Summer Camping Checklist for Heat, UV and Bugs

Track & Canopy · Updated 2026-10-16 · Tick items as you pack — print or save as PDF from your browser.

Sun protection

The UV index moves faster than you do. Cover the hours, not just the skin.

  1. Broad-brim hat, chin strap for wind Essential
  2. UPF long-sleeve shirt per person Essential
  3. SPF50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen, sweat-resistant
  4. SPF lip balm, kept where it is found fast
  5. Sunglasses with proper UV rating
  6. After-sun gel for the evening check

Hydration

Water is the heaviest decision you make. Count it before you count anything else.

  1. 20 L water carrier with tap Essential
  2. Refillable bottle for every person Essential
  3. Electrolyte sachets or tablets
  4. Collapsible jerry for the second source
  5. Frozen bottles that double as ice
  6. Cup Rinse water, separate from drinking

Insect defence

Dusk is a shift change. Set the defences before the first bite lands.

  1. Picaridin or DEET repellent per person Essential
  2. Screen room or bug shelter for dusk
  3. Mosquito head nets for the late walkers
  4. Coils or electric repeller for the table
  5. Fine-mesh repair kit for tent windows
  6. Anti-itch balm in the night pouch

Cool sleep

A hot night ruins tomorrow. Engineer the sleep, do not endure it.

  1. Lightweight bag or quilt matched to the season Essential
  2. Rechargeable fan with tripod or hook
  3. Cotton or silk liner instead of a heavy bag
  4. Cooling towel for the 2 am rewet
  5. Self-inflating mat, tested for heat sag
  6. Blackout fly or shade cover for morning sun

Shade and shelter

Your shade is a clock. It moves west by lunch and the worst sun comes from the side.

  1. UPF50+ canopy or gazebo Essential
  2. Side walls for the low afternoon sun
  3. Shade sail and clips for the second layer
  4. Wind-rated pegs and weights for storm afternoons Essential
  5. Tarp for the shade-over-door extension

Heat-safe food

The danger zone is five to sixty degrees. Summer lives inside it all day.

  1. Esky or 12V fridge with real ice plan Essential
  2. Ice bricks frozen solid before departure
  3. Sealed food containers that flies cannot find
  4. Fly dome or food cover for the table
  5. Lidded bin with bags, carried out nightly