Camping Storage Ideas: How We Stay Organized at Camp
The more we camp, the more we learn.
One lesson came pretty quickly: staying organized at camp makes every trip more enjoyable. When we first started camping, our car was filled with duffel bags, backpacks, grocery bags, and loose gear. Finding anything usually meant digging through half the car.
That's frustrating at camp, but it's even worse on the road. Hunting for snacks while driving isn't exactly safe, and nobody wants to search for tent stakes while setting up camp or dig for a spork while dinner gets cold.
Over time, we developed a simple system that keeps everything organized both at home and at camp. It saves time, makes packing easier, and means we're much less likely to leave something important behind.
Storage Bin
Our main storage bin holds almost all of our camp kitchen, cooking, fire, and miscellaneous gear. We keep it packed between trips, so when it's time to go camping, we simply load it into the Subaru and hit the road.
The waterproof-style lid keeps out rain, latches securely, and even has holes for zip ties if we want a little extra security. (We still don't leave it outside overnight in bear country.)
Having one dedicated gear bin has probably made the biggest difference in staying organized.
Smaller Storage Bins
Inside the large bin, we use several smaller containers to separate gear into categories like kitchen supplies, lighting, and miscellaneous items. Instead of digging through one giant box, we can grab exactly what we need. It also keeps small items from disappearing into the bottom of the larger bin.
Food Bins
We keep all of our dry food and snacks in locking plastic bins. They help keep curious squirrels and other small critters out while also making it easier to organize meals. For shorter trips, we simply bring a smaller container instead of filling a larger one with empty space. The taller bin also works surprisingly well as a little side table or easy-access snack box while we're driving.
A Clothing Duffel
One duffel holds all of our clothing and toiletries. Keeping everything together makes it easy to grab a jacket on a cold evening or carry the whole bag into the tent when it's time to change clothes. We also use the end pockets to organize smaller items like toothbrushes, contact solution, gloves, and beanies.
A Housing Duffel
This is the bag that holds our campsite. Our large REI duffel stays packed with the tent, footprint, rainfly, tarp, stakes, poles, mallet, sleeping pads, pillows, repair supplies, spare guy lines, extra stakes, and a few trash bags for packing away a wet tent. When we arrive at camp, we only need to grab one bag to set up our entire campsite.
The Cooler
A good cooler is essential for keeping food and drinks cold, but ours also doubles as an extra table around camp.
Water Jug
We always bring more water than we think we'll need.
A five-gallon water jug is much easier to manage than several individual gallon jugs rolling around the car, and the built-in spout makes it easy to refill bottles or wash dishes around camp.
An Empty Tub
If we're planning to have a campfire, we always bring along one empty plastic tub.
It keeps firewood from covering the car in bark and dirt, protects the wood if it rains, and doubles as an extra table around camp. On the drive home, the cooler nests inside the empty tub to save space.
The Finishing Touches
Beyond staying organized, we like making camp feel comfortable.
A simple fabric tablecloth brightens up the picnic table, and a set of battery-powered ENO Twilight string lights makes evenings around camp feel a little cozier. We also keep a blanket handy for extra warmth, covering gear in the car, or adding a little privacy when sleeping inside the Crosstrek.
Having a simple organization system has made camping easier from start to finish. Packing takes less time, setup is quicker, and unloading at home is as simple as carrying a few organized containers back into storage instead of sorting through a dozen random bags.
Everyone develops their own system over time, but finding one that works for you can make every camping trip a little more relaxing.
Any tips or unique things you do to stay sane while trying to find your spork?
