CAMP ESSENTIALS
This handheld or forehead-mounted tool helps you find your way in the dark
Flashlight (or headlamp)
You can roast me over the fire to make a sticky, tasty treat
marshmallow
This small, bushy-tailed rodent loves to run up trees and try to steal your snacks
squirrel
Carved into the granite face of a mountain in South Dakota, this monument features the 60-foot-tall faces of four U.S. presidents
Mount Rushmore
Minnesota's official state nickname celebrates its incredible abundance of water by calling it the "Land of 10,000" of these
Lakes
The temporary canvas shelter you sleep in while roughing it outdoors
Tent
The three essential ingredients used to build a traditional S'more
graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows
his nocturnal bird is recognized by its "hoot" and is often thought of as "wise"
owl
This massive Arizona gorge, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Grand Canyon
Spanning over a million acres along the Canadian border, this pristine wilderness area bans motorized vehicles, making it a paradise for canoe camping
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
This critical navigation tool uses a magnetized needle to point toward North
Compass
This lightweight, high-energy snack mix is a favorite for hikers and traditionally combines peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms
This clever, masked mammal loves to raid campsite trash cans at night
raccoon
This Wyoming geyser in Yellowstone National Park gets its name because its highly predictable eruptions occur roughly every 90 minutes
Old Faithful
This historic lighthouse, perched on a 130-foot sheer cliff above Lake Superior, was built following a devastating 1905 storm
Split Rock Lighthouse
This acronym is the gold-standard framework for outdoor ethics, reminding campers to leave nature exactly how they found it
leave no trace
Because it doesn't require refrigeration and won't spill in a backpack, this dried, heavily salted strips of meat is a staple camp protein
jerky
The only mammal capable of true, sustained flight, often seen darting around at dusk
bat
Located in the Colorado desert, this massive concrete arch-gravity dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona tames the Colorado River to create Lake Mead
Hoover Dam
Located in Lake Itasca State Park, this famous spot allows visitors to walk across rocks to cross the start of this massive American river
Headwaters of the Mississippi
To prevent getting sick from drinking wild water, campers use specialized filters or drops to target and kill this specific type of microscopic organism
bacteria (or parasites/pathogens)
This method of drying food removes water weight while preserving nutrients, making it a staple for lightweight backpacking meals
dehydrating
If you see this large predator on the trail, you should stand tall, make noise, and back away slowly—never run
Welcoming over 11 million travelers each year, this misty destination straddling Tennessee and North Carolina is by far the most visited national park in the United States
Great Smoky Mountains
Stretching 310 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border, this rugged hiking path follows the ridgeline of the world's largest freshwater lake
Superior Hiking Trail