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Peak Overland logo

Packing Lists for Your Overland Trip

What’s included with your Peak Overland rental—and what to pack from home.

Great trips start with smart packing. The good news: your Peak Overland vehicle comes outfitted with most of the big, bulky gear you’d need for a comfortable overland adventure. That means you can focus on your personal clothing, food, and a few comfort items rather than trying to cram an entire camp store into your suitcase.

Use this page as a guide when planning your trip. We’ve broken things into three simple sections:

  • What’s included with every Adventure Ready™ rental
  • What you should bring for clothing, personal items, and food
  • Seasonal adjustments for spring, summer, and fall in the Rockies and desert

Note: Specific gear may vary slightly by vehicle. Your confirmation email will include a current list of what’s included with your rig.

What’s Included with Every Adventure Ready™ Rental

All Peak Overland rigs are set up to be a rolling basecamp. Here’s what you can expect to find waiting for you when you arrive:

Vehicle & 4×4 Essentials

  • Well-maintained 4×4 vehicle with all-terrain tires
  • Full-size spare tire and basic tire-changing tools
  • All factory recovery points / tow hooks
  • Basic recovery gear (tow strap, gloves, shovel, etc.)
  • Full tank of fuel at pickup

Sleeping & Shelter

  • Rooftop tent mounted and ready to use
  • Mattress or sleeping pad inside the tent
  • Ladder, guy lines, and hardware for easy setup
  • Camp lighting (lantern or string lights)

Kitchen & Camp Setup

  • Camp table
  • Camp chairs
  • Stove and fuel (or grill solution appropriate to the rig)
  • Basic cookware (pot, pan)
  • Cooking utensils (spatula, tongs, stirring spoon)
  • Plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery for your group size
  • Dish tub, sponge, and basic biodegradable soap
  • Cooler or 12V fridge (depending on vehicle)

Navigation & Safety

  • Basic first aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Paper maps or regional map atlas (where available)
  • USB charging ports for phones and devices

Optional add-ons like sleeping bags, extra camp chairs, or ground tents may be available for an additional fee. Check the booking page or ask us before your trip if you’d like to travel even lighter.

What You Should Bring: Personal Gear Checklist

Think of your personal packing in four categories: clothing, personal items, food, and fun extras. The lists below are a starting point—adjust up or down based on how light or plush you like to travel.

Clothing (Per Person)

  • Moisture-wicking base layers (top and bottom)
  • 2–3 t-shirts or lightweight tops
  • 1–2 long-sleeve shirts (sun and bug protection)
  • 1 warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)
  • 1 insulated jacket for cool evenings
  • Comfortable hiking pants or trail pants
  • Shorts (in summer)
  • Underwear and socks (including at least one warm pair)
  • Sleepwear
  • Hat for sun protection
  • Warm beanie (even in summer, nights can be cold in the mountains)
  • Light gloves (shoulder seasons)
  • Sturdy shoes or hiking boots
  • Sandals or camp shoes

Personal Items

  • Prescription medications
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Insect repellent
  • Basic personal first aid (any special items you prefer)
  • Headlamp or small flashlight (with extra batteries)
  • Phone and charging cables
  • Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
  • Small daypack for hikes and town days

Food & Water Planning

All of our rigs include the cooking basics—stove, cookware, and dishes. You bring the groceries and snacks that fit your style and diet.

Food Ideas

  • Breakfast: oatmeal, eggs, breakfast burritos, granola, coffee/tea
  • Lunch: sandwiches, wraps, pre-cut veggies, trail mix, fruit
  • Dinner: pasta, tacos, stir-fry kits, pre-marinated meats, one-pot meals
  • Snacks: nuts, jerky, bars, chips, chocolate (of course)

Tip: Plan for at least one extra day of food in case you decide to linger at a favorite campsite or weather slows you down.

Water

  • Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic cooking.
  • In hot weather or at high altitude, increase that amount.
  • Some camp areas have no reliable water source—assume you’ll need to carry what you use.

If you have a specific route in mind, we can help you think through where it makes sense to top up fuel, food, and water along the way.

Family, Pets & Comfort Extras

These items aren’t required, but can make your trip more comfortable—especially with kids or on longer adventures.

Nice-to-Have Comfort Items

  • Camp pillow (or pillowcase to stuff with clothing)
  • Favorite camp blanket
  • Books, e-readers, or downloaded movies
  • Portable speaker (respectful volume and quiet hours)
  • Camera or binoculars
  • Camp games or cards

If You’re Bringing Kids

  • Favorite snacks and comfort items
  • Warm layers and extra socks
  • Simple games for camp and car time
  • Headlamps (kids love having their own)

If You’re Bringing a Dog

  • Leash and collar (with ID tags)
  • Dog bed or blanket for the tent or vehicle
  • Food and collapsible bowls
  • Poo bags (pack it out, always)

Seasonal Adjustments

Conditions in Colorado and Utah can change quickly with the seasons. Here are a few tweaks to the basic packing list based on when you’re traveling.

Spring & Fall (Shoulder Seasons)

  • Extra warm layers (fleece, insulated jacket, warm hat)
  • Heavier socks and an extra blanket
  • Waterproof jacket and rain pants
  • Gloves and a second beanie

Summer (High Country & Desert)

  • Lightweight, breathable clothing
  • Extra sun protection (hat, SPF clothing, sunglasses)
  • Higher water capacity for desert days
  • Electrolyte packets or drink mix

Monsoon Season (Typically Late July–August)

  • Reliable rain jacket
  • Quick-dry clothing and footwear
  • Extra dry bags or waterproof stuff sacks

Before your trip, be sure to check our Seasonal Access & Safety page for current considerations around snow, storms, and route timing.

Putting It All Together

You don’t need to bring your entire gear closet to have an amazing trip. With a well-outfitted vehicle and a smart personal packing list, you’ll have everything you need for town days, trail days, and nights under the stars.

Next steps:

Ready to start packing? Pick your rig from our Adventure Ready™ fleet, and we’ll handle the big gear so you can focus on the fun parts.