Car Camping Checklist
- Olivia Gilbert
- May 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 3
This ULTIMATE CAR CAMPING checklist ensures you pack everything you need to embark on a comfortable, stress-free trip that you'll never forget.
Do you love cruising down highways and seeking out adventure on the open road? Road trips, while sometimes grueling, are a worthwhile experience. You can spend a ton of hard earned money staying at hotels, or you could accept this ultimate road trip hack: Car camping!
What is car camping?
The official car camping definition is this: Car camping is a style of camping where you drive your vehicle directly to your campsite, allowing you to bring more gear and comforts compared to backpacking. Unlike primitive camping, where you hike to your site with only what you can carry, car camping lets you pack heavier items like coolers, air mattresses, and full-size tents.
However, I have my own car camping definition. The colloquial meaning of the phrase car camping has become going on trips during which you live out of and sleep in your car.
When COVID19 hit and the state of travel changed entirely, many people took to the road to seek out adventure in a time where planes were no longer safe with the disease going around. I believe this lead to a rise in vanlife content and car camping popularity.
In online spaces, especially Youtube, we use the phrase car camping to simply mean sleeping in your car. We would just say "camping" when referring to driving to a camp spot with gear in your car, and sleeping in a tent. "Backpacking" or "primitive camping" would be used to mean walking to the campsite and sleeping in a tent.
To me it makes the most sense that car camping refers to sleeping in your car. Feel free to disagree with me, I just want you to know what I mean when I say "car camping."
The beauty of car camping is being able to take long trips without having to worry about spending loads of money on lodging. With car camping, you can find legal spots to sleep overnight. Many rest stops, Walmarts, Cracker Barrels and BLM land allow overnight parking.
To make the best of any car camping trip, you'll want to come fully prepared.
Get ready to hit the road—this ultimate car camping checklist will make sure you're prepped for a fun and stress-free trip!
Car Camping Essentials Video
Car camping checklist and products
Here is a list of car camping essentials that includes product recommendations.
*This list includes affiliate links. If you purchase from those Amazon links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund my website!
Tools
Duct tape
Paracord
Sewing kit
Scissors
Axe (if you chop wood)
Lighter/torch
Spare tire
Jack
Lug nut wrench
Toiletries
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Camp soap
Towel
Hairbrush
Deodorant
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
Toilet paper
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Tweezers
Napkins
Apparel
A few base layers (tank top, tee shirt or long sleeve shirt)
Light jacket or cardigan
Rain proof jacket
Socks and underpants
Coat during winter
Comfortable shorts
Lounge pants
Sneakers
Camp shoes (flip flops, slippers, crocs, sandals)
Camping kitchen
Jetboil Stove
Cooler
Paper towels
Sleep
Pillow
Blankets
Bathroom:
DIY Dollar Tree potty
Shower
Wipes
Organization/storage:
Plastic bins
Power/light/electronics
Headlamp
Privacy
DIY window covers
Safety
self defense skills book
Lounge
Decor/ambiance
Decorative pillows
That brings us to the end of this list! I hope you found this article to be helpful.
About the author
Shello! My name is Mermaid Liv, a professional mermaid and content creator. I share my love of mermaiding through this blog, along with my Youtube channel.
If you've never heard of it before, mermaiding is a hobby, profession, and sport that involves wearing mermaid tails made for swimming.
I began making tails in 2013 and have continued my mermaid journey, starting my Youtube channel, working at a mermaid festival, performing at gigs, and being featured in the Netflix Docu Series MerPeople.
Follow me on Instagram for mermaid photos and videos: @the_real_mermaid_liv and be *shore* to check out my Youtube channel.
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