At Top Rope Media we live to travel!  Our Camping Checklist is taped to our storage shed.  A bit nerdy perhaps, however, there’s nothing quite like pulling into the campground at night and you’ve forgotten your headlamp.  Or you have it, but it’s out of batteries.  And your comfy pillow is still home on your bed.

Therefore, to help you be more prepared, we’ve created this camping and road trip packing blog and a downloadable Road Trip + Camping Checklist.  Yes, it’s free!  To make it even easier, we’ve included lots of links to purchase many of our recommended travel essentials.  In addition to packing what you need for your destination, here’s what to pack to keep you safe, entertained, and comfortable along the way!

 

 

Living the Van Life

 

Before we dive into your camping packing list, are you curious about #vanlife?  Well if so, then consider getting your feet wet by renting an RV, or something a little smaller like a Sprinter van.  Also, you can give the gift of adventure by picking up a gift card for Outdoorsy for both small camper vans and larger RV rentals.  Want to rent one for yourself?  Here’s a $50 credit to check out Outdoorsy!

 

Camping Packing List to Keep You Safe

 

Our road trip + camping packing list has travel essentials to keep you and your crew safe.  Whether in the remote wilderness or car camping in Sequoia or Yosemite National Park!

 

Get your car in order

 

This should be a no-brainer, but without a functioning vehicle, it’s hard to have a successful road trip.  Start by checking your tire pressure…this saves gas money!  In addition, windshield wiper fluid is crucial when traveling down dusty roads.

Ensure you have your license, registration, insurance card, and emergency kit!  Heading south to Mexico?  Purchase insurance from our friends at Baja Bound!

 

 

Is your AAA membership current?

 

The American Automobile Association (AAA) aka ‘triple A’ has saved me more than once on road trips!  Whether your emergency is locking your keys in the car or a flat tire repair.  In addition, then there’s always a 10-15% discount at hotels just for being a member.

 

apps, Paper maps, and guidebooks

 

We rely on phone apps like Google Maps and Waze, or our car navigation system to get us around.  This is fine on your normal day-to-day driving.  However, if you’re traveling to an unfamiliar destination or on off-road terrain, pack a paper map or guidebook.  

Having a guidebook, paper map, and apps like All Trails and Mountain Project will turn you into a rockstar when you get stuck without cell service.  In addition, for guides to areas we’ll be hiking or rock climbing in, we use Falcon Guide Books.

 

 

Headlamps  + fire to see in the dark

 

Even if your road trip does not involve all the camping gear, a headlamp is one piece of gear you should take on all road trips to hike, bike, or climb.

We recommend the Petzl Tikka Headlamp as part of your camping packing list.  There are also rechargeable headlamps.  However, simple is sometimes best.  Just remember to pack extra AA and AAA batteries!

Also, being able to start a fire can be essential to keep you safe, entertained, and comfortable.  We always have fire starter squares, matches, and a rechargeable fuel-free lighter.  Yes, camping nerds all the way!

 

First aid kit

 

We pack two first aid kits!  A mini one to carry with us, especially when rock climbing.  Then, a larger one stays at camp or in the car.  Adventure Medical Kits make all types and sizes.  Choose one depending on where you’re headed.  Or how many people are in your group.  Going on a river trip?  Pack a dry sack and waterproof supplies!

We also have added the SAM splint as an extra piece of gear to our first aid kits.  If you get into a situation where you may have a broken ankle or wrist, the SAM splint makes it easier to stabilize the area.  And, it’s easier than using trekking poles or tree branches!

If you spend more than just a few days camping or backpacking, consider taking a CPR and first aid class.  Or a Wilderness First Responder course.  The skills you will learn come in handy in lots of situations.  From injuries at your kids’ soccer match to backyard barbecues gone wild!

 

 

pack lots of Water

 

If you’re planning to head into the desert, even if services are just 10 miles away, bring extra water.  Remember, 1 gallon of water per person, per day.  Bringing your dog camping?  Pack extra water!  As an example, the high desert of Joshua Tree National Park has no running water.  There is also no general store or visitor center within the park.  Therefore, between drinking water for us and Lucy, and washing dishes, you go through water pretty fast.

We bring a 5-gallon jug of water and pack a water pump to get us through a 2 or 3-day camping trip.  Planning on a shorter trip or do not have the room for a 5-gallon jug?  Pick up a 2-gallon water container with a spout to easily dispense water at camp.  Make sure to punch a small hole in the top so it flows out easily!

 

Dog water bowl, dog FOOD and CARRY pack

 

We love our hound dog Lucy, but she’d be a pretty sad pup with no bowls for water or food.  Make sure your road trip packing list has a collapsable dog bowl, enough dog food for your trip, snacks, and a dog leash.  We even have a doggie glow collar to more easily spot her in the dark!  In addition, we have an extended leash and a ground spike to make it easy to keep her on leash at campsites, but with plenty of room to roam!

Everything lives in her Ruffwear travel pack and we keep it in close reach.  Then when we stop for gas, she’s more than excited to get out of the car!  We love all the Ruffwear products.  From travel bowls to a jacket, to her Day-Glo orange pack!  They’re lightweight and durable.  Made for adventure.

 

Multi-tool

 

From screwdriver to rope cutter to fingernail clipper, a multi-tool will come in handy.  Outdoor Gear Lab reviewed the best in the category- from the standard Victorinox Swiss army knife to the Leatherman.

 

 

Camping Packing List to Keep You Entertained

 

When traveling north from San Diego, those long stretches of the I-15 or Highway 395 can be monotonous.  The joy of the journey can disappear.  So, here are a few items for your road trip packing list to keep you entertained through the rough parts!

 

Download your music, books, and podcasts

 

Be sure to download those eBooks, playlists, and podcasts before hitting the road.  There are so many places where you will lose cell service.  Especially throughout California’s Eastern Sierras and Utah’s National Parks.

Podcasts we love for travel and camping?  NPR’s How I Built This and Wild Ideas Worth Living.

 

Car chargers

 

Yes, multiple ones.  Having a car filled with your best travel buddies and only 1 iPhone charger can get ugly.

In addition, everyone’s going to want to be the DJ at some point.  And you want everyone to put in their turn at the wheel.  So, make sure everyone’s phone is already synced with your car’s media system.  Then, you can toggle between phones.

We are iPhone users, but there’s always an Android or a GoPro that needs charging.  Therefore, either bring all the cords or invest in a universal multi-charger cable.

 

Day pack

 

Have a small travel bag or day pack nearby.  One that’s not filled with all of your crap.  This can make it easier to get out of the car for that unexpected adventure or a quick stop at the store before heading into the park.

We love Osprey gear and have both the Osprey Hikelight and Talon packs.  These double as mountain biking packs when we ride.

Road tripping into the backcountry in the winter?  Well, then read about how to prep to stay safe and keep your stoke high on backcountry adventures.

 

 

camping packing list to Keep You Comfortable

 

Throughout our years of road trips to Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, along with several laps up and down the California coast, we’ve learned a few things about what you need to be comfortable.  Here are a few items from our road trip packing list that we always take with us.

 

Travel mugs and Water Bottles

 

Travel mugs are essential as they do more than just hold your coffee.  They double as wine and whiskey glasses!

We like the Yeti Rambler mugs, but check the size vs. the size of cup holders in your car.  Nothing’s worse than having a badass mug to keep beverages warm, or cold, and no place to safely store it!  Or having one without a proper lid that closes all the way.

Furthermore, Camelbaks are great for the trail, but bring some water bottles for the car.

 

 

Cooking

 

Always remember to pack all the things to make a badass meal at camp!  We have found most items at GSI Outdoors, but do have a few other favorites!

• Primus Camp stove
• Small propane bottles
• Jet Boil
• Pots, pans, lids
• Plates, bowls, camp-style forks, knives, and spoons
• A ‘good knife’ and serving utensils
• Dishwashing bin with drain holes, biodegradable soap, sponge, and dish towels.  The dishwashing bin we’ve linked to also doubles as a cutting board, and it’s collapsible!

We’ve included all of this and more on our downloadable Road Trip Packing Checklist.

 

Snacks and beverages

 

Having some tasty snacks on hand keeps you happy.  And, keeps those gas station stops to a minimum!  We often stock up on dried fruit and easily-resealable packaged snacks.  In addition, we always have the Yeti filled with water and fizzy drinks!

 

Don’t have a solid cooler that will keep food cold for days without daily ice refills?  Invest in one!  Need snack ideas?  Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars, Happy Belly Nuts, and pomegranate San Pellegrino. 

 

 

Sunglasses and Sunscreen

 

We always have an extra pair of sunglasses in the car.  Just in case you lose your favorites.  Or crush them in your pack.  And you will.  We like Smith Optics because they have a lifetime warranty.  But we definitely keep some gas station sunglasses hanging around for when we misplace them!

And always, always have sunblock.  Even in the car, your face is exposed to the sun’s harmful rays!  We love another local favorite, Coola.

 

Spare change and $1 bills

 

What happens when there are toll roads where you can’t use a credit card?  Or coin-operated showers?  Have a few dollars and some quarters in the car before you roll out.

 

Sleeping bags, extra Blanket & pillows

 

Invest in a good sleeping bag!  Especially if you camp more than once or twice a year.  We love our Big Agnes mummy bags.  And they connect to the sleeping pad, so you never roll off your pad in the middle of the night!

Pillows make sleeping in the car or on the ground more comfortable.  Even if you have a good sleeping bag.  We often pack up our puffy jackets inside our Osprey stuff sack when we forget a pillow from home.  And we just picked up a silk sleep sack so our legs don’t stick to the inside of our sleeping bags when it’s warm!

Another great sleep saver?  A Rumpl lightweight down blanket!  When it’s unexpectedly cold and rainy, the Rumpl will save you!

 

 

Toothbrush and mouthwash

 

Having your teeth feel like they are wearing a fuzzy sweater isn’t fun.  And smelling your friend’s stinky breath on the 12 hour trip to Moab?  Much less fun.

Bring a travel-size mouthwash, an extra toothbrush (someone always forgets theirs), and travel toothpaste.

 

 

Toilet paper and hand wipes

 

Toss a roll in the car. We also love Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes and keep a pack in both the car and in our packs.

 

Pop-up Shelter, Tarp and a ‘Lawn’

 

Having an easy-up or pop-up tent shelter for camping and road trips can be crucial for comfort on warm sunny days.  We got lucky earlier this summer and had a friend pack not only an easy-up but a portable misting system to attach under the canopy!

Don’t have room for a pop-up?  A large tarp and some cord can do the trick, or a Neso tent is quite packable!  We love Neso tents for the beach, and they’re a local brand, right up the road in Encinitas!

‘Deploy the lawn’ is often heard after we return to the car from climbing all day with friends.  The ‘lawn’ refers to a 4×6′ patch of astroturf or fake green grass that we roll out at camp or just behind the car.  It’s comfier than sitting in the dirt or on the pavement.  And, it’s also a great base for under your shower or changing tent!

 

Towels

 

Want to take a dip at the local hot spring?  There are a few good hot springs off the 395 on the way to Bishop or Mammoth!  Other good uses?  Toweling off after a mountain bike ride, or showering at the coin-op showers in the campground.

Pack Towls are our favorites because they dry quickly and pack up small.  We also just picked up a Rinse Kit Plus for all those side-of-the-road showers after surfing.  Or for places like Joshua Tree where they do not have showers or running water!

 

 

Hairbrush, headband & hair ties

 

Pack a small hairbrush, headband, and plenty of hair ties.  We often loop a few around our zipper pulls so we know exactly where to find them.

 

Trash bags and reusable storage bags

 

Bring a few plastic trash bags, Ziploc bags, or reusable storage bags.  Great for those general store trips, food storage, and for keeping your car and campsite clean!

 

MORE Camping Packing List Ideas

 

We love any opportunity to get outside and explore more, and just packing for the adventure gets us excited!

We didn’t really get into specific clothing to pack for camping and road trips.  But, we love the Eagle Creek packing cubes.  They keep our bags and the car well-organized!  And, if you buy the see-through packing cubes, it allows you to easily find everything!

 

Want more travel or packing tips?  Read our blogs:

• Backpacking in the Wind River Range in Wyoming
• Road tripping through Utah’s National Parks
• Driving California’s 395 to Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Yosemite National Park

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Until next time, happy road-tripping!

 

– Meredith McConvill