9 Items I Never Camp Without — During Any Season

When my wife and I first decided to make camping our go-to vacation experience, I spent far more time than I care to admit looking for the perfect tent for our family. In fact, I purchased — and returned — two other tents before finally stumbling on Coleman’s Evanston 6-person tent.

We have been using it for almost two years now and still love it. The interior is large enough to hold two queen-size air mattresses and still have space for an adult to stand fully upright in the center, or at least I can at 5′ 9″.

My favorite feature — and the tent’s best feature in my opinion — is the screened porch. Great for escaping the bugs while still enjoying great views and a nice breeze. The porch has a partial roof to keep out some of the rain and is a great place to relax while allowing anyone sleeping in the tent some privacy.

As I age, the thought of sleeping directly on the ground has become less and less appealing to me. So when our family camps, we never forget to pack our air mattresses and pump — and don’t forget spare batteries! The single-high Coleman QuickBed Elite has a built-in 4D pump to ensure a fully inflated bed every time, and its ComfortStrong Coil construction helps ensure a more level sleeping surface.

Pro Tip: If getting in and out of a single-high mattress is not something you care to attempt, you may want to try the double-high mattress, although it does not include a built-in pump, so don’t forget to pack one!

If traveling with a partner, camping can be a great opportunity to reconnect free from day-to-day distractions. Whether you are looking to cuddle up next to your partner or just need a little extra space to stretch your legs, the Coleman Tandem 3-in-1 Big and Tall sleeping bag provides you with options you won’t get with most sleeping gear.

When combined, the tandem sleeping bag provides a spacious sleeping area for two and is long enough to accommodate campers well over 6 feet tall. The bags can also be separated and used as two single-use bags when extra space is needed — we all end up in the dog house at one time or another, after all. Ideal for camping when the temps will not get lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

While I don’t mind letting my skin get a natural tan during the summer months, I absolutely despise two things: sunburn and the alternative of constantly slathering on sunblock to protect against it. A pop-up canopy is a great solution when camping that provides a shaded retreat from the sun and rain when necessary. It is also ideal for use over food prep areas. Includes a wheeled storage bag for easy setup, and condenses down to only 34.25″ x 9″ x 9.5″ when stowed away.

Don’t get left in the dark; a lantern is a necessity for any camping trip. If you prefer a more traditional lantern, you may be more interested in this propane option. I, however, prefer the ease of use and safety of an LED lantern as I camp with young children, but it is also great if you will be camping with pets or just don’t want the hassle of fuel canisters and ignition.

The 390-lumen Twin LED lantern from Coleman is a great option, and at just over one foot tall, it takes up very little space while providing up to 32 feet of light when set on high. Best of all, it is water resistant, allowing continued use even in the rain. Just don’t forget backup batteries!

This compact camping stove blends the convenience of two burners with the packability of one-burner grills, taking up less space when packed away. Simply connect your propane canister and hit the ignite button — no matches necessary! Cooking and cleanup are a breeze, leaving you more time to enjoy your hard-earned meal to refuel for your next hike.

Whether you get cold easily or just want to reinforce your current sleeping bag for colder temps, this sleeping bag liner will bring the extra warmth when it is most needed. Simply add to the inside of your current bag for an additional 12 degrees of warmth. The lightweight and non-bulky fleece material can also be used independently, which can save space when a bulkier bag is not necessary.

A propane grill is great, but if you don’t have anything to cook your food in, you will be pretty limited in what you are able to prepare. Coleman’s non-stick 12-inch frying pan is a great option for frying up eggs, grilling bacon, or even cooking up some flapjacks — can you tell breakfast is my favorite meal? Easy to clean and comes with a convenient folding handle for easy storage.