Everything You Need for Your Next Car Camping Trip

When you’re car camping, a blanket can be more comfortable than a sleeping bag because it provides a similar experience to your bed at home. This down quilt from Therm-a-Rest is lofty, warm, and provides queen-size coverage. 

This cushy inflatable sleeping pad won our 2022 Outdoor Gear Awards for best all-around sleeping pad because it’s more portable than an air mattress but as comfortable as a bed. This double version is ideal for car camping because you can use it for two in a tent or vehicle. 

Lauren Grijalava of The Wanderpreneurs uses the water-resistant Voited camping blanket because it is “warm and cozy and can snap up to become a sleeping bag!” It provides enough warmth for nights that get as cold as 46 degrees Fahrenheit, but we recommend it for warmer climates when the low is closer to 60 degrees. 

This three-season tent won best tent for families in our 2022 SELF Outdoor Awards because it is roomy enough for six with tall walls that most campers could stand inside. It also has dividers so you can have a bit of privacy in separate “rooms,” a feature that Asia Bradford, the founder of Black Girls Camp, highly recommends. 

Coleman stoves are a popular choice because they’re known for their durability. Cassie Likens, a multi-day tour guide for WeVentures, recommends the two-burner camping stove, as does Cama.  “I use a Coleman stove that was passed down to me,” Cama explained. “I feel like those things just last forever.” 

“We used this for everything because it’s so versatile,” Cama said. “You can use it as a pot, fry things on the lid, and use it as an oven. You can also use it on a camp stove or over an open flame.” 

The Aeropress is a go-to coffee maker for many car campers. “It’s small and portable and an easy way to make coffee,” Cama explained. “You can make coffee a few different ways. It even passes my partner’s coffee snobbery.” 

“This portable coffee maker has given me consistent results while camping,” said Shawn Richards, Expedition Coordinator at Ultimate Kilimanjaro. “It is made of plastic and has no glass or small components, so it’s lightweight and you can wash it anywhere on the go without worrying about losing parts.” 

This mug fits perfectly in your hands, is comfortable to hold, and keeps your coffee hot (or cold) for hours on end. It’s my go-to camping mug, but I use it all the time at home too. 

We’ve already sung praises for the Yeti Tundra series, and it’s one of the best car-camping coolers you can buy. It has excellent ice retention and is safe to use in bear country. “A bear-resistant cooler is crucial,” Cama explains. “We would keep it away from the car because bears can break into vehicles.”

The aspiring camp chef and charcuterie-board lovers will appreciate this do-it-all platter from Hydro Flask. The 2-in-1 system comes with both a durable cutting board and a stainless steel serving platter. 

Some campsites don’t provide water services, so it’s good practice to always carry extra water. This seven-gallon container is big enough for an extended weekend and has a spigot so you can easily fill your water bottles or wash your hands. 

Claire Ramsdell, an outdoor blogger and adventure consultant for the Wildland Trekking Company, uses this packable cutlery set to save on space when she’s car camping. It comes with a fork, knife, and spoon and collapses to fit in a tiny tin container. 

This portable firepit is equally at home among your kitchen gear, as it doubles as a grill, but it’s great to gather around as you wind down for the day. It’s perfect for car campers who like to escape the crowded campgrounds and stay at more primitive sites without firepits. Plus it will help you stay fire aware and responsible during bad fire seasons.

Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you need to rough it out by sitting on the ground. When your campsite doesn’t have a picnic table, this compact table and stool set is perfect for a family or group of four. It packs down small so it doesn’t take up too much space in the car. 

Perhaps my favorite camp chair of all time, this highback reclined chair from Eureka is made of a soft suede material but has breathable mesh panels on the sides. It also has armrests (for added comfort!), a cup holder, and a pocket to stash a book or snacks. Just break it down and store it in the compact carrying case for easy transport. 

Set up a hammock at your next campsite for ultimate relaxation. This pick from ENO tops our list of best hammocks because it’s roomy enough for two and made of soft, breathable materials. 

If you love the idea of camping but also like to stay clean, portable showers can elevate your camp experience. “This portable shower has strong water pressure,” raves Ramsdell. “I use it to wash dishes and to clean off my dirty feet after hiking.” 

This shade awning is perfect for camp meals and mid-day hang outs when the temperatures rise and you need to escape UV rays. It’s also sturdy enough to stand up to some moderate winds and rain. 

“My partner and I went on an extended car camping trip out of a Subaru Outback, and I don’t think we would have been able to do that trip without this cargo carrier,” Cama explains. “We slept in the back of the car, so this functioned as our trunk.” They loaded it up with waterproof bins to store all their kitchen gear, clothes, and everyday essentials.

These are designed for shade so they’re perfect for keeping the kids or pups cool in the backseat, but they have numerous uses. “These are one of the best investments we made because we could sleep with the windows open without mosquitos coming in,” Cama raves, “We would’ve been dying in the car without them.”  

This backseat organizer is crucial when you’re spending time on the road. Cama uses it to “quickly access everyday items like toothbrush, face wash, and toilet paper.” She explains that everything she needed to access twice a day she could “easily grab instead of digging through bags to get to.”

Two of our experts, Ramsdell and Grijalva, use the Jackery power bank. Ramsdell works remotely from her vehicle and swears by it to provide all-day power. “I tried other products for a while, but ultimately nothing worked well enough for the demands of my job (I need to be able to work on my laptop eight hours a day).” 

Alison Watta, a backpacking guide, creator, and editor of Exploration Solo, recommends the Cosmos 350 headlamp as one of the best camping lights because it is an affordable option that “offers plenty of light to safely navigate, while also giving you some control over the brightness.” 

This hefty first aid kit is well stocked with essentials for both minor injuries and bigger emergencies. You’ll most often reach for it when you need bandages and medications, but it’s reassuring to know the rest of the supplies are available if you ever need them. 

Miriah Royal, the Midwest regional leader at Outdoor Afro, loves her leatherman multi-tool for camping and backpacking. This model includes the basics like a knife and pliers, as well as ​​a fire starter and an emergency whistle. 

When you’re driving on backroads it’s helpful to have a plan if things go wrong. And one of the most common car issues while camping is a dead battery. This rechargeable, portable battery pack will let you jump-start your car even if you’re in the middle of nowhere.