Packing for Your Next Camping Trip? These Ideas Will Keep Your Gear Organized!

Published: October 15, 2022

Your camping trip will be more fun and efficient with the right organization. By being judicious about what you bring and where you store things, you can avoid messes and maximize the enjoyment of the outdoors.

Furthermore, by taking a couple of additional steps, you can guarantee that everything will be clean and functional for your next camping trip. Wouldn’t it stink to open up your tent box only to find some mold and missing parts? If the gear isn’t stored properly, it smells terrible, falls apart quickly, and becomes unusable much faster than if it had been taken care of correctly.

After an exhausting day of hiking and exploring, the last thing you want to do is trip over your camping gear on your way back to the tent. By following these organizing tips before, during, and after your camping trip, you can avoid making a mess and create more work for yourself.

Before Camping

Purchase extra things that are for camping only.

If you love spending time outdoors camping, this hack will save you hours when it comes to packing. Keep a separate tote with all of the essentials like utensils and paper plates for your next camping trip so that you’re not scrambling around at the last minute borrowing items.

Use clear bins for storing camping gear.

Packing everything in one big duffle bag for your camping trip may be tempting, but don’t do it! Instead, use clear plastic bins that can stack on top of each other. They’ll fit snugly in the back of your car and are weather-resistant. Plus, being able to see all your gear at a glance will help you stay organized. Only pack clothing and personal items in duffle bags.

Pack intentionally to save space and time.

Remember that storage is often tight, so you’ll want to bring items you will use. While enjoying the great outdoors, you don’t need to overpack with clothes and other items you won’t touch.

Streamline your trip by considering the following:

• For clothing, try rolling it instead of folding it. This makes finding items easier and saves a lot of space in your suitcase.
• To save time later, put the thing you need most–the tent, for example — in an easily accessible place in the car. The same goes for flashlights and sunscreen: things you’ll want to have on hand without having to search for them.
• Create an inventory for packing instead of mindlessly throwing items inside a suitcase.
• Keep track of the items you don’t use while camping, and next time, leave them at home to save space.

Make room for lots of food and kitchen items.

Camping can be tricky to stay organized, but it’s key to make sure that everything has a spot and that everyone knows where things go. The camp kitchen is often one of the messiest areas because there are so many different items.

After Camping

Dry your tent before storing it.

When you get home from your camping trip, if the weather is good, set up your tent to dry it off completely. If you leave your wet tent packed away, mold, mildew, and rot will likely form.

Thoroughly clean your tent, stakes, and poles once they are dry to avoid bringing any dirt, sand, or bugs inside. Not to mention, having a clean storage space will make sure your next camping trip is off to a great start.

Air out sleeping bags and blankets.

To clean your sleeping bag, first, shake it to release any loose items from the folds. After each camping trip, air out the sleeping bag by hanging it or laying it flat. Avoid hanging nylon bags in direct sunlight, as UV rays can damage them, but cotton blankets are fine because the light will act as a disinfectant.

Remove batteries from electronic devices.

Avoid any camping storage issues by removing batteries from flashlights, headlamps, GPS devices, or other electronic equipment before putting them away. This will prevent corrosion or leakage.

Store camping items in a cool, dry place.

The best way to keep your camping gear is by storing it in one place. But make sure this storage space is protected from the elements like heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. If you don’t have much room at home, think about renting a self-storage container from UNITS®. This will be enough space to safeguard all of your equipment and prevent clutter in your house.

Since space is often limited when camping, use items you already have and get creative. Also, camp more efficiently by having systems in place for all of your activities. We hope you’ll enjoy your time outside!