What Is Car Camping?

Car camping: contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t involve sleeping in your car. Although there’s technically more than one definition, car camping usually involves camping at any location where you can drive.

 

Car camping is great fun for campers of all ages, and we’re here to walk you through the basics, including how to ensure your car camping experience goes smoothly.

What Is Car Camping?

Car camping involves camping at any location where you can bring your car. So no, car camping doesn’t HAVE to mean literally sleeping in your car (although some would argue this is more comfortable than a tent).

If you go car camping, you’ll usually transport all of your camping equipment to your location by car, pull into your campsite, and set up at your chosen base.

You’ve probably heard car camping being referred to as ‘base camping’ or simply ‘tent camping’, too.

After all, most campers use their cars to transport their gear – most of our favorite camping spots are quite a journey away!

Car camping is incredibly popular and convenient – with your tent being pitched up so close to your vehicle, you can bring heavier items, and even luxury items, without worrying about transporting them.

You can even dive into your car if a deluge of rain comes to ruin your trip!

If you’re backpacking to your campsite, there will be plenty of items you’ll have to leave behind, including heavier tents, camping stoves and ovens, and more.

Car camping makes it possible to bring these items, which will improve your camping experience big time – especially if you’re not used to camping with limited supplies!

What’s The Best Vehicle For Car Camping?

Honestly, any vehicle is good for car camping: as long as you have four wheels to transport your gear, you’re good to go!

If you have a smaller car and you’re limited for space, you can always attach a tent to the top of your car and make use of other innovative options to transport your gear.

If you’re transporting multiple people to your campsite, you may need a bigger vehicle – especially if everyone is bringing larger luxury items such as camping stoves and airbeds.

If it’s not possible to use a larger vehicle, you can always try attaching a small trailer to your car or using more than one vehicle to get there.

If you want to attach a tent to the top of your car, you’ll also have to consider the logistics. It can be a great idea for some; however, you’ll need to think about how easy it is to attach to your car.

If you’re considering a rooftop tent for your car, this may seem like an ingenious idea (that takes car camping pretty literally), however, it might not be comfortable or secure enough to sleep in.

Rooftop tents for cars can be difficult to set up, and you might be better off bringing a traditional tent with you and setting it up somewhere on your campsite.

You’ll also need to consider the terrain of your campsite and if your car can deal with it. If you have an older model that struggles uphill or off-road, you may need a more robust vehicle to get you to your destination.

Top Tips For Car Camping

Ready to set off for your next car camping adventure? Before you go, we’re here to share our top tips for safe car camping, so you can make your journey as easy as possible.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Prepare

Prepare adequately for your trip. Ensure you have enough food, the right shelter, and appropriate clothing – this can make a big difference to your camping experience!

Know what food you need to bring, what cookware you need, and know how you intend to clean up after yourself. This is particularly important if you’re camping in spaces where animals like bears frequent.

When you’re packing your tent, make sure you have enough stakes and guylines to set up successfully – the last thing you want is your tent leaking, or blowing away in high winds!

Remember to pack the appropriate clothes. Synthetic clothing is often popular for campers – it can be worn all year round, and it’s easy to clean.

Be sure to pack waterproof clothing just in case, and if it’s going to be cold, don’t forget the layers!

Test, Test, Test

Before you set off on your journey, test your gear! No one wants to wait until they’re at the campsite to find out that their tent doesn’t work, or their clothes have holes in them.

Set up your tent in your yard, double-check your cooking equipment, and ask your friends and family if you’re missing anything.

Don’t forget to pack tools like a hammer to drive your stakes into the soil, and the appropriate cooking equipment is a must!

If you’re not sure what you need to bring, take a trip to your local camping retailer for more information.

Arrive Early

Don’t arrive in the dark – make sure you get to the campground early with plenty of light to spare. There’s nothing worse than pitching up a tent in the dark, so travel early!

To make life easier, find a flat level to set up on, too. Avoid camping beneath trees, too, to avoid being woken up by falling leaves, acorns, or fruit.

If you’re going to a large campsite, it’s usually pretty easy to spot the best pitches – most people will already be there, so get in fast!

Before you set up your tent, take some time to clear the floor beneath you. Sweep away any loose debris or rocks, as these could make for a lumpy, bumpy night’s sleep.

The Bottom Line

Car camping is a convenient and fun way to camp. If backpacking to your campsite isn’t an option, load up your vehicle with the luxuries, and get ready to enjoy the car camping experience!