I like to organize my camping gear in categories. For example, I have one big plastic tote for my sleeping items, such as bags, a pad, pillows, window covers, etc.
Then, another tote is available for specific activities, including spare shoes, paddling gear, and bike accessories. My kitchen items are stored in my drawer system, and any overflow and food are packed in Milwaukee Packout boxes.
If you’re still making choices over organizing items, here are some smart camping storage ideas for you!
1. Use Clear Plastic Storage Bins
Transparent bins are great for easy visibility, waterproof, and stackable.
They are not as robust as opaque ones, but they save some digging around and work well for most cases. Years ago, I had a camp kitchen packed in 3 individual clear plastic drawers that stack.
There was a smaller 3-drawer unit for utensils and various small items.
You can label and organize the clear bins based on camping contents for quick access.
One for lights, fans, batters, and another rolling box for the kitchen, and another one for games, garbage bags, a hatchet, and bug repellent.
2. Pack with Collapsible Storage Boxes
The collapsible boxes save space when not in use.
If you’re car camping, you can store your kitchen in a clear tote and then place it in a collapsible mesh basket or box.
You can also get collapsible crates, which are great for categorizing and sorting items. Once done, you can flatten the empty ones down when you get set up.
It makes more room for what needs to be used. It works for pantry items, gear, or extra clothes.
I often keep the camp kitchen in one, and general small accessories in another (lamps, flashlights, fans, ropes, extra stakes, etc.).
Also, bedding, clothing, and sanitary items, as well as non-perishable foods, are stored in individual crates.
3. Create a DIY Camp Kitchen Box
Explain how to store utensils, spices, plates, and cookware in one box.
Kitchen bins help store utensils, spices, plates, and cookware in one box. It also expands to build a table above the bin and a place to hang the tissue paper or paper towels.
When doing DIY, you can add pockets on four sides.
A kitchen box is called a chuck box, which you can put a clear top on so that you can easily see camping gear through it.
Here is a checklist of must-haves in the kitchen box.
- Cutting board, cutlery set, tin foil
- Bowls, plates, mug, kettle, tumbler
- Dish towels, garbage bags, and camp suds soap
- Wasp traps, lanterns
- Bug spray, tissue paper, sunscreen
- Tablecloth
Once you unpack this kitchen bin, you can flip it upside down and use it as a cooler stand next to your kitchen.
4. Use Hanging Shoe Organizers
Shoe organizers contain lots of pockets to store camping essentials.
The shoes get dirty while hiking through mud and dirt, so you need an extra plastic or mesh bag to hold them before placing them in the shoe organizer.
Despite the name suggests, you can store lots ot things in a shoe organizer, such as toiletries, snacks, and other tools.
You can hang it on a tree, inside the tent, or on a camper wall. It is very useful for group or family camping.
5. Invest in Camping-Specific Storage Totes
You need not invest heavily. Visit a home improvement store and purchase some thick plastic totes in the desired size.
Storage totes are durable, stackable, and weatherproof, and fit your vehicle dimensionally.
I often use Rubbermaid tote boxes (12″ and 9″). They comfortably fit under the bed cover for my car. I use one for clothing and get dressed out of it, and I use one as a pantry for non-perishable food.
When getting totes, figure out where you will store your camping gear and measure your space. Also, consider that once in the car, larger totes will be harder to access and remove the lids from.
6. Roll-Up Cloth or Mesh Organizers
Mesh bags are great for organizing small items, while larger mesh bags hold well towels, rope, and other large items.
They are compact and easy to transport.
You can opt for mesh organizers for task-specific bins (food, cooking/serving, equipment/lighting). Also, it is suitable for clothes, cooking tools, or kids’ gear.
I like to use a mesh bag for my cooking utensils.
You can also store tents and sleeping bags loosely inside mesh bags in the closet. You need to let the tent fabric to breathe, which helps prolong the life of the waterproof coating.
Also, a clear or mesh allows you to see inside it without opening it.
7. Store Firewood in Mesh Bags or Milk Crates
Mesh bags and milk crates both work well for storing firewood for a campfire.
They have holes in them, which allow airflow through the wood pieces, making them dry and bug-free. Mesh bags can hold small pieces and can be hung above the ground to avoid moisture.
The milk crates are sturdy and strong enough to hold a large number of wooden pieces.
When storing firewood, ensure the storage has carry handles or similar features.
8. Store Spices and Condiments in Tic-Tac or Pill Boxes
Campers find it easy to use a Husky tool bag with a camping set of kitchen tools. It features little pockets along the sides for holding spice and seasoning containers.
However, if you want to reduce storage and purchases, consider DIYing or using small containers like tic-tacs or pill boxes to store spices and condiments.
If you have already had them, you can clean and sanitize them and use them on a camping trip.
These repurpose hacks can save space and avoid carrying bulky jars.
You can pregrind the spices at home and pack them in tic-tacs or pill boxes. They are perfect for short-term storage. Make sure they are air-tight with proper lip function to avoid spoiling the contents.
9. Use a Roof Cargo Box for Extra Gear
This helps maximize car space for multi-day camping trips.
It is ideal for bulky items such as tents, sleeping bags, and camp chairs. I love the folding camp kitchen on the trip, which easily goes in the bottom of the roof cargo box.
Besides, a cot, clothes, shoes, tables, and rugs can be easily stored in the roof cargo box.
For safety purposes, you can place waterproof bags inside while storing your gear.
10. Keep a First Aid & Emergency Storage Bag
Many try pill bottles, which come for free or are cheaply bought at a local pharmacy. The users claim that they can use them to store tweezers, nail clippers, pills, and a tick key, along with an emergency and first aid kit.
But if you’re going to use a bug-out bag, it makes no sense.
I prefer using Ziploc bags, which are lightweight, transparent, and waterproof.
You can use small bags for each type of item, then put them all in a larger one. Each smaller bag has a piece of athletic tape, allowing you to overwrite the names of the items inside.
11. Use Dry Bags for Clothes and Valuables
People use contractor trash bags to hold their clothes and a sleeping bag.
But dry bags are more reliable, as they are designed to keep gear dry wherever you go. They are lightweight, waterproof, and long-lasting, which protects from rain, rivers, and morning dew.
The dry bags work for tech gadgets, too.
The primary difference between a dry bag and a general stuff sack is that a dry bag typically features a roll-top, often accompanied by a stiffened collar.
It has sealed seams and a side-clip buckle, while general-purpose packs have a drawstring closure.
Personally, I’d like to pack a dry bag when I’m swimming with my pack. The bag really helps me in canyoneering trips that include swimming and packrafting.
The pack liner or DCF dry bag is suitable for heavy, multi-day rain.
12. Magnetic Spice Tins or Containers
Magnetic spice holders are known for keeping flavors organized.
You can attach them to a metal surface, such as an RV or a cooler lid. They neatly fit on the fridge so you can use the extra shelf space for other purposes.
The magnetic jars have holes for sprinkling the spices and come with a bunch of stickers already labeled with spice names.
Ensure they are airtight so spices don’t lose their potency quickly.
13. Pack Clothes in Compression Sacks
Compression sacks are designed to hold inflated fabrics (sleeping bags and bulky jackets) within the smallest possible space.
They have an air vent, which significantly reduces the volume of fabrics. This way, they are easy to handle, carry, waterproof, and can save tons of tent or cabin space.
I often use a compression dry sack to store all my clothes.
It has made my life easier to pack and unpack my rucksack. I know exactly where everything is and how it packs.
14. Use a Hanging Pantry Organizer
You can find lots of options for a pantry organizer. For instance, half-height big bins can be used for cooking and pantry stuff.
But the wet ground and pests around make it hard for you to store the pantry near the ground.
So, you need to find some hanging pantry organizers. Mesh hanging baskets can be perfect for preserving bread, snacks, or fruit from ants and other pests.
You can hang the organizer on the tree or a sturdy stand.
15. Use Utility Hooks and Carabiners
Hooks and carabiners are lightweight, versatile, and very useful in camping. They can hang gear with less rope or cord.
Utility hooks, also known as lantern hooks, are versatile in use, serving as tying-off points for tarps, hanging backpacks, mesh bags, and other gear.
Also, carabiners work well with rope and locking and connecting hooks.
They not only help you organize your gear but can also save your life while climbing and rappelling the rock. Therefore, you should use metal or steel carabiners.
The carabiner is easier than fiddling with a piece of cord every time you need to clip or unclip something. You can clip gear such as a cap, a water bottle, mugs, or a headlamp onto your pack.
Also, users can easily hang things up on their tent or tree branches to dry or preserve. Lantern, a small battery-powered fan, clothes, small bug zappers, etc.
Final Thoughts
The camping, packing, and organizing depend on the size of the gear you’re bringing with you to the campsite.
For example, if you go camping by bike, the biggest items of gear you need to have are things like tents and sleeping bags.
Then, the pannier bags for the bike, and the rest are tools, rope, tarp, and other small items that can be packed into a box and stored away.
However, if you opt for car camping, you may choose larger and bulkier camping gear items, such as a larger mattress, a larger or heavier tent, and a dual-burner gas cooker.
So, you’re free to create your own camping storage ideas to make things work.
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