Camping Gear
🏕️ Basic Camping Essentials
| Category | Item | Notes / Top Picks |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter | Tent | 2–3 season tent like REI Half Dome, MSR Hubba Hubba |
| Ground tarp/footprint | Protects tent floor from wear & water | |
| Sleep | Sleeping bag | Rated for 20–40°F; Nemo Disco, REI Trailbreak |
| Sleeping pad | Foam or inflatable like Therm-a-Rest, NEMO Tensor | |
| Pillow | Inflatable or packable travel pillow | |
| Cooking | Camp stove | Jetboil, MSR PocketRocket, or 2-burner Coleman |
| Fuel | Matches your stove (propane or isobutane) | |
| Cookware | Pot, pan, utensils, cutting board | |
| Cooler | Yeti, Coleman Xtreme for perishables | |
| Food & snacks | Pre-made meals, granola, trail mix, coffee | |
| Water bottles or hydration pack | Nalgene, Hydro Flask, CamelBak | |
| Water filter/purifier | Sawyer Mini, Katadyn, or iodine tablets | |
| Lighting | Headlamp | Hands-free; Black Diamond, Petzl |
| Lantern | LED lantern for tent or camp table | |
| Safety | First-aid kit | Compact but complete |
| Map/compass or GPS | Don’t rely only on your phone | |
| Knife/multi-tool | For food prep, repairs, safety | |
| Firestarter | Lighter, waterproof matches, firestarter sticks | |
| Clothing | Layered clothing | Base layer, fleece, rain shell, hiking socks, hat |
| Hiking boots/shoes | Comfortable, broken-in |
California
Yosemite
Iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls
Redwoods
Tallest trees on Earth in a lush forest
Big Sur
Dramatic cliffs and coastal camping
Joshua Tree
Desert landscapes and stargazing
Colorado
Rocky Mountain NP
Snowcapped peaks and alpine lakes
San Juan Mountains
Remote beauty and backcountry adventure
Utah
Zion
Slot canyons and red rock cliffs
Bryce Canyon
Hoodoos and stargazing
Arches
Natural stone arches and desert views
Canyonlands
Vast canyons and off-grid experiences
Montana
Glacier NP
Rugged peaks and glacial lakes
Yellowstone
Geysers, wildlife, and thermal wonders
Washington
Olympic
Rainforests, coastlines, and mountains
Mount Rainier
Iconic volcano and alpine meadows
North Cascades
Glacier-carved peaks and solitude
Oregon
Crater Lake
Deepest lake in the U.S. with clear water
Mount Hood
Volcano with great hiking and skiing
Oregon Coast
Beautiful beaches and coastal camping
Arizona
Grand Canyon
One of the world’s natural wonders
Sedona
Red rock formations and vortex sites
Saguaro
Iconic cactus landscapes of the Sonoran Desert
Alaska
Denali
Highest peak in North America and vast wilderness
Kenai Peninsula
Glaciers, fjords, and coastal wildlife
Maine
Acadia NP
Rugged coastline and dense forests
Appalachian Trail
Scenic long-distance hiking route
Tennessee / North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains
Lush mountains, waterfalls, and Appalachian culture