Have you been interested in car camping but aren’t sure how to get started? Keep reading my guide on car camping for beginners!
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I started car camping as an adult. When my husband and I moved from California to Ohio, we drove across the country and we wanted to save money. So we figured we would sleep in our car. The first time I ever car camped was one of the nights on our drive out to Ohio in the Grand Tetons.
That road trip changed my life.
During our camping trip, I learned how to cook a camp meal and set up camp all in the comfort of my 2008 Subaru Forest. It was a great way to be introduced to sleeping outside without the stress of a tent setup.
Read on to learn more about car camping for beginners and how to get started!
Table of Contents
- What is Car Camping?
- Why Car Camp
- What Should I Bring Car Camping?
- How to Get Started Car Camping
- Car Camping Safety Tips
- FAQs about Car Camping
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
What is Car Camping?
Car camping is the type of camping where everything can be brought in your car. I typically refer to car camping as when I sleep in my car as opposed to a tent next to the car. However, other people define car camping as having access to your car when camping (as opposed to backpacking, where you carry everything with you).
Check out my guide on the difference between car camping and tent camping!
Why Car Camp
Car camping has a ton of benefits over staying in a hotel or home rental.
The first benefit is price. For a beautiful campsite in Grand Teton National Forest, we paid $35/night. An Airbnb or hotel would have been over $200 a night for the dates we were there. That’s an insane price difference (and means more room in the budget for snacks!)
Car camping is also a great introduction to camping. For me, car camping was the perfect introduction to camping for me. I had been so nervous to sleep outside before our trip but I definitely felt safer sleeping in a hard sided car rather than in a tent. I preferred to be at a campsite with toilets and bear boxes than in the middle of nowhere. I was worried about being uncomfortable when sleeping, but had no issues. I had fallen in love with camping!
I also love that car camping has a pretty low barrier to entry. It’s very possible to get started car camping on a low budget with equipment you already have. My husband and I only bought three things before our great westward journey – a car mattress, a camp stove, and a cooler. As I have car camped more and experimented with car camping setups, I’ve learned a lot about what I like and don’t like.
If you also end up car camping on a cross country road trip, check out my Cross Country Road Trip advice!
What Should I Bring for Car Camping?
As I mentioned before, you don’t need a ton of items to get started car camping. A lot of the things we used for our first trip were things we already had at home. My list here is comprehensive but I want to stress that you do not need everything to get started. I’ve built up my list over three years of car camping.
Non-Negotiables for Car Camping
This list are things I would highly, highly recommend packing for car camping. You don’t need to buy everything – you can make or use what you have. I’ve linked examples of the types of things I’ve used for my trips.
- Sleeping pad or mattress
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Window covers – you can buy some or make your own with Reflectix
- Heavy duty power bank
- Jumper Cables
- Water Storage
- Headlamp
- First Aid Kit
- Bear Spray or Bear Can (location dependent)
Nice to Haves for Car Camping
These are things that I think make car camping a lot easier, but aren’t absolutely necessary for your first trip, especially if it’s a short trip.
- Cooler – this cooler kept food cool for three days in triple digit August days – it is the best
- Storage – I use plastic bins from Home Depot that are the perfect size for the back seat footwells
- Camp Stove & fuel
- Foldable table
- Camp kitchen utensils – I generally just bring what I have at home
- Camp chairs
- Bug spray
- Lantern – this one doubles as a phone charger!
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Car Camping Clothing
I bet you have most of these items at home already as well!
- Comfortable sleeping clothes that are good for walking around camp
- Gear suitable for camping weather
- Moisture wicking gear that’s good for multiple wears
- Depending on the shower situation (usually not a lot of showering happening when car camping), you’ll want to make sure your clothes won’t stink after one use.
- I prefer merino wool for socks, bras, underwear, and any base layers.
A lot of the clothing that works for backpacking is also great for car camping. Check out my Backpacking Clothing Guide for more information on what to wear in the wilderness!
How to Get Started Car Camping
Start Local
Ideally, you want to take your first car camping trip within driving distance of home in case anything happens. While I did not follow this advice and we were in the wilderness over a thousand miles from our home when I first car camped, I wish I started smaller. I was really nervous leading up to our trip since I had never camped before.
If we had started locally with an easy out, I think I would have felt a lot more prepared. Thankfully everything went well but I would have liked a trip to build my confidence first.
Go with a Friend Who Knows What They Are Doing
Thankfully my husband was an avid camper when he was younger. He basically took charge of all of our research, planning, and packing. As he was planning for the trip, he taught me all of the things to think about when planning for a trip. Now I am the one that does all the research and packs for our trips because I’ve surpassed his knowledge!
If you don’t have a friend or a partner like this, check out your local outdoor group. If you’re in Pittsburgh, the Explorer’s Club of Pittsburgh is a group that costs $35 to join and members are always going on awesome adventures.
Don’t Spend Money on Anything Extra
Camping gear can be so expensive. I was adamant that everything we invested in for our car camping either had to be returnable or had to have another purpose because I didn’t know if I was going to like it.
The three main things we bought for our trip were a mattress (which we had a use for as a makeshift guest bed in our new apartment), a cooler (which we now use to keep beer cold for parties), and a camp stove (always good to have when the power goes out). We also could have bought anything from REI, because, as co-op members, we can return things for up to a year with no penalty.
See if you can use things you already have at home in your car camping setup. Because you’re not hiking the gear to a site a long way away and don’t need to worry about weight, you’ll be able to use a lot of household items.
If you’re looking for a guide for getting gear on a budget, check out my post on ten ways to save on outdoor gear!
Research Your Campsites
Make sure to do a lot of research about your campsites and what they offer. Check to see what amenities the campsite has. While I don’t require a shower, it is nice to have one when I want one. I like a campsite with toilets, even if it’s just a pit toilet. It’s also helpful to know when campsites have bear lockers or animal storage as that helps with planning. I usually look for a site with a picnic table, as that makes it easier to cook and eat.
I spend a lot of time looking at campsite maps to try to make sure we’re in a spot where it’s not too crowded or we’re not going to be on a main thoroughfare where people will be driving by at night. If you have a dog, make sure it’s a dog friendly campsite.
Reserve Campsites Appropriately
Sometimes sites in national forests or BLM land are first come first serve. Don’t be that jerk that tries to bully someone out of a campsite they already picked. Most state park campsites in Pennsylvania require reservations through PA Reserve America. Many state parks and national parks will similarly require reservations.
Be Consistent With Where Your Stuff is Stored
When packing and unpacking the car for your car camping setup, it’s SO easy to lose things. Nothing like being ready to drive off for the day and realizing that no one knows where the keys are. Keep things in the same place every day and every time you camp. It makes life a lot easier.
Safety Tips for Car Campers
Camping can feel scary when it’s your first time. Here are my safety tips for car campers.
- Make sure you know where your keys are and have easy access to them
- Keep the driver’s seat free and make sure you’re able to climb into the driver’s seat without leaving the car.
- Keep the doors locked when you’re sleeping.
- Cover the windows or set up a curtain
- Trust your gut. If things seem off, bail.
- Make sure someone knows your plan, what your route is, and where you are stopping for the night.
- Prepare for no cell service. I recommend getting a satellite communicator for safety, like a Garmin Mini. I’d also recommend downloading Google Maps for where you plan to travel just in case you don’t have service.
- Make sure you always fill up on gas. When I am car camping I like to never have less than half a tank, just in case I have to bail
For more information about solo hiking safety, check out my guide to all of my solo hiking tips and tricks.
FAQs about Car Camping
What cars are best for car camping?
I have only ever owned a Subaru Forester (first a 2008, then a 2019) so that is where all my experience comes from. The 2008 was a little smaller so was a little cramped with two people and a dog. However, the 2019 feels spacious in comparison! I love camping in the Forester.
Can I just sleep in my car at a campsite?
This depends on the campsite. Make sure to check all campsite rules and regulations. Some sites are tent only and don’t allow people to sleep in their cars.
How do I know where I can sleep in my car?
Check all the rules and regulations of the area you’re staying. If it’s a traditional campsite, run by a state or national park, you’ll be able to check the rules via the website or by calling the rangers. If you’re looking to sleep somewhere that’s not a traditional campsite, like BLM land, it’s can be harder to tell what is and is not allowed. There are some great apps like iOverlander to help you figure out where to stay and what the local rules are.
How can I get electricity when I car camp?
If you’re in a campsite without hookups, I highly recommend getting a large power bank. I bought this power bank to make sure that all my devices, like phone, headlamp, etc stay charged. There are also larger options like the Jackery power station. It’s pricy, but it packs a punch!