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We do more than help you find the best camping in America–we want to help improve your camping experience in any way possible, whether it’s finding the right spot or teaching you how to plan a camping trip. Here you can find various resources and links to help you plan and enjoy your trip, from product reviews to campsite information. We hope the information on this site helps you find and enjoy the best camping in America. Look below to find tips on how to plan a camping trip that you’ll never forget.

What to Bring Camping

“Plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

Below is a list of items we recommend people bring along on their camping trips.

    Essential Items

  • Cash, credit cards, checks must have!
  • Required licenses and permits (for camping, hunting, fishing, etc.) must have!
  • Waterproof matches and butane lighter must have!
  • Multi-tool and/or Swiss army knife must have!
  • Toilet paper must have!
  • Flashlight, spare batteries and bulb must have!
  • Maps and compass or GPS
  • Rain gear
  • Extra clothing must have!
  • Insect repellent must have!

    Gear Essentials

  • Tent, tent fly, poles, stakes and ropes (set up the tent before leaving to be sure everything is there and you know how to put it up)
  • Hammer or hatchet (for driving tent stakes; keep it in the tent bag) must have! backpacking necessity
  • Ground cloth (to go under the tent and keep it clean and dry) good for roadside camping
  • Sleeping bags
  • Ground pads, mattresses and/or cots good for roadside camping
  • Pillows good for roadside camping
  • Tarp (has many uses) good for roadside camping
  • Lantern(s) (including fuel, mantles, funnel, batteries as necessary) good for roadside camping
  • Folding chairs, stools, tables good for roadside camping
  • Extension cords (for camps with electric hookups) good for roadside camping
  • Ice chest good for roadside camping
  • Beverage/water jugs must have!
  • Camping shower good for roadside camping
  • Ax, hatchet and/or shovel must have!
  • Broom good for roadside camping

    Cooking Essentials

  • Camp stove, fuel must have!
  • Charcoal, lighter fluid good for roadside camping
  • Firewood good for roadside camping
  • Grill, cooking grate
  • Reflector oven
  • Skillet, pots and pans good for roadside camping
  • Carving/cutting knives good for roadside camping
  • Spatula, tongs, serving fork and spoon good for roadside camping
  • Can opener must have! backpacking necessity
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plates, cups, bowls
  • Flatware (forks, spoons, knives)
  • Scouring pads, detergent good for roadside camping
  • Zip-loc bags good for roadside camping
  • Garbage bags good for roadside camping
  • Paper towels, dish towels good for roadside camping
  • Oven mitt, pot holder

Products

Coming Soon

Resourcess

Conservation

Don’t Move Firewood
The ‘Don’t Move Firewood’ website was developed building on conversations under the auspices of the Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Disease

DIY

$20 DIY Fish Smoker If you like to fish when you’re camping or backpacking you can make an inexpensive and handy smoker using an 8-quart camping pot, a small steel grill or steaming rack, and a few basic hand tools.