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Camping guides and checklists

New to camping? Start with the first-trip guide and the checklist, then pick a how-to for your kind of trip: car camping, beach, cabin, rain, with a dog or in the backyard.

Parents and kids setting up a tent together START WITH THISFirst-time family camping Clipboard with a checklist on a camp table THE CHECKLISTFamily camping checklist

Free camping checklist

75+ items in a PDF and 3 emails with your first-trip plan.

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Checklists by type

Plan your trip

Family campsite with a tent, a tarp and chairs Set up your campsite Camping clothes laid out on a wooden table What to wear camping Simple budget campsite with a small tent and a cooler Camping on a budget Family looking at a half-pitched tent First-time mistakes

Trip types

Family unpacking gear from the back of an SUV Car camping Tent and shade awning on a beach at sunset Beach camping Wooden cabin by a lake at dusk Cabin camping
Golden retriever resting beside a tent With a dog Canvas glamping tent lit at sunset Glamping
Egg carton fire starters and a utensil caddy on a camp table HACKS Camping hacks

Frequently asked questions

How do I plan my first camping trip?

Start close to home, for one or two nights. Book a campground with bathrooms and water, practice pitching the tent before you go, plan simple meals and use a checklist so nothing stays behind.

How do I find a campsite?

Start with Recreation.gov for federal sites and your state park website, then look at private campgrounds. Check the photos for shade and the distance to bathrooms, and book early for summer weekends.

What do I do if it rains?

Pitch the tent on higher ground with the rainfly tight, and hang a tarp over the kitchen and chairs. Keep dry clothes in a sealed bag and a few games for the tent. If storms or flooding are forecast, leave early.

More topics

Open family tent seen from the inside Tents Parent and two kids walking toward a tent at sunset Kids & Activities