A well-prepared list makes for a smooth and effortless adventure. Regardless of season or the type of cabin you’re staying in, this in-depth cabin camping packing list has everything you need!
As a seasoned outdoor adventurer, I can’t get enough of cabin camping. There is an inexplicable charm in being surrounded by towering trees and wildlife, while snugly nestled in a cozy cabin in the woods.
Cabin camping is a diverse experience, ranging from rustic retreats with minimal amenities to fully equipped home-away-from-homes. The magic of each stay is further accentuated by the time of year, whether it’s winter yurts or lakeside cabins in the warmer months. Personally, I’ve done it all!
No matter the type of cabin adventure you are embarking on, this comprehensive cabin camping packing list has you covered every step of the way! Designed to accommodate all the seasons, this list will give you a full breakdown of all your cabin essentials, as well as some fun items to make the trip truly memorable.
The Only Cabin Camping Packing List You’ll Ever Need
Tips For Before You Go
Before you embark, consider these practical tips to ensure a smooth journey from packing to enjoying your adventure.
- Know Your Cabin Amenities – Take a good look at your cabin reservation to prepare and pack for your cabin experience properly. Is the cabin well equipped or more rustic with the bare minimum? Here are some important things to check for specifically:
- Is there running and/or drinkable water?
- Is there air conditioning in the summer or heating in the winter?
- Do they include bedding?
- Will you have a fully equipped kitchen?
- Is there a fire pit?
- Research the Destination – Get to know the area surrounding your cabin. Are there any exciting outdoor activities nearby, such as hiking trails, fishing spots, or swimming holes? Knowing what’s available will not only help you plan your adventure-filled days, but will also inform what you need to pack for the activities. You’ll also want to check if there is a nearby grocery store or gas station to purchase things like firewood, ice, and/or food.
- Check the Weather Forecast – This information will help you pack suitable clothing and gear to stay comfortable, rain or shine.
I definitely learned this tip the hard way when I overestimated the nightly temperatures and failed to bring any blankets on my first camping trip – Read more about my camping fails and essential tips I’ve learned as a result here.
- Check if there is Cell Coverage in the Area – While cabin camping is all about disconnecting from the outside world, it’s good to know if there’s any cell service in case of emergencies or to inform loved ones about your safety. It can also be good to know if you need to bring back-up navigation.
- Plan Your Meals in Advance – Consider planning your meals in advance, so you know exactly what ingredients to bring. Preparing a rough menu will streamline your grocery list and save you time during your getaway.
Cabin Camping Essential Items
No matter the cabin trip, these essentials will always stay the same. The following items are the essentials you should never forget for your cabin camping experience:
- Reservation Information – Whether you bring screenshotted or printed versions of instructions to access your cabin or confirmation numbers to show upon arrival, make sure you bring your reservation information.
- First Aid Kit – It is always a good idea to pack a first-aid kit.
- Cell Phones & Chargers
- Re-usable Water Bottle
- GPS or Directions
- Flashlight or Headlamp
- Firewood
- Powerbank – This has become an essential item for me no matter the power accessibility. Power banks can be a lifesaver to have when spending entire days exploring the great outdoors for both safety and convenience.
Cabin Camping Activities to Pack
There are so many fun activities that can be enjoyed on a cabin camping adventure! If you’re looking for things to do while enjoying the cabin itself or for rainy days, here are some must-haves:
- Board games – Get back to the basics with a board game night
- Books – There’s nothing quite like getting cozy in the woods with a good book!
- Cards
- Portable Speaker
- Journal
- Snacks
- Drinks/Beverages
- Cards
- Smore Ingredients – Marshmallows, chocolate, crackers, and fire sticks to roast delicious smores around the fire.
- Yoga Mat – If you’re a yoga lover or simply enjoy a nice stretch in the morning, bring a yoga mat along to enjoy the unique change of scenery.
Cabin Camping Kitchen Packing List
The type of cabin you’re staying in can heavily impact the number of kitchen supplies you need to bring. If you are staying in a more equipped cabin, you’ll need:
- Food – All your ingredients and snacks from your cabin meal plan. Don’t forget to pack any condiments from your fridge at home to avoid having to repurchase them!
- Coffee/Tea – Some more equipped cabins will come with complimentary coffee/tea but it never hurts to bring some just in case.
- Coffee Filters
- Coffee Maker/Portable French Press – Some cabins might provide a coffee maker, but it’s always good to double-check!
- Paper towels
- Ziploc Bags/Containers – These are often overlooked and forgotten, however, can be super useful if you plan on packing a lunch for your daily activities or saving any leftovers.
- Lighter – I prefer to bring a long bbq lighter for starting campfires.
- Cooking Oil
- Corkscrew or Bottle Opener
- Tablecloth – If you have an outdoor picnic table, this is a great option for enjoying a more comfortable outdoor dining experience.
If you’re staying in a more rustic cabin, you’ll need:
These items are assuming you’re staying in a cabin with basically no kitchen amenities.
- Cooler & Bags of Ice – An important note for this: If you are relying on a cooler and ice to keep your items refrigerated, you’ll have to find a nearby store to constantly replenish your ice supply.
- Camping Cook Stove
- Cooking Fuel – Small cans of propane
- Camping Pots/Pans
- Camping Mugs
- Camping Plates/Bowls & Cutlery
- Basic Cooking Utensils – Think sharp knives, tongs, flippers, etc.
- Instant Coffee – Without a proper coffee maker, instant coffee is the easiest solution to meeting your morning caffeine requirements
- Garbage Bags
- Drinkable Water – Pack jugs of water for cooking with and drinking
- Dish towels – For both washing and drying dishes
- Biodegradable Dish Soap
Cabin Camping Outdoor Leisure
One of the best parts of staying in a cabin is the chance to reconnect with nature. Make sure to bring some of these and any other items to enjoy your favourite outdoor activities:
- Hammock
- Camping Chairs
- Outdoor Games (Cornhole, badminton, ladder toss, etc.)
- Frisbee/Baseball Gloves/Football
- Fire Starter – If you want to make starting your campfires a little bit easier, opt for fire starters
- Day Pack for Day Trips
Cabin Clothing/Outdoor Gear Packing List
You already know you need to pack underwear, so we’re not going to bother with that. Here are some clothing items specific to your cabin camping adventure to pack on top of your normal day-to-day clothing necessities
- Warm Sweaters – Even summer nights can get chilly occasionally
- Comfy Loungewear – I basically live in sweatpants and a sweater on my cabin adventures. You’ll definitely want some comfortable clothes for hanging around.
- Campfire Clothes – I always pack an extra pair of comfy clothes that I specifically wear around the fire. I love the smell of campfire, but day-after campfire clothes can get a little stinky!
- Leggings or hiking pants
- Rain Jacket/Poncho
- Layers – Pack an appropriate amount of layers for the weather. Even in the summer, you’ll want a light outer layer to protect against the sun and bugs.
- Pajamas
- Hat – Either a baseball cap for the summer or a beanie for the winter
- Sunglasses
- Trekking Poles – If you’re doing any hiking in the area, trekking poles can be a useful accessory
Footwear:
- Flip Flops/Slippers – It’s great to have easy slip-on shoes for walking around the cabin
- Comfy Casual Shoes
- Hiking Boots
- Hiking Socks
Cabin Toiletries
No matter the trip, you’ll need these everyday essentials. If you are not staying near any stores, make sure you double check you have everything before leaving.
- Toiletry Bag
- Important Medications
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Hairbrush/Comb
- Hair Accessories
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Chapstick
- Towels
Rustic Cabin Additions:
- Toilet Paper – If there is no outhouse, you’ll also need to bring a trowel for digging.
- Hand Sanitizer – If there is no running water, you’ll need something to clean your hands.
Miscellaneous Cabin Packing Items
- Sleeping Bags and/or Bedding – If you are staying in a more rustic place, it might be BYOB (Bring your own bedding 😉).
- Camera
- Travel Insurance – If you are travelling out of the country for your cabin getaway, make sure you are covered!
- Pocket Knife/Hatchet – If you are staying in a backcountry cabin, a pocket knife can be handy or a hatchet for chopping firewood.
Winter Cabin Camping Packing List
If you are partaking in a winter cabin adventure, here are a few extra items to bring along. The biggest thing to keep in mind when visiting a cabin in the winter is ensuring you’re going to be warm. Check if your cabin has proper heating and make sure you bring backup heating sources if not.
- Warm Outer Layer
- Fleece Sweater
- Thermal Layers
- Snowpants
- Wool Socks
- Winter Gloves
- Snow Boots
- Extra Blankets
- Hand Warmers – These little suckers can make a huge difference on a cold day. Try putting them in your shoes to warm you up!
- Snow Shoes
- Cross Country Skiis
- Hot Waterbottle – An extra accessory for warming your bed or cozying up with inside.
Waterfront Cabin Packing List
If you are staying in a cabin near the water, you’ll want to pack for some water activities! Here are some important items to consider bringing to enjoy the water:
- Bathing Suit
- Water Shoes
- Beach Towel
- Dry Bag – Want to snap some pics while out on the water? Bring a dry back to keep your phone protected.
- Floaties
- Fishing Pole
- Sandals
- Life Jackets
Final Thoughts on the Ultimate Cabin Camping Packing List
A cabin camping trip is one of my favourite ways to get out and explore the outdoors! They also make for easy weekend trips, alternatives to camping, or awesome workcations for those who work remotely. While they make for easy and fun adventures, it is still important to be well-prepared to ensure a successful and stress-free trip. No matter the season or type of cabin you are staying in, this cabin camping packing list has everything you need!
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Happy adventuring!
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