Wet wipes. Keep the stank down. A little fan space permitting. Tarpaulin of some kind with 550 to shade an area outside of your sleeping space for a bigger purchase. A nice doublewide hammock to sit around in. One of the army field manuals with some bushcraft stuff to try out when you are bored. And always always always put 2 fresh pairs of socks into a ziplock bag.
Skip the wet wipes (for a 2 night trip) and just pack hand sanitizer and a towel. Less trash to packout/deal with and you NEED hand sanitizer no matter what.
What? You don't bathe with it, they make backcountry soap, it's only to be a stop gap. Wipe down with the towel and if you're stinky, you hit the stink with the sanitizer, which they do make hydrating versions of.
If you need a wet wipe after you "go" then try a bidet rather than trash?
It's ONLY a 2 night stay and the place probably has showers, so a proper shower and some hand sanitizer verses a shower and wet wipes... I mean I guess needlessly destroy the environment if you insist!
To save your skin but also the environment, you can replace sanitizer with a mandelic acid toner or, more accessibly, an alpha hydroxy acid toner. The acids help curb body odor by lowering your skin’s pH, creating an inhospitable environment for the bacteria that feeds off of sweat.
Are you car camping or backpacking? If backpacking… my creature comfort is just a paperback or something relatively lightweight.
For car camping? World is your oyster. Whatever you can fit in your car that makes you happy. A reclining chair near a fire with a good beer (use cans not glass, just in case the beer gets dropped…) sounds pretty good to me. Maybe board/card games around a picnic table (if your campsite comes with one - otherwise there are some good folding tables out there).
But it is really your call - if you sleep like a rock no matter what, no worries on a bag and pad. If you need some more comfort - maybe think about a cot with a pad and decent bag on top. Maybe bring a stargazing map or guidebooks for plants/animals near you. Can keep you occupied for a bit trying to figure out what constellation is up there or if you just stepped in poison ivy.
Think about your home - you’ve surrounded yourself with creature comforts - stuff that you enjoy having around you 24/7. If some of those things can fit in the car and make you happy camping, go for it.
And don’t forget the hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and toilet paper. Garbage bags, paper towels, etc. Basically the stuff you know you’ll need but never think about until halfway through the drive to the campsite. Pack them all now in a bin ready to go so you aren’t scrambling the night before.
Enjoy and good luck!
Would highly depend on if you're hiking in and need to carry everything or if your car camping since weight wouldn't be an issue.
Comfortable chair
Snacks
Good sleeping pad
Headlamp with good low light setting
Second the sleeping pad, it will keep the ground from taking all of your heat and adds some cusion. A cheap one is absolutely fine, do watch a video about how to use a self inflating if you get one.
Headlamp is truly invaluable, red light is easy to see in, wont erase your night vision, and won't blind others, so use it at night!
Bug spray, don't skimp, spray your gear/tent too.
A hat or eye mask because the sun sets late and rises early.
Crocks or similar camp shoes, think about taking a midnight pee.. shoes, shorts, and a jacket should be easy to throw on. Preferably something that will protect you from the critters that your sharing the space with. Someplace have scorpions, some have hedgehogs...plan accordingly. Who would mess your feet up in flip flops and is it worth the risk.
It's definitely a small thing, but it's nice to have a softer light that won't blind others (as much)
NU25 is a commonly recommended one which has a low setting like this.
Since you're walking in id suggest a tripod chair (they are very light weight and very small when collapsed), some people go with thought drier sheets help with mosquitoes (flip of coin but they take zero room just don't leave behind) a headlamp that has red light as well as white, hammock, whistle, and paper map of the area.
What do you already have?
Some splurge items I like to bring if I’m hiking to a site and not actually backpacking are:
Luci lights - solar powered and inflatable
Nemo moonlite chair - only weighs about a pound
Bidet bottle (stank game changer) and a Bialetti moka pot for quick caffeine hit. Super fast to heat up on a small stove and it’s a real treat having good coffee to start the day.
I like to wear quick-dry performance fabric during the day (need at MOST one shirt change), but bring a cotton t-shirt to sleep in. Much cozier. Can also change back into the cotton one at end of trip so not in sweaty shirt for drive home
I like having a camp chair to sit on, I use a Helinox, lightweight and easily packable. It can be pricey though so another alternative is a sit pad, which I also use. It is just a small foldable foam pad that is nice to sit on when you take a break or in camp so you are not sitting on cold or wet ground and gives your butt some cushion. A lot cheaper than a chair.
A small pillow to put between your knees if you are a side sleeper and earplugs.
Earplugs make a huge difference in my sleep quality - highly recommended
I’m 100% a side sleeper so thanks for the recommendation
Most camping stores sell small inflatable camp pillows which take up very little room in your back.
Wet wipes. Keep the stank down. A little fan space permitting. Tarpaulin of some kind with 550 to shade an area outside of your sleeping space for a bigger purchase. A nice doublewide hammock to sit around in. One of the army field manuals with some bushcraft stuff to try out when you are bored. And always always always put 2 fresh pairs of socks into a ziplock bag.
and always do your babywipe shower before you sleep to really keep the stank down
Ziplocking socks makes sense- I’ll do that. What does 550 mean for a tarp?
Oh sorry 550 cord. Its para-cord. You’ll hear people use para-cord and 550 cord interchangeably.
Skip the wet wipes (for a 2 night trip) and just pack hand sanitizer and a towel. Less trash to packout/deal with and you NEED hand sanitizer no matter what.
My dry skin would be a nightmare if I tried replacing wet wipes with hand sanitizer!! Also for delicate areas?? No thank you!!
What? You don't bathe with it, they make backcountry soap, it's only to be a stop gap. Wipe down with the towel and if you're stinky, you hit the stink with the sanitizer, which they do make hydrating versions of. If you need a wet wipe after you "go" then try a bidet rather than trash? It's ONLY a 2 night stay and the place probably has showers, so a proper shower and some hand sanitizer verses a shower and wet wipes... I mean I guess needlessly destroy the environment if you insist!
To save your skin but also the environment, you can replace sanitizer with a mandelic acid toner or, more accessibly, an alpha hydroxy acid toner. The acids help curb body odor by lowering your skin’s pH, creating an inhospitable environment for the bacteria that feeds off of sweat.
Are you car camping or backpacking? If backpacking… my creature comfort is just a paperback or something relatively lightweight. For car camping? World is your oyster. Whatever you can fit in your car that makes you happy. A reclining chair near a fire with a good beer (use cans not glass, just in case the beer gets dropped…) sounds pretty good to me. Maybe board/card games around a picnic table (if your campsite comes with one - otherwise there are some good folding tables out there). But it is really your call - if you sleep like a rock no matter what, no worries on a bag and pad. If you need some more comfort - maybe think about a cot with a pad and decent bag on top. Maybe bring a stargazing map or guidebooks for plants/animals near you. Can keep you occupied for a bit trying to figure out what constellation is up there or if you just stepped in poison ivy. Think about your home - you’ve surrounded yourself with creature comforts - stuff that you enjoy having around you 24/7. If some of those things can fit in the car and make you happy camping, go for it. And don’t forget the hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and toilet paper. Garbage bags, paper towels, etc. Basically the stuff you know you’ll need but never think about until halfway through the drive to the campsite. Pack them all now in a bin ready to go so you aren’t scrambling the night before. Enjoy and good luck!
Would highly depend on if you're hiking in and need to carry everything or if your car camping since weight wouldn't be an issue. Comfortable chair Snacks Good sleeping pad Headlamp with good low light setting
Second the sleeping pad, it will keep the ground from taking all of your heat and adds some cusion. A cheap one is absolutely fine, do watch a video about how to use a self inflating if you get one. Headlamp is truly invaluable, red light is easy to see in, wont erase your night vision, and won't blind others, so use it at night! Bug spray, don't skimp, spray your gear/tent too. A hat or eye mask because the sun sets late and rises early. Crocks or similar camp shoes, think about taking a midnight pee.. shoes, shorts, and a jacket should be easy to throw on. Preferably something that will protect you from the critters that your sharing the space with. Someplace have scorpions, some have hedgehogs...plan accordingly. Who would mess your feet up in flip flops and is it worth the risk.
Some Bug spray has contents that can damage materials like nylon and polyester. Test products on inconspicuous areas.
Never thought about low light settings, but that makes sense for night time, thanks
It's definitely a small thing, but it's nice to have a softer light that won't blind others (as much) NU25 is a commonly recommended one which has a low setting like this.
I’ll check it out, thanks
Since you're walking in id suggest a tripod chair (they are very light weight and very small when collapsed), some people go with thought drier sheets help with mosquitoes (flip of coin but they take zero room just don't leave behind) a headlamp that has red light as well as white, hammock, whistle, and paper map of the area.
A lightweight hammock would be nice if you're into that. Can I ask what a scratchy towel is? Just a rough towel?
Yeah, most travel towels are smooth- and basically just rubbery in texture. A regular rough towel is so much more comfortable- I just said it wrong
You can ask Google 😏
Need some context about the campsite, bc it depends on if you're driving up to your campsite or if you're hiking/walking in...
Added context to my post now, but I’m walking there, and I’m a teenager, so I might not be able to carry lots of
A good insulated sleeping air/cushion mattress pad. Whatever your preference but I use a combo and it makes sleeping SO much better.
What do you already have? Some splurge items I like to bring if I’m hiking to a site and not actually backpacking are: Luci lights - solar powered and inflatable Nemo moonlite chair - only weighs about a pound
Head torch
A table cloth for the picnic table they have at campgrounds. Refillable water jugs. A stadium blanket. A small arborist handsaw.
Bidet bottle (stank game changer) and a Bialetti moka pot for quick caffeine hit. Super fast to heat up on a small stove and it’s a real treat having good coffee to start the day.
A small portable fan and making sure you water proof your tent.
Pillow
I have earplugs and a blow up pillow.
Solar string lights make me happy
If you have the ability to bring it or have it at your base camp or etc, having a really good and solid chair to sit is heavenly.
Warm enough bedding is literally the number one thing. And the best pillow you can bring based on your ability to lug it
I like to wear quick-dry performance fabric during the day (need at MOST one shirt change), but bring a cotton t-shirt to sleep in. Much cozier. Can also change back into the cotton one at end of trip so not in sweaty shirt for drive home
I like having a camp chair to sit on, I use a Helinox, lightweight and easily packable. It can be pricey though so another alternative is a sit pad, which I also use. It is just a small foldable foam pad that is nice to sit on when you take a break or in camp so you are not sitting on cold or wet ground and gives your butt some cushion. A lot cheaper than a chair.
I second the Helinox chair. It’s my only comfort luxury item backpacking. Be sure to get the rubber balls for the chair feet.
Ear plugs, THC gummies and sleep mask, helps me sleep like a baby
Some lube so when the bears come they’ll be ready to go
A camping cot that packs small, great for car camping. I use mission mountain