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Printable Camping Checklists

Camping Checklists for Canada

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Printable Checklists

Complete Camping Checklists

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RV Departure Checklist

Complete before every move

Interior

  • Retract all slide-outs
  • Secure all overhead cabinets
  • Stow all loose items on counters and tables
  • Close and latch refrigerator door
  • Turn off stove/oven and all appliances
  • Close all interior windows and vents
  • Retract TV antenna (if manual)
  • Confirm every person and pet is in the tow vehicle — riding in a towed trailer is illegal in most provinces and extremely dangerous

Exterior

  • Disconnect and stow shore power cord
  • Disconnect and stow fresh water hose
  • Close and secure grey tank valve
  • Close and secure black tank valve
  • Stow sewer hose in bay
  • Retract all stabilizer jacks
  • Retract/stow leveling jacks
  • Retract and secure awning
  • Remove wheel chocks
  • Close and latch all exterior bays
  • Remove step stool or carpet
  • Check for anything dragging underneath

Tow / Drive

  • Connect trailer hitch/fifth wheel (if applicable)
  • Connect safety chains (crossed)
  • Connect breakaway cable
  • Connect electrical plug — test lights
  • Test brake controller
  • Check tire pressure (all tires)
  • Walk-around: nothing hanging, dragging, or open

RV Setup Checklist

Positioning

  • Check site for low branches, utility hookup locations
  • Position RV for proper slide-out clearance
  • Level side-to-side first (leveling blocks under tires)
  • Level front-to-back (tongue jack or hitch)
  • Deploy stabilizer jacks (do not level with them)
  • Place wheel chocks on both sides of drive wheels

Hookups

  • Connect shore power cord (confirm amp service: 15/30/50)
  • Attach water pressure regulator to campground tap
  • Attach inline water filter (if using)
  • Connect fresh water hose
  • Connect sewer hose with donut seal
  • Verify grey and black tank valves are closed

Interior Setup

  • Extend slide-outs
  • Deploy awning (check weather forecast first)
  • Unlock and open refrigerator
  • Turn on water heater (allow 30 min to heat)
  • Set thermostat / check AC or furnace operation
  • Place rugs, door mats, and step outside door

RV Packing Checklist

Kitchen & Food

  • Cooking utensils, pots, and pans
  • Dishes, cups, and cutlery
  • Can opener, corkscrew, bottle opener
  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Paper towels and dish soap
  • Food planned for number of nights
  • Spices, oil, condiments
  • Coffee/tea and supplies
  • Cooler with ice for fresh items (if no fridge)
  • Water jugs (backup to campground water)

Clothing & Personal

  • Weather-appropriate layers (mornings/evenings are cold)
  • Rain jacket and rain pants
  • Warm hat, gloves for evenings
  • Hiking boots or sturdy footwear
  • Camp sandals/crocs for around the site
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+ and lip balm
  • Bug repellent (DEET or picaridin)
  • Toiletries and prescription medications
  • Towels (quick-dry preferred for camping)

Safety & Emergency

  • First aid kit
  • Bear spray (in bear country) — in accessible holster
  • Headlamps with spare batteries
  • Fire extinguisher (check pressure)
  • Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
  • Satellite communicator (remote travel)
  • Emergency contact list — printed on paper

Bear Country Safety Checklist

Before You Camp

  • Check recent bear activity reports for the area
  • Carry a Health Canada-registered bear spray, 225 g or larger
  • Practice drawing bear spray before entering bear country
  • Know the difference between black bear and grizzly response
  • Tell someone your trip plan and expected return

At the Campsite

  • Store all food and scented items in hard-sided vehicle or locker
  • Never store food in your tent or sleeping area
  • Dispose of food scraps in designated garbage areas
  • Clean cooking equipment immediately after use
  • Keep coolers inside the vehicle or bear box, not on picnic table
  • Never leave food unattended outside, even briefly
  • Cook away from sleeping area in backcountry

On the Trail

  • Make noise on blind corners and dense brush
  • Travel in groups of 4+ when possible
  • Keep bear spray accessible on your body — not in pack
  • Keep dogs on leash — off-leash dogs can provoke bears
  • Never approach or feed bears for any reason

RV Winterizing Checklist

Water System

  • Turn off water pump and water heater
  • Open all faucets (hot and cold) to drain
  • Open all low-point drain valves
  • Drain fresh water tank completely
  • Drain water heater (cool first, remove anode rod)
  • Blow out water lines with 30 PSI compressed air
  • Bypass water heater using winterization valve
  • Pump pink RV antifreeze through entire system
  • Run antifreeze from every faucet, shower, toilet until pink appears
  • Add antifreeze to p-traps (pour down each drain)

Holding Tanks & Exterior

  • Dump and flush both black and grey tanks
  • Add 500ml RV antifreeze to each holding tank
  • Close all tank dump valves
  • Cover tire sidewalls (UV protection)
  • Cover all exterior vents and openings (mesh for rodents)
  • Apply slide-out seal conditioner
  • Clean and retract awning dry

Electrical & Interior

  • Remove lead-acid house batteries and store indoors, charged, for any winter storage (a discharged battery can freeze just below 0°C)
  • Add fuel stabilizer to generator and chassis tank
  • Run generator dry (or add stabilizer to tank)
  • Clean interior, remove all food and perishables
  • Leave cabinet doors open for air circulation
  • Place desiccant packs throughout interior
  • Document any needed repairs for spring

Canada–US Border Crossing Checklist

Required Documents

  • Valid passports for all travellers
  • NEXUS cards (if enrolled)
  • Vehicle registration (motorhome or tow vehicle)
  • Trailer registration (if applicable)
  • Insurance card showing coverage in destination country
  • Pet vaccination records (rabies certificate)

Declare at the Border

  • All alcohol (over duty-free limits)
  • All tobacco (over duty-free limits)
  • All food items (declare everything)
  • Currency over $10,000 (CAD entering Canada, USD entering the US)
  • Firearms entering Canada (RCMP Form 5589 for non-restricted)
  • Prescription medications in original bottles
  • Any goods purchased abroad above personal exemption

Never Bring to Border

  • Cannabis or cannabis products (in any direction)
  • Handguns (not permitted for visitors), prohibited weapons, pepper spray for people
  • Certain fresh produce (check current restrictions)
  • Undeclared cash over $10,000

Tent Camping Checklist

Shelter & Sleep

  • Tent (check all poles, stakes, and rainfly are packed)
  • Sleeping bag with a Comfort rating below the expected overnight low (the advertised number is often the colder 'Limit' rating)
  • Sleeping pad or air mattress (insulation from ground)
  • Pillow or compressible pillow
  • Tarp or footprint for under tent
  • Ground cloth or extra tarp for shade/rain shelter

Kitchen & Food

  • Camp stove + fuel canisters (or backpacking stove)
  • Lighter + waterproof matches as backup
  • Cookpot, pan, and utensils
  • Plates, bowls, and cups (camp-grade)
  • Camp washing tub + biodegradable soap
  • Bear canister or car-storage plan for food
  • Cooler with ice for perishables
  • Water bottles and water filter/purification tablets
  • Garbage bags (pack out all waste)

Clothing & Comfort

  • Base layers (moisture-wicking, not cotton)
  • Mid-layer fleece or down jacket
  • Waterproof rain jacket + rain pants
  • Warm hat and gloves for evenings
  • Hiking boots (broken in) and camp sandals
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+ and lip balm
  • Bug repellent (DEET or picaridin)
  • Camp chair(s) and small table if space allows

Safety & Navigation

  • Headlamp + spare batteries (one per person)
  • First aid kit (include blister treatment and moleskin)
  • Bear spray in bear country — accessible, not in pack
  • Offline maps downloaded (Gaia GPS, Maps.me, etc.)
  • Paper map of area as backup
  • Satellite communicator or PLB for remote travel
  • Emergency whistle and mirror
  • Tell someone your plan and expected return date

Van / Overlanding Checklist

Vehicle Readiness

  • Tire pressure checked — all four + spare
  • Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering checked
  • Spare tire accessible and properly inflated
  • Recovery gear: traction boards, tow strap, shovel
  • Jump pack or jumper cables
  • Basic tool kit (wrench set, screwdrivers, socket set)
  • Duct tape and zip ties

Power & Electronics

  • House battery charged and connections secure
  • Solar panel(s) positioned / foldable panel packed
  • Battery isolator / DC-DC charger working
  • USB charging hub and adapters
  • Inverter for 120V items if needed
  • Satellite communicator or offline maps downloaded

Water & Waste

  • Fresh water: plan 4–8 L per person per day for drinking and cooking, more if showering
  • Water filter (Sawyer, LifeStraw, Grayl, or pump filter)
  • Grey water catch (if cooking/washing in van)
  • WAG bags or cathole trowel for human waste (remote areas)
  • Biodegradable soap and hand sanitizer
Common Questions

Camping Checklist FAQs

See the Tent Camping Checklist above: shelter, sleep system rated for the forecast, stove and food, water, first aid, bear spray in bear country, headlamps and navigation.
Use the RV Departure Checklist above: slides in, hookups disconnected and stowed, tank valves closed, jacks up, awning in, chocks out, lights tested, walk-around done.

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