So, what even is car camping?
When I talk about car camping, I mean camping at a site where you can drive your car right up to your camp spot and set up. You can certainly sleep in your car if you car camp, but I much prefer setting up camp and my actual tent for night time. Car camping is great for people wanting to get into camping because you don't have to worry about overpacking - you can literally bring as much as you can fit in your car with you if you want (although over time you will find out what works best for you!) Its usually a little easier to get started with car camping than with backpacking or hike-in camping because you don't need to worry as much about the weight of your gear and bringing the bare minimum. A lot of times car camping happens at state and other designated camping areas, but there are also plenty of dispersed camping sites where you can drive up as well!
How to find car campgrounds/camping areas
There are a bunch of ways to find camping spots near you or when you are traveling. If you're looking more for state campgrounds, many states have Reserve America or other sites where you can search for camp sites by different criteria. A lot of the more popular camp spots will fill up early, so be sure to plan ahead if you're going to a busy spot. You can also use apps like The Dyrt, Tentrr and HipCamp to find sites. These are probably the most common ways I find sites on the East Coast, but there may be other options if you are looking for camping on BLM land or other places out West. Right now with a toddler, we have been enjoying state campgrounds because of the amenities like beaches, water and restrooms. The one downside is that there are usually more people around you than with dispersed camping, but you can often find quieter campgrounds where you'll have a bit more space between yourself and other sites.
Our car camping essentials
Here's a list of everything we take car camping with us, regardless of where we're going. I like to store everything but the big stuff in rubbermaid bins with labels so I know exactly where it all is when I'm packing up the car. I'll link the specific items we have below, but just know that there are lots of different options for getting gear. It's never a bad idea to borrow something from a friend if you're just getting started, or check out REI and other stores' used gear programs. As with any outdoor activity, there's a wide range of gear and price points, and its better to try some stuff out first before you go all in on gear!
Tent/Sleeping
- Tent: Mountain Hardware 3 person: I love our tent - its not made anymore, but its similar to the Mineral King 3 Tent. Its perfect for Mike, Willow and I. We are also doing a cool tent exchange program with a company this year and will probably purchase a bigger 6-person tent for family camping as well
- Sleeping pad: Exped Megamat Duo - this sleeping pad is an investment but its worth every penny. Its great for two people and it has a really high R value so it does really well in cold conditions. Ruby can also squeeze in on this with us.
- Sleeping bag: Nemo Forte 20 - I love my sleeping bag - its great for backpacking too but its just so cozy and comfy. Its definitely too warm for summer camping but its great for cooler nights!
- Pillows: Sometimes I just bring my pillow from home, other times I use my Nemo fillo elite camping pillow.
- Blanket: Rumpl - We always bring one of these for the tent and for chilling around the campfire.
- Small area rug - Having one of these outside your tent is great for keeping excess dirt out of the tent and for leaving shoes on. Ours is from tractor supply co!
Cooking/Food
- Camp stove: Eureka SPRK Butane stove - this stove is perfect for us - its got one burner, its easy to carry because it comes in its own little case, and super easy to use. And it cooks well! There is also a two-burner option.
- Camp cookware: I have a pretty basic cookset from Mountain Summit that includes a couple of pots. I also bring utensils from home to cook with, a spork, dishes, a hydro flask tumbler for coffee and marshmallow skewers. Also don't forget a can/bottle opener!
- Cooler: We use the Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler - I love it, but sometimes wish we would have sized up, even though its very heavy! I can usually squeeze all our food for the weekend in it without issue.
- Water jugs: I usually bring a couple of the large Poland spring water jugs, and a large hydro flask
- Beer cooler: Because we like to save space in our food cooler, we have a separate soft sided cooler for beers
- Camp clean up: I bring biodegradable dish soap, European dish cloths, hand sanitizer, garbage bags, paper towels and usually a disposable or wipe-down table cloth.
Camp Set Up
- Camp chair: We love our Kelty Loveseat - and more importantly, Willow loves it. I'm pretty sure she thinks its her chair now. And I love being able to snuggle with her.
- Camp table: If we are going somewhere that doesn't have a picnic table, we will bring a large folding table. I also love my Helinox side table to put next to my camp chair for drinks.
- Lantern: My Goal Zero crush light lantern is my favorite - we use it at our table at night and then in our tent. Its super lightweight and can be charged through solar. I will also bring my Petzl headlamp for walking to the bathroom at night.
- Portable power station : Our Rockpals Freeman 300 portable power generator is a beast. You can use it to charge up to 8 things at once, and it has multiple kinds of ports. You can charge it with your car or solar panels.
Other nice to have items:
- Hammock: I have one from Eno that's been great - I may upgrade to the doublenest at some point because I think that would be more comfy with the dog!
- Cards or some kind of travel games to play at camp
- Sleeping bag liner - I just got one from Sea to Summit with insect shield - it can help keep your sleeping bag clean and also can be used in warmer weather camping as your bag.
- Pop up awning or shade tent - this can honestly make or break your summer camping trip - if there is not a lot of shade or tree cover, its nice to hang out under an awning, or to have if it rains!
- Multitool and patch kit - always nice to have in case you need them!
Willow's gear
We've had a lot of trial and error on what to bring for Willow when we car camp. While she doesn't need a lot of stuff, here are our favorite items we bring for safety and to make sure she's as comfortable as she can be at camp:
- Sleeping bag - Willow has the Wilderdog sleeping bag, it works great both in and out of the tent
- Sloppychops long line - I love having a 30-50ft long line at camp so you can do a tie-out and let the dogs have some space at your campsite.
- Spruce pup bed - We have the large bed and usually set this up at camp so Willow has a comfy place to lay down - they don't make these any more, so only smalls and mediums are in stock at Moosejaw right now. But its an awesome bed and so easy to clean when you get home!
- Pet bowls - I always bring the double low feeding system from Weathertech Pets - its nice and stable and easy to clean
- Food and water: I tend to bring dehydrated food like ZiwiPeaks camping - its easier to pack and Willow is more likely to eat it on the road.
- Light up collar - this collar from HaloLights is rechargeable and amazing for spotting your dog in the dark. Especially in areas where they can be off leash, you will never lose them!
- Wondercide - we use a monthly F&T preventative, but we always spray plenty of this on Willow whenever we are camping - the smells are all really nice, especially peppermint and rosemary
Our favorite camp meals
There are so many amazing camp meals you can make over a fire or using your camp stove. Here are a couple of our favorites:
- Campfire Ramen which is basically just doctored up instant ramen. Perfect for chilly nights!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch foil packets - so easy and so delicious!
- Foil Packet Chicken Nachos - what's not to love about nachos!
- Campfire French Toast - the best way to breakfast! We also love just making simple pancakes with fruit
- S'mores or banana boats (bananas with chocolate chips, marshmallows and other toppings wrapped in foil and grilled) for dessert!
I would also highly recommend checking our my friend Anna's (@adventure.yuki) dirtbag dining series for more amazing camp cooking ideas.
