Packing List: Camping at Colorado Bend

Brandon and I just got back from Colorado Bend State Park, where we spent the weekend camping next to the Colorado River and hiking through the hills with Trooper.  It was a little Valentine’s day getaway and the park was beautiful. Rustic, but beautiful.

In case you find yourself planning for a trip to Colorado Bend, or any state park this year, below is a list of what I cooked and packed. Enjoy!

Menu

Dutch oven cinnamon rolls (heavenly…and easy)

Strawberry and Nutella S’mores (again, heavenly)

Foil dinners (the way to Brandon and Trooper’s hearts is meat and potatoes)

Grilled venison sausage wrapped in a crescent roll and cooked over a fire (yum)

Fresh fruit, sandwiches, and yogurt/granola for lunch and snacks

Cooking Equipment

Paper towel roll

Skewers

Foil

Plastic plates and silverware

Plastic cups

Trashbags (some for recycling and some for trash, you will have to haul out your recycling)

Dutch oven for above recipes

Tongs (long handled is better)

Oven mitts

Dutch oven lid lifter

Dish scrubber/sponge

Fire poker

Spatula (long handled is better – preferably one from a grill tool set)

or you could just bring a fire tool set, that would include the above

Newspaper (firestarter)

Gear

Camp Chairs

Cooler

Tent

Extension cord and multiplug – for your string lights, cell phone charger, Nespresso machine (What?) etc — NOTE: Colorado Bend does not have electricity at its campsites, so I ended up not needing this, however I would call your state park ahead of time and check.

Flashlight and lantern – Coleman popup lantern available at Target – stands up on picnic table, letting you be handsfree for s’more making and whatnot (Because what is a camping trip without a perfect s’more making experience?)

Camera and charger

Mini daypack for carrying water and other necessities on dayhikes

Extra batteries

String lights (again, not necessary if you have no electrical outlets on site)

cell phone charger

Bucket for hand washing – water spicket on site at Colorado Bend

Large jug – fill with drinking water via spicket provided at Colorado Bend and use at campsite for washing face, brushing teeth, etc.

Dog Accoutrements

Leash and harness/collar

Food

Towel (even in a drought, Trooper somehow manages to get covered in mud)

Tie out – stake and cable

Rawhide and treat for being so cute

Linens & Bedding Situation

Air Mattress (this is the way to go, I’m telling you!)

Sheets

Pillows

Down comforter or quilts

NOTE: As we found out the hard way, air mattresses wick away body heat like it’s their job. While this can be a great thing during the summer, it is terrible during 35 degree weather.  Yes 35 degrees in our tent. I almost turned into a popsicle. Our solution was to unzip Brandon’s sleeping bag all the way and lay on top of it, with the more quilts and blankets on top of us. This kept the heat in and fortunately, last night, we slept like babies. I would definitely plan for this when camping in the winter.

Clothing

Hiking shoes (Merrell Siren Sport is what I have)

Shorts – Columbia is making some cute ones these days for hiking

Good pair of hiking pants (Prana Halle is what I swear by)

Cotton tees or fishing shirts – wick away moisture best!

Sunscreen

Toiletries

Hand soap – not always provided in restrooms

Moccasins or flip flops – for hanging around campsite

PJ’s

Jacket – I just got the North Face apex bionic soft shell and loooove it.

Vest – I go for layering whenever outside in a Texas winter. I just got the Barbour Cavalry Quilted vest from Nordstrom and love everything about it.

Tilley hat

Games

My favorite time of day on camping trips is the late afternoon, when you’ve returned from a grueling hike, changed into your flip flops, and are sitting down, reflecting on the day.

This is a great time to get out games!

Horseshoes and corn hole are excellent options.

Cards are always fun too.

They help distract hungry campers while you make dinner… #protip