Complete Cabin Packing List

Some cabins may come with a basic first aid kit, but even if you’re able to conform they have one, you can’t know for sure if the person before you left it fully stocked or if the one thing you need has run out.  This is why I consider a basic first aid kit one of the cabin camping essentials.  It doesn’t need to be huge, but should have some basic things like Band-Aids, bandages, disinfectant, painkillers, etc. 

>> GET A FIRST AID KIT HERE 

I prefer organic bug spray.  Insect repellent that has DEET in it is terrible for your skin and the environment, so it’s much better to be kind to yourself and the environment around your cabin at the same time (and prevent those bugs from driving you crazy!) 

>> GET BUG SPRAY HERE 

It’s handy to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer with in in case the water stops running or you are out and about without water and soap.  

>> PICK UP SOME HAND SANITIZER HERE 

In case the power goes out, or if you need to go outside after dark, a flashlight is super handy.  I prefer a headlamp, as you then have your hands free.  Be sure to take an extra battery with you too, just in case.  

>> GET A HEAD LAMP HERE 

Cards take up almost no space and are a classic way to spend some time in your cabin. I love these national parks cards. 

>> BUY SOME NATIONAL PARKS PLAYING CARDS HERE 

Curling up with a good book – either outside in a hammock or inside by a fire – is the perfect way to spend your cabin vacation. 

>> GET A KINDLE HERE 

Listen to your own music without disturbing others.  

>> BUY SOME NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHINES HERE 

Make sure you have a multi-purpose lighter in your cabin camping packing list in case you need to light a burner or start a fire and there is nothing available to do that in your rustic cabin. 

>> GET A MULTI-PURPOSE LIGHTER HERE

Your cute remote cabin might not have the kitchen supplies you need, take a portable set of kitchen utensils with you so you can cook and eat in comfort. 

>> GET A PORTABLE KITCHEN UTENSIL SET HERE

Rustic cabins often don’t have a kitchen, but part of the appeal of staying in a cabin is being to cook fun meals – especially when you’re away from restaurants and stores.  It’s easy to take a portable burner with you – and even more fun to have a portable charcoal barbecue for the fill vacation experience. 

Make sure you have the fuel you need for your burner and barbecue. 

>> PICK UP SOME CHARCOAL HERE

The kitchen will often not have any – or enough – pots and pans.  it’s easy to take a portable set with you.  Even better?  Take a Dutch oven that you can sue on a burner or an open fire and camp out in your cabin.  

Read my detailed guide to buying the best Dutch oven, if you need to get one.

Along with pots and pans and utensils, you may also need plates, bowls and cups. 

>> GET PLATES, BOWLS, ETC. HERE

If you drink wine, then cozying up around a fire in cooler weather or in a hammock in summer with a glass of wine is the perfect way to while away the hours on your cabin getaway.  If you are like me and this is you, then add a set of unbreakable wine glass to your cabin weekend packing list. 

Unbreakable glasses may not be suitable for a cocktail party, but they are the perfect thing for a cabin, where you do not want to have to deal with broken glass.  

>> GET SOME DURABLE WINE GLASSES HERE

This takes up almost no space and will save your life (not literally, but it might feel like it if you can’t open your food or beers) if the cabin doesn’t have one! 

>> BUY A BOTTLE/ CAN OPENER HERE

The companion piece for wine drinkers.  Cabins will often have a corkscrew, but I always take oine just on case, even if it is included in the description of items they have.  You never know when the person before you accidentally packs it away with them and then you arrive to a cabin without one. 

>> GET A CAMPING CORKSCREW HERE

Rustic kitchens often don’t have running water, and you will need to carry it from on water source.  I like to take some reusable water bottles to make it easier to carry and use the water in a rustic cabin kitchen. 

>> PICK UP SOME COLLAPSIBLE WATER BOTTLES HERE

There is little in life more enjoyable than a cup of freshly brewed steaming coffee in the morning in a cabin in the woods.  If you need (or just enjoy) a cup of coffee in the morning, then you will definitely want to make sure you take your own coffee maker with you.   

>> BUY A CABIN COFFEE MAKER HERE

If your rustic cabin doesn’t have a fridge, then you will want to make sure you have something to keep your food cool.  The simplest option is a cooler, but you will also need to have enough ice to last the distance.  Read my guide to the Best Yeti Cooler for FAQs and additional recommendations.

The other option is to take a camping fridge with you.  They run on a generator (which the cabin will typically have) and most also include a freezer section. If you stay in rustic cabins and/ or cabin a bit, then it is worthwhile looking into buying a camping fridge.  I have written a detailed guide to the best camping fridges (read it here) with tips on what to look for and reviews and recommendations.

In addition to socks for hiking and walking around outside, be sure to pack a couple of pairs at least of thick, warm, comfy socks for walking around inside and hanging out on the sofa. 

>> GET THESE SUPER FUN COZY SOCKS HERE

Keep your feet cozy and warm with your favorite pair of slippers.

Nothing says indoors comfort like a warm wooly cardigan. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any cabin trip in cooler weather.  

>> BUY A CARDIGAN HERE

Staying in a cabin is the perfect chance to curl up in a hammock or around a fire with a good book. 

I used to always take several real books with me, but I must admit I am a convert to e-readers.  I love my Kindle – especially when I travel, as I can download several books and it’s just one small thing to pack and carry. 

Make sure it’s fully charged before you go and take your charger with you in case the battery runs low. 

>> GET A KINDLE HERE

The cabin will no doubt provide blankets, but I like taking at least one of my own so I can curl up in it without wondering if it was cleaned.  I love this national parks one. 

>> GET THIS NATIONAL PARKS BLANKET HERE

Hopefully you won’t need this, but I always take a ran jacket with me in case.  It doubles as a wind breaker too. 

I always take a good pair of polarized sunglasses with me. 

>> PICK UP A PAIR OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HERE

I have learned the hard way to never forget to take sunscreen.  Nothing is worse than being bright red and burning hot after a day in the sun.  You want your cabin adventure to be pleasurable, not painful.  

>> GET SOME REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN HERE

If you plan to do any hiking, then you should absolutely have a good pair of hiking shoes or botos with you.  Some people prefer botos because they offer more ankle support, while others prefer shoes because they are usually lighter, which can make a difference on longer hikes.   

If you need to get a new pair, be sure to check out my guide to the best hiking shoes and boots for the full low down on what to look for as well as recommendations.  

A day pack is essential when hiking. 

You should have one with a hip strap to take some of the weight off your shoulders, pockets to keep a water bottle easily accessible, a back pad to absorb sweat, and comfortable shoulder straps.   

Always take more water than you think you’ll need.  It’s better to have some left at the end of the hike than run out and be thirsty.   

>> GET A HYDROFLASK REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE HERE

Ideally you will have hiking pants with synthetic fabric that dries quickly and wicks moisture away so you stay dry and cool. Definitely do not wear jeans on a long hike, as they absorb water, and get heavy and cold and stay wet for ages. 

If you’re hiking in warmer weather, swap out the long pants for some hiking shorts.   

Take a jacket with you if there is any chance at all of the weather getting cool.  You never know when the weather will change quickly, and a warm sunny day can turn cold and wet.

This is not as essential as a water bottle, but if you like coffee or other hot beverages, then a thermos or a coffee mug with a lid will help make your hike more civilized and fun.  

>> GET A COFFEE MUG WITH LID HERE

A fleece jacket is ideal in cooler weather to keep you warm and cozy on a cool day. 

Not an essential item, but if your cabin is near a lake r river, then getting out on the water is a wonderful cabin activity.  Most places will not have a kayak rental place conveniently nearby and taking a full-sized kayak is not very convenient.  Which is why I love inflatable kayaks.  They take up almost no space and give you the perfect freedom to get out on the water. 

If you are looking to buy one, read my guide to the best inflatable kayaks.  It goes over exactly what to look for and reviews the top inflatable kayaks on the market.  

>> BUY AN INFLATABLE KAYAK HERE

A cabin trip and picnics go hand in hand.  If there are hiking trails around the cabin, then having a picnic daypack is the perfect way to take everything you need for a picnic lunch along the trail.   

>> PICK UP A PICNIC BACKPACK HERE

Some cabins have hammocks already strung up between surrounding trees, but unless you know for sure they do – and as long as there are trees around – taking a hammock and rope is a great idea. 

I love lying in a hammock, reading a book on my Kindle and having a glass of wine on a warm summer day.  

>> BUY A CAMPING HAMMOCK

If you plan to relax in a nearby lake, river or creek, then I recommend taking water shoes with you, so that you can walk on the surface underwater without worrying about what you’re walking on! 

Check out my guide to the best hiking sandals for some suggestions and detailed reviews. 

>> GET SOME WATER SHOES HERE

When you’re not hiking or in the water, sneakers are the most comfortable option for walking around outside your cabin.

The cabin may have some outdoor furniture, but taking your own folding chairs gives you more options for hanging out outside. 

>> BUY SOME FOLDABLE CHAIRS HERE

It is useful to keep all your toiletry items together when you travel.

>> GET A TOILETRY BAG HERE

I always like to keep my dirty clothes separate from my clean ones, so I like using a laundry bag.

>> GET A LAUNDRY BAG HERE

Most cabins will have electricity and you can take your regular phone and camera chargers with you. 

However, I always like to take a portable charger with me as well just in case the power goes out.  That way, I can still charge my phone (which doubles as my camera much of the time). 

>> BUY A PORTABLE CHARGER HERE

Chances are that your cabin will be surrounded by nature, so there will be chances to see wildlife, birds and various geological formations.  I always take binoculars with me so I can see things up close.   

If you are thinking of buying some, check my Binoculars Buying Guide.  It explains basics about binoculars like depth of field, lens strength, etc. and gives some recommendations for the best binos for the money.  

>> GET THE BEST BINOCULARS FOR THE MONEY HERE

Don’t forget to take your camera. Plus, all the extras (memory cards, batteries, chargers, lenses, etc.)!   

I love the GoPro because it’s designed for adventure activities, so it is durable, and has photo, video and streaming capabilities.  

>> BUY A GOPRO CAMERA HERE

Nothing says cozy winter cabin wear like your favorite pair of warm fuzzy slippers!

A warm wooly sweater is the perfect addition to your winter cabin wardrobe.

If your cabin will be in the snow and you’ll be heading outside at all, you will want to make sure you have a food pair of snow boots with you, so your feet stay warm and dry.   

If you need to get some, first read my guide to the best winter boots for men and my guide to the best women’s winter boots.

In addition to a warm wooly sweater, you will also want to pack a warm winter coat so you stay warm outside.  Check out my guide to the best jackets for cold weather for reviews and recommendations.

Spring is famous for melting snow and rain showers.  Stay dry with a rain jacket.

If you’ll be in a cabin where it might rain or there will be snow melt around, then be sure to pack a good pair of rain boots so you stay dry.

If you’re wondering what to wear to a summer cabin trip, the first and most important thing is sunscreen. (You should take shorts, short-sleeved shirts and sandals as well, of course). I like reef-safe sunscreen even if you aren’t going in the water, as it is environmentally-friendly and gentle on your skin.  

>> BUY SOME SUNSCREEN HERE

Since the most common water you will access on a cabin trip is either a river or a lake, I always like to take water safe shoes with me.  That way I can wear them I the water and walk around without (a) worrying my shoes are getting wet); (b) still be comfortable; and (c) not worry about what sticks or rocks, etc. I’m walking on.  

>> GET SOME WATER-SAFE SHOES HERE

A summer cabin trip often means a lake or river nearby for you to cool off in.  Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit.

The cabin will usually provide a bath towel, but often won’t have a second one for you to take outside.  Cabin owners usually get kind of funny if they find out you’ve taken a bath towel outside anyway.  So, I always pack a beach towel with me.   

>> BUY A BEACH TOWEL TWO-PACK HERE

Basic sun protection. I’m actually not a huge fan if hats, but always wear a sun hat if I’ll be outside for any length of time. 

>> BUY A SUN HAT HERE

There is nothing better on a fall cabin trip than cozying up around a fire.  If your cabin has an outdoor fire pit or a functioning fire place, take something to carry logs in.  There is usually a stocked wood pile, but often nothing to carry logs with.  You can carry them one by one, but it’s much nicer carrying a small bundle at a time. 

>> GET A LOG CARRIER HERE

Make sure you can start your fire!  Don’t forget a fire starter and lighter or waterproof matches.  

>> BUY FIRE STARTERS HERE

Nothing says cozy fall cabin trip better than s’more around a fire.  Make sure you take all the trappings with you.  

>> BUY A S’MORES STATION HERE

Don’t forget the skewers for your s’mores!  

>> BUY A SET OF STYLISH SKEWERS HERE

>> GET A COZY NATIONAL PARKS BLANKET HERE

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks. 

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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