How to Pack Light for Camping Trips

Most people don't realize how heavy their camping gear is until it's time to pack for a trip. With minimal camping gear and a packing list, you can easily clean up your load without carrying a lot of unnecessary weight. 

Sometimes, when you're unsure what to pack for your camping trip, the best thing to do is plan it out exactly. That way, you know everything will fit in a carry-on bag, and you won't have to worry about lugging a heavy load around with you. Packing light means more freedom when you travel. Here's how to pack light for camping!

Why Go Light on Your Camping Trip?

Here’s the thing: packing light for a camping trip may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying that there are some positives to this camping style. Here’s why packing just the essentials is good for you.

It saves space.

Obviously, packing light means that you won’t be bringing many items with you. You end up saving space in your bag or luggage, which will be easier for you to carry around.

It gives the ease of mind.

When you pack heavily, there may be a tendency you losing some of these items throughout your trip. Packing light gives you the ease of mind since you can easily track how many things you’ve brought and how many you’re leaving the campground with.

How to Pack Light for Camping

Camping trips can be a fun and rewarding experience, but they can also be quite challenging if you don't prepare properly. Follow these simple tips to pack light and make your camping trips more enjoyable!

Write a packing list.

Lists, we love them! Creating a packing list is essential to knowing exactly what you need to bring for your trip. If you don’t exactly know how to pack light for camping, this is the first step you should take.

You must consider the temperature and your planned activities to determine which items you’ll take with you.

Rent camping equipment.

When packing your camping gear, remember that you only need the essentials. You don't need to bring an entire tent, sleeping bag, and stove because you can always rent them from a park or campground. Instead, pack just the items you need for each day of your trip. This will make packing much more effortless and reduce the amount of weight you have to carry.

Pack lightweight items.

Another key factor when packing for a camping trip is to stick to lightweight items. This means avoiding heavy tents and backpacks. Instead, opt for small tents or packs that distribute the weight more evenly. And instead of carrying a large pot or frying pan, try using a smaller one that can fit into your pocket.

Use packing cubes.

Ask any backpacker what equipment has changed their life, and nine times out of ten, they’re going to say packing cubes. Whatever you stuff inside these cubes, whether it be clothing or other pieces of equipment, will remain organized until you decide to take it out. There are also packing cubes that compress clothing so that you save more space.

Avoid extra items.

We get it; you want to bring an extra blanket just in case one may not be enough. But the purpose of packing light for camping trips is to bring what you truly need–yes, you need a blanket, but do you really need two of them?

You’re out in the wild and need to be prepared to adapt or endure uncomfortable situations. If you can’t handle it, then glamping may be a better option for you.

Conclusion

Going light definitely gives you a relaxed, new experience if it’s your first time trying it. Now that you know how to pack light for camping trips, it’s time to pick a date for your next outdoor adventure!

Plan Your Next Camping Trip at Knotty Pine Campground!

Book your next camping trip at Knotty Pine. Located along the banks of the Provo River, this campsite has top-notch amenities that will make you feel like royalty while you’re situated outdoors. The river offers premier, blue-ribbon trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout reach record lengths in the river, with a typical fish running 18 inches or larger. Contact us today!