Want to go camping but need a simple, minimalist, budget-friendly packing list? Here is the list (free printable!) our family uses when we visit the Great Outdoors.

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Honestly, until a few years ago, camping – the mother of all cheap vacations – was an extravagant expense we didn’t prioritize.

But as our kids got older, there were fewer diapers and people started sleeping through the night. We learned that it’s good for all of us to drop $60 on a little vacation.

However, we have a small vehicle, no camper, no trailer, and no car-top carrier. So we need to pack minimally and efficiently in order to go camping. Believe it or not, it’s possible!

Here’s what we’ve learned about minimalist camping on a budget.

Simple, Minimalist Camping

I love camping for many reasons:

1. It’s a CHEAP way to get away for a couple of days
2.  Raising small, loud humans is better with outdoor activities where it’s okay to be dirty
3. As a country girl, I crave nature
4. Hammock naps
5. Lake
6. Beach
7. Sun
8. The woods are my very favorite place
9. Water
10. Fire
11. Playing with fire is fun (don’t tell the small, loud humans)
12. Cooking food on sticks over the fire

Primitive Camping with Kids

But for all of you who hate camping (ahem, Chris), I get it.

I would rather skip these parts when camping:

• That 1/4 mile walk to the bathroom
• Nighttime
• Dark
• Ax murderers
• Rustling leaves in the dark
• Hot sun
• Sweaty hammock naps
• Sand everywhere
• Dirt everywhere
• Rain
• Rain in the tent
• Skunks that aren’t afraid of people
• Raccoons that aren’t afraid of people
• The squirrel that scatters trash all over the campsite and breaks into my oatmeal box

While camping can be a cheap way to vacation, it gets really expensive if you don’t have any of the equipment.

Camping is an adventure whether you love it like me or have to be dragged into it like Chris.

But while it can be a cheap way to vacation, it gets really expensive if you don’t have any of the equipment.

So what equipment do you need to camp simply and minimally?

Budget-Friendly Camping

Camping requires a certain amount of gear. One of the main reasons we didn’t camp until a few years ago was because we didn’t have the funds or space in our small house (750 square feet) to buy and store camping gear.

Since we were minimalists before it was trendy, we didn’t want to invest in camping gear until we knew exactly what we needed.

Here is how we baby-stepped our way into minimalist camping on a budget.

1. Go Camping with Friends First

On our very first camping trip, we stayed with friends who are veteran campers. They had everything – including the screened-in kitchen tent, folding tables, and an enthusiastic number of string lights that turned the terrifying nighttime campsite absolutely cozy.

This trip helped show me what was really important to me (like string lights), and what all of this gear looked like in real life.

2. Borrow Camping Gear Before You Buy it

We borrowed a lot of gear during the first few camping trips. In American culture, we prefer to be independent and not ask for help when we need it. But sometimes, it’s okay to need help.

If I can, I always borrow gear from a friend and use it for one trip before buying it. This helps me decide what is worth the investment (and storage).

My family is deeply grateful for the friends who held our hands while we learned how to camp – and let me borrow their air mattress pump again.

If I can, I always borrow gear for a trip first. This helps me decide what is worth the investment (and storage).

3. Minimalist Camping Packing

You don’t need a kitchen tent. You don’t need a butane stove. You don’t even need lanterns (just wrap a headlamp around a gallon of water. Boom.)

Doing Steps 1 and 2 helped me learn exactly what I needed while I was camping. While there are a lot of things that make our campsite even better (more string lights?), the reality is that we don’t need much.

Packing for Camping

I have a free printable for you that lists exactly what you need for minimalist, budget-friendly camping. You can follow it exactly or tweak it for your needs.

I also have a second-tier list for items I’ve slowly purchased over the years that make BIG difference in our camping experience. You don’t need them, but I love them.

Everyone is different, so what matters to me might not matter to you.

I might say string lights are important to keep the ax murderers away, but you might prefer to see the stars all evening.

Everyone is different, so what matters to me might not matter to you.

I might say string lights are important to keep the ax murderers away, but you might prefer to see the stars all evening.

Air mattresses are a non-negotiable for me. When the kids were younger, we got away with just one air mattress for me, and a couple of extra blankets for the littles. But now, everyone wants an air mattress. That’s reasonable. The kids sleep on a big queen-size mattress and I have a small twin mattress.

The last time we went camping, it rained (actually, it DOWNPOURED) through our open tent windows. If we didn’t have air mattresses, we would have been floating in a pool of wet blankets all night.

(I bet you really want to go camping now.)

Download the Minimalist Camping Packing List Here:

Simple Camping Tips

This is my absolute favorite way to pack for camping.

Pack in Bins

The other thing I’ve learned is that it’s easier to pack your camping gear in storage bins like this. This keeps everything organized, mostly animal proof (unless you are camping somewhere with bears), and simple.

If you decide to invest in separate camping items from your day-to-day household items (knife, cutting board, cups, plates, etc.), you can even store these bins already packed, then pull them out and toss them in the back of your car.

Tip: Pack your camping gear in storage bins. This keeps everything organized, animal-proof, and simple.

Depending on the size of your family, you might need more than one bin for each category. Here is an overview of the bins on our Minimalist Packing Camping List:

1. Kitchen Bin

This holds all of the cooking supplies, salt, pepper, plates, plates, forks, water bottles, dishwashing supplies, etc.

2. Tent Bin

Everything you need inside the tent – towels, flashlights, dustpan, and handheld broom (trust me, you’ll need it), games, and even the air mattresses if you can fit them. Don’t forget the pump!

Tip: I always pack the bedding together, then I have a small bin for my clothing and a three drawer bin like this for the boys’ clothes that stay in the tent. It’s a little bulky, but it helps keep everything organized, clean, and dry in case it rains. I’ve been really grateful for this setup several times.

3. Campsite Bin

This includes general campsite gear like string lights, clothesline, extension cords, the hammer, etc.

4. Camping Food Bin & Cooler (Not Included in the List)

Download the Minimalist Family Camping Packing List Here!

However you choose to camp, go about it intentionally. Start small, try it with friends, and borrow before you buy. This way you know you have exactly what you care about and nothing that you don’t. You can enjoy your camping trip knowing you guarded your budget, time, and prevented ax murderers.