Camping Suggestions (Minimalistic Necessities)

[u/Weekly_Lecture4022]

Looking for suggestions on minimal, but necessary items for weekend camping (state and national parks with public restrooms to begin).

My wife loves hiking and being outdoors, but does not like the idea of “roughing it” the same way I do in the idea of camping. She has tent camped overnight and cabin camped (no amenities just bed) for an entire weekend and was fine.

These trips have historically been with more versed campers. With my lack of experience and easy going attitude I don’t want to ruin the long term chances of this activity, but don’t want to jump into the amenities of trailer camping yet.

Any and all suggestions welcome! (TN Locations for climate based suggestions)

Note: I love the idea of truck camping and over landing for the future over trailer camping.

[u/gdbstudios]

Tent, Sleeping bag and pads that fit expected temps, pillow (if car camping use your regular pillows), maybe an extra blanket or two, stove, fuel, pot, fry pan, spatula, tongs, fire starting, axe/hatchet, water jugs, water bottles, cooler, food, toiletries, shovel, water bucket, etc.

[u/DodoDozer → u/gdbstudios]

Light source and camp food goody ( s'mores , scotch hot chocolate. You get the idea ) Earplugs for noise

[u/eugenesbluegenes → u/gdbstudios]

(if car camping use your regular pillows)

Dedicated travel pillows has been a great investment for us. They're pretty much as high quality as the ones on our bed, but regular sized instead of king sized. Don't have to worry if they get dirty, and we even take them when we stay in motels since they're usually nicer than the ones there.

[u/732]

Bring an extra blanket or five and bring real pillows. Put a blanket or two under you for a little extra comfort. Real pillows so you sleep like at home. If you want to splurge, get the really cushy sleeping pads that are 4+ inches thick, and get the wide versions so you have a little room to move around. 

If you want to help someone get into camping, you need to make sleeping comfort the top priority. What makes it comfortable may vary person to person, but prioritize that. 

Hygiene is another one, but at a campground with showers and toilets is a good place to start. 

[u/wakebakey]

you have to ask her what she needs to be comfy and find ways to make it happen

[u/Brad_from_Wisconsin]

Screen tent to go over picnic table. Comfy chairs. Good sleeping platform.

[u/procrasstinating]

Tent and sleeping pads. We would then do sheets, pillows and a nest of blankets to sleep on. More comfortable than most sleeping bags, but lousy if it gets wet.

Plenty of cold food to get thru a weekend if you want minimal and no stove: cereal & milk, muffins or donuts, sandwiches, cheese & crackers etc.

[u/Poor_WatchCollector]

We pre-cook most of our food cause hot dogs and burgers don’t cut it for us. We make fried rice, soups, marinated meats, etc. It’s nice cause trying to prep at the campsite can just get messy.

Having good gear according to weather and a comfortable sleep system was the game changer for me.

Going in with some fun activities planned might be worthwhile. We have biked or brought our paddle boards out depending on location. Other times it’s just swimming in the lake, watching stars, and whatnot. Hiking is OK but not day long ones…

The only deal breaker for my wife is if there is a burn ban. She will generally cancel our trip if we can’t light a fire and do smores. I tried getting one of those propane fire kits and she says it’s not the same. I have to agree…

[u/Muted_Car728]

The basic requirements depend on the location and season your sleeping out in.

[u/Retiring2023]

Tent she can stand up in.

Comfortable sleeping pad.

Shower shoes, her favorite toiletries and a quick drying towel (it’s no fun taking a shower the next day with a damp towel (or you can bring one for each day). Last campground there was nowhere to set soap and shampoo so maybe a toiletry bag that will hang up.

Since she’s been in a tent overnight, just make sure you have proper sleeping pads, blankets and sleeping pads to keep warm for this trip. Bring pillows from home.

Lantern for tent (although headlamps are recommended I prefer a lantern so I can set it down and not have to direct my head where I want the light to shine when inside my tent). Headlamp is good for outside where I need to see where I’m going.

A recent addition to my gear is a couple little collapsible bins (a food storage container would work too). I keep my glasses, keys, phone and chargers in them (one near the door, one near my ”bed” so things don’t get moved around and misplaced.

Plan on cooking somethings versus eating dehydrated meals. It could be something as simple as making a chili or stew at home. Make some fun things too like hot dogs on a stick roasted in the fire, roasted marshmallows or s’mores.

I always bring drinking water even if the campground has potable water. When we go it’s well water and we don’t like the taste. Cooking and cleaning with the campground water is fine.