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Let’s Go Cabin Camping!
I have several people that stay in our cabin each year so I thought I would put together a checklist for you of fun things to bring to a cabin along with 50 things you don’t want to forget. Don’t worry! You can download my Free Printable Ultimate Cabin Camping Packing List down below. I’ve also included 10 fun things to bring to a cabin!
How To Get The Free Printable Cabin Packing List?
The one thing that really helped me remember everything for our cabin rental trips was a packing list. Check out this awesome 13 page cabin camping packing list I created! You won’t forget anything for the trip when you use this packing list, that’s for sure! And it’s so darn cute, I think you’re going to love it!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE ULTIMATE CABIN CAMPING PACKING CHECKLIST!
What Should I Bring To A Cabin?
If you’re planning a vacation trip with friends in a cabin, the first thing is to make a list of things you might need to bring with you. Even though you’re staying in a cabin rather than camping in a tent. You still need to bring things with you it’s a little different than say staying in a hotel. Most cabins I’ve stayed in include the basic cooking utensils and cookware but they don’t include everything that’s when you need to download my cabin camping checklist so you won’t forget anything.
When we travel we have a tub set up with some of our basics. Things that can be stored out in the garage without worries, like kitchen utensils, the cookstove, and pans. More on that in a minute. Nothing perishable, but necessities that we can use for both camping or if we stay at a cabin. This saves so much time when traveling.
Ultimate Camping Cabin Packing List
Don’t let this list overwhelm you, it’s really simple after you set it up for the first time.
Must-Have List
- Sharpie
- Medications
- Backpack
- Tablecloth
- Radio
- Map
- Reservation information
- Duct Tape
- Pillows, Pillowcases/Throw Blanket
- First Aid Kit
- Bottled Water
- Suitcase
- Warm weather clothing for cool nights
- Cool-weather clothing, you never know it might get hot
- Swimsuit
- Towels, One for the floor of the shower
- Bag with shampoo, conditioner, razor, deodorant
- Flip flops for the shower
- Hairdryer
- Extra batteries
- Chargers
Cooking/Food
- Cooking grill, camping stove
- Cooking pan
- Cooking utensils
- Food
- Snacks
- Dish Soap
- Dishrags/towels
- Can opener
- Cooking oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Paper towels, Bowls, Plates & Forks/knives
- Ziploc bags
- Trash bags
- Water Bottles to fill up
- Tablecloth for picnic tables
- Cooler
- Extra ice (freeze some water bottles too)
- Food for stay, frozen if possible
- Foil
- Fold up table
Outdoors
- Matches
- Utility Knife
- Tablecloth to cover picnic table
- Easy To Setup Screen Tent
- Folding camp chairs
- Folding Table
- Citronella candles
- Bug spray
- Marshmallow roasters
- Pop up tent for picnic tables, in case it rains or protects from sun
- Lantern
- Flashlights
- Large pot for cooking
- Coffee pot
- Big water container with a spout
- Cooler, blanket to cover to keep cooler
- Charcoal
- Lighter/matches
- Pie Maker
- Beach towels
- Floats
- Beach umbrella
- Camera
- Bikes
- Fishing poles & tackle. Don’t forget to buy the license first. They usually let kids fish free.
- Hanging hammock
Cleaning
- Laundry soap (if you’re staying for over a week)
- Clothespins (beach towels)
- Clothesline, rope to string up
- Laundry bag or travel hamper
- Hand sanitizer
- Bar soap in a mesh bag
- Antibacterial wipes
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Hangers
Cooking & Food Checklist For The Cabin
Most cabins have the basics, like kitchen utensils and cooking pans. There should be a picnic table outside and possibly a grill or fire ring. I made a list of things I pack for a weekend trip to a cabin.
- Popcorn Kernels
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Coffee, ask to see if there’s a coffee maker
- Tea bags
- Cocoa
- Peanut Butter and Jelly and loaf of bread
- Marshmallows, graham crackers along with a few chocolate bars
- Hot dogs with buns
- I make ahead a bowl of pasta salad that we can munch on during the day. This keeps great in the cooler.
- Snacks, peanut butter crackers, protein bars, donuts
- A box of cereal
- Apples, bananas, oranges, and watermelon
- Hamburgers with buns
You can pick up last-minute things like milk and juice when you get close to your cabin.
How To Make A Cabin Trip Fun?
I think playing games make camping fun. Especially at night when the daytime activities are finished but everyone is not yet ready for bed. Breaking out a game can help make the evening fun. Plus the memories of everyone laughing over the game help make the trip a fun memory for years to come.
You might also like to read:
Romantic Hiking Adventure
9 Benefits Of Camping
10 Fun Things To Bring To A Cabin
Here’s my simple list of things I always have on hand to take with us when we travel. Most of these are adult activities, but kids can enjoy them too.
- Deck of cards (change for gambling)
- Board games
- Telescope (some parks have special places to meet up and look through their telescopes)
- Bird watching, make a list of birds in the area to find, or Journal
- Binoculars -Fun For Colors For Kids of all ages!
- Collect nature items, flowers, pinecones, and feathers.
- Inner tube for floating in the water (tubbing)
- S’mores! (campfire fun)
- Kayaks These are a blast!
- Fishing Poles
PRO TIP> Create a Camping Storage Tub
If you camp a lot or stay in cabins. I suggest that you make yourself a Go-To camping tub with your essentials. Like cookware and first aid items. Ours is a black tub with a lid that we store in the garage. (Don’t forget to label it) Then when we want to go camping or to a cabin again, we just grab the tub and go. This one is heavy duty with a heavy lid so we can stack them without worries of the lid caving in on itself. We have two tubs, one with cookware and the other with toiletries.
I also keep a “Go-To Bag” of sorts filled with necessities of Band-Aids, makeup, hair supplies small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and wash rags. That way when we do go camping, I just grab my bag and go over my checklist, add anything that might be missing and head out. It makes packing super fast.
And when you’re hubby surprises you with a trip to the beach. You can just grab your bag and go.
What are the 10 Essentials For Camping with pets?
When we went camping in our RV we always had a dog or two with us. It’s very important to bring along the essentials for your pets. You will need these things the most.
- Leashes, collars they can’t escape out of, many times this saved my dog’s life.
- Shot record (some parks require it)
- Small fencing for when you’re sitting outside if you have little dogs. ( I bought this type several times and it lasts for a long time.)
- Water bowls, water container
- Food
- Food dishes
- Poop bags, please pick up the poop.
- Kennel for each dog. You will have to crate them at some point on your journey.
- Towels to clean their feet before they come inside, rug for outside.
- Treats! Don’t forget these.
Unplug, and enjoy nature!
Just remember one thing, you’re on vacation! Spending time with your friends and family. STAY OFF THE PHONE! UNPLUG- Make it a No Technology weekend. You can plug back in when you get home. But this time, the time on vacation, you can’t get back. Treasure it, you’re making memories, make as many as you can and have fun! And print out my list of 10 fun things to bring to a cabin, grab them and go.
I love spending time in our cabin! It’s so peaceful and relaxing. The best part is that the phone doesn’t work there, so I can unplug and enjoy the sounds of the birds, breathing in the fresh outdoors.
Happy Camping!
Michelle 🌸
Pin it for later!
Thanks for the tip that portable fences can be used in order to more easily bring a pet along on a vacation. I’d like to be able to go to a cabin vacation rental with my family soon since we weren’t able to go out back in the holiday season. It would be best to go to one while the weather is still quite cold.