A canoe is a backpacker's dream: so much space for gear! And you don't even have to carry it on your back.

There are limits, though. Like any form of travel, you'll regret it if you weigh yourself down with too much stuff. Don't forget, you still have to carry everything from the car to the water, up to camp each night, and during portages. The more gear you have, the more time you'll spend packing it up each morning, and the heavier your boat will feel all day.

So what to bring? Start with good quality, lightweight camping gear: sleeping bag, camping mattress, and a tent appropriate for the climate. Always bring a stove: campfires can be unreliable or hard to find wood for, and may be prohibited in some areas. Then there are all the other basics:

Cooking equipment

Lanterns or headlamps

Bug repellant and/or mesh mosquito jacket.

Water bottles

Dry bags

Extra clothing

Toilet articles

First Aid Kit

Extra ground cloth

Tarp

Repair kit

Small shovel or trowel for burying human waste

Of course there are hundreds of other gadgets, from campfire espresso makers to wilderness toasters to battery-operated shavers that you could bring. Feel free to unleash the gear freak within - just don't go overboard. Here are a few simple suggestions:

Long Length Of Cord Or Lightweight Rope. Use it to make a clothesline for hanging all your paddling gear. You can also use your throw rope.

Small Whisk Broom. Shorelines tend to be sandy, and it's nice to be able to keep your tent and other gear from becoming too gritty.

Compact, Short-Legged Folding Chair. After a day of paddling, treat yourself to one with a backrest. Most outfitters sell take-apart or very compact nylon or canvas chairs.

Daypack. Even though you may be traveling from camp to camp by boat, you'll probably take some short walks. A pack can be helpful for toting water bottles, too, if the water supply is more than a few yards from camp.

Carabineers. You'll find a hundred uses for these handy "climber's" clips, from hanging gear on the clothesline to clipping stuff into the boat.

Cooler. One of the things you can bring that really separates canoe camping from other forms of wilderness travel, a cooler is a real luxury. Make sure you bring one with a latching lid in case of a capsize.

Camp Table. Another luxury item, great for cooking at a comfortable height and for keeping your food out of the sand.

If you're like most of us, figuring out what not to bring will probably be your biggest challenge.

Canoe Camping Checklist

First Aid Kit Checklist