My Minimalist Camping List -35+ Great Gear Ideas

I grew up in a small desert town but I also grew up in the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Thanks to my dad’s undying love of nature and the mountains we spent many summers camping, surrounded by wildflowers, white peaks, pines, aspens and beautiful waterfalls.

Through the years we have camped in tents, a pop-up, and a medium sized camper. Over the last 15 years since I got married my husband we have only camped in tents, never wanting to buy a camper or a big truck to haul it with and my parents have also sold their camper.

So, yeah, I know camping in most of it’s forms and I’ve learned that keeping it simple is much more enjoyable to me than all the glamping in the world. Why? What do I bring and what do I pass up? Let’s dig into my minimalist camping list.

brother and sister playing in field with kite — Image by senivpetro on Freepik

Why Should You Try a Minimalist Camping List?

First of all, why in the world would you want to simplify camping? Why would you want a minimalist camping list instead of going big with the giant trailers, all the toys, and luxuries like ice-cream and TV?

There are two reasons to stick to a minimalist camping list. The first is simple. Even though it sounds fun to have all that fancy stuff it takes a lot of work. I know people who have to make two trips of two hours each way with two vehicles each time to get all their toys up to the mountains. And then, they have to haul it all back. Yikes.

Those same people also happen to spend most of their time INSIDE their trailers. And that brings me to the second reason I like to stick to a minimalist camping list. I like to keep it simple because if camping is going to be just like being at home, why go at all?

I want to disconnect and enjoy nature. I want to rough it a little bit (not a lot) and get just a little bored. I want to sit and watch the clouds, listen to the birds, and meditate on the wildflowers. I want to focus on people I love, not things and I want to seek experiences in nature. Camping is not meant to be complicated. It’s supposed to be simple. It’s supposed to be the ultimate form of the minimalist lifestyle!

So how do I simplify camping? By knowing which things to pack and which things I can do without. Let me help you build a minimalist camping list too!

happy man hiking in field — Image by marymarkevich on Freepik

My Minimalist Camping List

This minimalist camping list will, I promise, fit in your car. That’s the beauty of it. I’ve never had a big vehicle and I’ve always gone camping in my Jeep and now in my Subaru. Told you, I keep it simple.

As an added benefit this minimalist camping list should help you go camping more often. When you know exactly what you need, have half of it packed already, and can throw it together easily the prep takes much less time!

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CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent | Large Multi Room Family Pop Up Tent for 2 Minute Camp Setup | Included Storage Pockets for Camping Accessories

Shelter and Bedding:

sm a ll tent or big tent
tarps
air mattress, pump, and batteries or cots
blankets or sleeping bags
hot hands
pillows

The first thing you need to consider on your minimalist camping list is your shelter and bedding. My husband and I have used a simple four person tent for 15 years and it works just fine. If you have kids or want to stand up you might consider a bigger t e nt and if you want to make setup even easier you can get a cool pop-up tent! Always pack a tarp or two to place under your tent.

Next you need a bed. We use a queen air mattress. The key to using an air mattress is to make sure you put a heavy blanket under you to keep the cold air away from your body. You also don’t want to forget the pump (if it uses an external pump) and extra batteries for it. IF you lose air in the middle of the night it’s not very fun.

If you are sleeping alone you can use a cot but in my opinion they are not that comfortable and a little too bulky. You also have the option of using a backpacking bed but they aren’t very soft.

And lastly, you are going to want some warm sleeping bags or blankets. If you are camping in the mountains or the desert, pack one more blanket than you think you need. I like to pack hot hands to add warmth too. And don’t forget your pillows.

These are probably your bulkiest camping items but don’t worry. I actually keep my tent and air mattress in one small plastic tub that I can fit under by bed!

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Clothing Suggestions:

The next thing you need to put on your minimalist camping is list is clothing. My husband and I either pack in two backpacks or one big laundry basket, either of which can sit in the corner of the tent.

Remember to pack clothing that is appropriate for the activities you expect to engage in while camping. That could mean swimsuits and shorts or it could mean long pants, rain jackets, and light layers to protect you from mosquitoes. Zip-off hiking pants/shorts are a cool trick for unpredictable weather. I would recommend packing at least one warm coat and avoiding synthetics around the campfire.

I have three more tips in regards to clothing. Do pack a fresh outfit for each day and pack one outfit for going to town. Don’t forget pajamas. Sleeping in your sweaty clothes will make you cold all night.

Camp Kitchen:

Arguably the most complicated part of camping is the food. As a woman, I have to admit, I sometimes hate the idea of camping because of all the work it entails and most of that work has to do with cooking and cleaning up after cooking.

So how do you keep a camping kitchen as simple as possible? How do you stick to a minimalist camping list when the kitchen junk alone seems endless? You keep it to the bare minimum.

First all, if you aren’t in a camper you will need a camp stove and if you aren’t in a campground you will need a folding table to put it on. Then you will need the propane gas bottles and a lighter.

Next, you will need at least one good pan or skillet, grilling utensils, a pot, and a coffee percolator for boiling water in as well as making coffee, hot chocolate or tea. Then you will want silverware, plates (paper plates can be thrown into the campfire), and cups. And lastly you will want a big tub or two to do dishes in. Don’t forget the dish soap and paper towels! Tin foil is always handy too.

Now that may sound complicated but I can actually fit most of that in the tub that I use to wash dishes. I also mostly use the oldest stuff from my normal kitchen instead of the fancy camping stuff.

If you want to keep it super simple you can pack a French press thermos and pot to boil water in, a couple of sticks for roasting hot dogs over the fire, some premade foods and paper plates instead.

If you plan on cooking over the campfire don’t forget to bring some matches, fire starter and wood if it won’t be provided at your location.

campfire forest
minimalist camping list — Image by wirestock on Freepik

Food Ideas:

Now when it comes to food there is a great variety of things you might like to pack. I have my own personal list which includes things like hot dogs, hamburgers, pre-made pasta salads and other snacks as well as all our favorite junk food and stuff to make breakfast burritos or pancakes.

As you prep your own food list think about things that are easy to make and easy to pack. Crack your eggs into one big bottle or jar instead of worrying about them on the way, pre-cook your potatoes and wrap them in tin foil so you can heat them up easily, pack containers of cut up watermelon and have at least one cold snack you don’t have to prepare. Also, consider what you might be able to do without. Could you skip the cream in your coffee? Do you need all the toppings on your baked potato? We used to make SMORES but now we just enjoy roasted marshmallows.

Trust me, it’s easy to pack lots and lots of food for camping but it’s annoying to pack it all back and it’s even more annoying to have to throw half of it out. Keep it simple but fun!

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Other Camping Essentials:

sunscreen
bug spray
lanterns and headlamps
toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, wipes, chapstick, lotion)
first aid kit
Camping potty and popup tent
hiking boots
hiking poles
hydration backpack
books
board games or card games
inflatable kayaks
life jackets and water shoes
swim suits

So you’re all done packing for your camping trip right? Well, not quite. There are a lot of little things you still need to make your trip comfortable, safe and fun.

First of all you are going to need good lanterns for walking around and hanging inside your tent. Headlamps are also a great option. You probably don’t want to count on your phone battery for your only source of light. We usually camp out of signal so our phones aren’t even on most of the time.

Next you are going to want a first ai d kit, sunscreen, bug spray, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, and maybe even a spray bottle of soapy water and another with alcohol you can use to disinfect. We also always want chapstick and lotion. If you aren’t in a campground you might want to buy a portable camping potty and pop-up changing tent to make your own little outhouse (dig a hole outside of camp to dispose of your waste).

If you are going hiking don’t forget your hiking boots, hiking poles, and hydration backpack. And if you are going to be bored, pack some simple board or card games, books, a frisbee, your bikes (with a bike-rack that fits your car) and so forth.

Camping near the water? Great! Pack inflatable kayaks, life jackets, water shoes and swim suits!

As you can see, some of these things are absolute necessities and some of them depend on your preference. You don’t have to have it all. Your minimalist camping list is all about keeping it fun, comfortable, and simple at the same time!

couple together kayaking — Image by senivpetro on Freepik

Will You Try a Minimalist Camping List This Summer?

Whether you are a luxe camper, a minimalist camper, or someone who has never gone camping before I hope this minimalist camping list can help you get ready faster and have more fun with less work!

Will you try this minimalist camping list this summer? What items can you not live without on your own minimalist camping list? Share all your best tips and camping memories in the comments below!