Once you have a solid destination in mind, it's time for lists.

Essential Information (see Research)

• Maps

• Weather and conditions

  • General plans based on historic data

  • Weather forecasts are only useful to a maximum of ten days so don't finalize your plans until then

  • Weather forecasts are only accurate to three days out, at which point you should track the conditions

• Recreational goal

  • camping, hiking, bird watching, scenic drives, campfires, companions...

• Resource list of links or printouts for on the go

  • maps, weather, campground agency website and phone, local government website (road information), local hospital...

Pack list

• Gear list

  • I have different lists for backpacking trips versus long camping trips, different lists for summer and winter...

• Meal Plan

  • Ideally a spreadsheet but at least a grocery list

  • Backpackers should plan by calorie intake but us lazy car campers only need to plan for cooler volume and budget

• Personal Effects List

  • clothes

  • toiletries

  • gadgets

  • entertainments

• Transportation

  • I just drive everywhere so I have

    • Vehicle to-do list (maintenance and repairs)

    • Vehicle fuel requirement calculations

    • Tool kit list

    • Packing diagram

  • If you use public or for-hire transport that needs its own plan

Hope that helps!