Last Updated on 09/2025 by Mom Goes Camping
After over a decade of family camping adventures across national parks and backcountry trails, I’ve witnessed countless camping disasters that could have been easily avoided. From electronics disrupting wildlife to dangerous fire accelerants causing evacuation scares, these experiences taught me valuable lessons about what not to pack.
While there are plenty of lists of what to bring when you go camping, knowing what to leave behind is equally important for safety, environmental protection, and ensuring everyone enjoys their outdoor experience. Here’s my hard-earned wisdom on the items that have no place in your camping gear.
Electronics (Beyond Emergency Communication)
I get it – that phone provides peace of mind for emergencies, and I always carry mine on family trips. But I’ve watched too many families miss magical moments because someone was glued to a screen instead of watching their first shooting star or hearing an owl call for the first time.
The real issue isn’t just missing out on nature’s wonders. During a recent camping trip at Yellowstone, a family’s loud movie night disrupted the entire campground’s evening wildlife viewing. Rangers actually had to intervene because the noise was affecting animal behavior patterns.
Why electronics don’t belong at camp:
- They defeat the purpose of digital detox that benefits mental health
- Screens and sounds disrupt wildlife and other campers’ experiences
- Battery drainage can compromise your actual emergency communication
- Blue light disrupts natural sleep patterns crucial for outdoor recovery
If you absolutely must bring electronics:
- Use headphones exclusively – never speakers
- Keep devices in your tent or RV, away from shared spaces
- Set specific “device times” rather than constant use
- Consider airplane mode to preserve battery for true emergencies
Also read: Camping Neighbors from Hell: These Are the Worst Things Campers Do
Axes, Saws, and Tree-Cutting Tools
This might surprise new campers, but that shiny hatchet you’re eyeing at the outdoor store? Leave it at home. I learned this lesson the hard way during an early backpacking trip when a ranger educated me about Leave No Trace principles after finding my “practice” shelter.
The reality about campfire wood: Dead wood scattered on the ground provides the best kindling and burns cleanly. Living wood from cut trees contains moisture that creates excessive smoke and burns poorly. I’ve seen campers struggle for hours with smoky fires from fresh-cut wood when perfect dry tinder was literally lying at their feet.
Environmental impact considerations:
- Popular camping areas already face pressure from overuse
- Fragile ecosystems (like alpine environments) depend on every piece of organic matter
- Your “practice” bushcraft shelter becomes litter for the next visitor
- Cutting tools encourage destructive behavior in inexperienced campers
When axes are appropriate: At established campgrounds where you’ve purchased firewood, a small hatchet helps split larger pieces into kindling. Always check campground rules first. Read more about how to use a camping hatchet responsibly.
Excessive Toys and Entertainment Items
One of my favorite camping memories is watching my daughter spend three hours building fairy houses from pinecones, leaves, and sticks – zero manufactured toys involved. That same trip, I watched another family struggle with bored kids surrounded by electronic games and action figures, completely missing the natural playground around them.
Why minimal toys work better outdoors:
- Nature provides unlimited, ever-changing entertainment
- Kids develop creativity and problem-solving skills
- Fewer items mean less stress about lost or damaged belongings
- Children engage more fully with their environment
Smart toy choices for camping:
- One small comfort item (stuffed animal) for security
- Notebook and pencils for nature journaling
- Deck of cards for rainy weather
- Nature interaction tools: magnifying glass, collection containers, field guides
Check out these best camping toys for kids and how to entertain kids while camping for more ideas.
Scented Personal Care Products
Here’s something most camping guides don’t mention: “camping smell” is completely different from “city smell.” When you’re active outdoors with clean air and natural materials, you don’t develop that stuffy, stale odor that comes from indoor environments and pollution exposure.
The real danger of fragrances outdoors: During a backpacking trip in bear country, our guide pointed out how a camper’s floral perfume had attracted every bee in the area. More seriously, scented products can draw larger wildlife attention – something you definitely want to avoid.
Wildlife and insect concerns:
- Sweet scents attract bees, wasps, and mosquitoes
- Strong fragrances can signal “food source” to bears and other wildlife
- Artificial scents mask natural human scent that wildlife recognizes and typically avoids
- Some scents trigger aggressive behavior in certain insects
Multiple Toiletry Products
My entire camping toiletry kit fits in a small mesh bag: biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and toilet paper. That’s it. This minimalist approach evolved from years of overpacking and dealing with leaky bottles, forgotten items, and the environmental guilt of watching soapy water run toward pristine streams.
One quality soap does it all: A single biodegradable soap serves as body wash, shampoo, dish soap, and laundry detergent. Dr. Bronner’s has been my go-to for over eight years of camping adventures.
Environmental responsibility: Even biodegradable soap requires proper disposal. According to Leave No Trace, all soapy water must be disposed of 200 feet from water sources. I use a collapsible wash basin and scatter used water through soil and vegetation for natural filtering.
Glass and Ceramic Items
I’ll never forget the family vacation when my brother’s beer bottle fell from the picnic table and shattered across our campsite. Despite spending an hour with flashlights picking up every visible piece, we still found glass shards weeks later embedded in our tent floor.
Hidden dangers of breakables:
- Microscopic shards embed in tent floors and sleeping pads
- Barefoot campers (especially children) face serious injury risks
- Wildlife can step on fragments and suffer paw injuries
- Glass reflects sunlight and can create fire hazards in dry conditions
Better alternatives: Stainless steel, aluminum, and BPA-free plastic containers handle camping conditions better and pose zero breakage risk. For beer lovers, cans pack lighter and create no safety hazards.
Mirrors and Vanity Items
One of camping’s greatest gifts is freedom from appearance anxiety. That messy hair and dirt-streaked face? They’re badges of outdoor adventure! Some of my family’s favorite photos capture these authentic moments – the genuine smiles and carefree expressions that only come when we stop worrying about looking perfect.
Beyond the breakage risk: Mirrors create unnecessary weight, breakage hazards, and maintain unhealthy appearance fixation that camping naturally helps release. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the mental break from constant self-monitoring.
Fire Accelerants and Chemical Starters
Nothing beats the satisfaction of starting a campfire with just matches and natural materials. I’ve taught this skill to dozens of families, and the pride on kids’ faces when their fire catches is priceless. Chemical accelerants rob you of this authentic outdoor experience while creating serious safety risks.
Safety concerns with accelerants:
- Unpredictable flame behavior can cause severe burns
- Chemical vapors pose inhalation risks, especially for children
- Increased wildfire risk due to rapid, uncontrolled burning
- Environmental contamination from chemical residues
Natural fire-starting success: Learn proper fire lay techniques and how to build fires in challenging conditions. These skills serve you better than any chemical shortcut.
Items You Can’t Pack Out
The “pack it in, pack it out” principle goes beyond basic courtesy – it’s about preserving wilderness for future generations. I’ve restructured my entire meal planning around this concept, and it’s actually made camping food preparation simpler and more enjoyable.
My repackaging system: Everything goes into reusable containers or bags before leaving home. Granola bars get removed from wrappers, soup mixes transfer to lightweight containers, and snacks get portioned into silicone bags. This prevents accidental littering and eliminates sharp, dirty cans at cleanup time.
Waste considerations for different camping styles:
- Car camping: Established campgrounds provide trash services, but minimizing packaging still reduces bear attractants
- Backpacking: Every ounce matters, including trash weight on the return journey
- Dispersed camping: No services available – everything must be carried out
Special note on toilet paper: While biodegradable toilet paper can be buried in cathole latrines, wet wipes require packing out due to slow decomposition rates. Consider this when choosing personal hygiene supplies.
The Bottom Line: Camping is About Simplification
After years of family camping adventures, the pattern is clear: our best trips involved the least stuff. When we focus on essentials and embrace simplicity, we’re free to notice the things that truly matter – the sound of wind through pine trees, the excitement in a child’s voice discovering their first salamander, the satisfaction of a meal cooked over a fire you built yourself.
These guidelines aren’t about depriving yourself of comfort. They’re about removing barriers to the authentic outdoor experience that rejuvenates mind, body, and family relationships. Every item you leave behind creates space for something more valuable – a deeper connection with nature and each other.
What would you add to this list based on your camping experiences? Share your “never again” items in the comments below!
About the Author: Diane has been family camping for over 15 years, from car camping with toddlers to backpacking with teenagers. Her experiences range from desert dispersed camping to alpine wilderness adventures, with a focus on sustainable outdoor practices and family-friendly outdoor education.
Image credits:
“Feliz dia del trabajador” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by Miradortigre
“Cool but unnecessary camp luxury” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Beige Alert
