A complete camping checklist built around five systems: sleep, shelter, kitchen, water and waste, body and safety. Print it, adapt it, or keep it as a reusable loadout.
Navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repair kit and tools, extra food, extra water, and emergency shelter. They sit inside the body and safety system on this list, and they are the part you carry even on a short trip.
An insulated sleeping pad, a second light source, and enough fuel. Pads get treated as comfort items when they are actually insulation, and a cold pad will out-freeze a good bag.
Plan one gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking, and add more for washing and dogs. In desert heat, plan a gallon and a half and confirm whether the campground water is turned on for the season.
It depends on the land manager, not the animal. Many national parks and Forest Service districts require an approved canister or a locker, and a hard sided vehicle is acceptable in some places and not others. Check the specific unit before you go.
Assign shared items by system rather than by person. One person owns the kitchen, one owns shelter, everyone brings their own sleep and clothing. A shared checklist prevents the classic three stoves and no fuel outcome.
