Set-off on your next car camping adventure the right way, prepared. Here is Mt. Folks Top 15 Car Camping Picks for must haves the camping season. Keep in mind none of the links in this article are sponsored.
1. Camping Tent
Let’s get the easy one out of the way, a tent. A rarely overlooked camping piece, your tent is the staple of your campsite. Something that is more overlooked is the size. Tents are often sized by how many people it holds. Maxing this number out is sure to lead to some uncomfortable, but probably warm, sleeping. Common 4-person tents tend to be a better fit for 3 people, or 2 and a dog. Remember you will also want room for your clothes and gear.
Our top tent pick this year is REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 ($299). Get maximum living space and the comfort of standing up, this 4-person tent has 2 doors and is a breeze to set-up. This tent is definitely reserved for car camping as it weighs over 14 lbs.
2. Sleeping Bag, Pad, & Pillow
Think long and hard about how to get a good night’s rest. Camping is tiring and sleeping isn’t the easiest for some. Luckily, with car camping, you have the ability to kick the comfort up a notch. This is where I ditch my traditional backpacking sleeping bags that weigh next to nothing, with an oversized behemoth. XL sleeping bags are an easy way to improve your comfort. This Magnum 44 0°F Sleeping Bag from Cabela’s
The comfort shouldn’t stop there. Getting a sleeping back to take away the feeling of the ground is key. It also adds a good bit of insulation. This sleeping pad from Cabela’s, self inflates and stays inflated. Other cheap pads can leave you on the ground before the nights over.
3. Camping Chairs
Ahhh camping chairs, the janky chairs we all seem to own. This is one of the easier ways to kick back and enjoy the fire at night, assuming yours isn’t all that janky. These are extremely wide-ranging from Walmart’s $5 Ozark up to the $300 Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair
Our top camping chair pick goes to the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. Normally $90 this is currently on sale for $55. This chair has a sturdy build and is oversized for the additional comfort. There are also multiple adjustable straps so you can level the armrests how you want.
4. Sun Shelter
The heat can be inescapable at times but having a shade above will help dramatically. It also provides some rain protection to you and your gear. If you go too cheap the polls are likely to bend/break at some point. A dog pulling their lease going across was enough to ruin one of our for good. However, good shelters are not hard to find.
Colemans 10 x 10 Canopy Sun Shelter is an easy set-up and is tougher than most. You can even add on some side walls for additional protection. Keep in mind the wind and always secure your shelter.
5. Water Jug
A universal water jug will go a long way. It’s universal as it works your hand washing station, cooking water, drinking water, dog water, and an easy way to drench a fire. The on/off faucet allows you to control water flow. Simply elevate one of these with the spout in an easy to reach spot and you now have your camp kitchen sink. When you’re done, flip the faucet around for easier storage.
6. Table
It’s a simple luxury item that’s often overlooked since it’s not essential. However, not having a table will be felt for the duration of the trip. It’s a simple workstation to hold gear, elevate your water, and to prepare food. Simple folding tables used for events work great, but there are plenty of options designed for camping that can often be more portable and better suited, often at a cost.
One of the best tables we have used was the Camp Roll Table XL from REI. This table is lightweight and ultra portable but still feels durable. Best of all it is one of the cheaper options available. It’s wide design helps to hold more than you’re more traditional square design.
7. Hatchet/Saw
If you don’t plan on hauling in your own firewood, do yourself a favor and bring your trusted saw and hatchet. Campsites, even dispersed camping, are often over-picked by hundreds or thousands of previous campers. In many dispersed camping areas the roads leading up to the sites can be littered with old dead wood. Not only is this easy pickings for firewood, but you’re also helping to reduce fire risk for the area. This wood can come in chunks 10+ feet or more so a saw is a must have.
If you’re short on space, there are some good combo options like the Camillus Hatchet with Folding Saw. While it’s not perfect at either job it serves as a great combination tool. It even has a hammer opposite the hatchet. This works great for driving in ground spikes. One of the problems with the hatchet is it can be rough on your hands without a glove. The main issue with the saw is that it’s much more flimsy than a bow cut saw which leads to bending the blade.
8. Shovel
We can keep this one short. If nature is your restroom, it’s important to do it responsibly and bury everything a few inches deep, then recover with the natural materials around.
A shovel is also a great tool for ensuring your fire is dead out. There are some survival shovels online that provide a ton of built in tools. Though the shovel tends to be the best part.
9. Cooking gear
Cooking gear will come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. The easy go-to’s are the tradition fire grate and cast iron skillets. Store these properly and they will last more than a lifetime.
If you’re looking for something with more of that “kitchen feel”, take a look at the Outdoor Camp Kitchen. Built with 2 side tables, 3 zippered bags, collapsible storage compartments, and all folds away into a tight bag.
Trying to keep it easy and compact? The MightyMo from Jet Boil Is one of the easiest way to eat a dehydrated meal and has precise temperature controls. Find your meal of choice, boil the water, sit back until it’s done.
10. Eating utensils
Reusable utensils can drastically reduce the amount of trash you produce. Luckily, since your water jug kitchen is already set-up, this is a quick clean when you’re done.
GSI has some great options to pick from including this 11 piece set. (Collapsible Whisk, Pivot Spoon, Pivot Spatula, Spicer, 2 Condiment Containers, Cutting Board, Scrubber, Scraper, Camp Towel, Ballistic Nylon Case)
If you need something more compact, the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set contains all the cups you need and doubles as cooking gear,
11. Trash bags
If you pack it in, pack it out. It’s as simple as that. Try to leave your site better than you found it. Burning trash is not a good idea either as there is plenty of research to show that it releases dangerous toxins into the air. It’s better to be this guy rather than someone who leaves their trash.
12. Beer & Food
Planning ahead with your food will go a long way. Spices and condiments are frequently overlooked but take the camp chef skills to the next level. There are plenty of options when bringing this along. An easy choice is the GSI Outdoors Spice Missile which has 3 separate twin-chambers all in one compact waterproof design. If you’re backpacking, one easy trick is to seal the end of a plastic straw with a lighter and pliers filled with your favorite spices and seal the top.
Coolers, packed with ice, are a must have. Separating them by drinks and food will help keep things organized but will also better protect your food. It’s better to have 2 coolers rather than one over stuffed cooler.
The best camping food is sure to be up for debate, but the hotdog is a classic option that’s hard to mess up. Just think ahead about how you want to cook them. Using a stick from the woods is only real in the movies.
Your checklist is complete, but have you found a spot yet? If not, learn about the the different places to camp with this quick run-down