The Best Waterproof Camping Essentials For Your Next Trip
Camping is a fun activity that can be enjoyed anywhere. However, it can be a little difficult when you aren’t prepared correctly. Learn how to pick the best camping essentials and how much gear should you take when camping. Find out the pros and cons of packing as little or as much gear as you can here. Keep reading to see these Best Camping Essentials For Your Next Trip!
In case you’re in a hurry…
If it’s under $35, grab it, that’s a great price!
Best Camping Essentials For Your Next Trip
Summer is here and that means it’s time to start planning your next camping trip. Check out these essential camping items.
Soft Cooler Bag
We love this large, affordable soft cooler bag from LifeWit. It’s perfect to take in the car or on a kayak for a day trip away from your campsite.
We take this soft cooler bag camping, to the beach, to the park, and on road trips. It’s the perfect travel companion to hold up to 4 days of food (or 1 day for my family of 4 haha) and up to 48 cans.
We dump ice right in (bc it doesn’t leak!) and it keeps food cold for several hours. There are extra pockets to keep dry essentials, phones, keys, etc.
–>>Get the Soft Cooler Bag here
Large Cooler
We rely heavily on a large insulted cooler to store drinks (since our Travel Trailer has limited refrigerator space). However, we used this cooler as our refrigerator with our food for several days when we went camping in our Pop-up Camper.
Solar Lanterns
These solar floor lamps are perfect for gardens, paths, lawns, patios, courtyards, porches, and camping 🏕
These outdoor lanterns are perfect to set around your campsite and break down easily to store away later. The solar lanterns have 3 different light settings. Mine is set in the warm light in this photo.
Enjoy 20% off at tsunlighting.com using promo code MELANIE20
–>> Get the Solar Lanterns here
Classic Camping Lanterns or Head Lamps
If you think you won’t have much sunlight to power the solar-powered lanterns, you can go with classic camping lanterns and headlamps.
We bought a bundle that came with batteries included in this set.
–>> Get the Classic Camping Lights here
Waterproof and Dirt-Proof Rug
A Chilewich shag mat is the best rug to take camping! I swear by this rug!
It repels dirt and water because of the raised, plastic texture. You can easily rinse it after every camping trip and it looks good as new.
Waterproof Outdoor Bin
We use a plastic storage bin outside our camper door to keep shoes and other small items outside the camper and it keeps everything waterproof.
The trick is to find a plastic bin with a lip that wraps over the edge to protect the contents. We just happened to use this one during one of our first camping trips when it rained the entire time and everything stayed dry.
–>> Get a Clear Plastic Storage Bin Here
Collapsible Drying Rack
Many campsites have rules against tying a clothing line to trees so you may need to pack a collapsible drying rack if you plan to go swimming or need to dry wet clothes outside.
–>> Get a collapsible Drying Rack here
Outdoor Fan
If you are traveling to a warm climate (we only camp in Florida so it’s hot all the time!) I recommend bringing a fan to use inside or outside to keep you cool.
Our Travel Trailer is air conditioned but it can still get hot inside if you are parked in a sunny spot and a warmer zone (during our Summer trip to the Florida Keys, the camper was around 80 degrees inside during the hottest time of day.
Pop Up Canopy
You never know when you might need extra shelter and a pop-up canopy comes in handy while camping.
The Porta-Pop One Button Pop-Up Canopy is 10 x 10 feet, providing ample space. The size is perfectly designed to provide a large & reliable shaded place for outdoor activities. Ideal for all commercial and recreational use, like camping, picnics, parties, sporting events, and more.
This Pop Up Canopy can be set up with one button and has a convenient carrying and storage bag.
The Porta Pop-Up Canopy is made with oxford fabric that prevents UV & water. It’s also reinforced at the corner to prevent abrasion with the frame.

The Porta Pop Up Canopy Camping
see more about our travel trailer reno:
TOUR OUR TRAVEL TRAILER HERE
Portable Pellet Grill
We love this portable table-top wood pellet grill from Pit Boss.
Cooking with wood pellets is healthier than cooking with charcoal or gas grills, although if a campsite has a grill area, we use firewood to cook outside.
Many campsites do not have a grill or fire pit so that’s when a portable pellet grill comes in handy.
–>>Get a Portable Camping Grill here
Camping Chairs or Stool
Camping with collapsible chairs is a must-have item. You can find many camping chairs online (some with heat too!) but I’m sharing a small camping stool in case you’d like the one that travels easily if you are hiking or have limited space.
–>> Get the Camping Seats here
Shower Bags
If you need to use a campground bathroom, these shower bags will come in handy!
We keep these in our travel trailer, although we have a shower and outdoor shower in our travel trailer, sometimes we like to take a long, hot, roomy shower in the campground bathrooms (especially if the bathrooms are nice and clean!).
Collapsible Laundry Bin
A collapsible laundry bin will help contain dirty clothes and makes it easy to transport to campground laundry facilities (or back home when after your trip).
–>> Get the collapsible laundry bin here
Smore’s Skewers
There’s something about Smore’s that makes a camping trip complete.
We love these reusable skewers to roast marshmallows (at home and while camping).
Wrap Up about the Best Camping Essentials For Your Next Trip
People love camping for many reasons, but camping is about much more than enjoying the wilderness. Camping means great food, good company, and relaxing vacation. These camping essentials can help you make the most of your next trip.
My Camping Favorites
- Cooler Bags
- Waterproof Rug
- Waterproof Outdoor Bin
- Collapsible Drying Rack
- Outdoor Fan
- Pop Up Canopy
- Camping Stools
- Portable Grill
- Shower Bags
- Collapsible Laundry Bin
- S’mores Skewers
In case you’re in a hurry…
If it’s under $35, grab it, that’s a great price!
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Pop Up Camper Checklist Free Printable
We purchased a Pop Up Camper during the Summer of 2020 and after taking our first couple trips in the Pop Up Camper, we quickly realized how important a family camping list and pop up camper necessities are.
–>> Go here to download the Free Printable Pop Up Camper Checklist
Pop Up Camper Remodel on a Budget
We purchased a 2005 Jayco Swift Pop Up Camper and went right to work to restore the Pop-Up camper. I shared all of my pop up camper hacks and pop up camper remodel ideas in my Instagram stories and my followers loved it so much that I decided to compile all my camper reno hacks in this post!
–>> Go here to see our Pop Up Camper Renovation Before and After Pictures!
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