Car Camping Checklist

You’re not alone if you’re wondering exactly what cramping entails. Fortunately, it does not involve sleeping in your car. Car camping involves driving to your camp site. Your car might be a dozen or so feet away from your tent or possibly a quarter mile away. The idea behind car camping is that your gear can be stored in your car and you don’t have to carry everything to your site on your back. Backpacking, on the other hand, requires every piece of gear to be stored in your pack as the camp site could be miles and miles away from your car. Car camping is attractive to novice and expert campers alike. It’s popular at state and National Parks. Car camping also for when you are traveling, and stop at a commercial campground for the night.

Even though it sounds easy enough to just toss everything in your car, there is a science behind car camping. Some planning and strategizing and will keep your car organized, clean and will prevent you from bringing too much “stuff.” Keep in mind that your packing list might evolve over time, so update it as you see fit for your needs! You might find, for instance, that a propane stove is better for you than cooking over a fire and vice versa. Check out our car camping checklist…

Base Camp Gear Tent with poles, stakes and rain fly Tarp for underneath tent Sleeping bags Sleeping pads or mattresses Extra blankets Pillows Folding table Camping chairs Lantern Hot water pot Fire gloves Water pail Group size first aid kit Spare stove parts Tent repair kit Sewing kit Toilet paper Flashlight Spare batteries and bulb Rubber mallet Sunshower Large plastic bins for storing supplies Firewood Games

Camping Kitchen Cooler Stove Fuel Fuel funnel Griddle Charcoal Fire Starter/lighter Fluid Pots Frying pan Baking pans Plates Bowls Cups Silverware Spatula Serving spoon Ladle Kitchen knife Cutting board Mixing bowl Can opener Bottle and wine openers Tongs Peeler Pot holders Measuring cup Dutch oven Coffee pot Wash tub Dish towel Paper towels Aluminum foil Dish soap Scouring pads Sponge Matches (strike anywhere) Stove igniter Trash bags Table cloth Collapsable water jugs Water filtering pump or purifying tablets Zip lock bags Garbage bags

Clothing Hiking boots or shoes Flip flops or camp shoes Shower sandals Shorts Warm pants T-Shirts Long Sleeve Shirts Hoodie Rain jacket Bathing suit Beach towel Hat Socks Thermal Underwear Pajamas Bandana Bath towel Face cloth Dirty clothes bag Personal Gear Pocket knife Orienteering style compass Waterproof matches Toilet paper Water bottle Thermos Flashlight Spare batteries and bulb Personal first aid kit Toiletries/Toothbrush Insect repellant Sunscreen Personal medicine Sunglasses Whistle Camera Reading material Notebook Binoculars Bug Net Local maps Alarm clock Facial tissues Duffel bag or pack Day pack Field survival kit