Gear

Short lists, not catalogs. The things that make a trip better, and why. Packing for a trip? Start with the camping checklist.

4 picks

Sleeping warm at elevation

Most bad camping nights come down to cold. Fix the bag, the pad, and the layer under it.

5 picks

A camp kitchen you actually enjoy

Fire bans are the norm in late summer. A good stove and a cooler that holds ice turns camping into cooking outside.

5 picks

Lake camping with kids

Shade, water toys, and something to sit on. That's the whole list.

6 picks

Fire, firewood, and light

The tools that get the fire going and keep camp lit after dark. Check fire restrictions first; by late summer, many campgrounds ban fires.

6 picks

Fishing from camp

Many of the best campgrounds in California sit on stocked trout lakes. A simple setup is all you need to fish before breakfast.

6 picks

Hammock camping

A hammock is the best seat in camp and, set up right, a real bed. Check the rules first: California State Parks require a free-standing stand, and Yosemite asks you to pad the trees.

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