as a bug in a rug, even while slumbering in the great outdoors.

amazon.com, Amazon

The sleeping bag is water resistant, machine washable, and only weighs three pounds!

Promising review: "This is perfect for camping. It is really lightweight and fit right in my pack. It was able to be strapped under or on top of the pack as well. As for the temperature, it keeps you very warm. I had to open up the easy to zip zipper to cool down in 35° weather. Packing and rolling it up is a cake walk. The bag also has straps to shrink down the bag ever more to make more room for other things. The orange color can signal others in case of an emergency. I love everything about this sleeping bag." —Keith Alcantara

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

7. Or a two-person sleeping bag if you're planning on snuggling up with your qt under the stars.

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The sleeping bag can be converted into two individual sleeping bags (!) and comes with two camping pillows.

Promising review: "I purchased the queen-sized sleeping bag on Amazon last week and used it this weekend while camping (late September in a Washington State Park). I was skeptical at how thin it was and that it was rated for 32 degrees and up. Well, it was in the mid-40's the first night and about 40 degrees the second night. I wasn't sure how it would perform, so I brought many layers. Both nights I wore just sweat pants and a hoodie while in the sleeping bag. The only parts that were cold were my shoulders when they were exposed to the air. It kept me nice and toasty! SO comfortable! Unbeknownst to me, I spilled water on my air mattress underneath the sleeping bag, but because it's waterproof, I didn't notice a thing! I LOVE my new sleeping bag and will definitely recommend it to others!" —Kevin

Get it from Amazon for $57.95.

8. A sleeping pad designed with little air bubbles that make inflation quick and easy, allow for good air-flow, and make it more stable to sleep on. It may be narrow mattress, but they're the ~king~ of the forest.

Amazon, amazon.com

Some reviewers even put this baby in a hammock to sleep!

Promising review: "Awesome product. Inflates with a few breaths (<10). When I rolled on my side, my hip didn't touch the ground. The little bubbles/air pockets allow air to pass under you and prevents sweating. The air pockets also slow the passage of air from one side to the other when you roll over, so the mat seems more stable than a typical air mattress. It packs into a tiny stuff sack — great for backpacking. It also has a double plug, so when deflating you open a second valve that allows the air to escape almost instantly." —Michelle Pattee

Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in two colors).

9. An inflatable pillow so you have a comfy place to lay your head while you rest up for another big day in the wild.

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The pillow inflates with just a few breaths and deflates and folds down to a size a bit smaller than a soda can. It comes with a carrying case.

Promising review: "Love this camp pillow. I have a bad neck, so I really need the support. The pillow is stiff, the material is soft and smooth — I didn’t feel the need to put a buff over it. Very comfortable without costing a fortune." —Sharon Shannon

Get it from Amazon for $15.47 (available in seven colors).

10. An extra set of stakes to secure any unwieldy tarp edges, tent corners, or anything you don't want to blow away in the breeze.

Amazon

Promising review: "I've been camping with friends for a few years now, and we go at least twice a year. Some of our original equipment tents spikes were rather flimsy and had been bending on rocky soil. This trip, I ordered several new kinds to try them out. These stakes are far and away the best choice. They are very sturdy, so we weren't afraid to really drive them into the ground. Our tents are not the pop up kind, so the tent can put a lot of pressure on the spikes when full or during a storm. Usually, at least one or two spikes come out of the ground. These went in easily and stayed put. What a difference! We're buying another spare set! These are kind of heavy, so not that great for a backpack camper. Also, there's no carrying bag, but what a great deal! No breakage pulling them out of the ground — we were just careful. Wish I would have bought these sooner!" —Mike W

Get 10-pack from Amazon for $9.49.

11. A Nalgene bottle for staying hydrated as can be — a super important task with all the adventuring you'll be doing.

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The bottles are BPA-free and very durable.

Promising review: "Love this bottle. I carry it everywhere I go, whether it be hiking, casual walks, or trips. Always put to good use and holds a liter of water, which is great! Not too much plastic smell when used for long hikes but after many hours it can get little smelly. Usually no problems if you wash it regularly and keep it clean. I always carry it in airports and fill water whenever possible. I can hook it up on my backpack too, which is great!" —Vishal Kapoor

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

12. A camping cook tool set so you can do more cooking than just putting a hot dog on a random stick.

Amazon

The set comes with a pair of scissors, utility knife, cutting board, spatula, bottle opener, tongs, ladle, and rice paddle, and comes in a water-resistant case.

Promising review: "This is my favorite new camping purchase. Just got back from camping and I think I used every single utensil. Everything came in handy. It keeps everything organized and compact, and the utensils are high quality and sturdy. It has basically everything you could need for basic cooking outdoors. Absolutely love it." —Kalli Love

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six colors).

13. An LED lantern whose light is far brighter than its size would indicate. Carry it around with you or hang it in your tent for some top-notch illumination.

amazon.com, amazon.com

The lantern is dimmable and has four lighting modes. It's waterproof and can be hung, making it super versatile for your campsite!

Promising review: "This lantern is so cute! It's just 3.5" square and 7" high and fits into my hand. The cool white light is very bright (1000 lumens) as advertised using the many mini LEDs in a circular pattern. It's perfect for my kids to carry while I use my larger, heavier one we have that looks similar but is not as bright (750 lumens). I'm very impressed with this little lantern. It's a great addition to the family." —Leland C

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

14. Or a propane gas lantern if you don't want to have to depend on batteries for light. Set this big boy on your camp table and your entire site will be glowing.

Amazon

The lantern runs on a 16.4 oz propane tank and last for four hours on high and nine hours on low.

Promising review: "Purchased this as a gift for my dad. We used it on our canoeing trip to the BWCA. This thing put my old double mantle lantern to shame. It puts out so much light we did not even have to turn it up past half bright. It kind of became a conversation piece around the camp fire and led to many shenanigans about it being the actual north star. Gas usage seemed surprisingly typical for a propane lantern. Lantern fit snugly in the travel case and with the protective cage around the globe it seems like he is in for many many years of use with this lantern." —Rowdy

Get it from Amazon for $54.99.

15. A collapsable dish tub to get your dishes (or anything you need to wash, really) squeaky clean, even while without access to a sink.

Amazon

Promising review: "Very durable. I loved the compact size in packing and it worked great to wash and rinse our dishes in when we camped. A must for outdoor/camping enthusiasts." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.36+ (available in six colors and two sizes).

16. Biodegradable outdoor soap so you can get your camp dishes nice and clean without getting Mother Earth dirty.

Amazon

The soap can be used on dishes, clothing, and even your body! It's formulated with purified water, vegetable-based cleaning agents and natural fragrance oils with a light pine scent. To dispose, dig a hole six to eight inches deep and pour soapy water in. Don't forget the sponges!

Promising review: "I was a little hesitant on buying a fancier soap than a generic soap I could find at any store. After reading the benefits of having the biodegradable soap for camping, I decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did. I loved being able to use it on anything while camping. I washed my hands with it and even for my middle son who has sensitive skin, he used it without problems. It washed even some tough campfire soot off my camping dishes and pan. When I needed to hand wash my dish rag, I used this too and it got out all the black from the campfire. It really was the perfect universal and environmentally friendly soap. Perfect for leaving no trace. No harm to my family or to the wildlife around us. The best part, I still have a ton left after a two night/three day trip. A little goes a long way! Once this runs out I will definitely buy it again." —Marlana

Get it from Amazon for $5.76+ (available in five sizes).

17. A four-in-one stainless steel utensil set that nestles together so they don't get lost before chow time.

Amazon

The set comes with a spoon, fork, and combination knife and bottle opener.

Promising review: "These little sets are perfect for camping. They come in their own plastic pouch, fit together beautifully, and are solid. I bought two sets for our camping trip this summer — easily one of the best purchases made for that trip." —Nicole L.

Get it from Amazon for $5.

18. A dustpan and brush set for sweeping out any tracked-in dirt from your tent. Your little abode can get grimy pretty quickly, and it's always nice to have a clean tent to come home to!

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Promising review: "When you go camping, it's very easy to track dirt and debris into the tent. But, this little dustpan and broom set helps to clean up the tent and put the dirt back where it belongs. I also like it for dusting dirt and debris off my shoes as well." —Valerie

Get it from Amazon for $6.15.

19. A cookware and mess kit so you can whip up a meal in something other than tin foil. Tin foil can do a lot, but it's just not a pot.

Amazon, amazon.com

The kit includes a nonstick pot and cover, a nonstick pan, two bowls, a spork, a spoon, a spatula, and a bag to carry it all!

Promising review: "I finally got the opportunity to use this set this weekend, and I loved it. The kit is very compact and very easy to lug around with me. I love how the small pot fits nicely within the bigger pot. We used it mainly to heat up water, so I can't speak to the cooking experience, but the set held up nicely. We used it on a butane stove as well as on a grate over coals and felt both worked great. I don't think the handles will hold up well to high heat though so we were careful to keep them angled away from direct heat. They cleaned up nicely, and were a breeze to throw back together and into the bag. Overall, I think this product is great and I will get a ton of use out of it this summer!" —Agra

Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in two colors)

20. A small hatchet for chopping firewood into kindling to get a nice campfire started. Just promise me you'll be careful handling it!

Amazon

The hatchet comes with a sheath to protect both the cutting edge and YOU!

Promising review: "We purchased this hatchet for a camping trip after many days of research. Because we cook on our campfire, we needed to prepare a lot of wood every day. This little guy was a real MVP. This hatchet is easy to hold, carry and use. The handle is a very comfortable design, and since the whole thing is one solid piece, it feels incredibly sturdy. It comes with a rugged sheath that can be worn on a belt, perfect for wood-hunting expeditions. We used it to chop small logs, limb downed trees and bust up small branches, to scrape bark and even to drive in our tent stakes. There are plenty of uses for a hatchet like this around a campsite and I have no doubt this one will rise to the challenge. It's also an aesthetically beautiful tool. It's absolutely picturesque against a woodsy backdrop and a nice change from a lot of the ugly, brightly-colored, plastic- and rubber-handled axes out there. We look forward to our next opportunity to use this awesome hatchet." —Bradley Vincent

Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in two finishes).

21. An LED flashlight so you can see every single tree root in your path if you're walking about after the sun goes down.

amazon.com, amazon.com

The flashlight takes three AAA batteries, is water-resistant, and has five brightness modes, including a blinking SOS setting.

Promising review: "I love this flashlight! I use it while camping or going out for night photography, and it lights up the entire woods around me. It is very durable since it is made out of all metal. But, considering it is made out of metal, it is impeccably light. I also love how I get to choose the brightness, as well as a flashing SOS signal. It was a great buy!" —Danielle

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

22. A rubber mallet for hammering in stubborn stakes. No more hitting them with the heel of your boot in vain!

Amazon

Promising review: "I took this rubber hammer — a great size by the way, nice and hefty — for an overnight camping trip to Joshua Tree, and I'm so glad I brought it. Pounding those tent stakes into the ground was easy." —Jesus Freak

Get it from Amazon for $7.60.

23. A first aid kit so you're prepared for any and every emergency. Things happen! And it's best to have all the tools you can on hand just in case.

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The kit comes with 299 essential first aid supplies in a zippered case.

Promising review: "Of course this is something that no one ever wants to use but it's there in case you need it. I bought mine for my emergency bag/rucksack. I have a small family which includes animals. Granted most of the items in here would and could not be used on animals but in an emergency you use whatever you have. This is lightweight to keep my pack and is easy to move with. I am by no means a prepper but have lived through my fair share of natural disasters. I will be getting one for my car and my wife's car to put in the glove box. It might be a little snug to fit, but it does not have a hard shell and can be molded within reason to fit tight spaces." —jeff

Get it from Amazon for $14.17.

24. Some lighters for giving your campfire a bit of a head start. If you want to rub two sticks together, good for you I guess, but there's no shame in clicking your way to a warm, toasty blaze.

Amazon

Promising review: "This lighter set is included in my emergency kit that I bring every time my friends and I go camping. They work really well." —Ronnie Beck

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $13.49.

25. A basic cooler that will keep your food, drinks, and perishables cool for literal days but won't break the bank. Nothing better than cracking a cold one after a long day of setting up camp.

Amazon, amazon.com

The cooler holds 70 quarts, has insulated walls and lid for maximum cold retention, and features cup holders on top.

Promising review: "We bought this for a weekend camping trip. We put two solid blocks of ice in the bottom (froze a pot full of water and an aluminum tray), and then covered everything with two store-bought bags of ice. It lasted from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon with 50–75% of the ice still there. This was over a hot weekend with the cooler left in the car. Our milk, cheese, yogurt, and perishable fruits kept perfectly. We definitely feel like we got our money's worth and can't wait to use this cooler in the future!" —AG

Get it from Amazon for $51.14.

26. An ENO hammock for relaxing amongst the trees. You may think that this may be more of a luxury item, but trust me — once you take this baby camping, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.

Amazon

Reviewers recommend also getting the ENO Atlas straps for simple set-up!

Promising review: "Fantastic, sturdy hammock! We bought this for our visits to Colorado in the summer and absolutely loved it. At one pint, our kids laid in it together for three hours just relaxing and enjoying the outdoors!" —D.A. Moore

Get it from Amazon for $52.46+ (available in 48 colors).

27. A pack of dish towels that — yes — are great for washing and drying dishes, but are also a great multi-purpose item. From cleaning off the camp table to soaking up any water seepage in the tent, you'll always be glad to have a few extra towels on hand.

Amazon

Promising review: "These are great quality towels. They dry well, they wash well, and they stand up to normal use. They did shrink some, but not so much as to be bothersome. They did not warp at all when washed which is better than I can say of my expensive bath towels! I'd gladly buy more, but there are so many in the pack I don't NEED more (yet). I got rid of all my old kitchen towels and now these are the only ones I use!" —J. Becker

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $15.99.

You if you forget any of the key things on this list!

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The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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