Essential camping gear to make your fall trips irresistible

One of my favorite things to do, whether with family and friends or by myself, is camping. I especially enjoy camping in the fall. Being able to get outside and enjoy nature is great. But when you’re always busy and constantly working on a project, camping is a way to force yourself not to work and just relax.

The look of my campground has changed over the years. From the primitive camping of my youth to pulling a self-built camper now, the ethos remains the same: relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. I have been fortunate to test out a lot of great gear over the years. Some gear has become a staple of my kit, while others have not.

Here are five pieces of camping gear that are in my 2024 gear. Some of them are essential for survival, and some are just extra convenience.

1. Power source

In the case of my non-primitive camping, a power source, or rather power sources, are essential. If I were camping only in a tent, I would probably only take a phone battery, such as Anker PowerCore III 10K or BioLite 10+ Solar Panelbecause it is a solar panel with a built-in 3200 mAh battery charger.

But for longer camps or ones where I don’t “take advantage” of the conditions, I like to take a portable power station with me. I really like it Anker Solix C800 Plus for its compact size, good power options, and two camping lights that are stored in the lid. If I find myself needing even more power than the 1200W available in the C800 Plus, I’ll take my Bluetti AC240P for an output power of 3600 W. In addition, it is dust and water resistant according to the IP65 standard.

I take batteries with me to use when camping and also to power my camper. My current setup uses a 15kWh EcoFlow PowerKit. In addition to the massive amount of power available, the overall capabilities of this system are truly impressive. Everything in the system runs through a central hub that connects to a smart breaker panel, along with available AC and DC circuits in the smart panel.

I have about 900 watts of solar panels on the roof of my camper to keep my system charged, but it can handle up to 4800 watts from the sun, 1000 watts from the vehicle alternator, and 3000 watts from shore power. With this system I can run my air conditioning, fridge, lights, TV, microwave, coffee maker, or anything else I might need.

2. A place to relax

Once I get to the campsite and set up my essentials, it’s time to relax. When it comes to sitting around the campfire or just sitting down, I unfurl my GCI Freestyle Rocker Chair. While it’s a lot more expensive at $70 than your average bag chair, it’s still going to last a lot longer. In addition to being durable, it’s very comfortable, and the rocking feature is great for relaxing.

When I really want to relax or sleep under the stars, I quickly set up Anymaka Portable Hammock. When I say fast, I mean I can go from storage bag to sleeping bag in less than three minutes. It has a very sturdy stand and can hold up to 550 pounds. Accessories include a cup holder, a canopy for shade, and a mosquito net for nighttime stargazing.

3. Preparation station

If you’re lucky enough to find a campsite with a picnic table, you can prepare meals and set up your gear. But if you’re like me and prefer to camp in remote areas, you probably won’t have a table. That’s why a table is essential in my camping gear kit.

My favorite table comes from the same company that makes my favorite chair – GCI Slim Folding Table. While there are many options for camping tables, I love this one because it is lightweight, weighing in at just 26 pounds, yet sturdy and can hold up to 125 pounds. The table folds up nice and flat to a relatively compact 3.5″ x 24.2″ x 27.2″, so it doesn’t take up much space, and the slatted design makes it easy to clean.

4. Atmosphere and source of cooking

If there is one thing that is truly iconic to camping, it is fire. It is important to use something to extinguish the fire while camping to avoid accidentally igniting embers. While there are great fire pits designed for camping, such as Solo Mesa StoveThey are used to create warmth and atmosphere rather than for cooking.

If you are looking for a more compact option, you can opt for a handy, portable grill such as Burch Barrel Flat Packer.

However, I decided on something that would allow me to have a place to cook and feel the atmosphere: BioLite+ Fireplace. What made this my favorite camping stove was its versatility and fuel. It can be used with both charcoal and firewood. There’s a sliding grill grate, and the mesh sides provide excellent airflow to the fire. But if the mesh sides aren’t enough, the battery on the end can power a fan that forces air through the perforated tubes to help light the fire.

5. Something to light the way

When you are out in nature, it can be quite dark at night, even with a full moon. That is why it is important to have good light sources. While I have light sources available in Anker Solix C800 PlusI always remember to have some alternatives on hand.

There are several great flashlight options out there and it’s important to find one that meets your specific needs. I really like Olight Baton3 Pro for a variety of lighting options, 1500 lumens of brightness, durability, and a magnetic end. This end is great for attaching to objects to keep it in place, but when there is nothing magnetic nearby, the extra-long clip is great.

I also try to have some area lighting in my equipment. Lately I’ve been taking BioLite Alpenglow Flashlight for this purpose. While it has RGB lights and offers some fun effects, I like the long battery life with 200 hours of low light and the dimmable and adjustable white light. It’s great for placing on a table while eating or just providing ambient light at the campsite. It also has a hook on the end to hang it.

Here are the five pieces of camping gear I take with me on every trip. Your five may look different, and that’s the great thing about camping. You can tailor your experience to suit where you’re going and what you’re bringing. This ever-expanding list will continue to grow as new technology and gear emerges.

Many of CNET’s top-rated outdoor gear pieces can also be used for camping, so be sure to check out our list of the best outdoor gadgets for 2024.