Camping can be intimidating for first-timers, especially people living in a city, far away from nature. But if you’ve clicked on this article, you’re at least a little interested in the great outdoors, and I’m here to encourage you to go for it. Studies show that time spent outdoors can improve physical and mental health, circadian rhythm and more. Plus, touching grass (literally) and interacting with other parts of nature is just fun — but it can get dicey quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing.
That’s why I tapped outdoor experts and reps from the National Park Service (NPS) and American Hiking Society (AHS): to give you the confidence to comfortably spend a night in the great outdoors. They provided some essential camping tips for beginners and I’ve compiled a list of all the camping gear you need to get started.
It’s a pretty comprehensive guide, so hunker down and read on for everything you need to know — you may even feel like less of a novice by the time you’re done.
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What to bring camping
Outside of glamping, where gear may be provided, you’ll need to pack and bring your own essential camp gear. Using guidance from outdoor experts and organizations like the NPS and AHS, and retailer REI Co-op, I selected essential camping gear to consider from top-rated brands, including some I have tested personally.
Essential Camping Gear
Tent
Unless you’re sleeping in an RV or camper van (in a designated spot), your tent is your home away from home. Consider the weather, climate and season you’ll be camping during. If it will be hot and humid, choose a tent with more mesh for better ventilation. If it will be windy, rainy or cold, go for a tent that comes with a full rain fly to keep you dry and cross-bracing poles for stability, says Ingrid Johnson, a product information specialist at REI Co-op.
Also keep in mind how many people will be sharing the space, says Maggie Peikon, the manager of communications at the American Hiking Society. You’ll want a tent that matches or exceeds the number of people sleeping in it. If you plan to keep some of your gear in your tent with you (or just want a little extra wiggle room), size up: a three-person tent for two people, a two-person tent for one, you get the idea. You can learn in-depth info about tents in this camping tent guide from REI.
Sleeping bag
A sleeping bag helps keep you warm and comfortable overnight. Again, season and expected temperature are crucial here. Sleeping bags are rated for comfort to a certain temperature threshold — if you’re camping in colder weather, you’ll want a bag with a temperature rating to match, says Peikon. You can learn in-depth info about sleeping bags in this sleeping bag guide from REI.
Sleeping pad
A sleeping pad is crucial for comfort and keeping you warm — it goes underneath your sleeping bag to provide padding and insulation from the ground. “You lose more body heat to the ground than to the air,” says Johnson.
Where sleeping bags have temperature ratings, sleeping pads have R-values: the higher the R-value, the more it insulates you from the cold ground. Johnson recommends a minimum of R-4 for camping in cold conditions, and ideally something close to R-8 for freezing and below freezing.
Sleeping pads largely fall into two categories: air or closed-cell foam. Air pads are generally heavier, more comfortable, more insulated and more expensive. Closed-cell foam pads are cheaper, and less insulating, but still a huge improvement over sleeping on bare ground, says Johnson.
“For sleeping pads, comfort is key. If you can, try out different styles in-store — like inflatable versus foam — to see what you prefer,” says Peikon.
You can learn in-depth info about sleeping pads in this sleeping pad guide from REI.
Maps and navigation
I always recommend downloading maps locally to your phone or smartwatch, so you can check them even if you lose service. Even so, you should be generally familiar with where you are going — paper maps of the park or campground are highly recommended. You can buy paper maps or print out maps at home using tools like the U.S. Geological Survey national map viewer.
Light
There’s no lightswitch outside — once the sun sets, you’ve got to BYOL (bring your own light). You can pack an emergency flashlight you may already have at home, but headlamps, lanterns and string lights are all great light sources that keep your hands free.
Food
First, know if there are grocery stores near your camp ground, and decide if you’ll bring all your food or shop for some on the way to camp. If you’re backpacking, the National Park Service recommends taking food that is light enough to carry and easy to prepare.
Either way, be mindful of waste. Food or garbage left behind poses a real risk to wildlife and ecosystem health, says Johnson. Always clean up after yourself and store trash securely so it doesn’t blow away or attract wildlife, says Peikon.
Water
Access to clean water (or the gear to make your own) is a must, no matter where you are. When you arrive at your campsite, Johnson recommends finding and collecting enough water for evening cooking, dishwashing and even morning activity (if it will be cold or dark when you wake up). Filter or boil water if necessary.
Fire
The National Park Service recommends bringing means of starting a fire when camping or hiking. A fire can act as an emergency signal, heat source for cooking and means of staying warm. If you plan to start a campfire, check local campground rules online, inquire at the visitors center or contact the park to confirm campfire rules.
Clothes
Illness caused by extreme heat or cold is one of the most common hiking emergencies, says Lauren Sawyer, a senior operations specialist at REI (note: many people will hike to their campsites). Pack the right clothes for your climate, bring a little more warmth and weather protection than you think you’ll need and have an exit strategy in case unexpected severe weather blows in, says Johnson.
Tools and repair kit
A multi-tool can help you in countless ways, including with first aid and gear repair, according to the AHS. I always pack one with me, along with some duct tape wrapped around a water bottle or trekking pole.
Emergency kit
An emergency kit is a must-have for any camper, regardless of whether you are driving or backpacking. Agencies like the NPS, AHS and American Red Cross recommend a lot of the same supplies, including bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, tweezers and medicine. You can learn more in my guide to emergency kits for hikers.
Hygiene
Going camping doesn’t mean you have to forget all about cleanliness and hygiene, even if you’re backpacking and keeping things light. Oral care, a small bar of soap and a washcloth can go a long way. Learn more about how to maintain personal hygiene while camping here.
Secondary Camping Gear
These categories of gear are also important to consider, but aren’t absolutely essential compared to the lists above.
Camp Pillow
If you’re car camping, you can always pack a pillow from home if you have the space. If you’re backpacking, however, a full-size house pillow will be too large and too heavy. Below are some highly-rated camp pillows to consider instead.
Portable Power
Yes, being outdoors and camping can help you disconnect from technology. But you’ll still want to keep your phone charged, and may need additional power depending on the other gear you’re planning to use.
Cookware
Regardless of whether you’ll be cooking or not, it can be helpful to bring a few pieces of cookware along. For car campers, you can bring a few things from your home kitchen. Backpackers may want to invest in lightweight options like titanium utensils, titanium cooking pots or titanium bowls.
Outdoor Stove
A portable outdoor stove means you aren’t restricted to solely bringing pre-made, ready-to-eat food. They range in size from tiny backpacking stoves (mostly used for boiling water and dehydrated meals) to multi-burner mobile kitchens. You can learn more in this NPS camp cooking guide.
Furniture
A camp chair or cot is a pure luxury item, but can make your experience more comfortable.
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Types of Camping
Car camping (aka driving to your campsite)
All of the experts I spoke with recommended that beginners start with car camping, meaning you drive directly to your campsite and have your car near the whole time. You need less gear, you have more space, weight isn’t as big of a concern and you can use a ton of things you already have at home, says Johnson. Having your vehicle nearby can also add a sense of security and comfort for your first time sleeping outdoors, says Peikon.
Backpacking (aka hiking to your campsite)
Backpacking has a steeper learning curve and is higher stakes than car camping because you’re farther from help and amenities — especially if you’re alone or with people who need more support than you, says Johnson. You also have to carry all of your things on your back (usually in a large backpack), so the size and weight of your gear is much more important than when car camping.
“You could jump straight into backpacking if you were going with a guided group or a friend who really knows what they’re doing and owns most of the group gear,” says Johnson.
Glamping (aka glamorous camping)
Glamping, or glamorous camping, is focused on comfort and luxury more so than typical car camping. It can range from car camping with a ton of luxury items to a hotel-like experience where you book a fully furnished camp site, yurt or cabin that’s set up for you before you even arrive.
How to Camp
Choosing where to camp
Before you pull up a map, consider what kind of camping experience you’re looking for. Do you want a bathroom? Running water? Picnic tables? Some camp sites have these amenities, some don’t.
Some campgrounds may only be accessible on roads that require high clearances or four wheel drive, says Peikon.
Do your research ahead of time. One good source of information is the ranger station or visitor center associated with the campground — they can give you a lot of insight into the character of different campgrounds they manage over the phone, says Johnson.
Making a camping reservation
Different campsites have different systems for making a reservation. Below are some of the most common:
Federal campgrounds: Bookable through Recreation.gov. Includes national parks and national forests. Popular national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon also require park entrance passes and trailhead permits for camping.
State parks: Bookable through ReserveAmerica.com or individual state park reservation sites.
Private campgrounds and glamping sites: Individual reservation sites and marketplaces like Hipcamp and Airbnb (yes, they have campsites).
First come, first serve: Some smaller campgrounds do not require a reservation. Always double check with local authorities.
Regardless of where you book, our experts say to book far in advance for Fridays, Saturdays and holiday weekends.
Arriving at camp
When you arrive at your campground, check in at the ranger station or host cabin if there is one, and post any required permits (if needed), says Johnson. If you have cell service, let someone know you’ve arrived safely. Just like with hiking, it’s important that someone knows where you are, how long you plan to stay, and when you expect to leave, says Peikon.
Locate key amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms and water sources. Then, find flat ground and set up your tent, rain fly (if needed), sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Make sure you’re a good distance away from water sources, cooking areas and bathrooms (200 feet is a good rule of thumb, according to the NPS and Leave No Trace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the outdoors).
Camping etiquette
Some campgrounds have posted quiet hours (usually 10PM to 7AM); others rely more on an unspoken cultural norm, says Chris Compton, a camping senior sales specialist at REI Co-op. “I try not to be the loudest campsite, and not to be the brightest one after dark. Your neighbors will appreciate it.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Maggie Peikon is the manager of communications at the American Hiking Society, a Maryland-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving trails and the hiking experience.
- Ingrid Johnson is a product information specialist at REI Co-op. (Since REI sells camping gear, I only spoke with Johnson about camping guidance, and did not ask for specific product recommendations.)
- Chris Compton is a camping senior sales specialist at REI Co-op. (Since REI sells camping gear, I only spoke with Compton about camping guidance, and did not ask for specific product recommendations.)
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology, fitness and outdoors, including stories on hiking boots, wireless earbuds and fitness trackers. I also cover health and preparedness topics like air purifiers, power outage kits and hiking emergency kits. For this piece, I spoke with outdoor experts and referenced guidelines from reputable agencies and organizations to understand camping basics and recommendations.
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