How much do you need?
Change the guest count and the list updates.
| Main food | |
|---|---|
| Hot dogs or burgers | 12 |
| Buns | 12 |
| Eggs | 12 |
| Bacon (lb) | 1 |
| Sides & snacks | |
| Instant oatmeal packets | 6 |
| Trail mix & snacks (lb) | 2 |
| Desserts | |
| S’mores kits (one per 4 people) | 2 |
| Drinks | |
| Water (gallons) | 12 |
| Coffee & tea | 1 |
| Ice (10 lb bags) | 2 |
| Gear & equipment | |
| Tents (4-person) | 3 |
| Sleeping bags | 6 |
| Sleeping pads | 6 |
| Camp stove | 1 |
| Fuel canisters | 2 |
| Headlamps | 6 |
| Lantern | 1 |
| Coolers | 2 |
| Firewood (bundles) | 3 |
| First-aid kit | 1 |
| Plates & disposables | |
| Paper towels (rolls) | 2 |
| Trash bags | 3 |
| Other | |
| Biodegradable soap | 1 |
| Sunscreen & bug spray | 1 |
| Lighter or matches | 2 |
Rules of thumb for a typical get-together, rounded up. Adjust for your crowd.
Rules of thumb
- Water
- At least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking, more in heat or if you’re hiking.
- Firewood
- Three to five bundles per evening fire. Buy it near the campsite: many areas ban bringing firewood from far away because it spreads tree pests.
- Tents
- A 4-person tent comfortably sleeps two or three adults with their gear.
- Food
- Plan simple, filling meals and more snacks than you think. Being outdoors all day makes people hungry.
Planning timeline
Two to four weeks before
- Reserve the campsite.
- Check fire rules and restrictions for your dates.
- Share the plan and split up the group gear.
One week before
- Set up tents at home to check for missing poles or stakes.
- Plan meals and assign one cook per meal.
The day before
- Pack by car so shared gear doesn’t end up in one trunk.
- Freeze water jugs for the cooler.
- Charge headlamps and power banks.
At camp
- Set up tents before dark.
- Store food in the car or a bear box, never in tents.
- Pack out every bit of trash.
Tips from people who’ve done it
- Split shared gear by car, not by person, so a late arrival doesn’t leave camp without a stove.
- Give each meal one cook and one cleaner.
- A headlamp per person beats one lantern for the group.
- Check the forecast for overnight lows, not just daytime highs.
Common questions
How much water do I need per person for camping?
At least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking. For a group of 6 on a two-day trip, bring 12 gallons or more, or confirm the campsite has drinking water.
What’s most often forgotten on a group camping trip?
Headlamps, a lighter or matches, trash bags, the tent’s stakes and a can opener. Putting them on the shared list gives each one an owner.
How much firewood do I need?
Three to five bundles for an evening campfire. Buy it locally near the campsite.