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, and some less exciting states (just kidding - Midwest, I see you). 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