Wondering what toiletries to pack for camping? Packing the right toiletries is essential for a comfortable camping trip, and a sturdy canvas toiletry bag helps keep everything organized. In this guide, we’ll highlight essential camping toiletries you’ll need and offer some hacks and tips along the way that will make your outdoor adventure smoother.

20 Essential Toiletries to Pack for Camping

When packing toiletries for a camping trip, it helps to know where you’re headed. Or more so, what resources are available.

Packing toiletries for a weekend at a campground with public restrooms might look entirely different than the toiletries you pack for backpacking into the wilderness without hot showers. So consider where and what exactly you’ll be working with to keep yourself clean and in proper hygiene.

With that in mind, this list of toiletries to pack for camping could be considered the essentials but is by no means exhaustive. If you’re glamping and want to pack face masks for a girls' weekend or need that beard grooming kit to keep your whiskers in shape, pack that too. You do you!

Ready to pack your camp toiletry bag? Let’s get started.

1. Dental hygiene. Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. And here’s a tip from backpackers: use toothpaste tablets. These tablets not only reduce single-use plastic but also leave more room in your toiletry bag.
2. Body soap, shampoo, conditioner. Shop eco-friendly or an all-in-one soap. Dr. Bronner’s is a great all-in-one soap available in both bar and liquid versions. If you need separate body soap and shampoo, think shampoo bar. Dry shampoo spray works wonders for freshening up without a shower.
3. Hand and body Lotion. A necessity for some; a nice-to-have for others. Either way, it can help your skin stay hydrated and nourished. Choose a formula with aloe vera to soothe any sunburns too.
4. Sunscreen: Speaking of sunburns, remember to pack sunscreen. For camping, think sunscreen sticks so it’s easy to apply (and you don’t take chances of it spilling or leaking inside the toiletry bag).
5. Lip balm: Avoid chapped lips, especially in colder seasons. Even if you stay hydrated, the sun exposure and cold winters can make your lips crack. Choose a hydrating SPF lip balm or chapstick to protect your puckers.
6. Deodorant: Bring deodorant, for sure. Especially if you’re all about the hikes and activities that get your body moving and cause you to sweat. Another way campers use deodorant? To prevent chafing on long hikes. Some (mainly backpackers) argue not to bring deodorant altogether and go au naturale, as it attracts wildlife and insects.
7. Hand soap. Hand soap is a necessary and useful toiletry, but you could also just use multi-purpose body soap.
8. Wet wipes. Great for wiping away grime and sweat between showers. However, even with biodegradable wipes, err on the side of caution and toss them straight in the trash or pack them out. Even biodegradable wipes aren’t as biodegradable as they claim.
9. Hand sanitizer. A must without running water, but handy in many other scenarios like prepping to cook. Choose hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol; any more will dry your hands out.
10. Hairbrush or comb. A fine-tooth comb is also a handy tool for checking for ticks. And they’re so flat, they can slip neatly between other items in your toiletry bag.
11. Bug spray and antihistamine cream. If you can get away with an all-natural insect repellent – great! But if you have that Type O bloodsuckers can’t resist, we’d understand if you used something stronger with DEET.
12. Glasses and contacts. If you lack 20/20 vision, pack your eyewear and contacts. But don’t forget the other accessories like contact solution, eye drops, or lens wipes for the frames.
13. Ear swabs. Dirt and grime can easily find their way inside your ear while camping. And if you’re prone to swimmer’s ear, you’ll be thankful you packed ear swabs after hopping in that lake.
14. Toilet Paper. Toilet paper is a necessity in the wilderness, for reasons we don’t need to explain. Just remember to pack out!
15. Tissues. Tissues are a nice-to-have toiletry, especially during allergy season.
16. Feminine hygiene products. Don’t forget the menstrual products, ladies. Each of us is different, so you know what you need. Pack the medicine too!
17. Razor and shaving cream. Roughin’ it is what camping is all about, but if you prefer feeling freshly groomed 24/7, pack a razor and shaving cream. (You could even skip the shaving cream and use soap instead). I suggest shaving before short camping trips and packing a razor for longer excursions, but ultimately, you know how fast your hair grows.
18. A handheld mirror. A mirror is useful for shaving or applying sunscreen and makeup (and it could even signal someone in an emergency). Just make sure it is shatter-free. Bonus points if it is hands-free and can stand or hang.
19. Nail clipper. Backpackers pack clippers to lance blisters and keep nails toenails trimmed to prevent boots from rubbing. Even if you’re car camping, nail clippers could be handy. Or you could use the clipper on a multi-use knife tool.
20. First Aid Kit.Pack a small kit of medicines, Band-Aids, gauze, alcohol wipes, etc. You never know when you might need it. 

Smart Hacks and Tips for Camping Toiletries

Make the most of your toiletry bag with these space-saving hacks and tips.

• Choose unscented products. Otherwise, animals and bears will smell you and maybe get curious. Scents can be sweet-smelling, which attracts bugs and other wildlife.

• Use dental floss as string. Tie off coffee filters for steeping coffee. Just drop it in hot water like a tea bag. Choose non-flavored floss too, unless you like minty coffee!

• Choose refillable travel size containers. Choose travel-size containers that are refillable. Not only is it eco-friendly, freeing the world of just another single-use plastic, but conveniently compact. In fact, this rule is necessary when flying. If you’re packing a carry-on duffel bag, then you want to make sure to follow the TSA rule for liquids.

• Reach for multi-purpose & all-in-one toiletries. If you need to slim down what goes into your camping toiletry bag, consider using multi-purpose products, such as soap that can double for shampoo, body soap, and more like cleaning dishes and cookware.

• Protect medication and supplements with a silica bag. Prevent moisture from contaminating or softening pills and such using a small silica bag (you know, the ones you find in new shoe boxes). Store them all together in a pill box to keep them together.

• Bring bath towels and washcloths. While not a toiletry, remember to pack a bath towel and washcloth. Think microfiber camp towels that are quick-drying and lightweight. A bandana can also double as a washcloth.

• Bring a portable shower and toilet. If your campsite is in the wilderness or the campground is limited, you can always bring a portable shower.

• Pack shower shoes. Pack a pair of shower shoes for campground restrooms or portable showers. They double as a nice slip-on to wear around the campsite too, letting those soggy hiking boots breathe.

Remember to Practice the Leave No Trace Principles

Remember to practice those Leave No Trace principles at the campsite to protect the environment and local ecosystem. Bathing and taking care of your hygiene is important, but so is ensuring that the waterways, soil, and animals are not impacted.

Here are some simple LNT steps you can take:

• Choose biodegradable camping toiletries where you can
• Bathe and clean 200 feet from water sources
• Pack out when necessary

The Best Bag for Packing Toiletries for Camping

Keeping camp toiletries organized, reachable, and separate from your gear and clothes in your backpack or camping duffel is crucial. And a well-made canvas toiletry bag is the perfect item for the job.

Check out this rugged Dopp Kit-style canvas toiletry bag, ideal for packing the essential toiletries for a camping trip and more.

Here are just a few reasons why is it makes an ideal bag:

• It's perfectly sized for just the essentials.
• Hand-crafted cotton canvas and zipper are super durable and built to last.
• It's easy to clean (should liquids spill or the canvas gets dirty).
• You can clip a carabiner to the D-ring to hang in the bathroom stall or wherever you wish!

Plus, this camping toiletry bag is available in multiple color options to suit your outdoorsy color-scheme tastes: White, Olive, Navy, and Black.

And is offered in two sizes:

• Small Size: 9” L X 5” W X 3 1/2” T (for the basics)
• Large Size: 12" L x 6" W x 6" T (spacious enough to hold a flat iron or compact steam iron.)

Keep your camping toiletries packed and organized with this beautiful and durable canvas toiletry bag.

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