Packing List & Tips for Hiking & Dispersed Camping

After going hiking in Colorado under the direction of my now good friend Petey, a skilled hiker and climber, I learned how to prepare for a similar adventure... or so I thought.

“I would make the packing list, and I would map out the trek and campsites. It was going to be great. And it was... sort of.”

It was a Thursday in early November, and I needed a break from school, so I decided to ask the girl I'd been talking to if she wanted to go on a spontaneous hike the next day and camp overnight. To my surprise, she said yes! (And would later become my girlfriend.) I was exhilarated by the idea that I'd be leading my own little expedition. I would make the packing list, and I would map out the trek and campsites. It was going to be great. And it was... sort of.

Though we had an amazing time, it was only because we were flexible when things didn't quite go as planned (or when I admittedly didn't know what I was doing.) Below I've included what I originally thought of as necessary for such a trip, and I added in helpful tips about what I learned from the experience. Hopefully this will assist you in planning your next grand adventure!

PACKING LIST:

• Trail Head Map (physical or mobile download)

• Lunch Box

• Rope, String (to tie the lunch box from a tree, out of reach of most animals)

  • Food, Snacks, Drink, WATER

  • Water Purifier

• Water Bottle

• Necessary Cooking/Eating Supplies

  • Camping Stove, Pan, Forks, etc.

• Fishing Pole/Supplies

• Hammock and/or Tent

  • Hammock Straps, Carabiners/ Bug Net, Rainfly/ Hammer, Stakes

• Sleeping Bag

• Inflatable Sleeping Pad (if desired)

• Camping Pillow

• Flashlight/Lantern

• Lighter/Fire Starter

• Utility Knife

• Portable Charger

• Camera

• Necessary Toiletries

  • T.P., Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dry Shampoo/Body Wash (buy organic or natural supplies to preserve the environment)

• Necessary Clothing & Accessories

  • Shirts, Pants, Shorts, Underwear, Socks, Sweaters/Hoodies, Jacket, Hat, Sunglasses, Shoes/Boots

• First Aid Kit & Emergency Kit

TIPS FOR RUSTIC OR DISPERSED CAMPING:

In National Parks, you are able to participate in "dispersed camping". This is also sometimes called rustic or primitive camping due to the fact you do not stay in a "developed recreation area" or camp ground. Generally, if you plan to rustic camp you will stay at a marked site. These aren't in campgrounds but are approved sites for visitors. If you plan to participate in dispersed camping you will stay completely off the beaten path. 

I have listed some of the rules and tips below for both such activities. Keep in mind that it is wise to check any national or state camping rules for whichever park you intend to visit.

“If you plan to participate in dispersed camping you will stay completely off the beaten path.”

• Download UPDATED trail/park maps

• Know your start and end point

• Let someone know your plan and when you'll be back

• Check location for appropriate/marked camping sites (they'll usually have some sort of post or other indicator that it is a designated rustic camping site) - Specific rules below for dispersed camping

• Light lantern in your hammock/tent to find it in the dark when away from camp

• Know the wildlife and what animals you could encounter

• Understand your surroundings

• Be friendly and smart when encountering other hikers/campers

• Don't camp too close to another site, unless the campers have approved

• If you bring in outside wood, you will need a permit

• If you do not bring in outside wood, use only dead wood and fallen branches

• Light fires in open spaces, away from trees, and PUT THEM OUT COMPLETELY

• Leave the site cleaner than you found it

• DISPERSED CAMPING:

  • 1) Check all the local or national rules for the park you're staying in, they vary from place to place

  • 2) A permit is NOT required to camp outside of developed recreation areas or camp grounds in the National Forest System, but...

  • 3) Know the basics: Most dispersed camping rules require you to be at least 100-200 feet from a water source (stream, river, lake), around 150-200 feet from a trail or roadway, and 1 mile in any direction from a developed recreation area, or a traditional camp ground, and most obviously - do not camp where it clearly states, "No Camping".

  • 4) You're allowed to camp in a certain spot for an allotted amount of time (Ex: 16 days) before having to move your equipment out of the park or a designated number of miles away from your previous campsite

  • 5) Clean up after yourself

Hopefully this packing list and set of tips help you before you set out on your next adventure! If there is something I've neglected to include or simply forgot, please let me know in the comments section!

- Cullan

Sunset on the Manistee River Trail, Mesick, MI