The Best Camping Gear for Beginners Just Testing the Waters

Sleeping bags are rated based on temperature, so if you’re only planning to camp in milder months, you don’t need a heavy-duty cold-weather bag, says Martindale. They get more expensive as you get into lower temperature ratings and lighter weights. This bag is rated for 30 degrees Fahrenheit and stuffed with synthetic fiber, a material that’s typically more affordable but heavier than down (which doesn’t matter if you’re just driving to your campsite). It also has a water-repellant finish, which is always a great feature, and the rectangular shape means it’s nice and roomy.

You don’t need a sleeping pad, but I don’t consider this optional when I’m car camping (camping in a spot that I drove up to). The truth is, sleeping on the ground isn’t comfortable. Maybe for one night, but then it sort of starts to make me grumpy. “Good sleep leads to good adventures,” Strohmeyer says. I couldn’t agree with her more. Strohmeyer suggests spending the money on a thick inflatable sleeping pad, like this self-inflating one. The extra padding also provides insulation, so you’ll stay comfortable when temperatures drop at night.

A camp stove is the most efficient way to cook on a camping trip. “Having a stove is nice if you are in a state like Colorado that has fire bans most summers,” says Dumais. She recommends Coleman—personally, I find the brand makes great camping essentials at a reasonable price. This stove is a great size, packs up pretty flat, and has collapsible wind panels so the elements don’t get in the way of meal time. Just don’t forget to buy propane for it before you head out on your trip.

If you’re camping solo, or not planning to make anything complicated, you may not need more than one burner to boil water or cook a quick meal. In that case, an inexpensive model like this one could be sufficient. While we’re on this topic, it’s important to note that you don’t need to eat dehydrated food or anything else you consider “camping food” just because you’re camping. “Bring your favorite food and find out how to make it at your campsite. And don’t forget chocolate!” says Strohmeyer.

If you don’t have old dishware and a pot to cook in, this set gets you the basics. It comes with two bowls, bowl lids that double as cutting boards, a spatula, a ladle, a 1.58-quart stainless-steel pot, and a pot lid. You may just need to add a nonstick frying pan, depending on what you plan to cook. While I don’t own this exact set, I do have a larger version (a great option for a family of four) and use it constantly.

If you’re bringing groceries for the weekend, you’ll need a cooler that can keep your stash from spoiling. Martindale notes that most campgrounds sell ice, so you can re-up when it melts. I’m a big fan of a cooler with wheels, and this Rubbermaid one is a great option for a low price. It also has cup holders on the top, so it can double as a side table at your campsite. “Just make sure you don’t leave any food out at night and always put the cooler in your car when you’re not using it,” says Martindale.

My cast-iron skillet is a camping essential. In my opinion, it’s the best way to cook over a campfire. And I’ve made everything in it, from breakfast potatoes and eggs to steak to enchiladas. You can use it on your camp stove too, or around the house.

We somehow keep acquiring more of these collapsible water cubes (we have three in our car currently), because they are so useful when you’re camping or even if you want to just carry water on a long ride. Martindale recommends a water container with a spout like this one so you don’t have to keep walking back and forth to the communal water spout.

Having some sort of light source while camping is a must. You can definitely go the flashlight route, but I personally am a big fan of headlamps. Once the sun goes down, I put that thing on so that it’s close at hand when I need to turn it on. Putting out a campfire and cleaning up after dinner are way easier when you’re not trying to hold a flashlight at the same time. Headlamps can get pricey when you start buying ones with multiple different light settings (flashing, strobing, red, green) and rechargeable batteries. But this one does the job and is the best deal I’ve seen from a quality brand.

Of course, if you’re going to make coffee (or hot chocolate or tea), you’re going to need something to drink it out of. I love this travel tumbler because it keeps my coffee hot the entire time I’m drinking it. It also keeps cold drinks cold—once I made myself iced coffee in the morning and still noticed a few stray ice cubes when I went to empty and wash the tumbler at the end of the day. You can also buy various additional lids, including a straw, a cocktail shaker, and even one that turns the tumbler into a French press.

Coffee is very important to me. I could definitely get through the day without it, especially if I’m camping and waking up with the sun. But there’s just something so comforting about starting my day with a hot cup of coffee. While percolators are a common camping staple, I’ve found that I prefer using this pour-over filter—it’s so simple. You don’t have to guess when it’s done, and it’s easy to make only as much as you need. Bring a plastic baggie of your favorite coffee grounds, boil up some water on your camp stove, and get to brewing.

Lightweight, collapsible camp chairs are nice to have, says Martindale, but they can get pretty expensive. “Any regular chair you can use to sit around a fire is fine.” If you are in the market for an inexpensive outdoor chair, this Coleman has 14,178 ratings and 4.6 stars; it’s safe to say that people love it. There’s also a tiny cooler attached to one of the arms, so you really don’t have to move from your seat all day if you really don’t want to. I fully support lazy camping trips.

A shade shelter, pop-up tent, or canopy can be a nice addition to your camp setup. If it ends up raining more than you expected, it’ll give you a dry place to cook and hangout. It can also come in handy if the sun is blazing hot and you want to sit outside without frying. The tentlike setup makes this shelter easy to set up on any patch of dirt, and taped seams help keep water out too.

It’s always a good idea to have a tarp on hand when you’re going to camp. We like to put one underneath our tent to add an extra waterproof layer between us and the ground. You can also use it to make a makeshift canopy if you don’t have one and happen to get caught in the rain.

“One last little thing to have is a hammock,” Martindale suggests. If you have two trees in the right position, you can string up your hammock and spend time lounging. This Roo hammock is made with silky-soft, very durable material that comfortably hugs your body when you lay in it. It’s also lightweight and breathable—I’ve laid in it on very hot days and haven’t felt like I was sticking to the fabric at all. The straps come separately (you can buy them here). Bonus: Kammok donates 1% of revenue to a nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure courses and leadership training for kids.