Car Camping Essentials For Your Next Trip

Posted: February 13, 2018 | Author: Kevin Koontz | Read Time: 1 minutes

Students gathering around unlit campfireThe advantage to car camping is you can take as many items as will fit into your vehicle. So this list may have things you don’t have to bring, but you can because it all fits in the car.

Car Camping Gear
  • Tent, hammock, or sleep in vehicle if desired
  • Sleeping pad, cot, or air mattress
  • Sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Camp chair
  • Headlamp, flashlight, or lantern
  • Extra batteries
  • First Aid Kit
  • Day pack (See Hiking packing list for ideas on what to pack for a day hike)
  • Compass/map
  • Pocket Knife
  • Axe or hatchet (if chopping wood)
Kitchen/Cooking Supplies
  • Two-burner stove

  • Dutch oven (if desired)

  • Charcoal

  • Lighter Fuel

  • Firewood (if fires are allowed)

  • Lighter or matches

  • Pots and pans

  • Utensils, plates/bowls, and cup/water bottle

  • Dishwashing bins, dish soap, sponge or rag

  • Trash bags

  • Cooler

  • Ice

Personal Hygiene
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste

  • Toilet paper sealed in a Ziploc baggy

  • Deodorant

  • Shampoo, conditioner, & soap

  • Towel

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Comb/brush

  • Sunscreen

  • Bug spray

Clothing
  • Underwear

  • Pajamas

  • T-shirts & pants

  • Warm jacket/layer (Fleece or down jackets are best for warmth)

  • Rain jacket

  • Hat

  • Hiking boots

  • Flip flops/sandals/comfy shoes (For when you are just relaxing at the campsite, it is nice to have some shoes to chill in)

Miscellaneous
  • Sunglasses

  • Chapstick

  • Beanie (weather dependent, but is always nice for sleeping in the cold)

  • Bandana (Has many uses and is always good to have)

Visit SUU Outdoors to pick up your car camping essentials.

This article was published more than 5 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Tags: Outdoor Recreation Blog Outdoors SUU Outdoors

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