All three of my kids were camping before they were 2 months old. My son went in a tent and the back of our truck. My preemie twin girls went camping while they were still on supplemental oxygen. And every single trip worked – because we had the right gear.
I’m not going to give you a generic list of stuff to buy. I’m going to tell you exactly what we actually used, what made the biggest difference, and a few smaller things that saved my sanity on more than one trip.
If you want the full packing list first, I’ve got a baby camping checklist that covers everything from sleep to feeding to sun protection – grab that before you start shopping!
(This post contains affiliate links – if you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I have personally used or tested everything on this list!)
Table of Contents
The Big Pieces of Baby Camping Gear (Start Here)
These are the items that make or break a trip with a baby. Get these right first, then scroll down for the smaller essentials.
1. A Baby Hiking Backpack Carrier – We Love the Osprey Poco Series
This is my number one baby camping essential, full stop. A good baby backpack carrier keeps your hands free around camp, makes hiking actually possible, and gives a fussy baby a change of scenery without you having to chase them around.
I recommend a back carrier over a front carrier once your baby has decent head control (around 2-3 months). It distributes weight better and lets you hike actual distances without wrecking your back.
The Osprey Poco Baby Backpack is the one I used with all three of my kids. It has a built-in sun shade, fits an optional rain cover, has a storage compartment at the bottom for snacks and diapers, and is genuinely comfortable for long hikes. I have logged serious miles in this thing with a hefty toddler on my back.
Features of the Osprey Poco:
- Plenty of storage, including a zip-off day pack on the premium version
- Adjustable fit for different heights and body types
- Safe harness system to keep baby secure
- Pop-up sun shade that covers baby’s head from all sides
- Optional rain cover (sold separately) for afternoon storms or cold weather
- Padded shoulder straps and waistband with mesh back panel to reduce heat buildup
2. A Portable Baby Jumper for Camp
When your baby is past the newborn stage but not yet crawling or walking, camp setup time can be really stressful. You need your hands free, but you can’t exactly set them on the ground and walk away!
We got a portable camping jumper for our twin girls and it was a total game changer. Unlike most jumpers, it doesn’t need to hang from a doorframe – it is completely freestanding, folds down to the size of a camp chair, and has a sun shade built in.
They loved being able to see everything going on around camp, and it kept them safe and happy while we set up or cooked dinner.
Features of the Summer Infant Pop N Jump:
- Folds down to the size of a camp chair – easy to pack
- Includes a built-in sun shade
- Easy to wipe clean material
- Lightweight and quick to set up
- Keeps baby off the ground and able to see what is going on
- Perfect for keeping baby safe and happy while you do camp chores
Looking for more ways to keep kids busy at camp? Check out my list of the best kids camping toys, games and activities!
3. A Compact, Shaded Baby Bed – The KidCo Peapod
If you are tent camping, you need somewhere safe for baby to nap that is not the ground. The KidCo Peapod is what we used and it is genuinely excellent – it pops up in seconds, has mesh sides for airflow and bug protection, and keeps baby shaded and contained for naps.
We also brought it on hikes and popped it up during breaks so the girls could nap on the trail. It is the only children’s travel bed to pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, which matters a lot when you are making sleep decisions for an infant.
I have owned both the KidCo Peapod and the cheaper Kilo Fly version – the Kilo Fly warped immediately and never laid flat. Spend the extra money on the Peapod.
Features of the KidCo Peapod:
- Heavy-duty materials that hold their shape and don’t rip easily
- Lightweight and easy to carry on hikes
- Mesh sides for airflow and bug protection
- Great safe play space for babies who are not yet crawling
- Works as a portable nap pod on the trail for breaks
- The ONLY children’s travel bed to pass CPSC safety standards
For a deeper dive on getting baby to sleep at camp, read my guide on baby sleeping bags for camping and how to use them for cozy camp sleep.
4. A Baby Monitor Built for Camping – The Roar Outdoor Monitor
A regular baby monitor is almost useless camping. Most require at least one unit to be plugged in, and the newer ones need WiFi or cell signal – neither of which you have at a campsite!
The Roar Outdoor baby monitor was designed specifically for camping families. Both units are fully rechargeable, it does not need any signal to operate, and it has two-way audio so you can tell a toddler to go back to sleep without leaving your camp chair. We have used this on so many trips and it has genuinely given us our evenings back.
Read the full Roar Outdoor Baby Monitor review here!
5. A Camping High Chair for Baby
Once your baby is eating solid food, a portable high chair becomes essential. This baby camping high chair folds down to the size of a regular camp chair, wipes clean easily, and is sturdy enough that my son was still using it at age 3.
It also doubles as a travel high chair for restaurants and visits to friends’ houses – I almost want to buy a second one and ditch our full-size high chairs at home just to save space!
Want to see how all the baby and toddler chairs compare? I put together a full roundup of the best baby and toddler camping chairs with trays – worth checking out before you buy.
6. A Lightweight Camping Play Yard
There are moments at camp – setting up, breaking down, cooking – when you just need to put the baby somewhere safe and know they are not going anywhere. A carrier works sometimes, but not always.
We used this lightweight camping play yard instead of a standard pack n play because it packs down much smaller, is easier to carry, and has more usable interior space. It was a lifesaver when we needed both hands free.
7. A Multi-Sport Stroller (for Campground Adventures)
This one is more of a bonus item depending on how you camp, but if you do campground loops, bike trails, or paved paths near your site, the Thule Chariot Multi-Sport Stroller is incredible. My husband uses it for skiing, bike rides, and jogging – we upgraded to a double when the twins arrived and it has handled everything we have thrown at it.
It has a plastic weather cover that creates a cozy enclosed space for baby, which is great for keeping them warm and dry. Not a backcountry item, but for campground families it is a fantastic piece of gear.
Features of the Thule Chariot:
- Converts to stroller, bike trailer, jogging stroller, and ski pull-behind (additional attachments sold separately)
- Adjustable shock system for different child weights
- Two covers – mesh for airflow and plastic for wind and cold protection
- Huge storage area plus multiple netted pockets inside
- Three harness systems for different ages – hammock style for newborns up through simple seat for bigger kids
- Extremely durable materials built for off-road use
Smaller Baby Camping Essentials (But Don’t Skip These!)
The big gear above gets you set up. These smaller items are what keep baby comfortable, sleeping, and fed once you are actually at camp – and honestly some of them are the things I would have missed the most if I had forgotten them.
Three things that matter most for a happy baby at camp:
- Keeping them comfortable – protected from sun, wind, and cold
- Helping them sleep somewhere new – white noise, familiar sleep sacks, routine
- Making feeding easy – especially with limited access to water for washing bottles
8. A Wide-Brim Sun Hat with Neck Flap
Baby skin is so sensitive, and at camp you are outside all day. A good sun hat is non-negotiable. The problem with most cute baby hats is that the brim is too small to actually do much – you need something that covers the face, ears, and the back of the neck.
I love Sunday Afternoons hats for kids – they have great designs, mesh vents to keep baby cool, a breakaway strap for safety, and that all-important wide brim with neck flap.
9. A Rechargeable White Noise Machine
Tents are loud. Birds, other campers, wind – none of it stops just because your baby needs to sleep. If you use a white noise machine at home, bring one camping or your baby will struggle to settle in a tent.
When we got our little camper we started using a static radio station as white noise, but for tent camping this rechargeable white noise machine is what I recommend. It has an infinite loop setting and is rechargeable so you are not going through batteries every night.
For more tips on getting baby to sleep at camp, I have a full article on the best baby sleeping bag for camping and cozy camp sleep strategies.
10. Disposable Bottle Liners for Easy Feeding at Camp
Washing bottles at camp is a pain. Water access is limited, you are juggling a lot, and there is always a moment where a hungry baby is screaming and the bottles from the last feeding are still dirty.
That is when Playtex Drop-In bottle liners are a lifesaver. You just drop in a fresh liner instead of washing the bottle, and they actually have a bonus – they collapse as baby drinks, which reduces air intake and means less gas and fussiness. Pack extra nipples too so you are not washing those either.
I also have a full post on baby bottle hacks for camping – including how to make a warm bottle quickly with no water or electricity. That one is worth bookmarking before your trip!
11. A Baby Sleeping Bag or Swaddle for Cold Nights
Camping nights get cold – even in summer. In Wyoming where we camp, temps can drop into the 30s overnight in July. A good baby sleeping bag or swaddle is essential for keeping baby warm safely, especially if they are sleeping in a pack n play away from you.
Depending on the age and size of your baby, a swaddle-style sleep sack works great for younger babies, while a wearable blanket style is better for babies who have outgrown the swaddle. Both of those linked options are highly rated and come in adorable woodland themes.
I have a full guide on choosing the right baby sleeping bag for camping if you want to dig deeper on this one – it covers warmth ratings, layering, and how we kept our twin preemies warm on chilly nights.
Bonus: Pacifier Clips (If Your Baby Uses One!)
My girls were not pacifier babies, but for those who are – losing a pacifier at camp is a full-on emergency. Between crawling in the dirt, grass, and pine needles, a dropped pacifier is basically done for the trip.
Keep the pacifier attached to baby with a clip and bring at least two or three backups just in case. It sounds small but it can genuinely make or break a trip if your baby is pacifier-dependent for sleep.
Ready to Plan the Full Trip?
Now that you have got your baby camping gear sorted, here are a few more resources to help make the trip a success:
- Baby camping checklist – a full printable packing list so nothing gets forgotten
- Tips for camping with a newborn – including how we made it work with premature twins on oxygen
- Camping with toddlers – the complete guide – for when your baby graduates to the toddler stage!
- Baby bottle hacks for camping – warm bottles fast with no power or running water
- Best baby sleeping bag for camping – everything you need to know about keeping baby warm at night
Did I miss something that was a total lifesaver on your trips? Drop it in the comments – I love hearing what other camping families swear by!
I haven’t been camping in years. My kids always had so much fun and just enjoyed being free. We really made some great memories together.
You should get out soon if it’s something you can still do! We have created amazing memories with our boy, and look forward to with our twins! I’m dreaming of summer already… a little harder to get out an camp in the winter! Too many “no’s” inside the house; outside, everything is fair game!
What is the green cap hat your little one is wearing while in the highchair?
I’ve been looking for a base layer cap for camping to keep warm but not be too thick.
Thanks
Hi Kaitlyn!
It’s a Patagonia cap! They have super awesome base layers for camping! We’ve used them for all three of our kids! I know some people also use “Wee Woolies” and “Ellas Wool” for base layers for babies. I hope this helps, and happy camping! – Stacy