Camping Checklists: Planning a Camping Trip - Printable

There are a lot of details, and questions you should ask when you are planning a camping trip - this camping checklist will help you remember them all.

Deciding to go on a camping trip is the easy part, making sure you understand what you will need for each particular trip takes a little more effort. Simple questions, like; can you have a campfire, can you drive up to the camp site, do you need permits, do the sites have campfire rings or BBQ pits, and many more, are all answers you must know before you can know what else you will need to pack or plan for. It would be a pretty miserable time if you planned to cook all your meals over a campfire, and then discovered campfires weren't allowed when you got there.

These basic first-steps to planning a camping trip, and the linked checklist will help ensure you are prepared and properly equipped before you leave your driveway.

*A link to a free page-formatted printable camping trip planning checklist is provided below.

The easiest way make sure your camping trip is the fun-time you want it to be is as simple as taking the time to run through a brief camping trip checklist. It doesn't matter if it’s a week-end trip or a week-long camping vacation, a little checklist planning will make sure you have what you need, instead of having to “make-do” because you forgot something.

Your planning starts with the destination and length of stay:

Destination Restrictions/Requirements:

• Are there any seasonal restrictions, like; can you drive up to the site, or have to park somewhere and pack in? are campfires allowed, or amenities open? Is there campsite staffing, or wildlife or bug issues, weather dangers or concerns, (flash floods, avalanches, etc.)? And many more little details to ask about.
• Can "fallen" wood be used or must firewood be bought on site? *This is a big deal - many camping sites, and almost all State and National Parks prohibit bringing in out-of-state firewood, due to the potential for importing dangerous insect infestations.
• Are there any special requirements, like; reservations, special permits, camping equipment or provisions, adults to minors ratios, tent sizes or number of campers per site etc.
• Are pets allowed? Will you need shots verification and paperwork?
• Are other wheeled vehicles allowed? Like; bicycles, ATV's, even skateboards. (yes, many young campers take skateboards to commercial and paved road camping sites)

These are just a few of the "First Step" questions you need to answer before you can begin planning your camping trip. They will all effect your camping agenda and equipment and camp food needs.

Destination Amenities and Services:

The campsite amenities and available services are other considerations that will affect your planning.

• Are campsite amenities like; water, electric, trash, and sewer hook-ups for RVers, bathrooms, bathhouses, gazebos, pavilions, etc. available? For each campsite, or as shared resources? Are there any extra charges or fees? Are there seasonal restrictions?
• Does each campsite have a fire ring or BBQ pit, or picnic table?
• Does the camping site have a first-aid station or trading post? Or are local stores nearby? Can you buy stuff there or will you need to pack-in absolutely everything you need?
• Are the campsites dispersed or centrally grouped?
• Are there structured activities or facilities? Like; Guided Nature hikes, Nature museums, or even camp-wide group gathering activities?

As you can see, there is much more to planning a camping trip than just grabbing your gear, food, and hopping in the car.

Destination Location and Time of Year:

• Where will you be camping? Mountains or plains, heavily wooded or open terrain?
• What is the typical weather at the camping site for the time of year you plan to go? What is the local extended forecast for your camping dates?
• Are there season-specific concerns, like; wildlife, bugs, snakes? Or Foliage or groundcover?
• Does the season and or location change the availability of campsite amenities or staffing? Or even accessibility of the site to the public, ie. washed-out or snow-bound access roads?

All of the above details and questions can quickly be ascertained or answered with just a little online or telephone call legwork. The majority of these can probably be answered with just one 10 minute phone call to the camping site. But however you get the answers, successfully planning a camping trip is impossible without them.

Those were the basic questions you need to begin your planning, and there may be others based on your particular plans, and as mentioned just investing a little time and effort to get those answers will go a long way toward ensuring your camping trip is the exciting adventure you want it to be.

You can see a more structured camping trip list, with more detailed questions, and a free page-formatted printable and customizable checklist with the link below.

• Planning An Outdoor Camping Trip – 1st Steps Checklist

The author behind Camping with Kids is Gus, from Campingwithgus.com. An avid life-long tent camper that has camped in the mountains and on the plains, and in all four seasons - from 100+ to -10 degree weather. As a kid, with adults on week-long bear-hunting camps, and as an adult Boy Scout leader. Check the Camping with Kids profile to see more from Gus.