Our camping equipment checklist will help you choose those all important basics for your Minnesota camping vacation. Several items are Coleman camping equipment including the new road trip grill. These are some of our favorite items and are available at Amazon.com.
Likely the most important, and expensive, item on your camping list is a tent.
The tent you choose will be your portable "home away from home" for many memorable camping vacations. Making the right choice can seem daunting. We got some great advice from outdoors enthusiasts who have been camping and backpacking in Minnesota for years.
One tent we like for basic family camping is a 4-Person, 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent. Though there are just two of us now, it gives us plenty of space yet is easy to pack.
Since Minnesota is an all-four-seasons camping destination, you might also want to check out tents that will keep you comfortable in all of the seasons in our state.
Another essential item to add to your camping equipment checklist is a tarp or ground cloth.
A tarp is a good investment in the life of your tent as it will protect the tent floor from wear and abrasion.
The ground cloth is also protection from damp ground for your sleeping bags and other camping gear in your tent.
One of the most important comfort items on your camping checklist should be good quality sleeping bags for everyone. New, high-tech, materials and designs will keep you warm during the coldest outings.
Nighttime temperatures may drop unexpectedly so it's smart to buy sleeping bags that are rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips.
You are going to want some chairs to use for sitting and singing around the campfire, reading by the lake and many other times when you are not in your tent. Choose chairs that have a sturdy design as they will serve you well over time. Look for chairs with a steel frame that will hold up to 300 pounds. Try to find some with mesh that allows air flow on hot summer days.
You will also want to be sure that the chairs you choose fold up compactly and slide easily into a shoulder carry bag. You can find many versions of camp chairs including those sized for children. Be sure to buy enough so everyone has a comfortable place to sit at the campground.
The addition of a hammock to your camping equipment checklist will provide you with hours of relaxation. One great choice, especially for a couple, is a Double Portable Hammock.
This hammock is ideal for camping, backpacking and kayaking.
What do You Need for Your Camping Kitchen?
We have a large stash of cast iron cookware that has been handed down from family. They are heavy to pack however we often decide it's worth it. A cast iron frying pan or kettle can go on the grill or right over a cooking fire. There is nothing better for simmering a pot of stew or frying up a pan of fish.
We've owned half a dozen camp stoves over the years. They've had one thing in common...they have always been the Coleman camping equipment brand. There are other choices of course. Read some reviews and decide what works best for you.
Read Camp Stove Reviews and Choose Yours.
The review on Amazon.com says: "Take the convenience, efficiency, and versatility of the household barbecue grill on the road this summer with the clever Roadtrip Grill LXE from Coleman. Whereas other portable liquid propane grills are petite and tabletop in design, the Roadtrip LXE is a full-size grill with collapsible scissor legs for countertops or travel. This 36-inch grill features 285 square inches of cooking space, ideal for toting to the beach or just into the driveway a small block party. Two 10,000 BTU burners cook meats evenly. Independent control knobs allow users to adjust temperatures on either burner for flexibility."
This is our new favorite Coleman camping equipment item!
Don't forget the food when creating your camping equipment checklist. Mountain House is often our "go to" for easy camping meals.
Camping Food: Both Mountain House Foods and Harmony House Foods have a wide variety of packed foods that are perfect for camping, backpacking, and fishing trips.
Camping Cookbook: Even if you bring a variety of heat and eat foods, you will want to create some meals with your own fresh food, and maybe the fish you caught. You'll love the recipes in these books.
Kids Camping Tents are great fun on a camping trip, in the backyard, or even in the playroom.