Camping Essentials That Every Girl Should Bring

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Enjoying the great outdoors is for everyone.  Whether you’re a girl going on a solo trip or taking a camping road trip with your best friend, you need to pack the camping essentials.  This post will cover the camping essentials that every girl & woman should bring to ensure you have the best time on your next camping trip.

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Camping Essentials That Every Girl Needs

When it comes to camping, a majority of the packing list is going to be the same for men & women.  There are a few extra items that women should consider bringing designed specifically for their own comfort like bathroom devices, toiletries, camping apparel, a proper fitted sleep system & other safety gear.

Women’s bodies are designed differently, which means they need some different camping gear than men.  This post will cover all of the areas that women should consider when packing for their next camping trip.

• Bathroom
• Toiletries & Beauty
• Clothing Apparel
• Sleep
• Safety

Camping Basics

All camping trips are going to have the same basics.  The main items you think of like a tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, camp chair, etc. are on everyone’s packing list.

I have a beginner camping checklist that covers everything you need if this is your first time camping.  It is a great way to get you out camping without the stress of forgetting any necessary items.

Besides the basics, there are some camping essentials that girls will want to consider to make their trip extra comfortable.

Bathroom Items

Let’s be honest, going to the bathroom in nature can be awkward, especially if you’re a woman.  Because of this, there are some camping essentials that you can pack to make the experience extra simple.

• Pee Device (Female Urinal)
• Pee Cloth
• Menstrual Cup

Pee Device

If you’ve never used a female pee device, I highly recommend it.  I keep mine in the glove box so I have it no matter where I go.  They make peeing in nature SO much easier.

You essentially stand and pee through a tube-like device instead of having to squat to go.  It seems awkward at first and can get messy if you don’t use it properly.  Once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to pee any other way while in the great outdoors!

Pee Cloth

Bringing toilet paper is always an option for your outdoor trips, but it can become a hassle when storing it and disposing of it. 

Having a pee cloth makes going outdoors so much easier as a girl.  Pee cloths (like the Kula cloth) are antimicrobial, making them a safe alternative to toilet paper.  They can be used over and over again without worrying about anything funky going on.  Just snap it shut and put it away until your next bathroom trip.

Using a pee cloth while hiking is a good idea too so you don’t have to worry about disposing of toilet paper.  Just clip your pee cloth to the outside of your backpack.  Easy pee-sy!

Menstrual Cup

If you’re camping for extended periods of time (no pun intended) then using a menstrual cup is a must.  Disposable period products are bulky to pack and even bulkier to pack out in a trash bag during your camping trip.

Menstrual cups are healthier for you and for the environment.  They come in all different designs, so I suggest testing out a few different ones before your camping trip to find the most comfortable one.

Toiletries & Beauty

Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to feel like a hot mess the whole time.  Aside from the normal toiletries like a toothbrush & soap, here are some of the other camping essentials I bring as a girl:

• Travel hair brush
• Hair clips or ties
• Face wipes (or baby wipes)
• Lip balm (SPF)
• Deodorant
• Travel moisturizer

These personal items help you feel good during your camping trip.  The most important thing while camping is to enjoy yourself, so I like to make sure I don’t feel like a mess the whole time.

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Clothing Apparel

Having the right clothes is the best way to ensure you’ll be comfortable during your camping trip.  It is super important to bring clothes that are appropriate for the weather & also comfortable for you.

You’ll want to bring the right undergarments too so that you won’t have issues.  If it’s extra hot outside, you might want to bring a few extra pairs of underwear & sports bras in case of sweat.

If it’s cold weather, you’ll want to bring:

• Bra & underwear
• Base layer (leggings and light long sleeve shirt)
• Mid layer (jacket or hoodie)
• Coat or rain jacket
• Hat, gloves, scarf

If it’s hot outside, you’ll want to bring:

• Bra & underwear
• Light clothing
• Clothing to protect from sun
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suit
• Hat or umbrella for shade
• Rain gear if it’s going to rain

Night clothes:

• Sports bra 
• Extra underwear
• Base layer
• Extra layers for warmth
• Socks
• Sandals for late-night bathroom trips

Sleep System

When it comes to sleeping, your sleep system can make or break your camping trip.  Having a good night of sleep is the best way to ensure you’ll want to continue camping time and time again.  Nobody wants to go camping when they know they’ll sleep terribly.

As a woman, there are sleep gear items that you can get that are geared towards your body build.  This will ensure that you’re warm and comfortable during your camping trip.

Sleeping Bags & sleeping pads come in varying widths and lengths.  This is really helpful for women so they can choose the right size.

Some sleeping bags come in smaller women sizes, with wider hips to fit women better.  Take your time when shopping for a sleeping  bag so you choose the best one for you.  Take your own measurements to help you determine which bag will be the best fit for a good night’s sleep.

Along with the sleeping bag & sleeping pad, make sure you have a good pillow.  They make inflatable pillows specifically for camping and backpacking.  These are a good option if you’re trying to pack light, but just make sure that it’s comfortable enough for you.

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Safety Gear

Safety gear is important no matter who goes camping.  You don’t want to have a bad camping experience due to being unprepared if an accident happens.  If you’re a woman camping alone, you might especially want to take extra precautions depending on where you’re at.

You also want safety items from the elements like sunscreen or bug spray.  Nothing is worse than getting covered in bug bites while you’re out for a summer camp.

Some items to consider for safety are

• First aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Pocket knife
• Self defense (mace, bear spray, firearm, etc.)
• Cell phone
• Fire starter
• Charger or extra batteries
• Head lamp
• Portable power bank
• Water purification tablets (if drinking from a natural water source)

You’ll find all of these items on the free camping checklist that I created, but this is just a reminder to focus on safety while you’re camping, especially for girls camping alone.

Entertainment

No matter where you’re camping, you want to make sure you have some sort of entertainment.  This could just be writing in a journal or reading a good book.  Regardless, plan ahead for what outdoor activities you want to do while you’re connecting with nature.

If you’re at a campsite with a picnic table, then board games or cards are a great option.

You might also decide to take day hikes from your campsite, so pack accordingly with a women’s hiking backpack, trekking poles, and trail snacks.

Here’s a list of some entertainment items you might want to bring:

• Book
• Journal & pen
• Boxed wine & wine glasses
• Women’s hiking pack, trekking poles, hiking boots
• Mess kit for cooking fun meals
• Soccer or volleyball
• Sketchbook
• Binoculars
• Kayak or paddle board
• Fishing pole

Conclusion

Depending on the type of camping that you’re doing will also determine which camping essentials you need as a girl.

If you’re backpacking in a national park or forest, you’ll want proper backpacking gear to fit your build & also be light enough to carry on the trail.

If you’re tent camping (like car campers) then you have a bit more freedom with what you bring due to extra packing space.  You can bring as much or as little as you like for comfort.

Regardless, if you want to make sure that you’ll have a great time on your next camping trip, pack these camping essentials for girls.  It’ll ensure that you’re comfortable and able to have a great time with the girls while in the great outdoors!

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