【Tips】What To Bring On A National Parks Trip——Packing Lists For Hikes And More

When visiting a national park, it is best to be as prepared as possible. Some parks have stores if you forget something, but their prices are usually high and there is no guarantee they will have what you need. This national park packing guide is divided into four categories: essentials, hiking, car camping, and backcountry camping.

Country Road In The Forest

Trip Essentials

The below items are general things most visitors will require no matter what national park they are visiting. Use it as a guide and make adjustments based on where and when you are traveling.

  • Water + reusable bottle
  • Food (including snacks)
  • Identification
  • Travel documents
  • Cash + debit/credit cards
  • Annual national parks pass
  • Cooler for food storage
  • Picnic tablecloth
  • Reusable cutlery/utensils
  • Reusable plates/cups
  • Day bag / fanny pack
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Insulated jacket
  • Rain jacket
  • Camera + batteries
  • Phone + phone charger
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Mosquito repellent
  • First aid kit
  • Park Map

Car Camping

When car camping in a national park or nearby, the below items are what you should consider bringing. “Car camping” refers to a drive-up camping spot (usually in a campground) where you either sleep in your vehicle or set up a tent.

  • Light source
  • Drink bottle + water storage
  • Tent, if sleeping outside
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sleeping bag
  • Camp pillow
  • Camp stove + propane
  • Firewood + fire starter
  • Camp plates, bowls, cups, mugs
  • Camp cutlery / utensils
  • Coffee making kit
  • Cooler + food storage containers
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Small camp towel
  • Camp table
  • Camp chairs
  • Charging device
  • First aid kit
  • Body/face towel
  • Toiletries

Backpacking

Backpacking is when you head out into the wilderness to camp, away from comforts like electricity and phone service. Keep in mind that every backpacking trip will be different, so use this as a guide and make adjustments according to your climate and length of trip.

  • Backpack + rain cover
  • Tent / shelter
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sleeping pad
  • Pillow
  • Trekking poles
  • Hiking shoes
  • Merino wool socks (+ spare pair)
  • Hiking pants
  • Quick-dry top
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat / bandana / buff
  • Baselayer bottoms
  • Baselayer top
  • Mid layer top (fleece)
  • Insulated jacket (puffy)
  • Rain jacket / pants
  • Camp sandals
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Bear spray + canister
  • Head lamp + batteries
  • Meals + snacks
  • Water + bottle / bladder
  • Water filter
  • Gas backcountry stove
  • Gas canister
  • Lighter / matches
  • Cookset
  • Food storage bags
  • Spork + mug
  • Map + compass / GPS device
  • First aid kit
  • Knife / multi tool
  • Whistle
  • Repair kit
  • Trail permit
  • Tooth brush + paste
  • Body / face wipes
  • Sunscreen + lip balm
  • Bug spray + head net
  • Trowel + toilet paper
  • Mini pack towel
  • Camera + batteries
  • Water + bottle / bladder
  • Water filter
  • Gas backcountry stove
  • Gas canister
  • Lighter / matches
  • Cookset
  • Food storage bags
  • Spork + mug
  • Map + compass / GPS device
  • First aid kit
  • Knife / multi tool
  • Whistle
  • Repair kit
  • Trail permit
  • Tooth brush + paste
  • Body / face wipes
  • Sunscreen + lip balm
  • Bug spray + head net
  • Trowel + toilet paper
  • Mini pack towel
  • Camera + batteries