Camping packing list: 7 unmissable items

19 February, 2024

We don’t have to tell you that camping is one of the best ways to enjoy a holiday. You are outdoors a lot, have no responsibilities such as housework and campsites are a perfect place to meet new people. (Or in fact to talk to nobody at all, you’re not obliged to do anything.) But for a camping holiday, you often have to pack more things than you would need for a holiday in a hotel or apartment. A camping packing list is therefore ideal, so that you don’t forget anything important. We share seven items that are unmissable during a camping holiday.

1. Comfortable chairs

‘Camping is misery’ is not a statement we agree with. If you like back to basics, then that’s exactly what you should do. But you can also make a holiday at a campsite as luxurious as you would like. When you have a breakfast with fresh rolls in the morning sun or admire the sunset with a glass of wine, it’s nice to sit comfortably. Comfortable chairs are essential on your packing list. Nothing is worse than aching muscles on holiday because you can’t sit comfortably. And if you have aching muscles from a lovely walk, a nice chair is an absolute must.

2. A camping fridge or cool box

What is nicer than preparing a fresh meal at the campsite and eating it in the evening sun? If you don’t feel like doing grocery shopping every day, it is handy to take a cool box or a camping fridge. And certainly if you want to keep dairy products and meat fresh or drinks cold at a warm destination. If you don’t have a cool box, you can also select a campsite where you can hire a fridge. Or check whether the campsite has a communal fridge.

3. A good camping app

If you are looking for a campsite where you can camp with a dog or for example, that has a charging point for your electric car, it’s handy if you can see which campsites meet that criterion at a glance. Use a campsite app with which you can easily select the amenities that are important for you. You can of course use an ACSI campsite guide.

Camping in the low season? Then CampingCard ACSI or the ACSI App is a must. You can camp at a discount at almost 3,000 participating campsites. That will save you a lot of money on your overnight stays and you can go out to dinner more often. Or stay away for more nights. You can recognise the participating CampingCard ACSI campsites by the blue CC logo.

4. Towels

With most items, if you forget it at home, you can buy a new one on holiday. They will sell soap, toothbrushes and washing-up brushes at your destination. But towels are a different matter. Of course, you can also buy them at a local shop but when it comes to towels, you often have to wash them several times before they really absorb moisture. Not very practical, so towels must definitely be on your camping packing list. The same applies to tea towels in fact.

5. Warm jumper

When you go camping in the summer, you naturally expect nothing by sun at the campsite. However, there is nothing as unpredictable as the weather. So make sure you take some warm clothes and rain gear, even if you are going to a sunny destination. It can cool down considerably in the evenings and at night when out in the countryside. And if you are sitting in front of the tent at twilight and it is teeming with mosquitoes, it’s nice to be able to put on a jumper so you can enjoy the outdoor life at the campsite for longer.

6. Washing rack or line and pegs

Wet towels, recently used swimming costumes and that damp tea towel need to dry of course. Hang up a line between two trees at your pitch or take a foldable washing rack with you. Wet towels start to stink pretty quickly, and no one enjoys that smell. You can use a washing machine and dryer at most campsites (usually for a fee). But if no dryer is available, or it is sunny outside, you can dry your laundry at your own pitch. Ideal!

7. Passport or national ID card

When you go camping abroad, also within the EU, you need to take a passport or national ID card. In the Netherlands, you can prove your identity with your driving licence, but that is not a valid form of identification in other countries. It is therefore compulsory for you to have a passport or ID card on you. When travelling in the European Union, there is little chance of border checks, but it pays to be prepared when travelling. Do always keep in mind there could be unforeseen situations, such as breaking down, when you will need to arrange replacement transport. Most car hire companies require you to show your passport or national ID card.

What do you need when you go camping?

The items above are unmissable when you go camping. But of course, its handy to take even more items. Have you considered a world plug, fly swatter, environmental sticker or vignette? To make it even easier for you, we have made an extensive camping packing list. Save the list, print it and cross off what you have packed. Then you will easily be able to see what else you need to pack, buy or borrow from other campers.

Which items are unmissable for you on a camping holiday? Let us know in a comment.