How Much Water I Bring Car Camping
I plan about a gallon per person per day if the site has no reliable spigot, plus cooking and a little extra.
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Field notes — I write these in first person, from how I actually pack. Photos go in when I have them.
Photo slot — A real trip photo goes here. I will drop a picture in when I have one that is not a stock shot.
I do not trust ‘there is water at the site’ until I see it
Spigots break. They are a walk I do not want at 10 p.m. If I am not sure, I bring jugs: drinking, cooking, a little for dishes. About a gallon per person per day is my boring number. Heat and kids push it up.
I keep a bottle in the chair. Dehydration looks like crankiness before it looks like an emergency.
I do not use creek water for the cooler and then drink it
Drinking water is drinking water. Dish water can be uglier. I do not mix the jugs.
Quick answers
Is this a complete packing list?
No. This is what I actually do for this situation. Use a full checklist for the boring essentials, then add or subtract from this note.