Need your 2c for camping equipment/gear

Be aware there are a bunch of different colonies of bees that have taken up residence in j-tree, one campground was closed (I think a year ago) but a screened enclosure will be your best friend.
My camping neighbors left out a pan with water while they got drunk overnight. Real shitty way to wake up in the dessert, hungover in a campground covered with bees.
we had a moment with bees and a watermelon in a sprinter van, My heart rate was elevated.

 

If you do end up going for the fire pit (best thing ever!), or any other stove, you may need a campfire permit. Depending on where you go, there's a typically a no-burn restriction in place this time of year. No open flame fires. Only propane type fires, etc.

 

I didn't even know campfire permit was even a thing - thanks for the heads up!

 

Just go to the camping section at Walmart and pick up a Coleman stove, some camp gas, and whatever else on the aisle looks like it might be useful. Like a water jug, first aid kit, mess kits, etc. A lot of the Ozark Trail stuff works fine for car camping. I used one of their single-burner stoves for several years. For actual meal cooking, having 2 burners is nice, though. Note that their top models don't always get better reviews than some of their simpler models. I have the Coleman Triton, it works great.

 

Yeah, look into fire bans as well, a lot of the west is on fire many places aren’t allowing camp fires at all. Can’t beat a Dutch oven for camp fire cooking though, very versatile.
Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven, 8 Quart

$90 Lodge 8 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven with Lid - Dual Handles - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill or over the Campfire - Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008GKDW

 

What gear you need for cooking really depends on what you plan for a menu. I try to keep it simple, e.g. instant oatmeal and some nuts and fruit for breakfast, or hot dogs over the fire with canes baked beans, chips, and a bagged salad for dinner. Or make something at home, freeze it and all you have to do is reheat it.

I also use paper plates and plastic utensils. Is it wasteful? Probably, but it’s convenient. I didn’t go camping to have to do dishes in the woods. It ends up being less stuff to pack and haul around and I get to spend more time doing something more enjoyable outdoors.

 

If you want to eat well while camping try seasoning your meat and vacuum sealing it .Then you can freeze it and throw it in the cooler and it's sealed and won't get ruined in a traditional ice cooler . Poop responsibility

 

Buy a stand alone tent, one you can stand up in (4-6 man tent), camping air mattresses, (Klymit, Thermarest, etc), good sleeping bags, Coleman 1 or 2 burner propane stove, Coleman single propane lantern, a small propane grill, 4 qt pot and lid, 8" fry pan, sm tea kettle, spatula, tongs, lg spoon, can opener, forks, spoons ,cups, plates, etc. Thermacell, and OFF w/Deet insect repellent. Small shovel, hatchet, water jug, cooler, tarp, rope, tent stakes, camp chairs, first aid kit, headlamps.

 

My recommendation for anyone that has never gone camping is to start using the basics (tent, bedding, cooker, kitchenware, cooler of food/drinks and lights) in your "Driveway/Backyard Statepark".

Yes, go camping at home in your driveway/backyard for several days, and take good notes on what you end up figuring out what works and what does not. Adjust accordingly.

The other advice I could suggest, would be to visit your local Goodwill(s) frequently. It's amazing what people donate and you can pick up for cheap. Tableware, pots and pans are great things to get. You can always redonate them once you've moved up to new fancy gear over time.

 

$80 for a bag to put forks in.

 

I want to echo this sentiment. Start with the basics. Some of the suggestions people are throwing out are so niche and specific to their "camping." No one needs a second poop tent or off road recovery gear the first time they ever go car camping.

The basics:

1. tent
2. sleeping gear
   1. sleeping pad
   2. sleeping bag
   3. pillow
3. cooking tools (dependant on your meal choices)
   • stove
   • pot/pan
   • spatula/serving spoon
   • personal eating utensils
   • bowl/plates
   • cup
4. quality cooler
5. fire starter
6. flashlight (I recommend skipping anything with replaceable batteries and getting only USB rechargeable items)
7. dependable knife
8. a good campfire chair
9. toilet paper
10. first aid kit
11. drinking water container

Anything beyond this is really just making camping more comfortable and enjoyable but not absolutely necessary. The more you go, the more you'll learn you'll need (or not need). Going with other more experienced campers lets you see what they are using and what comes in handy or not.

 

This.

I'm an Eagle Scout, Scout leader and avid camper of 40+ years. If this is your first camping experience, the Ozark Trails brand items (tent, sleeping bags, folding chairs, etc.) at Walmart will more than satisfy your needs.

If you want to buy a camp stove, I would go with a Coleman 2-burner that runs on the 2-lb propane bottles. Works great with any kind of cookware and utensils. You don't need anything special. But it would also be a great time to justify a piece or two of Lodge cast iron.

Not sure what facilities will be available at your campsite, but I'd overpack on water. You'll probably use more than anticipated doing dishes and such.

 

-> Tent
-> Air mattress
- blanket
- pillow

- Cooler (size depends on # of days; Brand up to how much you want to spend)
- Blackstone 17” Griddle + 1lb Colman propane tanks (for now, until you want to get a 5lb or 11lb propane)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091ZFMV1X
- Cheap plastic plates, forks, bowls, etc. from Target
- Foldable Table
- water gallons

- Headlamp Flashlights (make sure it has red light for night)
- camping chairs

FBSPORT 2 Pack Portable Camping Chairs Lightweight Backpacking Chair Compact & Heavy Duty for Camp, Backpack, Hiking, Beach, Picnic, with Carry Bag

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DRHFDYP

- small poo shovel + wet wipes (until gf says he’ll no)
- trash bags

- Gaia App!!

I feel like thats would be a good start

 

^ I second both posts/info/checklist

 

I think some fire restrictions advised you couldn't even smoke a cig unless you were in your car. It is very dry out west.

I never had any use for camp fires.

Baby Wipes and all that extra hand-sanitizer are your friend, trust me.

A decent cooler and use a BLOCK of ice. Took a 16-day camping trip to YellowStone and upon return I STILL had
a hunk of a BLOCK of ice I bought the night before we took off.

Pack a lot of water. Period. End of story. Grab some 1-2 gallon containers at WMart and figure 2-gallons a day.

Mountain House meals. Some are pretty darn good and I've bought some Indian varieties that were very good as well.

At the end of the day less is more.
A good low-slung-chair is in order for star gazing if you are in dark-sky territory.

For me, my 55-200 and 70-300 and Tokina 11-16 and a Tripod are a must have.

 

Can't believe we made it this far before headlamps came up. Absolutely essential.

Poop shovel is good for dispersed and backpacking. You probably won't need that if you're staying at a state park. Wipes and a place to put trash are great suggestions.

Well said

 

@6MT
I've found over many decades that this applies to just about anything..
Stuff in general, Food in particular, Housing to a degree, and can be applied to almost any human endeavor, including Waste.

 

It was easier when I was younger and poorer and didn't know any better. I could pack a Honda civic for a weekend in 5 minutes and didn't worry about if I'd be cold, if there would be enough food, or how long it would take to get there.

The people and the hazy memories were really all that mattered.

Now it takes an hour to pack, the truck gets stuffed to the gills, and I almost wonder about whether I should have brought a white wine in addition to a red.

 

Do NOT under any circumstance forget the Wine Opener !!
Grounds for divorce...
ps: I've been forgetting mine for years now but my plan hasn't worked

 

Heads up, those lanterns are super bright and not so easy on the eyes. I'd recommend the

$35 Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern Collapsible Solar Lantern 3 White Plus Multicolour Fade Plus 6 Colour Modes Turn Campsite Into A Party Built-in Solar Panel Or Charge from Any USB Port,Black

Crush as one option.