There’s nothing better than rounding up the crew, setting up camp, pitching a tent, and spending some time outside. But if you're new to tent camping, getting ready for an overnight trip outdoors can seem daunting. Don’t worry—our guide to tent camping 101 will help to ensure you have tent camping covered.
Whether you're a first-time camper or a seasoned pro, we’ll teach you the tent camping tips and tricks that will make your trip an adventure. You will discover how to pitch a tent, tent camping checklists for beginners, the 4 most common types of tents, and more essentials to make camping comfortable and fun.
So get ready to get out with everything you need to make the most out of your camping experience.
Whether you’re backpacking solo or taking your crew on the road, the best way to know what to bring when camping in a tent is by using a tent camping list to make sure you don’t forget any tent camping essentials. Use these camping lists for tent camping and backpacking below to remember what to bring camping before you head out.
Keep up the fun on your camping trip by staying ready for wherever the road takes you. Here’s our tent camping list to make chasing adventure, lounging outdoors, and chowing down around the campfire easier this camping season:
Sleeping bag (find the right sleeping bag for you with our Sleeping Bag Guide)
Sleeping pad
Camping pillow
Camping lanterns or flashlights (battery- & propane-powered)
Camping stove or grill, fuel, and matches
Towels
Camp sink
Camping food, drinks, seasonings & oil (for the number of days camping)
Drinks
Cookware
Cooler and ice, or packable ice packs
Water bottle, jugs, or tumblers
Plates, bowls, utensils (crack-resistant, paper, or reusable plastic)
Cooking utensils
Can opener and bottle opener
Biodegradable soap
Egg carrier
Biodegradable trash bags
Cutting board
Camping ax or saw (for firewood)
Rope, bungee cords, 550 parachute cord or wire
Multipurpose knife or multi-tool
Trowel
Duct tape
Mallet or hammer (for tent stakes)
Sunscreen
Bug spray
First-aid kit
Toliet paper
Hand sanitizer
Urinal and menstrual products
Broom & dust pan
If you choose to setup camp off the beaten path on a backpacking adventure, keep it light and stay prepared for any weather and terrain you may find on the trail with this list of fundamental backpacking essentials:
Hiking backpack
Backing tent or camping tent (choose the right tent with our Tent Finder)
Sleeping bag (find the right sleeping bag for you with our Sleeping Bag Guide)
Sleeping pad
Packable camping lanterns (battery- & propane-powered)
Rainfly
Backpacking stove, fuel, and matches
Camping food, drinks, seasonings & oil (for the number of days camping)
Small cookware
Cooler and ice, or packable ice packs
Water bottle
Plates, bowls, utensils (crack-resistant, paper, or reusable plastic)
Cooking utensils
Biodegradable soap
Biodegradable trash bags
Towel
Thermometer (for cooking)
First-aid kit
Multi-tool or knife
Camping ax or saw (for firewood)
Multipurpose knife or multi-tool
Trowel
Duct tape
Tent repair kit
There are various items you should avoid keeping in your camping tent for your safety and comfort. Camping items that you should not keep in your camping tent include:
Find safer places to store your fire-starting items and camping food in camping storage outside the tent or your car trunk if you have one.
Now that you know which tent camping essentials to pack up for the campsite and which to leave at home, it’s time to choose the right camping tent.
Your outdoor adventure calls for a camping tent that fits your crew, your preferred recreational activities, and the weather conditions on your trip. Whether warm weather camping or cold weather camping, when deciding how to choose a tent, it’s important to consider factors like:
The type of tent you use will also depend on your camping style. Are you backpacking solo and need a lightweight tent that packs down small? Are you tent camping with friends and in need of a large tent, or just pitching a tent in your backyard for family fun? No matter the outing, you should:
Like all camping gear, there are different types of camping tents to choose from as you explore your options. When it comes to how to pick a tent, you should consider these 4 common types of tents:
Once you’ve checked finding your tent off your tent camping list, it's time to think about where to have your camping experience.
When you arrive at your camping spot you’re ready to start pitching a tent. Even though tent pitching for the first time can seem intimidating, these simple steps will help make setting up a tent easier:
Optional: For additional stability, learn how to guy out a tent using the instructions in the next section.
Your tent guylines are designed to stabilize your camping tent by securing your rainfly to the stakes in the ground or nearby trees. Before pitching, again ensure you have plenty of space around the tent and are on level ground. Then, follow these steps to properly use your tent guylines:
If your guylines do not have built-in tensioners to ensure they are taut, you can tie a trucker's hitch knot to create tension.
The trucker’s hitch knot secures your tent lines with a combination of knots to ensure your guylines are taut enough when attached to the stakes if you don’t have tensioners. Successfully tie a trucker’s hitch knot with this step-by-step tutorial:
This is an easy-to-learn knot that will help make sure your tent is securely attached to your stakes so they won't blow away during windy conditions. This knot can also be used to secure tarp shelters.
Take your camping trip to new heights and make it even more memorable by following these camping tent tips and tricks of the trade:
Ready to take your tent camping experience to new heights? On your tent camping trip, make memories to last a lifetime, even before pitching a tent.
When it’s time to roll out, remember to prepare your camping list, decide the best way for you to pitch a tent, and apply our helpful camping tent tips so you’ll be setting up camp like a pro in no time. Now get the crew and get outside—happy camping!