Simple Camping (make it minimal so you can easily do more of it!)

What are the 5 types of camping?

Generally speaking there are five main types of camping. Before determining how to camp with minimal supplies, you need to identify which type of camper you are. In order of their potential need to simplify, the different styles of camping are:

• RV Camping
• Tent Camping
• Canoe Camping
• Backpacking/Hiking Camping
• Survival Camping

Your camping style will determine how you define “simple camping”. Decide which creature comforts you are willing to give up and those that must remain as part of your camping experiences.

• Create your own personal minimal camping supply list that contains only the things you absolutely need. The hard part might be sticking to this list but just keep the goal in mind and you can do it!
• Personally, we have the most experience with RV and tent camping. We have camping organization tips to help you stay orderly throughout your entire trip whether you want to simplify and downsize your camp experiences or not.

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Why You Should Simplify

1. Camping is cheaper
2. Packing is faster
3. Reduced clutter at camp makes it easier to relax
4. Less work makes shorter trips worth the effort

• Keeping camping uncomplicated is cheaper because you only buy gear you absolutely need, that’s one way to camp on a budget. Finding free camping locations helps too!
• A basic camping list checklist saves time when packing and unpacking for your trips without sacrificing the confidence of knowing you are prepared for your trip.
• Reducing the clutter at the campsite allows you to clear your mind and focus on relaxing in nature and enjoying your friends and family.
• And, when you make it super easy, it is worth camping for one night!

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How To Streamline Your Gear

Non-minimalists may need a little help parting with stuff they really don’t need. Get out of the “you never know what you might need” mindset.

What do you really need to go camping?

If we are going on longer trips, we like to be a bit more comfortable and don’t mind packing some extra stuff.

• If every trip is complicated, we would never go last minute camping on a whim.
• Think about what your camping basics consist of and be RUTHLESS as you make those assessments. Remember, this is personal and every person who camps will have their own opinion, no judging here!

How to develop your own basic camping gear list.

Create your essential camping gear list by asking yourself these questions:

• Do I really need this?
• Do I already have a piece of gear that can do this task?
• Can this item do double duty?
• Is this something this is “nice to have” or is it a “need to have” item?
• If this item serves no practical function, does it bring me overwhelming joy when it is at my campsite?

How to prioritize your camping items.

Now, we’re going to do a camping basics 101 exercise so you can create your own minimal camping list. Start simplifying by using our FREE printable comprehensive camping gear checklist and RV tool kit checklist that discusses essential tools for RV camping, then move on to the gear you actually own.

Categorize your camping items in one of three ways:

1. Absolutely need this item when camping
2. Could do without this item when camping by using a dual-purpose item instead
3. Can completely do without this item when camping

If you and your spouse don’t agree on the definition of “minimal” and can’t decide what category to put an item in, mark it as a 1.5 and take it on your next trip but DON’T use it and see how important it is to your camping experience.

Go camping with your minimal gear only.

• Every piece of gear that is in Category 1 gets packed for your next trip.
• Each piece of gear that is in Category 2 and 3 gets labeled as such and remains stored at home.

During your minimized trip, keep a notepad with your experience. If you really missed having a Category 2 or 3 item, you’ll have to make a decision if it is worth packing next time.

You will probably be surprised at how freeing it feels to downsize and lighten your load on modest camping trips.

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Tips To Reduce Food, Clothing & Equipment

Food preparation and cold storage space present big challenges when you are trying to simplify your camping trips. Here are some tips to help.

Tip 1: Limit your food.

Use a meal planner to design your meals (including drinks and snacks) and bring only what is required.

• My husband is notorious for throwing in extra snacks “just in case” we need them. LOL
• One of my biggest pet peeves is unloading a bunch of uneaten food when we get home from our trips! Occasionally, it looks like I just came home from a huge grocery shopping trip but really just got home after a camping trip!

Ask yourself if you will have leftovers from dinner? Eat them for another meal rather than bringing them home or throwing them out.

Tip 2: Prepare easy meals.

There are a few ways to make eating and cooking simple on your trips. I highly recommend having a “standing camping menu” for weekend trips. Make your own or grab my 3-Day Camping Menu Planner And Grocery List, it’s FREE.

Here are a few more ways to keep feeding your crew as easy as possible.

You can make your meals at home.

• Make ahead camping meals work great too. Prep and freeze at home then just cook or reheat at the campsite. If you always have 3 “dump and cook” meals in your home freezer, you can just place them in your camp cooler and hit the road to your camping destination.

Stick with easy meals you make at camp.

• You can also make easy camping meals right at the campsite.
  • I like to have my meals planned in advance with recipes printed and in a folder.
  • Then, I create a grocery list of all the items I’ll need to make those recipes.
  • I attach that grocery list to the front of my folder.
  • When it’s time to go camping, I grab the grocery list and “shop” my refrigerator and pantry at home. I place those items in my cooler or shopping bags to be loaded for the trip.
  • The remaining items on my list (the things I don’t already have at home) is the list I take to my grocery store to complete the recipes I’ll be making on the trip.

Use non-perishable ingredients.

• Consider these simple camping meals if you are limited on cold storage space because these are camping food recipes no refrigeration required.

Tip 3: Bring basic camping cooking equipment.

I like the versatility of camp Dutch ovens because this one piece of equipment allows you to do almost any type of cooking (baking, frying, roasting etc.) and you can use it with any type of fuel (charcoal, campfires, propane stoves.) Get more information on how to use a Dutch oven while camping for more help.

Tip 4: Restrict your wardrobe.

When you pack clothes and shoes, it should not look like your home closet! Pack only what you need and leave the rest at home.

• I pack “outfits” for the number of days we will be camping.
• I also like to layer so I only take one jacket to wear the entire trip … make it waterproof and you don’t need a separate rain coat!
• I leave home wearing a pair of slip-ons and bring a set of hiking boots for hikes and bad weather days.

Tip 5: Rent or borrow occasionally used gear.

When we are camping near a lake, we rent equipment like fishing boats and jet skis right there at the marina.

• It is cheaper to rent the stuff we don’t use often, plus, we don’t have to pack it for transport and don’t have to store it at home. That’s a triple win!

Tip 7: Plan for easy entertainment.

• You can bring a deck of cards and set of dice to play tons of different games.
• Load digital music, books and magazines on your phone and you won’t have to bring all of that bulky stuff individually.
  • Bring lights for reading after dark. If you use a dual-purpose solar camping lantern, you can charge your phone with it too! There are many styles of camping lights that have multiple purposes that are awesome to reduce your load.

Tip 8: Use kits.

When you use first aid kits, camping spice kits, tool kits etc., you’ll find everything you need and the items are prearranged in small organized cases, or you can create your own.

Tip 9: Friendly help.

Do you really need more than 1 coffee pot or 1 firewood axe? Probably not.

• If you are camping with groups of people, assign gear and tasks so each person can pitch in to bring needed gear.

Tip 12: Plan simple activities for kids (and adults).

Keeping kids entertained on camp trips does not mean lugging tons of toys. Try these options:

• The geocaching camping game is fun for kids and adults.
• The photo camping scavenger hunt game is another simple option and one of our favorite active camp games.
• We have tons of campfire games for large groups that require no equipment at all.
• Our charades camping game is one of our favorite rainy day camp games that only requires slips of paper and a pen!

Tip 13: Use simple RVing Tips.

We have awesome RV camping tips for beginners that encourage you to only pack what you need and keep it organized because clutter builds fast in small spaces!

Tip 14: Pack seasonal camping essentials.

Leave the snow tire chains at home when you are camping during the summer! Use our seasonal camping checklists to make sure you are prepared for the appropriate season.

Final Thoughts

By keeping your trips basic, it is much easier to camp more often. Preparing as much in advance and “staying ready” will allow you to go camping at the spur of the moment. Just grab the already packed food and gear, then, hit the road.

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FREE Printable Camping Trip Planner

Staying organized is half the battle when you’re trying to keep it simple so you can camp more. Using my trip planner will help you do that.