Camping Essentials For Women [Girls’ Checklist + PDF]

A printed women's camping essentials checklist for female campers lying beside a map and compass

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

But, what about packing? Figuring out the key camping essentials for women can feel a tad overwhelming, right?

No worries! We’ve got you covered with our girls camping checklist that takes the stress out of preparing for your outdoor adventure. This list ensures you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable, and most importantly, fun camping trip.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s conquer this camping prep together. Get set for an unforgettable adventure full of joy, camaraderie, and the beauty of nature. Let’s get packing, ladies!

Shelter and Bedding

Essentials

Don’t forget to double-check the temperature rating of your sleeping bag to match the weather conditions. It’s super important to make sure you stay cozy and comfortable throughout the night.

Non-Essentials

Cooking and Eating

Essentials

Pack more water and food than you think you’ll need.

Non-Essentials

Women’s Clothing List

Essentials

I recommend bringing at least one pair of long walking pants and a top that covers your shoulders.

You may need to walk through gorse which can be brutal on unprotected skin. And wearing clothes when walking through braken that better cover your body will help protect from ticks.

Non-Essentials

Spare clothes are must-haves in case the temperature drops or your clothes get wet.

Seasonal Clothing for Hot or Cold Weather

These are a mixture of non-essentials and essentials depending on what conditions you will be camping in.

Female Hygiene & Toiletries

Essentials

If possible, non-disposable menstrual products are recommended for the environment’s sake.

Non-Essentials

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.

Family Items

I’ve purposefully not marked any of the below as essential, “must bring” items as it can vary so much depending on your needs and what sort of trip you are taking.

Leisure Items

Everything below is non-essential, although some sort of entertainment is highly recommended!

Essentials

Non-Essentials

Packing List For more Advanced Campers

Some of you might be planning a more intense wild camping adventure. Here is a list of a few extra bits of equipment that you might want to consider.

Ok Ladies – Let’s Make the Best Women’s Camping Checklist!

Have you thought of any items that you think should be in our packing list above?

All of us are different and we each camp in our own style – but we want to create the most comprehensive camping packing list for women in the world, so that no one has to go through that sinking feeling of “I’ve definitely left something behind”.

I would be super appreciative if you could post any suggestions you have in the comments down below!

Alternative Ways to Download The Camping Checklist

You can view our downloadable camping list for women pdf here.

Or, alternatively, I have included these as images below. You can download the images by clicking on the image, waiting for it to pop up, right clicking and then selecting “save as”.

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.
Three women sitting on a dock on a lake with the outer two making a heart with their hands above the middle woman.
Check what the others are bringing so you don’t double up on too many things!

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! 😊

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