your complete list of off-grid camping essentials

This one is simple. Be prepared and you’ll have a great time.

I recently went on a two month road trip from Wisconsin to North Dakota and Montana down through Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah and back to Wisconsin through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa. I spent one month living and working on organic farms through a program called WWOOF (which you can read about here if you’d like) and the remaining time exploring surrounding areas. Because I was living out of my car for a good chunk of trip and sometimes in remote areas, I had to tactfully pack to ensure I had what I needed for off-grid camping while still having space to drive comfortably. I was pleased with what I packed, overall, though I could have done without some of the stuff I packed and could have benefitted from bringing a few additional things. Below is a complete list of camping essentials that might come in handy as we prepare for our next camping adventure.

What I wish I had brought:

1. A high quality cooler. Look for something that will hold ice for at least 3 days. I brought an old Coleman cooler that I had to constantly buy ice for. It held ice for maybe a day before melting completely.

2. Ear plugs

3. Wash basin or collapsible sink

4. Canopy/rain shelter

5. Compact/folding table

6. Binoculars

7. Clothesline and clothespins

8. Trekking poles

A complete list of the things that made my solo car camping journey comfortable and safe plus the things I didn’t have but would have benefitted from:

Find here - downloadable.camping.checklist