The ULTIMATE Beginner’s Camping Supplies You Need to Get Started
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Are you a beginner who wants to get started with camping? This is the list of supplies you need to go on your first camping trip. Or, upgrade what you already have! It’s really not as hard as people make it seem. Back in 2020, I bought a TON of things on Amazon to go camping thinking it would be the only trip I could take. Well, I didn’t go camping then.
It took me 2 years, but I finally used the supplies I bought! For around $600, I have everything I needed to be a regular at camping. I have some experience from a summer camp I worked at. We would go camping every week with our campers with disabilities. It was no easy task – we had to start a fire and cook all meals for every staff and camper on the fire every week. But, I learned!
Now, I can confidently say that these things are a great way to get started camping. You will have everything you need to go on your first camping trip – for 2 people!!
Click the links below to take you to shop these tried and true camping items!
Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent with Screened-In Porch
The Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent is a great starter tent! It is big enough that you can easily fit the cot air mattress mentioned below. It is also easy to set up AND looks cute! If you are camping on gravel (like us), it still easily stays up. But, you can also stake it into the ground if you are in the grass or dirt.
Essentially it only requires putting in 3 poles. The screened-in porch makes for a great place to put your shoes or just have an extra layer of protection from bugs while going in or out. It is bright and airy, but it comes with an extra tarp in case of rain! Watch the stars from screened in windows while you fall asleep.
Coleman Camping Chairs with 4-Can Cooler
The Coleman Camping Chairs are amazing!! I even use them at home with guests. They are super sturdy and very spacious. They have a cup holder, a side pocket, AND a 4-can cooler! Yes, you can put up to 4 cans right in the chair so you don’t have to keep going back to the cooler.
These chairs stay compact and are easy to put back in the covers/cases. The covers also have a strap on them so you can easily carry them to and from wherever you need to go. Coleman is also a trusted brand, so you know these chairs are meant to last!
Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress, and Pump Combo
The Coleman Camping Cot and Air Mattress is great for first-time campers. It can be really difficult to sleep on the ground, especially on a gravel campsite! Also, we all know how air mattresses just deflate randomly throughout the night and you end up on the ground.
This cot and air mattress comes folded up, but it is easy to open and set up. You simply open it up, blow up the air mattress (with the provided pump!), and zip the air mattress into the attached sheet! Look, my mom hates camping because she can’t sleep outside, but this air mattress even got her stamp of approval. It stayed blown up the whole night, and it is queen-sized! Or it can come in twin-sized if you prefer.
Also, did I mention the provided pump also deflates the air mattress for you too?! No more folding and sitting on the air mattress in fifty different ways trying to get the air mattress to deflate. Just make sure you buy batteries for the pump! You can also store your stuff underneath it!
Coleman 50 Quart Rolling Cooler
The Coleman Rolling Cooler is another item I also use at home! Ever throw a party and there just isn’t enough room in the fridge for everything? This cooler is IT. For how easy it is to transport, this cooler has so much space! It is a 50 quart cooler on wheels, and it also is sleek for a cooler. It is also very durable!
The cooler has wheels and a pull-up handle for easy rolling on the ground. It has 4 cup holders so you can set your drink on the top when you don’t need to get in it. AND it has an easy draining system at the bottom for when you are done. I’ve used this so many times and it still looks like new. Definitely a great addition to any camping trip or party.
Stansport Cast Iron 6-Piece Cooking Set
The Stansport Cast Irons are a cheap way to get started with cast iron cooking. Trust me, you want cast iron for your camping meals! The way they cook food on the fire is unmatched, and I never want to go camping without them. I first used cast iron when working at a summer camp, and I finally got some of my own.
This set comes with 3 different options for pots, a lid for covering, a handle heat pad, and a tool that lets you easily take off the lid without getting burned! It has everything you need to get started – and for a great price! It is only around $62 for the whole set. Cast iron stays good for a long time, so you are investing in pieces that can be used time and time again.
What this doesn’t have is instructions for keeping cast irons seasoned and clean! These come pre-seasoned, but make sure you read enough about it so that you keep these in good shape. We made the mistake of being too lazy to clean them while camping, so we got stuck with some pretty rough clean up and potentially a damaged pan!
11 Piece Camping Utensil Set with Carrying Case
Okay, this Utensil Set and Carrying Case is actually my favorite purchase probably. For $35, you will have everything you need to cook amazing meals while camping. The one I have linked isn’t the exact one I have, but it is BETTER! It has more utensils and gadgets in it than mine, and it is definitely worth purchasing.
I love that it comes in a super compact carrying case, because it makes packing it really lightweight and easy. The cutting board comes in so handy, and this one even has tiny salt and pepper shakers (or whatever spices you like!) – how fun.
Again, cooking can be sort of overwhelming when you don’t have your kitchen right next to you. These kinds of gadgets make it so that you never forget to pack something you might need to make the cooking easier for you.
PackWare Dish Set with Plate, Bowl, Cup, and Utensils in Mesh Carrying Case
The PackWare Dish Set and Mesh Bag is less than $20 for 1 set. This may seem like a lot, but this saves you money in the long run! No more having to constantly buy plastic or paper dishes and utensils. Also – it is way more environmentally friendly!! If you are going to be in nature, you have to respect it!
I have 2 sets of these, so I easily combined them into 1 bag which makes it really easy to pack. It may be a little more work cleaning the dishes between uses, but it saves you and the environment. Again, if you are going to be camping a lot, you will never have to worry about if you run out of these things, and they can be reused over and over.
Also, it is always a bonus to have less trash – especially trash with food on it.
Campsuds Outdoor Soap, Environmentally Friendly
Speaking of environmentally friendly, this Campsuds Dish Soap is a must-buy. This one linked is $24 for 3 bottles, but it is important that you don’t use regular dish soap!
Again, if you are enjoying nature, you have to respect it. This soap is perfect to wash out all of your dishes and utensils. It is also biodegradable and won’t mess up the environment you are enjoying.
Battery Operated Globe Waterproof String Lights 16 Feet
As a BONUS, these Battery-Operated Globe Lights are simply for aesthetic circumstances. I guess they could also be practical too – but they aren’t a necessity! Yes, if you don’t have a good lantern or flashlight, these would be a great way to be able to see in the tent at night. But, they also just make the tent look cozier and add a touch of home to your tent stay.
While this is not a comprehensive list, this is essentially everything I take when camping! To have a more complete list, make sure you bring: plenty of layers depending on whether, water, socks, tennis shoes, blankets, pillow, flashlight, and lastly – food and drinks!
