Get your car keys, grab some friends, and you’re ready for an exciting time out in nature. Car camping is one of the many types of camping that’s a popular choice to enjoy a weekend getaway.
All you need is a few essentials to get started, even with less than $100. It’s a great way to camp on a budget. However, you’ll want to be sure to bring along some gear to ensure your comfort while “roughing it”.
In this list, we’ll cover 67 car camping essentials you don’t want to forget!
Table of Contents
Sleeping Equipment
Sleep. We all need it. This is arguably the most important category of items to pack for your car camping trip. Before selecting what gear you pack in this section, you’ll need to determine whether you plan to sleep in your car or a tent.
Sleeping in a car will provide you with more insulation and shelter from the weather. In a tent, you’re more at the mercy of the elements. However, depending on how large your vehicle is and how many people are traveling you may want to go with a tent.
It’s up to you!
1. Tent
If you’re not sleeping in your car, then you’ll need a tent. Tents come in all different sizes ranging from 1-person backpacking tents, all the way up to 12-person family camping tents.
Tents are measured by how many people can sleep vertically and horizontally inside like sardines. You’ll typically want to aim for a tent capacity that’s double your party size. This way you have additional room for storing clothing bags and other campsite gear inside.
2. Sleeping Bag
When car camping and sleeping in a car or tent, a proper sleeping bag is an essential must-have. A good sleeping bag will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. For a comfortable night’s sleep, look for a 3 season sleeping bag that works for multiple seasons depending on when you’re camping.
3. Air Mattress
If you have the extra room in your tent or car, a large air mattress will make sleeping a lot more comfortable. Be careful setting one up around any areas with a lot of rocks or sharp ground.
4. Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad will pad your body when laying down your sleeping bag across the folded down back seats in your car. If you’re in a tent, they can also help to provide a layer of insulation from the cold hard ground.
5. Inflatable or Traditional Pillow
Inflatable pillows are a great portable alternative to a traditional pillow. If you plan on backpacking on your car camping trip, this will be crucial to saving space. Sleeping in a tight car with an inflatable pillow can help to have a smaller place to rest your head. Of course if you want maximum comfort, then pack a regular pillow.
6. Blanket
In addition to your sleeping bag, a comfy blanket is always a plus. This can act as extra padding and warmth while camping.
7. Window Sun Shades
To block out the sun, and for a little more privacy, it’s smart to pack some window sunshades. These are great for sleeping inside your vehicle.
Kitchen and Cooking
When packing for your camping trip, it’s important to pack all the necessary cooking gear for preparing meals out in nature. There are many different ways of cooking, and types of food you can make. Whether that’s over a fire, on a stove, or a grill, we’ve got you covered!
8. Cooler
Above all, a proper cooler is absolutely a car camping essential. You can opt for a 12-volt portable cooler such as this one. Or, you can go with a traditional cooler for keeping your food and drinks cold. It all depends on your budget and if you want to deal with managing ice.
9. Stove
A good propane stove will allow you to cook no matter where you go. This Coleman camping stove is a bit larger with room for two burners. Whether you want to go with propane or butane for your camp stove fuel will depend on your cooking conditions and preferences.
10. Pot
This steel pot is a fantastic camping pot that can hold plenty of food for small stove cooking. Whether that’s over a campfire or a fuel burner stove, it also features a hinged handle to make it secure and locked in place. Not to mention, you can store all your other cooking gear inside when it’s not in use.
11. Eating Utensils
To eat the food you cook, you need eating utensils! This cutlery set includes all the basics you’ll need to enjoy a meal. It’s built from stainless steel and comes with a carrying case.
12. George Foreman Grill
Personally, I find George Foreman grills to be an excellent choice for camp cooking. These run off of minimal electricity and are super easy to use at a campsite with power and water. You can throw burgers, chicken, fish, and most other food items you would grill with less mess and fast cleanup.
13. Plates
You can always go for simple paper plates, but for the environmentally conscious, this small mess kit is a great option. You can wash it down and eat all your meals in one convenient bowl.
14. Camp Kitchen Set of Cooking Utensils
For those planning to cook meals, a proper set of cooking utensils is necessary. This set includes a spatula, knife, serving spoon, scissors, and more to make 9 pieces total.
15. Multi-Spice
Instead of packing a bunch of small spice bottles, you can go for one multi-spice container. This cuts down on items you need to pack in your camp kitchen gear for seasoning your food.
16. Refillable Water Bottle
Using a single refillable water bottle is a great idea for the outdoors. This saves on plastic water bottle waste, and it holds more water for hiking and other activities.
17. Biodegradable Soap
When using soap in nature, it’s important to use biodegradable soap. According to the EPA, regular soapy water is harmful to the environment. However, even with biodegradable soaps, it’s important to dispose of them in a hole or area at least 200ft away from streams to avoid causing problems with aquatic life.
18. Trash Bags
To dispose of your trash, you’ll need to pack some trash bags. Most campgrounds will have a nearby trash receptacle or trash pickup. Be sure to keep it in your vehicle if you want to avoid raccoons or other animals from getting into it and making a mess while you’re camping.
19. Car Trash Can
It helps to have a dedicated location for placing your trash. In a car, a handy trash like this one can help to keep things organized.
20. Paper Towels
Paper towels are a great item to pack that serve for multiple uses. You can use them to dry hands, wipe up messes, and as napkins when you’re eating.
21. Bag Clips
Bag clips are a fantastic thing to throw in for keeping chip bags closed. Not only that, but you can also use them for other foods, rope, and bags to keep things secure.
22. Egg Holder
Keeping your eggs safe from getting crushed in a cooler is a tough challenge. This nifty egg holder is virtually unbreakable and will keep your eggs from crushing.
23. Tablecloth
Wooden picnic tables are a staple at campgrounds. Using a tablecloth makes using them a lot more enjoyable and safe from things falling through the cracks in the wood.
24. Collapsible Dog Bowl
If you’re bringing along your pooch, you’ll want a collapsible dog bowl that’s easy to pack and store.
Campsite & Car Gear
The campsite and car gear category range from items to make car camping easier, to downright campsite essentials. From chairs to lights, and power adapters, the equipment in this section makes proper “camp life” possible.
25. Camping Lantern
If you want to see at night, you’ll want a camping lantern. This is much nicer than trying to shine your phone up in the air and blinding yourself in the process. A couple of these will illuminate your space in the evening for nighttime snacks and board games.
26. Headlamp
While a camping lantern works great for lighting a cabin, you’ll want a headlamp for traversing the campground at night. An LED headlamp helps for any nighttime repairs and emergencies as well where your hands may be full.
27. Folding Chair
In order to sit around the campfire, you need a couple of folding chairs. Many include drink holders as well for a place to set your beverage.
28. Folding Table
Without a large picnic table at some campsites, it’s best for a small folding table. This gives you a surface to prepare food, eat, and play cards or board games in the outdoors.
29. Car Power Inverter
Maintaining your power is crucial on the road. A handy DC to AC power inverter can plug right into your cigarette lighter to charge things like laptops and tablets. This one even comes with a couple of USB plugs to charge your phone. This can be a lifesaver if you work on your computer or want to watch a movie.
30. Portable Power Station
Another nifty gadget for maintaining your power. If you plan on going off-grid, then this portable power station is a great addition to your camping arsenal.
31. Car Seat Organizer
Car storage interiors can be confusing and difficult to organize when on the road with a lot of gear. This seat organizer will make your life easier with a place to put things in an easy to reach location.
32. Roof Top Cargo Bag
Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may run out of space after setting up your car for camping with all the gear and sleeping bags. Not to mention if you’re sleeping in your car, you’ll need your entire backseat and hatch open, which is typically where you’d store all your stuff. With a rooftop cargo bag you’ll have an additional area to put your things.
33. Trunk Organizer
Using one of these trunk organizers in your hatch or trunk space really helps for organizing your stuff. This works great for groceries and other gear you don’t want sliding around while you’re driving.
34. Survival Knife
At most campsites you’ll want a solid survival knife for kindling wood, opening packages, or cutting rope. There are endless uses and it’s a good idea to include one when packing up.
35. Lifestraw
The beloved life straw. A staple in the outdoors and survival space. It doesn’t hurt to have one of these handy in case you cannot get access to clean water while off-grid or in a remote location.
36. Hammock
Relaxing out in nature cannot be defined more than by a hammock. A single camping hammock can go a long way for additional relaxation away from your car. It also opens up space for more people to sit at camp.
37. Solar Charger
If going off-grid, solar power can be essential for keeping your tech-powered up. These solar portable chargers can keep everything charged up and ready to go. With this, you’ll never have to worry about a dead battery again!
38. Shovel
Something as simple as a shovel can get you out of sticky situations. In other cases, you’ll need to help someone else who’s stuck. Shovels work great for snow, dirt, and as a general use camp shovel. With its small size, you can easily throw it in your car for whenever you may need it.
39. Swiss Army Knife
The classic swiss army knife. Enough said. This is a fantastic item to be prepared for every day with a functional multi-tool.
40. Lighter
If you need to light your stove, or spark up a starter log for your campfire, a good lighter is essential to pack for you trip. This one also features a design doesn’t get caught in the wind like a traditional lighter would.
41. Clip Fan
A little extra air circulation never hurts. When camping in a car, it can tend to get a little stuffy inside depending on the humidity outside. You can also use one of these small clip fans in your tent to move the air around.
42. First Aid Kit
First-aid supplies are essential for camping. These can be for any minor or major injury that occurs when in off in remote areas. If you or someone else gets injured, it’s important to have the necessary supplies to keep things under control before you can get to the nearest medical facility. Most campgrounds have medical supplies on site, but it’s never a bad idea to have some of your own on hand at the ready.
43. Paracord
A line of paracord can work great as a clothesline or washing line. You can hang your dirty clothes, wet towel, or cooking gear to keep it off the ground while it dries.
44. Camping Tarp
A waterproof camping tarp is a good layer to put in front or down underneath your tent, like a footprint, to prevent rocks or water from seeping into your tent floor. These can also work as a makeshift rain or sun shade over your picnic table as long as there’s not too much wind.
45. Firewood
A camping staple. Firewood starter logs will help you get your fire started. Be sure to follow the campground protocols for firewood collection and purchasing to feed your fire safely and by the local laws in your state.
46. Dry Bag
Dry bags are one of the best things to bring along on your camping trip for waterproof storage. These roll top sacks prevent water from getting in and keep your gear dry for water based activities. My favorite items to put in a dry bag include extra clothes, keys, cell phone, wallet, bandages, water, and sunscreen. Overall they’re not meant to be submerged but work great for the typical rain and splashes you’d experience in a kayak or boat.
47. Handwarmers
For camping in the wintertime, you’ll want some proper hand warmers to keep yourself comfortable.
48. Daypack
If you plan on going on some hikes during your camping trip, you’ll want a daypack for gear storage. You could throw in a water bottle, first aid kit, headlamp, survival knife, extra clothes, camera, hammock, or anything else you may want or need.
49. Water Bag
When carrying around a backpack, some prefer to have a waterbag. This makes accessing your water supply much easier if your hands are full or you don’t want to carry around a loose water bottle.
50. Maps
Before embarking on your journey, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got some extra maps on hand. In the day and age of smart phones you can download maps for rural areas. However, in case you run out of battery or you break your phone, it’s always smart to have a backup plan. This road atlas along with some national park maps will help get you through the more rural areas.
51. Compass
Once again, smart phones typically solve this issue. yet if you’re out in the middle of no-where… you may want a backup plan. This compass is simple and works great to throw in your bag in case you need to use it.
Toiletries and Personal Items
Anyone going camping is bound to have some necessary health and personal care items. These range from bathroom items, sprays, cleaners, and other specific necessities. Campgrounds, state and national parks will have free public restrooms available.
52. Portable Toilet
One of the main concerns many people have with car camping is: How do you go to the bathroom? A simple solution is to use a portable toilet. These are easy to tuck away and store for those times when you can’t make it to a campground restroom in the middle of the night, since they can often be located far from your campsite.
53. Bathroom Case
One of the best things to have camping is a dedicated bag for holding all your bathroom gear. This case can fit your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, etc.
54. Hand Sanitizer
Without easy access to a sink using hand sanitizer is a great solution for keeping your hands free of germs.
55. Microfiber Towel
Staying dry is important to keep excess water from getting tracked around inside your tent or car. Use a microfiber towel, as it will dry much faster than a traditional cotton towel. This helps a whole lot when showering since they can dry in under 30 minutes.
56. Sunscreen
In warmer climates, or areas where you plan to stop for a swim, having some sunscreen on hand is always a good idea. You’ll want to protect your skin from hours and hours of sun exposure.
57. Insect Repellant
If you plan on camping anywhere like Florida, insect repellant is a necessary item to pack. The mosquitos and other tropical bugs will eat you alive.
58. Mosquito Repellant Balm
If all you want is some simple balm to repell mosquitos, this will work great for you. It’s also not a spray so there’s no need to worry about it DEETs whatsoever.
59. Chapstick
In cooler weather, it’s important to protect your lips from getting chapped. Even in extremely warm weather this can be useful as well.
60. Biodegradable Wipes
If you need to do a “wipe-down shower”, clean your hands, or for using the bathroom, these biodegradable wipes are a great option when out in nature. Since they’re biodegradable, they’ll naturally decompose!
61. Solar Shower
Depending on if you’re off grid and away from finding a public shower, a solar shower is a great piece of gear to have in your supplies. This warms up the water from the power of the sun so you can have warm water when you shower.
62. Sunglasses
It goes without saying that protecting your eyes from the sun is important. When spending countless hours in the outdoors, it’s smart to pack a pair of sunglasses for your travels.
63. Toilet Paper
When out in nature, you’ll need a special camping toilet paper for it to be biodegradable and safe for a portable camping toilet septic style system.
64. Disposable Urinal
In case you don’t want to use a bottle or funnel, a disposable urinal is another great option when you gotta go on the go.
65. Tampons
In case it’s “that time of the month” for all the ladies out there, tampons are a must have to not forget on your trip. Even if you’re a guy these can be good to include in your first aid kit due to their soaking capabities.
66. Toothbrush/Toothpaste
A toothbrush and toothpaste is essential for proper dental health. Don’t forget these!
67. Travel Bottles for Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash
Instead of packing your entire bottle of shampoo and other soaps, it’s smart to use these portable travel bottles. This way, you can have a smaller version that takes up less space for your trip all in one convenient leak-proof bag.
Car Camping Packing Tips
Before setting out on your car camping adventures, you’ll want to follow a few key tips to make sure you’re set for the most successful journey ahead. In addition to the gear and equipment on this list, don’t forget to pack your clothes, food, and drinks.
- Clear out your car ahead of time to maximize and organize your space.
- Don’t overpack on clothes. Most beginners bring too many and waste a lot of room. Pack only what you need for the season and outdoor activities you plan on doing.
- Many rural or primitive campsites do not have showers. Be prepared to either not shower, pack a solar shower, or bring biodegradable wipes for a “wipe-down shower”.
- Make reservations way in advance as many campgrounds will fill up even months prior.
- Always bring a first aid kit for in case of emergencies.
- Write up a meal plan and grocery shopping list so you’re not left without food in the woods.
- Follow the leave no trace principals.
Conclusion
Camping for the first time for anyone can be intimidating. With the right gear, it makes everything a lot easier and more comfortable knowing that you’re prepared. It takes a lot to acquire all of this equipment, and you don’t need every single item on this list. Pick out what you see fit for your specific needs. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to get out in nature and enjoy beautiful landscapes.