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Getting Ready for an Extended Camper Road Trip – Ultimate Packing List

By Jess Searcy June 5, 2018

Going camping with kids, especially if it is your first time, is a total brain drain.  I remember when we first started, my mind would boggle just trying to think of all the things we needed to take.  Luckily, there are lots of people who have “been there done that,” and were willing to share their hard-earned wisdom.  We gathered ideas and adapted them to suit our family.Now, when we are getting ready to go camping, we print out our lists and start checking things off.  It saves many, many brain cells.

THIS BLOGGER has a great system for car tent camping and is the one we adapted ours from.

Right now, we are taking a three-week road trip from Birmingham to Glacier National Park and back, stopping at as many other national parks (Yellowstone is our other biggie), monuments and other landmarks along the way.  Just over 5,000 miles total!  But instead of tent camping, we are towing a small camper.  And camper camping is a whole, ‘nother ball game.

We’re getting into all the National Parks for FREE with our fourth grader!  Find out how HERE.

Maybe someday you will want to plan a trip like this, so we’ve decided to share our packing list with you.  It can be adapted to suit your own family.  We also included what we packed for food staples and dinners for the first few days. We usually do spaghetti one night and tacos another night.  For the rest of the trip we will be flying by the seat of our pants, crossing our fingers for grocery stores at the right times!


PACK IN CAMPER IN ADVANCE

KITCHEN/FOOD PREP

  • Paper bowls/plates
  • Plastic bowls/plates
  • Cups/mugs
  • Coffee maker mug, or your preferred way of making coffee
  • Utensils
  • Chip bag clips
  • Food prep knife
  • Poultry shears
  • Cutting board
  • Large and small skillet
  • Large and small pots with lids
  • Rice cooker
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Spatula
  • Wooden spoon
  • Tongs
  • Oven mitt
  • Can opener
  • Cork screw/bottle opener
  • 2 wash tubs
  • 5 gallon water jug
  • Dish drainer
  • Water jug
  • Trash bags and grocery bags
  • Ziplocs
  • Tupperware
  • Plastic tablecloth and clips
  • Aluminum foil
  • Napkins
  • Paper towels
  • Newspaper/fire starter
  • Lighter
  • Dish soap
  • Sponges
  • Hand soap
  • Dish towels
  • Wet wipes (antibacterial for hands and baby butt wipes)
  • Tissues
  • Sharpie
  • Notebook/pen


GEAR/OTHER SUPPLIES

  • Marshmallow roasters
  • Sleeping bags x4
  • Extra sleeping pad
  • Camp chairs x4
  • First aid kit
  • Ax
  • Pocket knife
  • Camper safe toilet paper
  • Work gloves
  • Duct tape
  • Outdoor stove
  • Propane
  • Charcoal
  • Charcoal flue
  • Rope/bungee cords
  • Full size bottom sheet x2
  • Towels x8
  • Hammocks/straps
  • Lanterns x2
  • Flashlights/headlamps
  • Hammer
  • Drill and bits
  • Compass
  • Day packs x2 (whistles built in)
  • Water bottles x4
  • Water bladders x2
  • Playing cards
  • Picnic blanket
  • Extra blanket
  • Laundry detergent
  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Dust pan/broom
  • Tools
  • Weather radio - we do not have one of these, but we are getting one! We spent last night with no cell phone coverage wondering what kind of storm was going to hit us.  Not fun.



PERSONAL GEAR/CLOTHING (numbers are per person)

  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain boots 
  • Rain gear 
  • Beanie
  • Coats/fleece
  • Hoodies x2
  • Swim suit x2
  • PJs x2
  • Socks x7
  • Underwear x7
  • T-shirts x5
  • Shorts x5
  • Jeans x1
  • Sweat pants/athletic pants x2
  • Long sleeve shirts x2


PACK IN TRUCK CAB IN ADVANCE

  • Binoculars
  • Kids map binders (printed maps of route and a few road trip scavenger hunts)
  • Highlighters/markers
  • Guide books
  • Bird ID books
  • Kids Road Trip Activity Books
  • Sketch books and colored pencils x 2/sharpener
  • Read aloud book
  • National parks pass


LAST MINUTE PACKING LIST

  • Chapstick
  • Nail clippers
  • Hydrocortisone itch cream
  • Shower bag (soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion/razor)
  • Bathroom bag (toothbrushes/toothpaste/face wash/brush/deodorant/hair ties, etc.)
  • Meds (pain/fever/Tums)
  • Flip flops/sandals x4
  • Shoes/hiking boots x4
  • Sunglasses
  • Battery chargers
  • Battery packs
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Dot speaker
  • Wallet/ID
  • Phones/chargers
  • Head phones
  • Keys
  • Stamps
  • Laptop and cord
  • Ipad/charger
  • Bikes/helmets x4
  • Bike pump
  • Bike locks
  • Pillows/lovies      
  • Snack bag and small cooler
  • Big cooler
  • Swim goggles/masks


FOOD STAPLES

  • Sugar/swerve
  • Coffee
  • Creamer
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayo
  • Salt/pepper/spices
  • Salsa
  • Ranch dressing
  • Rice


FOOD PLAN – FIRST FEW DAYS

  • Drinks – milk, soda, juice pouches, beer, wine
  • Breakfast – bagels, cream cheese, cereal, eggs, American cheese
  • Lunch – bread, deli meat, cheese, PB, jelly
  • Dinner – spaghetti, sauce, mac/cheese, taco seasoning, ground beef, sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, tortilla chips, hot dogs, buns, sausages
  • Snacks – potato chips, onion dip, granola bars, trail mix, nuts, fruit, yogurt
  • Dessert – marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate

You Might Also Like:  Road Tripping Tips and Vacation Rental Packing List

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