TL;DR: A great camping trip starts with a great camp packing list – and bug protection belongs at the top of it. For those struggling with what to pack for camping, here’s your master class.
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A complete camping packing list covers shelter, sleep, cooking, clothing, safety, and hygiene
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Mosquitoes and ticks are the #1 camping nuisance – the right camp bug repellent and natural tick repellent makes all the difference
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Protect yourself on the trail with a bug spray for camping and protect your campsite with incense sticks and candles
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Plant-based, DEET-free* options like Murphy's Naturals offer reliable protection with thoughtfully sourced ingredients
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This guide covers what to pack for a camping trip – so you can spend less time packing and more time outside
The Complete Camping Packing List
Whether you're heading out for a single overnight or a week in the backcountry, forgetting something essential can turn a great trip into a frustrating one. This camp packing list covers everything – from shelter and sleep gear to cooking, clothing, and the most overlooked category of all: bug protection.
Use this as your go-to checklist before every camping trip.
Shelter & Sleep
Good sleep is the foundation of a good camping trip. Get your shelter and sleep setup right and everything else on your camping packing list falls into place.
Tent & Sleeping Essentials
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Tent with stakes and rainfly
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Sleeping bag (rated for expected nighttime temps)
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Sleeping pad or air mattress
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Pillow (compressible travel pillow saves space)
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Headlamp + extra batteries
Camp Setup
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Ground tarp or footprint for under your tent
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Camp chairs
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Folding table (car campers)
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Camp bug repellent – Incense Sticks for perimeter protection, a Mosquito Repellent Candle for the table, or the Dodger Zone Repellent for full-site coverage
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Lantern or string lights
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Firewood (buy locally near your campsite – bringing wood from home can spread invasive insects)
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Fire starters or lighter
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Hammock (optional but worth it)
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Duct tape (fixes everything)
What to Pack for Camping – Kitchen & Food
One of the most common questions first-timers ask is what to pack for a camping trip when it comes to food and cooking. Keep it simple: focus on meals that require minimal prep and minimal cleanup.
Cooking Gear
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Camp stove + fuel canisters
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Lighter and waterproof matches
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Cook pot and pan
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Camp utensils (spatula, tongs, ladle)
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Plates, bowls, and camp mugs
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Biodegradable camp soap + scrubber
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Cutting board + camp knife
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Aluminum foil (camp cooking workhorse)
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Collapsible dish bin or wash basin
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Paper towels
Food & Drink
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Cooking oil + basic spices (salt, pepper) – easy to forget, hard to cook without
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Cooler with ice or ice packs
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Pre-prepped or easy-cook meals
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Snacks (trail mix, jerky, energy bars)
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Coffee supplies (French press or pour-over)
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Reusable water bottles + water filter or purification tablets
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Bear canister or hang bag (required in some parks)
Clothing & Layering
Clothing is one of the trickiest categories on any camping packing list – you're packing for activity, weather, and temperature swings that can be 30+ degrees between noon and midnight.
What to Pack for a Camping Trip – Clothing
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Moisture-wicking base layers
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Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down jacket)
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Rain jacket or poncho
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Hiking pants + shorts
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Wool or synthetic hiking socks (pack extras)
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Sturdy hiking boots + camp sandals or slides
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Sun hat and warm beanie
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Gloves
Packing tip: Clothing is also your first line of defense against bugs. Long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk dramatically reduce your exposure – pair with a good camp bug spray for full coverage.
The Best Bug Spray for Camping – Plus Campsite Protection, Head to Toe
Let's be honest: nothing ruins a camping trip faster than mosquitoes. Whether you're car camping in a state park or backpacking deep into the woods, bug repellent for camping isn't optional – it's essential. Here's how to think about protection in layers.
On Your Body – Camp Bug Spray and Natural Tick Repellent
For personal protection, you want a repellent you can apply directly to skin and clothing before heading out on the trail or settling in at the campsite. Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray is one of the best bug sprays for camping available. It uses oil of lemon eucalyptus – a CDC-recognized active ingredient – to repel both mosquitoes and ticks without DEET*.
The 4 oz pump is trail-packable, and unlike many conventional sprays, it won't damage tent fabric, backpack straps, or synthetic clothing. A mist version is also available if you prefer lighter, faster coverage – great for application on ankles and lower legs.
This is your answer to mosquito repellent for camping and tick protection in a single product.
On Your Skin – Balm Stick for Easy Application
For targeted application – especially around the hairline, ankles, and wrists – the Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm Stick is a great companion to your camp bug spray. No liquid mess, no pump, just twist and apply. It's particularly useful mid-hike when you don't want to deal with a bottle.
At Your Campsite – Incense Sticks for Perimeter Protection
Your camp bug repellent doesn't stop at your skin. Once you're set up at your site – eating dinner, playing cards, sitting around the fire – you want area protection too. The good news: Murphy's Naturals makes it easy to layer campsite coverage with plant-based, DEET-free* products.
Incense Sticks – lightweight, packable perimeter protection
Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks burn for 2 hours and use lemongrass oil to create a bug repellent for camping that works at the site level, not just on your skin. Light a few sticks around the perimeter of your table and seating area before the sun goes down, when mosquito activity peaks. They're lightweight, packable, and won't add meaningful weight to your kit. A 12-pack covers a full weekend trip easily.
*Linked Product Thumbnail here* → Shopify should have a native product embed card for this
Mosquito Dodger Zone Repellent– the Upgrade for Serious Campsite Coverage
If you want a step up from incense sticks, the Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Dodger Zone Repellent is worth the investment. It uses a blend of plant-based essential oils to create a 15-foot dome of protection around your campsite – no flames, no fuss.
It's rechargeable (a single charge lasts 5.5 hours, enough for a full evening outdoors), and the built-in light doubles as a bug-deterrent. As a bonus, it actually smells good – citrus undertones and herbal essences make it feel more like ambiance than pest control. Set it on the camp table and let it run.
Camp Table Ambiance – Mosquito Repellent Candle
For car campers or glampers with a little more gear capacity, the Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle is one of the best mosquito repellents for camping you won't see on most packing lists. It pulls double duty: sets the ambiance at your camp table while keeping bugs at bay. The 9 oz candle is ideal for slower evenings at the site – dinner, wine, sunset. It's the move when you want protection that doesn't feel like protection.
Ready to stock up? Shop all of Murphy's bug spray for camping in one place → Shop the Collection
Don't Forget Natural Tick Repellent
Ticks are a serious and underappreciated camping hazard – particularly in wooded or grassy terrain during spring and summer. Repelling ticks naturally is increasingly top of mind for families who want effective protection without the chemical exposure of DEET.
The Lemon Eucalyptus Spray mentioned above is one of the most effective plant-based, natural bug repellents for ticks and mosquitoes in one – making it the most efficient item on your list. Beyond repellent, follow these habits:
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Wear long pants tucked into socks in tall grass or dense brush
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Do a full-body tick check every evening before bed – pay attention to hairline, behind the knees, and armpits
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Shower within two hours of returning to camp from a hike
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Check pets too
Natural tick repellent options that use plant-based active ingredients have improved significantly – and tick repellent for humans doesn't have to mean harsh chemicals. Efficacy is real when you use them consistently and reapply as directed.
Safety & First Aid
Knowing what to pack for camping from a safety standpoint isn't about being paranoid – it's about being prepared so you can actually relax once you're out there. Most of this stuff lives at the bottom of your bag and hopefully stays there.
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First aid kit (blister care, bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever)
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Prescription medications + extras
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Sunscreen SPF 30+
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Lip balm with SPF
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Emergency whistle
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Multi-tool or pocket knife
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Rope or paracord
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Map + compass (don't rely solely on your phone)
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Portable phone charger/power bank
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Emergency contact list (written, not just in your phone)
Hygiene & Leave No Trace
Good camp hygiene isn't just about comfort – it's about respecting the places you're camping in. Pack biodegradable, low-impact products wherever possible and follow Leave No Trace principles: if you packed it in, pack it out.
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Biodegradable soap and shampoo
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Microfiber towel
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Toilet paper + trowel (for backcountry)
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Hand sanitizer
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
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Feminine hygiene products
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Trash bags (pack out everything you pack in)
Camp Entertainment & Extras
The best part of a camping trip is the downtime – no notifications, no obligations, just time outside. These aren't essentials, but they're the things that make a good trip a great one.
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Deck of cards or camp games
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Book or journal
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Camera
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Hammock
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Binoculars for wildlife/birdwatching
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Star map or astronomy app downloaded offline
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Small bluetooth speaker
The Complete Camp Packing List – Quick Reference Checklist
Shelter & Sleep
☐ Tent, stakes, rainfly
☐ Sleeping bag + pad
☐ Sleeping pad or air mattress
☐ Headlamp + batteries
☐ Pillow
Kitchen
☐ Stove + fuel
☐ Cookware + utensils
☐ Cutting board + camp knife
☐ Aluminum foil
☐ Food + snacks
☐ Cooking oil + basic spices
☐ Water filter + bottles
☐ Cooler
☐ Collapsible dish bin
☐ Biodegradable camp soap + scrubber
Clothing
☐ Base layers + mid layer
☐ Rain jacket
☐ Hiking pants + shorts
☐ Hiking boots + camp shoes
☐ Wool or synthetic socks (pack extras)
☐ Hat + beanie + gloves
Bug Protection
☐ Murphy's Lemon Eucalyptus Spray or Mist
☐ Balm Stick
☐ Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks
☐ Mosquito Repellent Candle (car campers)
☐ Mosquito Dodger Zone Repellent (car campers + families)
Safety & First Aid
☐ First aid kit
☐ Sunscreen + lip balm
☐ Emergency whistle + multi-tool
☐ Rope or paracord
☐ Map + compass
☐ Power bank
Hygiene
☐ Biodegradable soap + shampoo
☐ Microfiber towel
☐ Toilet paper + trowel (backcountry)
☐ Hand sanitizer + wipes
☐ Toothbrush + toothpaste
☐ Feminine hygiene products
☐ Trash bags
Shop everything on this list → Murphy's Mosquito Repellent for Camping
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bug spray for camping?
The best bug spray for camping is one that protects against both mosquitoes and ticks without harsh chemicals. Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Spray is a top-rated DEET-free* option – effective against both, suitable for the whole family, and built around oil of lemon eucalyptus, a CDC-recognized active ingredient.
What is the best mosquito repellent for camping?
The best mosquito repellent for camping depends on where you need protection. For your skin, a pump spray or mist with oil of lemon eucalyptus is one of the most effective plant-based choices. For campsite-wide coverage, layering in mosquito repellent incense sticks and a candle gives you full perimeter protection beyond what you apply to your body.
What should I pack for a camping trip?
A solid camp packing list covers six categories: shelter and sleep, food and cooking, clothing and layering, bug and sun protection, safety and first aid, and hygiene. The most commonly forgotten category? Bug protection – specifically products for both personal application and campsite coverage.
What is the best natural tick repellent?
The best natural tick repellent for camping is one that uses oil of lemon eucalyptus – one of the most well-researched plant-based active ingredients and CDC-recognized for efficacy. Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Spray repels both ticks and mosquitoes, making it a practical all-in-one choice for trail use.
Is DEET-free bug spray effective for camping?
Yes – DEET-free bug spray can be highly effective for camping when you choose the right formulation and apply it correctly. Options using oil of lemon eucalyptus or other plant-based actives have been shown to offer reliable protection. Reapplication matters – check the label and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
How do you keep bugs away at a campsite?
The most effective approach to keeping bugs away at a campsite is layered camp bug repellent: apply a spray or mist to your skin, burn mosquito repellent incense sticks around your seating area, and set a candle or the Dodger Zone Repellent on the table. Eliminating standing water, avoiding heavily scented personal care products, and covering up at peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk) all help too.
How do I repel ticks naturally while camping?
Repelling ticks naturally comes down to repellent plus physical barriers. Apply an oil of lemon eucalyptus spray to skin and clothing before hiking. Wear long pants tucked into socks in tall grass. Do a full-body tick check every evening. These habits together are your most effective natural defense.
Is bug spray safe for kids while camping?
Plant-based, DEET-free bug spray for camping is a popular choice for families with kids. Murphy's Naturals products are formulated without DEET, parabens, or synthetic fragrances – making them a go-to for parents who want effective protection without harsh chemical exposure. Always check label guidance for age recommendations.
Should I use bug spray or bug repellent wipes for camping?
Both have a place on your camping packing list. Spray or mist is best for full-body application before a hike. Bug repellent wipes for camping are better for mid-activity reapplication – portable, no-spill, and easy for kids. Packing both gives you the most flexibility across different situations on the trip.
What scents keep mosquitoes away while camping?
The scents most effective at keeping mosquitoes away while camping are lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, and rosemary – all plant-derived and used in natural bug repellent for camping. Murphy's Naturals products are built around these ingredients: incense sticks use lemongrass oil, candles use citronella, and the spray uses oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active ingredient..
*Not a safety claim
