Packing List of Things to Bring Camping in a Cabin
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Packing List of things for Cabin Camping
It could be said that nothing beats a good old fashioned camping trip. Just the feeling of getting outdoors, setting up your tent, and roughing it in the wilderness is an exhilarating experience. While this is probably the scenario people are most familiar with, there exist other options. Cabin camping, for example, takes a bit of a load off of the planning aspect, while still allowing a pleasurable rustic experience. Now, just because it’s a bit less plan-heavy than the traditional option doesn’t mean you shouldn’t assemble a packing list of things to bring for camping in a cabin.
What is Cabin Camping?
Cabin camping is exactly what it sounds like – rather than using a tent, you will instead be living within the confines of a lodge, cabin, or yurt. Due to their usual locations, these options still supply a plethora of outdoor activities while providing more peace of mind when it comes to inclement weather. While there are no rules that say you can’t still bring along a tent, this is usually an afterthought by most.
What to Pack for Camping in a Cabin?
The answer to this question highly depends on your planned activities, though there are a few absolute necessities. Things such as toiletries, medications, food, cooking supplies, tools, clothing, utensils, and bedding should be top priorities when putting together a packing list for cabin camping. Beyond these, many other items could be considered luxuries. For example, a NOAA Weather Radio is an extremely useful gadget to have laying around in case of a sudden change in weather. Also, dependent on your proximity to water, a spare fishing rod and tackle box can provide countless hours of relaxation.
When planning out your packing list for cabin camping, your safety, hygiene, and basic needs should be your primary concerns. Without further ado, let’s move onto the list!
The Necessities
Toiletries
Toiletries, when it comes to a packing list for cabin camping, may differ a bit from roughing it. For instance, you might have access to a shower. In which case, perhaps you want to go the extra mile and bring your facial cleanser and shampoo.
For those looking for a bit more of a minimalistic approach, stick to the necessities. Things such as a toothbrush, toothbrush case, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss should be non-negotiable if you care at all about your own health. Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, soap, and feminine items (if applicable) should also hold a high place on your list. Beyond these items, most things are more or less a luxury. If you decide to bring your entire bathroom, you’ll be doing more glamping than camping!
Medications and First Aid
It should go without saying, but going camping isn’t an excuse to stop taking your medication. With the availability of pocket-sized pill containers, there’s no reason to miss a dose.
Moving on, next up is something many people take for granted – first aid kits. Around your home you probably have easy access to a myriad of ointments and bandages, but unless you’re Bear Grylls, nature doesn’t provide those things for you. Luckily, we’ve already compiled a comprehensive guide to things that should be in a first aid kit! Minor cuts and scrapes can easily get infected without a proper cleaning, and that can put an end to your camping trip real quick. Don’t take chances, bring the first aid kit.
Food and Water
There might be times that you just don’t feel like cooking during your trip, and that’s okay, it’s a vacation after all, right? Unless you love to cook, some nice, easy options are probably something you’re looking for. In this case, a food dehydrator is an awesome tool to have at your disposal. The Presto 06300 Dehydro is an affordable solution to your dehydration needs. Reaching temperatures of up to 165 degrees, the Presto 06300 Dehydro is just as easy to use as it is to clean. It comes with four drying trays, expanding to eight if required. Creating your own dried fruits, veggies, and jerky has never been easier. Just add your food of choice, turn it on, and walk away. On an additional note, if you’re a vegetarian then we have an extra resource for you located here!
As for water, even if your cabin has clean, running water you should always be prepared with a backup. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a great option to stuff into your belongings before heading out. Alternatively, you can also make use of water filtration tablets if all else fails. No matter which route you take, having an additional source of water is vitally important. Death from dehydration can happen is as little as 3 days under normal circumstances, and even more quickly when the temperatures are soaring.
Cooking Supplies and Utensils
Food is just as important while camping as any other time, if not more so. Since you’ll most likely be partaking in some outdoor recreation, your calorie expenditure may actually increase depending on your current lifestyle. With that said, having dependable cooking supplies and utensils when out in the wild is of vital importance.
For their ease of use and portability, mess kits are a common recommendation in this category. The 1 Liter 10-Piece Camping Cookware Mess Kit from MallowMe is an amazingly affordable set. This kit provides an all-in-one option consisting of a nonstick aluminum pot, cover, pan, 2 BPA free bowls and soup spoon, folding stainless steel spork, wooden spatula, and cleaning sponge. If that wasn’t enough, it also includes a nice nylon drawstring carrying bag. This set is highly recommended if you’re looking for a compact and easy to carry option for your cooking needs.
Moving on, if you’re going to be cooking, you’ll need a heat source. The Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking and Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition is an ultra portable setup perfect for saving space. Able to fit pots and pans with a diameter of up to 7 inches, this little stove is compatible with any 7/16 threaded butane or butane-propane mixed fuel canisters (EN 417). While there are bigger options available, its compact nature allows it to double as a convenient backpacking and hiking stove, which is a win-win in our book.
Tools
One might not usually think of the need for tools on a camping trip, but a solid multitool can be a real life saver. The LEATHERMAN Wave Plus Multitool is a proven, high-quality model that comes from a tried and tested brand. They claim it to be an “instant toolkit”, and that isn’t an exaggeration. The Wave Plus features a staggering 18 total tools, consisting of – pliers, wire cutters, wire stripper, saw, knives, scissors, can and bottle openers, ruler, screwdrivers, and files. Despite being a bit more expensive than other alternatives, you can rest easy knowing the LEATHERMAN Wave Plus will withstand everything you can throw at it for years to come.
Clothing
Unless you’re camping in a nudist colony, then it goes without saying clothes are pretty important. As with most outdoor activities, base layers are the most important consideration when planning your wardrobe. Depending on temperatures, you might want something comprised of merino wool for the cooler seasons, while a more breathable material like a lightweight cotton shirt would be more suitable for the summer heat. Pick and choose accordingly!
Bedding
When preparing a packing list for cabin camping, bedding can be a bit tricky. This highly depends on whether or not your cabin is furnished or not. If it is, then standard bedding sheets and pillows will do the trick just fine, but if it isn’t, then you need to plan accordingly.
In our article “Backpacking Cot vs Sleeping Pad”, we cover some of the best options in the bedding space, as well as their pros and cons. So if you’re interested, click on over and check them out!
Bear Protection
If you happen to be located in an area that is known for having bears, then there are additional steps you should take to make sure you and your possessions remain safe. Be sure to head over and check out our extensive article “How to Bear Proof Your Campsite for Camping Safety” to learn the best tips and tricks. Bears should not be taken lightly, and while they are usually more scared of you than you are of them, anything can happen.
The Nice to Haves
NOAA Weather Radio
While we’ve placed this particular item under “Nice to Haves”, this little gizmo could mean the difference between life and death during extreme circumstances. These awesome gadgets allow you to tune into AM/FM stations like a normal radio, but also add the ability to listen to VHF FM weather radio stations. Not only does a NOAA radio provide weather, but will also broadcast information on AMBER alerts, natural disasters, and 911 telephone outages. For more information on NOAA weather radios, check out our full coverage article “Best Camping Radio for NOAA Weather Forecast“.
One of my favorite NOAA Weather Radios to recommend is the RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Radio. This thing has a ton of features in such a small package, such as – hand crank for human powered charging, internal 1000 mAh battery, flashlight, mini built-in solar panel, and micro USB charging. For such a cheap price, there’s no reason not to own one of these, for camping or otherwise.
Fishing Supplies
Fishing is a relaxing pastime loved by many, but fishing rods tend to be a bit annoying to pack. This is where the telescoping variety comes into play. Enter the PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo. This telescopic rod is composed of high density 24-ton carbon fiber and reinforced with fiberglass composite. Everything about this pole screams quality and durability. If you pick up the full kit, it comes with a carrying bag as well as a full set of lures, weights, and bobbers. Overall, this package is the perfect size to slip into a backpack and hike down to the nearby waters. You can’t do that with a traditional fishing pole!
GPS Watch
If you’re the adventurous type, you might decide to head out on a hike during your camping trip. Getting lost in forested areas is extremely easy to do, especially for inexperienced hikers. The Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof GPS Watch helps track numerous metrics, previous trails used, and is easily accessible. If you enjoy a bit of hunting and fishing, you’ll also be happy to know it has the capacity to track that information as well. Finally, it provides readings of barometric pressure, so weather changes never take you by surprise.
Things to Bring Camping in a Cabin – Conclusion
Any time you’re planning to head outdoors, it’s important to be prepared. Putting together a proper packing list of things to bring camping in a cabin should be no exception. The wilderness can be a dangerous place, even when camping indoors. Nature activities can be unpredictable at times, so staying one step ahead is always recommended. Stay safe, and happy camping!
