The Ultimate Camping Road Trip Essentials List

Jul 6, 2024

We’ve shared a plethora of incredible summer vacation destinations and adventure spots to map with your pals. Now that you’ve decided where you’ll be enjoying your summer vacation, it’s time to get packing! Today, we’re sharing a great list for the ultimate camping road trip essentials, so you will be ready for anything the road throws your way.

Our list is an indispensable guide to having all the creature comforts of home at the campsite, so you can be well rested and recharged for the next day’s adventure. We’ve got it all from shelter to showering, cooking to coffee, and then some.

So what’re you waiting for? Toss these in the back of your new car from Classic and let’s head off into the sunset towards adventure and unforgettable memories.

Make Yourself at Home: Great Camping Gear for Comfortable Night’s Rest

The Quecha Waterproof Pop-Up CAmping Tent Air II model is comfortable, convenient, and sets up in seconds. It’s roomy enough for two, and offers enough insulation from the elements while also providing adequate cooling ventilation. It’s got UV Protection up to SPF 30, and mosquito nets to keep out the pets. Currently available on Amazon at the time of publication for $164.94

This 3-Season Instant Tent from EchoSmile Camping offers sizes for 2 to 10 people, making it great for group trips! It sets up in 10 seconds, and offers plenty of sun and water resistant protection. While it won’t get you through a torrential downpour, it’s perfect for those breezy summer nights at the lake. Best of all it starts at just $84.99 on Amazon at the time of publication.

Once you’ve set up your tent, you’ll need to get cozy for a good solid night of rest. The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Foam Sleeping Pad is perfect! It’s offered in several size, width, and shaped options so you can select the right one for your height and body shape. It’s comfortable enough to use year-round for all of your camping needs. It includes a portable stuff sack, a repair kit, and weighs under 5lbs, making it easy and accessible to carry on your person. Starts at $169.00 at the time of publication.

The Therm-A-Rest Trail Pro Self-Inflating Camping Sleeping Pad is another great option for comfortable sleeping arrangements. It’s also rated for all-season use, making it the perfect choice for year-round travel in all types of climates. At the time of writing this blog, it is also on sale for a 15% discount at $139.50 for the Regular Wide option. There’s also a Large size that’s an extra 5” in length, and the sleep pads are rated for up to 1440lbs for maximum comfort.

The Klymit Drift Camping Pillow comes in two colorways and offers fantastic support for sleep at the campsite year round. It has a water-resistant outershell and cotton interior case. It packs down quickly and compactly for easy travel and transport, and expands rapidly so you can sleep soundly ASAP at the end of your busy day. Currently on sale for $22.48 at time of publication.

The Hikenture Camping Pillow offers unmatched comfort and support in a lightweight, compact, washable package. It inflates and deflates quickly, making set-up and tear-down a breeze. It’s also thick and comfortable enough for repeated use. It’s also got a convenient stability strap to keep it in place on your sleeping pad while you get comfortable for the night. At the time of publication, it’s available on sale for $21.99

Wash off the day’s adventures with the Solar Portable Shower Bag by FENSAN that holds up to 5Gal of water. It has an on-off switch and removable shower head and hose for your convenience. Affordably priced on sale for just $17.98

Stay Calm, Cool, and Collected: Safety Gear and Portable Heating/Cooling

The Adventure Medical Kit Sportsman Series entry is a must-have for all road trips and camping excursions. This kit offers a wide range of safety and medical supplies to treat and manage any accidental wounds and small injuries as well as basic pain management. It can sustain anywhere from 1 to 4 people with up to 4 days of supplies. It’s very easy to spot thanks to its brightly colored durable fabric, and easy to carry with strong handles.

The EVERLIT 250 Piece survival kit is another great entry to the medical supply options. You’ll be prepared for almost any outdoor injury or accident, as this compact system has everything from emergency glowsticks to carabiners to medical first aid and even utility sport knives. It’s a very comprehensive kit with an extremely durable tactical style pack and fabric. It’s also less than 5lbs, making it easy to stow and transport. Currently on sale at publication for $39.95.

The BachGold Water Bottle with Filtration allows adventure seekers to access 99.99% clear filtered water wherever your adventures take you. The all-in-one design provides convenience and accessibility in the palm of your hand. Stay hydrated and safe on the go!

For your campsite, we love the larger 6-Liter Membrane Solutions Gravity Water filter. Fill the pack before you head out on your adventures, and come back to the campsite to fresh filtered water. It filters out 99.99% of bacteria and dangerous substances. It’s also easy to transport and carry when you’re ready to move camp sites or go home.

We operate on the “bring out what you bring in” philosophy, and this pop-up trash can from Coghlans with zipper lid makes cleanup and trash hauling a breeze. Folds flat to bring in to the camp site, and easy handles allow for convenient removal on your way out of the woods. It has a 33 gallon capacity, and also comes in several different sizes for smaller spaces as well.

Cooking Under the Stars: Perfect Campfire Cookware and Coffee Makers

You’ll need to stay well-fed and nourished for all of your wilderness adventures. And what better way to cook your campside cuisine than in the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set. Great for car camping or campsite food, this has the Stanley name and durability you’ve come to expect. This base set includes a large cooking pot, frying pan, cutting board, spatula and serving spoon, as well as a set of plates, sporks, bowls, a drying rack, trivet, and bungee cord to secure it to your pack. The kit nests together for stow-and-go convenience. Available for just $90.

Stanley makes another entry on our list, this time with the Adventure All-In-One Boil + Brew French Press, 32oz option. It comes in two colors, so you can mix and match your gear for those TikToks and ‘gram posts. Clocking in at less than one pound, it’s easy and light weight enough to bring in your hiking pack. The compact stainless steel design is perfect for small spaces and light weight for pouring. And it clocks in at just $26.00.

Since we’ve saved you some significant budget with multiple sale items, you’ll have plenty leftover to make a worthy investment in the YETI Roadie 48 Rolling Cooler. It has a retractable periscoping handle, comes in 9 different color options to match your gear, offers non-slip and neverflat wheels, and keeps your food fresh and chilled for hours! Consumers report the ice inside the cooler holds for at least 4 days, making it a wonderful option for weekend getaways and off-grid road trips where cooking is a necessity. It’s a bit pricy, but the durability, dependability, and convenience are unmatched – available for $400.00 at time of publication.

No campfires allowed? No problem! The Coleman Triton 2-burner Propane Camping Grill and Stove allows for convenient barbecuing, tailgating, and campout cooking without the hassle of a bonfire. The portable propane cylinders allow you to cook for up to an hour, and the non-stick and stainless steel coatings make clean-up a breeze. It fits up to a 12” pan and has two independently functional burners.