Ultimate RV camper checklist plus free printable download. To help you stay organized while camping this season.
I nearly wanted to give up after the first few times of camping. The honeymoon stage of owning a new (to us) camper quickly faded away and stress took over.
Stress and timelines. That’s all I saw.
If we camp on Friday that means I need to grocery shop on Thursday. And that means I need to do the laundry on Wednesday so the kids will have clean clothes for school the next Monday- But then I can also pack their favorites to take with us on Friday morning. –Don’t forget we need an easy dinner idea for when we get back on Sunday and lunches for Monday morning.
And so it continued.
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It was a lot of planning and staying on top of things. The mental load of lists I had to remember seemed to never end! Because it wasn’t just the groceries or laundry, it was literally thinking an entire week ahead of schedule and still needing to do the normal daily tasks.
I guess some people might wing it, but that’s just not my style.
So to the benefit of everyone, I’ve created an ultimate RV camper checklist with free printable downloads. I hope it helps you as much as it’s helped our family.
CAMPER CHECKLIST
Now, if this is your first time camping you’ll find that a lot things need to stay in the camper. Equipment such as chocks, water hose, leveling blocks ect.
I’ll do my best to fill in the gaps but this is more of a list of things you need to pack every time you go camping, and not the supplies that always stay with the camper.
Camping Outdoor Checklist
When it comes to outdoor essentials for camping you’ll have plenty that stays with the camper. Some of those include: Drinking water hose, leveling blocks, 50/30 adapter, snap up lever, surge guard, equal-i-zer and more depending on the type of camper you have.
But you’ll still have a list of things you need to pack each time.
Comforts
- Camping chairs
- Hammock
- Outdoor rug
- Canopy
- Tarp
- Outdoor lights
- Umbrella
- Outdoor table ( This adjustable outdoor table is perfect! We use it at it’s highest level for a cooking work station and on lower levels for board games. It folds in half and is easy to store.)
Tools
- Firewood
- Hatchet
- Kindling
- Gloves
- Extension cord
- 2 Way radio
- Lighter
- Drill
- Flashlight
- Duct tape
- Socket set
- Headlamp
- Rope
- Screw drivers
- Pocket knife
- Mosquito repellant (we use this Thermacell which repells mosquitos without spray)
Gear
- Kayaks / Canoe
- Paddles
- Lifevest
- Water shoes
- Fishing gear
- Snorkels / Goggles
- Hiking backpack
- Camelbak ( Don’t forget a hydration backpack for the kids! Let them carry their own water for a change.)
Outdoor Kitchen
- Drinking water
- Marshmallow sticks
- Tablecloth
- Griddle / Dutch oven
- Tongs / Oven mitts
- Grill / Charcoal
- Lighter
Toys
- Bikes / Bike lock
- Helmets
- Scooter
- Slackers Swing Set (This Slackers swing set can be set up between the trees! Perfect for hours of fun.)
- Chalk
- Bubbles
- Beach toys
Camping Bathroom Checklist
Bathroom essentials can get a bit tricky to pack since there are many things that can’t get packed up until the day you leave. Such as toothbrushes and makeup. I’ve forgotten my eyeliner more than once, but we’re camping, so I’m the only one who really cares.
However, when it comes to kids Tylenol and bandaids, those are things that have to come with us. Because getting them at the store when we really need them, won’t work.
Essentials
- Hand towels
- Shower towels
- Beach towels
- Soap / Tissues
- Shampoo / Conditioner
- Razor / Shave gel
- Feminine hygiene products
- Face wash / Makeup remover
- Contact solution
- Contacts / Glasses
- Deordorant
- Toothpaste / Toothbrush
- Q-tips / Cotton balls
- Tweezers / Nail clippers
Makeup
- Lotion / Primer
- Foundation
- Eyebrow pencil
- Eyeshadow / Eyeliner
- Contour / Concealer
- Mascara
- Chapstick
- Lip liner / Lipstick
- Blush / Makeup brushes
- Hair brush / Hair dryer
- Hair ties / Products
First Aid
- First aid kit
- Thermomater
- Tylenol / Medicine
- Bandaids
- Anti itch cream
- Aloe gel
- Sunblock
- Mosquito repellant
Must Haves
- RV toilet paper
- Toilet treatment / Antifreeze
- Laundry soap / Quarters
I’ve included a hair dryer on this list not just for drying hair on chilly evenings, but I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve used it to dry everything! Kids shoes after they’ve fallen in the creek, wet socks, wet dogs, water we’ve spilled in the camper and towels can’t get to it, and the list goes on.
Camping Bedroom Checklist
When it comes to the camper bedroom some things just stay put. Our foam mattress topper with mattress protector, comforter, (depending how how close our next camping trips are together), closet organizer and hangers all stay in the camper.
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Other things need to be brought back in, and although forgetting a pillow for our old knees won’t kill us, it will make us sad.
Bedroom Essentials
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Closet organizer ( This closet organizer is amazing! and is perfect for small camper closets)
- Hangers ( Rv friendly hangers for small spaces)
- Books / Magazines
- Cell phone charger
Electronics
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Nintendo
- Movies
- Portable Bluetooth speaker
- Charges (laptop, tablet, ect.)
Clothing
- Socks / Underware
- Pajamas
- Tee Shirts / Shorts
- Sweaters / Pants
- Swimsuit / Coverup / Goggles
- Coat / Raincoat
- Water shoes / Hiking boots
- Sneakers / Sandals
- Sunglasses / Baseball hat
- Winter
- Coat / Gloves / Scarf / Hat / Boots
Other
- Deodorant / Lotion
- Sunblock / Mosquito repellant
- Laundry bag
- Medicine
- Diapers / Swim diapers
Camping Kitchen and Pet Checklist
Now there are a ton of little things that go into the kitchen so if you’re in need of a complete camping kitchen supply list, check out my article 47 RV Kitchen Supplies, where we have a printable list of the most essential things for an RV kitchen.
Essentials on the list include plates, knives and cutting boards. But you’ll also want to keep on hand/in the camper a can opener, trash bags and many more little things.
Kitchen Essentials
- Drinking water
- Cooking oil
- Spices
- Coffee / Creamer / Sugar
- Milk / Orange juice
- Eggs / Bread
- Condiments
- Lighter
- Create a meal plan
Cleaning
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Trash bags / Sandwich bags
- Paper towels
- Tin foil
- Cleaning wipes
Other
- Toaster
- Coffee maker
Pets
- Dog food / water bowl
- Poop bags
- Dog bed / Toys / Bones
- Flea and tick meds
- Collar / Leash
- Kennel / Towels / Meds
Kids Toys & Extras
- Glow sticks
- Chalk / Bubbles
- Bike / Helmet
- Frisbee / Football
- Baseball / Glove
- Magnifying glass
- Binoculars
- Coloring supplies
- Boardgames / Puzzles
- Lake floats
- Remote control car / batteries
- Legos / Uno
- Mancala / Scrabble
Creating a meal plan for our camping trips has been a game changer. We pack our groceries according to the meals we will be making. Now I know some might say to just go grocery shopping when you get there, but that doesn’t work for our family.
- It takes time away from camping/setting up when we first get there.
- There might not be a grocery store nearby and we would rather not pull into the parking lot, with a camper, that we are unfamiliar with.
- It creates too many doubles. Why would I buy more ketchup when I have some at home? Buying doubles of condiments you already have doesn’t make sense to me.
- We want to use the vegetables and food we have at home so it eliminates food waste and saves money.
Free Camper Checklist Printable
The images above are great for downloading onto your phone to have a quick reminder but if you’d like to print something to have on hand, I’ve made a more printer friendly version.
These will print nicely on regular printer paper and you can either cut them with down the center with scissors or leave them as is.
Camper Checklist Outdoor & Bathroom Printable 1
Camper Checklist Bedroom & Kitchen Printable 2
Although I can’t help you do the laundry or pack the kids lunches for Monday morning, I do hope that this camping checklist helps ease some of the mental load of remembering all the little things.
Be sure to write in the lines provided some of your own camping essentials. That way this camping checklist will be customized to your specific needs.
Happy Camping!
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