The Ultimate Cabin Trip Packing List

First things first, when packing for a cabin trip, keep in mind the climate and activities that you will be participating in. If you are going to face cold, bring clothing that will keep you warm, such as sweaters, thermal layers, hats, and gloves.

If you will be doing plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking or skiing, make sure to pack appropriate gear, such as hiking boots, breathable layers, jackets, and sunscreen. And don’t forget snacks and drinks – the cabin trip is not the time to diet!

This packing list will help you make sure you have everything you need for a relaxing and enjoyable cabin trip without going overboard and packing too much. And stick to the end for a free downloadable version of the packing list.

Suggested packing list for a typical cabin trip

Toiletries and medication	Food & Drinks	Clothes	Entertainment and Tech
Shampoo	Coffee/ Tea/ Hot cocoa	Jacket	Deck cards
Shower gel	Fruits & vegetables	Comfy PJs	Board games
Toothpaste & toothbrush	Wine	Indoor slippers	Kindle/ Books
Medication and first aid kit	Corkscrew	Sweaters	Portable speaker
Glucose tablets	Granola bars	Small backpack	External battery
Soap and hand sanitizer	Snacks	Ski gear (winter)	Phone & camera charger
Hair brush	Quick to prepare ingredients	Boots	Camera
Antiperspirant	Seasonings	Cozy socks	Tripod
Bug spray	Sugar	Comfy sweatshirts & sweatpants	Drone
SPF	Water	Laundry bag	Jenga
Chap-stick	Juice	Thermal layers
Skincare	Grill or campfire supplies	Sunglasses

Before you start packing for your cabin trip

Before you start packing for your cabin getaway, you should first take into account what amenities your accommodation comes with, as well as the activities that you’re planning to do.

For example, does the cabin have a pool or a hot tub? Does it have a fireplace or a grill? Is it close to hiking paths? Will you be skiing? Answering these questions will greatly influence your packing list.

It’s also a good idea to print your booking reservation and have it on you, as well as to make sure you know how to get the key to the cabin.

You might want to download a map of the area that you can check offline as well because cabins are often located in remote places where cell phone service can be bad or nonexistent.

And don’t forget to inquire about other essential items like toilet paper, dish soap & sponge, kitchen utensils, garbage bags, paper towels, and a lantern or a flashlight. Some might already be available at your cabin, so it’s worth checking with your host if that’s the case.

Toiletries

When packing for a cabin trip, it’s important to remember to bring along your toiletries.

This includes items like shampoo, soap, shower gel as not all cabins include them, toothbrush and toothpaste, your favorite skincare, hairbrush, antiperspirant, etc. A hand sanitizer can also be handy on the go.

And make sure to pack enough for the entire trip, as you may not be able to find nearby stores from where you can purchase replacements.

Unless you’re going in winter, it’s a good idea to bring some bug spray: a natural repellent should be fine for most cabin trips, but you can also opt for DEET.

SPF is also something you shouldn’t forget at home as the mountain sun can be pretty vicious. I’d also advise you to bring some medication in case you get a cold or an upset stomach, glucose tablets for hiking, as well as a first aid kit.

A basic first aid kit typically contains the following items:

1. Bandages: It’s essential to have an assortment of sizes to cater to different types of wounds.
2. Tape: Medical tape is good for securing bandages, gauze, or other dressings in place, ensuring that wounds remain clean and protected from external contaminants.
3. Cleaning Solutions:
   • Neosporin: An antibiotic ointment that can help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
   • Alcohol: Useful for disinfecting tools or skin surfaces before an intervention. It can kill bacteria and other pathogens on contact.
   • Hydrogen Peroxide: Often used for cleaning wounds, it can help to remove dead tissue and prevent infection.
4. Sterile Pads: These are essential for covering larger wounds or abrasions. They can absorb blood and other fluids, keeping the wound clean and aiding in the healing process.
5. Tweezers: Good for removing splinters, thorns, or other foreign objects that might embed themselves in the skin.
6. Analgesic Spray: Products like Dermoplast provide pain relief when applied to minor cuts, burns, and insect bites.
7. Protective Gloves: wearing vinyl gloves ensures that you can administer first aid without the risk of contaminating the wound or transferring pathogens.

Food & drinks

You want to be sure that you have all the food and drinks you need for a cozy cabin trip, since most of the time you won’t have any shops nearby from where you can purchase additional things.

So pack snacks, as well as different ingredients that are quick to turn into breakfast, lunch, or dinner like eggs, milk, cereals, ham, sausages, vegetables, bread, etc. Also, don’t forget to take a bit of cooking oil or butter, basic spices (like salt, pepper or garlic powder) and sugar.

Should you bring raw meat, then make sure you transport it in a camping cooler, especially if you’re traveling in warm weather.

Most cabins have a small kitchenette with utensils where you can prepare your food, however, most people don’t want to spend too much time cooking while on vacation.

If you plan to have a grill or campfire while at the cabin then make sure you have matches, charcoal, and fire starters. Some tin foil might also be useful.

You should also bring some non-perishable foods in case of an emergency. Some good choices include crackers, granola bars, bread sticks, biscuits, cereal bars, chocolate cookies or brownies, etc.

For a fancy and very quick dinner, I like to bring an assortment of cheese which I then lay out on a plate with breadsticks, prosciutto, fruits (usually grapes or figs), and jam. Wine goes great with it, but don’t forget your corkscrew home if you bring a bottle or two.

If you’re bringing alcohol on your trip then it’s best to pack wine instead of beer because it still tastes good even if you don’t have enough room in your fridge to keep it cold.

For beverages, other than water, you can bring your favorite juice. You should also have some tea, coffee, or hot cocoa with you (depending on your preference), which you can drink in the morning while admiring the view.

Clothes

Make sure to pack a variety of clothes appropriate for the time of year in which you are traveling to your cabin.

Take into account that the weather can be unpredictable even during the warmer months: while it may be warm during one part of the day, there could still be chilly evenings and mornings that require layers. It’s also worth checking the weather forecast before you start packing.

For a winter cabin trip, you should bring the following items: ski pants (even if you don’t plan or know how to ski), a warm coat, heavy-duty snow boots, as well as gloves, wool sweaters, and a hat. You shouldn’t forget to bring some thermal layers too to keep you as warm as possible.

In spring or autumn it may rain, so make sure you have a good rain jacket, umbrella, and waterproof pants, as well as hiking boots. Thermal layers should be useful during these seasons as well.

Summers can be moody in terms of the weather so bring both summer clothes as well as things to keep you warm like a sweater or a light jacket.

Dress in layers and also don’t forget to bring a straw hat to protect you from the sun while you are out and about. Bringing a pair of sunglasses is also a good idea.

If your cabin trip also involves some water activities, then make sure you don’t forget your swimsuit at home either.

Inside the cabin, regardless of the season, it’s all about being cozy, so bring some comfy PJs, wool socks, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. For a winter trip, you can even bring a knitted or fluffy blanket with you.

Entertainment

You should bring some board games and deck cards to keep you entertained and have a great time.

Also don’t forget your camera, memory cards, extra batteries, and chargers. If you have a drone, you can bring it as well, but make sure you are allowed to fly it in the area you are traveling to.

If the cabin is somewhat remotely located, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to witness an amazing night sky, so bring your tripod to take beautiful photos of it.

Also, it’s wise to bring one or two external batteries in case of emergency as sometimes cabins run out of power due to weather conditions (had this happened before).

If you like to read, I’ll also recommend you bring your Kindle or a good book. I find nothing cozier than reading in front of a fireplace during the cold winter days or while I drink my morning coffee.

Free downloadable cabin trip packing list

Wrap up

So there you have it – my ultimate cabin packing list. By following these tips, you’ll be able to travel fairly light and still have everything you need for a great and cozy getaway. So get packing!

---

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

• Tips on How to Deal with Travel Blues
• Using Booking.com or Directly Booking with a Hotel: Which Is Better?
• How to Plan a Trip in 11 Easy Steps