We brought the CORE 6 Person Lighted Dome Tent for 2 people and Tira the extra space was amazing and the built-in LED light system was a game changer at night. Sizing up one from what you need gives you room to store gear inside and move around comfortably.

April desert nights in the 40s felt much warmer with sleeping bags rated to 30°F. Don’t underestimate how cold the desert gets once the sun goes down even in spring! Here are three great options at different price points:

Coleman Brazos →

Teton Celsius →

North Face Dolomite →

Non-negotiable. The ground gets cold fast even in April. A sleeping pad insulates you from the ground and makes a huge difference in how well you sleep.

We threw in extra blankets from home and were SO glad we did. Desert nights are cold! You can never have too many layers. If you want a dedicated camping blanket, this outdoor puffy one is great.

Not a must if you can bring a pillow from home but great when you are starting to build out your camping gear collection. Compresses down small and packs easily into any bag.

This was incredible for lighting up the whole campsite. Way better than a basic lantern the telescoping tripod lets you position it at any height and 2000 lumens is seriously bright. One of our best gear decisions. (Link is to a similar model.)

We brought multiple portable battery banks essential for keeping phones, cameras, and devices charged overnight when there’s no outlet. Look for one with a built-in light for extra versatility.

We managed without one but wish we had brought headlamps hands free lighting around the campsite at night is so much easier than holding a flashlight. This is on our list for every camping trip going forward.

We used a basic pan from home for boiling water for ramen and brought grilling utensils for the fire pit. You don’t need to buy special camping cookware use what you already have!

A cooler is essential for keeping food fresh, especially in the desert heat. We used ours to keep the chicken marinated and ingredients cold overnight. Doesn’t need to be fancy if you’re just starting out!

Goulding’s had fire pits so we cooked over wood but not every campground does. A portable camp stove is a great backup and gives you more cooking flexibility wherever you are.

We made do with pans from home but a proper camp cooking set with nested pots and utensils designed for outdoor use is on our list for future trips. Everything packs together neatly and makes campsite cooking so much more organized.

We always have these on hand on every trip. Perfect for quick cleanups on the go, before meals, and after handling food at the campsite.

We always have these on hand. Great for camping when a shower is not immediately available, refreshing after a long hike, and keeping clean on long travel days.

We always have these on hand on any trip and road trip. Great for wiping down surfaces at the campsite including the picnic tables before eating. You’ll be glad you brought them!

Made cleanup so much easier! No washing dishes after a long day. We also brought cooking utensils including a knife for food prep at the campsite.

So versatile for campfire cooking! Wrap vegetables, potatoes, or anything else directly in foil and throw them on the fire. Also great for covering food and keeping things clean. The pre-cut pop-up sheets make it even easier.

We brought a lighter and fire starters for the campfire. The fire starters made getting the fire going so much easier, especially when the wood was a little damp. Don’t rely on just a lighter!

A great way to keep food and snacks organized and easily accessible at the campsite without digging through bins. We used ours for snacks, condiments, and small food items throughout the trip.

Essential! There’s nowhere to sit at a campsite without them. We sat in our camp chairs watching the sunset over Monument Valley one of the most magical moments of the whole trip.

Don’t skip this! Even on a beginner camping trip you want basic first aid supplies. We brought a compact kit and thankfully didn’t need it but having it gave us peace of mind.

More useful than you’d think! Paper towels for spills and cleanup, trash bags to keep your campsite clean. Leave no trace always pack out everything you bring in.

This was one of our smartest packing decisions! We organized everything into clear plastic bins by category cooking supplies, toiletries, dog supplies, food. And importantly, we kept the camping bins completely separate from the rest of our road trip luggage so everything stayed organized throughout the whole trip. Here are a few great options depending on your needs:

Clear Bins →

Waterproof Option →

Heavy Duty →

A must especially in summer months! We use these on cabin trips too whenever we are sitting outdoors in the evening. Makes a real difference for keeping bugs away while you enjoy the campfire.

We use these in summer and even when hiking. Easy to wear, no spray needed, and they work surprisingly well. Great for both camping and trail days.

Layering is everything for desert camping. Mornings and nights at Monument Valley in April were in the 40s, but afternoons warmed up fast. We brought extra layers and jackets and used them every single night around the campfire.

Both Jam and I love our Birkenstock clogs for around the campsite. Easy to slip on and off, comfortable for walking around the campground, and sturdy enough for uneven ground. A dedicated pair of comfortable camp shoes makes such a difference after a long day of hiking.

I packed a dedicated toiletries bag that was easy to grab and bring straight to the shower room at Goulding’s. Having everything in one organized bag means you’re not digging through bins when you just want to freshen up. Goulding’s has clean shared shower facilities so this made the experience really smooth.

This is non-negotiable for me! The desert air is incredibly dry and the sun is intense at high elevation. I made sure to bring my full skincare routine and I’m so glad I did. Sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm are absolute essentials for camping in Utah’s desert.

The one thing I really wished I had! Goulding’s has shared shower facilities and I would have loved a pair of slippers or flip flops for the showers. Adding these to the packing list for every future camping trip.

A great option for keeping camping gear organized in a single bag rather than multiple bins. Perfect for when you want everything in one place and easy to grab and go.

A dedicated camping lantern is great for lighting up the whole tent at night. We relied on our tripod camp light but a portable lantern is a great addition especially for inside the tent.

Super useful if your campsite doesn’t have a picnic table. Gives you a surface for food prep, drinks, and camp essentials right at your chair. We’d definitely bring one on future trips.

For future trips especially when staying in cabins, this is on our list! We love having eggs and this protects them perfectly during travel without worrying about breakage.

Great to have if you don’t want to manually inflate your sleeping pad. Not a need if you are capable of blowing it up yourself but a nice convenience especially on longer trips.

Not a need but we have one and love it! We use it at rest stops when we need some air in the car, and it works great for camping too especially on warmer nights. Rechargeable so no batteries needed.

For those who want to take campfire cooking to the next level! A cast iron cooker over an open fire is such a great way to cook and gives food that unbeatable smoky flavor. On our future camping list for sure.

Of course if you want to splurge instead of using sticks! Makes the classic campfire smores experience so much easier and more fun. A great addition for families or anyone who wants to do it right.