10 Must-Have Car Camping Essentials for Your Outdoor Adventure
Imagine the trees rustling. Breathe in the fresh ocean breeze. Think about waking up to glorious mountain views. This is the power and joy of pitching a tent and embracing the outdoors. Camping season is here, so it’s time to gear up with the must-have car camping essentials for your next trip.
The best things to bring camping vary, but there are 10 of my favorites.
Why you can trust me: This blog is authentic because I use these items to camp, and I recommend them to everyone. I write my blog as I talk to my friends, and these car camping essentials are ones you’ll be stoked about!
Car Camping Essentials for Your Next Trip
What are some good tips for beginner car campers?
- Start with an established campground. This means your water, table, and site are taken care of. It’ll also decrease any anxiety about dirt roads or where to camp.
- While listing car camping essentials is helpful, this isn’t an exclusive list. Bring what you believe you’ll need. If you don’t use it, you’ll know next time to leave it at home.
- The best things to bring camping are the ones that make it feel like home. So bring your comfy pillow and blanket. Pack a small mirror for makeup. Bring whatever you want.
- Bring a 5-10 gallon jug of water to have at the campsite and as you travel.
What do I really need for car camping?
10 Must-have car camping essentials
Below, we dive into some of the best car camping essentials, why you need them, and how they can benefit you.
Four-Person Tent
This is the tent size I’ve found that fits a queen-sized air mattress and still lets you put your bags inside. Since you’re car camping and weight isn’t a factor, get a tent that suits your needs without breaking the bank.
I’d also recommend getting two doors (usually standard on these size tents), but it makes it easy for couples to exit from your side without crawling over someone else. Wrapping up, what makes this one of the best things to bring camping is the space and comfort a smaller tent doesn’t allow. Remember, weight and size aren’t an issue when you’re car camping, so splurge!
Two-Burner Stove
Maybe not as important as a tent, but still one of the most critical pieces of your car camping essentials and one you’ll use at least twice a day, if not more. Don’t skimp on this; a camping stove can last a decade. For me, my stove is going on eight years with no signs of letting up.
You’ll also need propane. To me, a refillable propane canister is one of the best things to bring camping.
Comfortable Air Mattress
Camping doesn’t have to be miserable. First, find a comfy air mattress that fits inside your tent. I suggest using a GoalZero or Jackery to inflate it inside the tent. Trying to get it through the tent opening can be a headache if you inflate it with your car’s AC adapter—definitely a car-camping essential.
Cozy Camping Chairs
Trust me; I’ve done the budget camping chairs that fall apart after a while. Get the good ones with armrests, and don’t look back. The sturdier the frame and the better the material, the more you’ll enjoy your time in your camping chairs. I’m not advocating spending a few hundred dollars, but getting more than generic, low-quality camping gear will make your trip better.
Another option is to get a dual chair and make it a date night.
Warm down blanket
This is one of my favorite car camping essentials because it works for car camping, backpacking, and backyard nights. They fold/wrap down to about the size of a Nalgene water bottle, making them an easy travel companion. Plus, Rumpl offers unique designs to keep you warm on chillier nights.
30-degree or lower sleeping bag
This is one of the best things to bring camping, as it’ll keep you warm in nearly all three-season camping situations. As I mentioned above, weight isn’t a concern, so you don’t have to spend a ton of money on the lightest sleeping bag. Instead, find one that’s cozy and affordable. Plus, you can always add a blanket to keep you warm.
Cast Iron Skillet plus Cooking Set
There’s nothing more ‘wild’ than using a cast iron skillet over an open flame. Now, most of ya’ll won’t be doing that. However, a skillet is a car camping essential, as it lets you cook a lot of different foods. (If you do cook over an open flame, I found the outside of my skillet got covered in black soot.
So, keep an eye on that.) Next up, keeping with the cooking focus, is a good cooking set. Find one with a stainless steel bottom, or the non-stick coating could chip. This happened on my first grill, and it made its way into the food. Not ideal.
Insulated Cooler
Possibly the most important car camping essential is a cooler that can hold ice for an extended period. I went far too long with a pathetic cooler that could hardly hold ice for more than a day. You’ll be thankful if you invest in a good, hard-shelled cooler that can keep ice cold off the grid all weekend.
Multi-use power station
While being disconnected from the world is nice, it doesn’t always work. If you’re working remotely, a photographer/content creator, or need some juice to power things throughout the day, having a power station is critical.
As I listed above, Jackery and GoalZero are the leading brands, but others have good gear. If you need a charge, I strongly recommend taking these things camping.
Versatile Lantern
One of the basic car camping gear items on this list. You don’t have to get too fancy here. Get one that provides enough light for your area, and call it done!
Bonus: Camp Table (only if your campground doesn’t have one)
You likely don’t need a table if you plan to cook and camp strictly in a designated campground. However, if you’re doing dispersed camping (in a non-designated spot) or plan to eat in random places (say, in a parking lot after a hike), a collapsible camp table is essential.
I own the one linked below, and it’s one of the best car camping essentials. It can hold a stove, and there’s still enough room for preparing meals.
What other car camping essentials might I need?
- Portable Fire Pit (So you can have a campfire without needing wood)
- Water Jugs. Here’s a 7-gallon and a 5-gallon. These are perfect for dispersed camping but also for normal campgrounds.
- Cooking Utensil Options for any scenario. Knife Set and Normal cooking use
- Planning to be on the road? This Dometic Cooler will keep things cold without ice.
FAQs on basic car camping essentials for camp cooking
What food can you cook when camping?
Treat your camp meals like any other meal at home, but dial it back 15 percent. Making the food is never the issue. It’s cleanup. After dinner, once the sun has set, every camper loses the motivation to clean. So plan and cook meals that require minimal cleanup.
Meals with fewer than five components are the best. For example, pasta, sauce, meat, and a veggie. It’s simple, hits your food groups, and doesn’t require much cleanup (though pasta sauce is a nuisance).
Read my article on easy camping meals here.
What do I need for camp cooking?
At a minimum, you need a skillet and a pot to boil water. Add some dishes, silverware, a spatula, and a ladle, and you’re set up for a pretty good camp kitchen. You can bring these from home or buy them, as I linked above. Finally, don’t forget to bring cleanup supplies. A sponge, soap, and a couple of towels are all the basic camping gear you need to clean up.
Furthermore, don’t forget some spices and sugar to season your food or sweeten your coffee. I’d also suggest bringing some Tupperware for leftovers.
How do you cook safely when camping?
The most important thing is to avoid starting a forest fire. This is less of a concern if you’re using a propane stove. If you are, make sure your propane is hooked up correctly. Once it is, start cooking! Keep an eye on the wind and the fire level. You don’t want a freak accident that could start a fire.
FAQs about Car Camping Essentials
Common Questions people ask about the best things to bring camping plus more:
Is Car Camping Cheap?
Car camping is much more affordable than staying in a hotel. If you get these car camping essentials and treat them as an investment, camping will greatly reduce how much you spend on trips over time.
Should you crack a window when sleeping in your car?
You don’t need to if you don’t want to. Your car has enough airflow that you won’t suffocate overnight. But if it’s going to be warmer, cracking a window will help regulate the temperature.
Are there any safety tips or precautions I should take while car camping?
Do your due diligence to see who is camping around you – whether in a campground or on public lands. While I haven’t had many issues, we once camped near a less-than-ideal group, which was uncomfortable.
In the end, it is all about being careful and identifying risks. 99% of the time, your car camping trip will be delightful, and you won’t think about anything bad happening.
How can I find car camping sites and make reservations in the United States?
Using a website like TheDyrt or googling “campgrounds near xxx” is a great way to find places to go camping. Also, look at maps and identify public lands to find dispersed camping destinations.
What should I do about drinking coffee while camping?
You have a few options. First, you can go with instant coffee, which isn’t great. (Though I guess you can load it up with creamer.) Next, use real grounds with an AeroPress. This is better, though you use a lot of grounds for a single cup.
Or you could have less cleanup and go with Wildland Coffee. (I love them.)
Is it okay to sleep in your car at a campsite?
Yeah! There are no requirements for setting up a tent in a campground. However, many people use a designated campground for utilities and convenience and then sleep in their van, trailer, or car. Make sure you have car camping essentials that let you sleep comfortably in the back of your car.
What kind of vehicle is best for car camping in the United States?
Honestly, any car is good for camping in an established campground. If you can fold down your seats, you should have plenty of room for all your car camping essentials. Plus, it should be no issue if you’re good at packing and arranging things.
If you want to do dispersed camping away from crowds, you may want an SUV that can handle dirt roads. That said, I’ve owned a Prius for the last few years, and it’s taken me to many great spots!
What are the rules and regulations for car camping in the national parks of the United States?
To car camp in the National Parks, you must reserve a site in advance or arrive early. Depending on the location, these usually cost $30-$40 per night. Most of these places have a site host who manages the facilities and enforces the rules (mostly quiet hours).
Bring your basic camping gear, but you can leave the camping table, since all National Park locations have tables.
Car Camping Essentials – Wrapping up
Camping is a beautiful way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in nature. Therefore, it’s essential to plan and research your camping location.
Before you leave, check the weather forecast, familiarize yourself with the local terrain and wildlife, and pack appropriate clothing and gear for the environment. Practicing Leave No Trace principles and leaving the campsite better than you found it is crucial to minimizing environmental impact.
Camping is an opportunity to disconnect from technology, slow down, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. With the proper preparation and mindset, you can have an unforgettable camping experience that leaves you feeling recharged and rejuvenated.
So pack up your car camping essentials, hit the road, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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