Camping Essentials For Women [Girls’ Checklist]

Sometimes, Girls just wanna have fun! And camping is a great way to have fun!

You’re off on a summer camping trip with the girls, which will be a great bonding experience as well as just great fun, but you’re not an avid camper, so you’re not sure what to bring with you…

You know you probably shouldn’t go too heavy on the wine and light on a sleeping bag, but what on earth do you actually need to go on a girls camping trip and what would you expect to find on a girls camping checklist?

It’s all good. We’ve got a list of camping essentials for women for you that will solve those “OMG, I don’t know what I’ll need” anxieties and once you’ve seen what we recommend youll be all set for weekend camping trip away with the girls. Just add a few things that you know will be a lot of fun and youll be set!

If you’re wondering what things every girl should bring camping, let’s get packing for a weekend of fun, bonding along with a few giggles and lots of laughs!

Sleeping

• Tent, poles, stakes/pegs, mallet, rainfly, or tarp
  
• Groundsheet, footprint, or tarp
  
• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sheets, blankets
  
• Pillow
  
• Add new

Related: Love going camping but hate the dreaded camp showers? Bring a pop up shower tent and have your own cubicle! Check out our reviews of the best shower tent.

Kitchen

• Camp table
  
• Camp chairs
  
• Tarp or shelter
  
• Portable camping stove or campfire materials
  
• Extra stove fuel, lighters, matches, firewood, firelighters
  
• Cooking pots and pans
  
• Large bowl
  
• Stovetop kettle
  
• Cooking utensils (Wooden spoons, tongs, flippers, spatula)
  
• Can opener, corkscrew, bottle openers
  
• Cutting board and knives
  
• Cooler with ice or ice packs
  
• Rubbish bin/bags
  
• Bucket for dishwashing, scrubber, detergent, tea towels, dishcloth
  
• Large drinking water container with potable water or water purification system
  
• Food containers and resealable plastic bags for food storage.
  
• Foil and paper towel
  
• Marshmallow cooking sticks
  
• Dustpan and brush
  
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks for when you are away
  
• Add new

Eating

• Plates and bowls
  
• Knives, forks, and spoons
  
• Mugs and water cups
  
• Wine glasses!
  
• Water bottles
  
• Add new

Wet weather protection

• Tarpaulin, poles, ropes, tent stakes
  
• Rain jackets
  
• Clothes pegs
  
• Add new

Clothing & Footwear

• Bag for clean clothes
  
• Quick-drying suitable outdoor clothing for the season
  
• Suitable nightwear
  
• Sun protection (Hats, sunglasses, sun shirts)
  
• Snow protection (Jackets, boots, thermal underwear)
  
• Cold weather protection (Hats, gloves, scarves)
  
• Trekking boots, water shoes, slip-on shoes
  
• Socks
  
• Swimming gear (swimsuit, towel)
  
• Plastic bag for dirty/wet clothes
  
• Add new

Toiletries

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
  
• Deodorant
  
• Soap, shampoo
  
• Quick-dry towel
  
• Hairbrush
  
• Shaver
  
• Toilet paper
  
• Medications
  
• First aid kit
  
• Insect repellent
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Chapstick or lip balm
  
• Reading glasses/contact lenses
  
• Toilet shovel
  
• Waterless hand sanitizer
  
• Baby wipes
  
• Makeup
  
• Add new

Lighting

• Lanterns
  
• Candles, matches
  
• Headlamps
  
• Rechargeable torches
  
• Flashlights
  
• Fairy lights
  
• Spare Batteries
  
• Portable solar panel for recharging
  
• Add new

Entertainment

• Field guides, star charts, and books
  
• Binoculars
  
• Notebook and pencils (pencils write on wet-ish paper)
  
• Music player, Bluetooth speakers, phone, tablet, etc
  
• Musical instruments
  
• Ball, frisbee
  
• Watercrafts
  
• Hammock
  
• Camera
  
• Fishing gear, bait, license
  
• Deck of cards, jigsaw, board games
  
• Day pack for short hikes
  
• Add new

Useful things

• Phone charger
  
• Watch or clock
  
• Rope – thick and thin
  
• Multi-tool/Pocket knife/Scissors
  
• Duct Tape
  
• Extra guy ropes
  
• Bungee/shock cords
  
• Tent pole repair
  
• Hammer/saw/axe
  
• Compass or navigation device
  
• Reflective blanket
  
• Mosquito net
  
• Credit card/cash/Identification
  
• Repair kits for tent, tarps, water toys, blow-up mattresses
  
• Bear spray for errant bears also works well on unwanted human intruders
  
• Whistle for attracting attention
  
• Add new

Bonus girls camping weekend activity ideas!

• Bring a polaroid camera for capturing those special moments instantly!
• Bring some ingredients for homemade face masks, foot soaks, and scrubs. Easy, cheap, and fun!
• Plan some day visits to wineries, art galleries, or even the movies. Girls camping weekends don’t have to be limited to roughing it in the bush.
• Plan some scenic picnics, sunset drinks, and other relaxing food based activities.
• Walk up an appetite trekking a picturesque trail to a place with a stunning view.
• Bring a volleyball net, a cricket bat or a soccer ball and get a competitive game or two going.
• Find some gourmet campfire recipes and let out your inner chef.
• Stargaze.
• Do some dawn yoga or meditate in a beautiful spot together.
• Bring some crafts or art equipment and spend time creating together.
• Bring along a few board games, a deck of cards, or create a trivia game for afternoon fun.

Hints and Tips for first time Girl Campers

• Plan early and book a site as soon as you see it. The good ones go quickly.
• Check the website. Do your research. Make sure you know if you are off-grid, have a bathroom, and how far your car will be parked from your accommodation.
• Look at online images of the campsite, so you know what to expect.
• Check Yelp and Google reviews for info on what other people thought about the campsite and what experiences they had. Reviews less than six months old will be the most useful.
• Camping with the girls has an element of ambiance about it. It’s not about roughing it, so bring all your little luxury items and conveniences. Look for something special when you are booking!
• Bring warm clothes, a few outdoor blankets, and some fairy lights if you plan to sit outside at night.
• Plan your meals and prepare as many of them as you can before you leave.
• Throw in a few fold-up chairs so you can sit in different places each evening.
• Bring wine in a box to reduce the chance of broken bottles. Cans are also a smash-free option for soft drinks and beer. They are lighter when you take them home too!
• A huge umbrella is great for BBQing in the rain and getting to and from the bathrooms.
• Bring a hammock to laze away a day in with a book, a blanket, and a glass of your favorite tipple!

And a few things to do before you leave

If you think phone reception might be patchy, take a paper-based map of where you are planning to go camping with you so that you can actually get there!

It’s an excellent idea to make sure you have the booking number, the access code, address, phone, direction, and a printed confirmation with you when you arrive, just in case your cell does let you down…

Always leave home with a full tank of gas in the car and remember to tell someone exactly where you are going and when you’ll be back. Maybe email them your plans and campsite address. It’s basic camping security in case things go pear-shaped.

It’s also a good idea to know what the weather will do while you are away and what dangerous animals or toxic plants you might find in your camping area. Understanding the fire status of the area you are going to might be relevant if you were planning on an outdoor campfire.

Stay safe! Happy Camping! 😊