What I love most about camping is that there are so many ways to go about it. If tents aren’t your thing, you can always try glamping or even camping in a cabin! Believe it or not, tent camping now accounts for less than half of all experiences according to Camper Champ statistics as more people choose to camp in cabins. These days, the outdoors has never been more enjoyable or accessible, so why not try camping in a cabin?
Camping cabins can vary in amenities just like any other kind of accommodation, but the key feature here is that there’s no tent setup involved, and you won’t have to sleep on the ground. This is a great way to eliminate some of the heavier gear, but there’s still plenty of things to consider bringing with you to make the experience feel luxurious. Here is my ultimate list on what to bring camping in a cabin.
Cabin camping essentials
Even if you’re cabin camping, there are a few necessities you will need to take in order to bring it to what I like to call “base zero.” This is the minimum comfort level that my family will tolerate. This list will be different for everyone, so here are some items to consider to bring your camping cabin to base zero:
- Linens: Some cabins have bunks or beds, but double check to see if you have to bring your own pillows, towels, linens, or bedding. Not all of them will have everything you need, and some don’t even have mattresses. Camping cabins tend to have little-to-no insulation either, so if the temps are dropping, make sure you take that into account. To make things easy, pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and travel pillows for everyone.
- Pots & pans: There are camping cabins out there with kitchenettes, but if you have a favorite cast-iron skillet like we do, make sure you pack that for stovetop or campfire cooking. Likewise, if you have any favorite cooking utensils like spatulas or marshmallow sticks, don’t assume that the cabin will have them. Cabin listings online might not adequately show everything provided, and nothing will be better than your favorite pot and pan. That said, limit what you bring. There’s no use in bringing the kitchen sink.
- Potable water: Not all camp cabins have running water, so if you need to, bring at least three or four liters of water per person, per day, in addition to any that you will use during cooking and food prep. One-gallon jugs are easy to carry around, but if you have a five-gallon collapsible water container with a spigot, that makes life even easier. Just fill up your reusable water bottles from that, and you’re good to go!
- Hygiene items: Most cabins don’t have soap (get biodegradable), lotions, sunscreens, bug spray, toothpaste, or shampoo. Don’t expect a shower or a flush toilet either. Some might have showers, but usually they just have outhouses. In this case, getting wet wipes or wash cloths for a quick refresh helps a lot, and bring hand sanitizer for those outhouse trips.
- Trash bags: Pack out your trash, people! Keep our natural spaces clean and follow Leave No Trace principles, even at your camping cabin.
- Lighting: Believe it or not, many camping cabins aren’t connected to electricity. Even if you do have a stray lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, battery-powered lighting is a must for us. Chopping veggies in poor lighting is bound to send you rushing to the nearest ER, but chances are you’ll be a couple of hours away at least. Do yourself a favor and bring some portable lights.
- Battery pack: The whole point of spending time outside is to disconnect from the world, but for safety reasons, I always bring a fully-charged battery pack or three. Charging your devices from your car is also a decent option, but battery packs are more convenient.
- Portable coffee maker: I’m not a coffee drinker, but I know a lot of people are. If you are someone who experiences murderous intent before your third cup of coffee, do your loved ones a favor and pack your portable coffee maker. If there aren’t any outlets, plug into your battery packs.
- Camping chairs: If there’s a fire pit, we’ll be out there using it. Not all fire pits have adequate seating, so camping chairs are a must.
Keep in mind that your base zero might be different than mine, so consider all the hills you might die on and plan accordingly.
Elevating the cabin camping experience
Riding the line between comfortable and tolerable is fine, but if you have the extra space in your car, here are some items I would recommend to elevate your cabin camping experience:
- Mattress topper: One of the best pros of camping in a cabin versus a tent is the slightly elevated comfort factor, but it won’t feel like home. A mattress topper can help bridge that gap.
- Portable heater or fan: Depending on the time of year, you may want to consider bringing a portable heater or fan. With a heater, make sure that you follow all safety protocols and bring a carbon monoxide detector as well.
- Indoor slippers: If you’re going in and out with muddy shoes, your camping cabin is going to get gross really fast. Slip-on shoes and indoor slippers will help keep your place tidy. On that note, a broom isn’t a bad idea either.
- Portable shower: No explanations necessary. Bring one, and your spouse/significant other will thank me later. Some are even solar-powered, so you’ll have warm water!
- Portable grill: A portable grill or fire grate will give you more cooking options.
Hopefully, these suggestions will help you create the optimum “base zero” setup and above for your crew. Just don’t forget to bring some activities, and kayaking, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy for hours.
