Top Car Camping Essentials for a Comfortable Outdoor Experience
If you’re planning your next getaway as a night spent outdoors, skip the tent and opt for a night spent in your car. The setup time is negligible, and car camping is an affordable, uncomplicated way to experience the outdoors.
Once you’ve made the initial investment in essential gear, the only recurring costs are gas to get there, food you would have eaten anyway, and nominal campground or park fees. Even if your next camping trip isn’t yet on the calendar, you can be spontaneous and set out when the mood strikes. Moreover, when you’re sticking close to home, most gear mentioned here is just as functional in your backyard or driveway as it is deep in a national park campground.
Luno Life Mattresses
Usually, car camping involves setting up an oversized tent or shelter as an adventure basecamp. However, Luno Life Mattresses turns your car into that base. The 2.0 version, due out May 15, is sized to fit the specific year, make and model of your vehicle, precisely wrapping around the wheel wells so there’s no lumpy, bunched sleeping pad to interfere with a good night’s rest.
“Base extender” inflatable cubes fill the area behind the front seats to support the mattress and give you an extra foot or more of length in your trunk-camper (fits campers up to 6’4”). The double mattress features a pillow topper for extra comfort and inflates with a 12v socket cigarette lighter plug. A 12v air pump, carrying case, and patch kit are also included.
Buy for $225 at lunolife.com.
Big Agnes Mica Basin Armchair
You’ll need a comfortable chair for sitting around the fire. The Mica Basin Armchair is a top choice as it’s one of the cushiest collapsible camp chairs available. The chair sets up in a minute or so, using color-coded, shock-corded aircraft aluminum poles for structure. The poles easily slip into a high-tenacity seat with ultra-high tear strength. Additionally, a center pole self-adjusts to level the seat when the chair is on uneven ground.
The Mica Basin has an armchair-like quality, with a supportive back despite its relatively low height. It also features wings to support your arms and double drink holders, ensuring you only need to get up half as many times to resupply. Moreover, it all packs up into a zippered, tube-shaped stuff sack. At dimensions of 18”x4”x5, and weighing less than three pounds, it’s small enough to fit in a daypack for the beach, playground, or concert.
Buy for $130 at amazon.com.
Nemo Jazz Synthetic Sleeping Bag
Nemo’s Jazz isn’t just a sleeping bag – it’s an entire system designed to ensure you enjoy the best night’s rest. Whether you prefer a solo bag or a queen-sized bag for two, the 20°F rectangular Jazz features a silky-soft, integrated, removable sheet that keeps the bag fresh and provides a more home-like feel than other sleeping bags.
Furthermore, to help you regulate your temperature, the top of the bag folds back from the sheet. This bag stands out with its built-in pillowtop for enhanced comfort. When it’s time to pack up camp, simply let the air out of your pad, roll up the bag and pad together, and pack them into a single duffel to simplify the next setup. Regular length fits individuals up to 6’4”, while the long version is perfect for those up to 6’8”. Pair it with most 25” wide pads; for the Jazz Duo, use two 30” pads.
Buy for $210 at amazon.com.
Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cook Set
When you’re car camping, you likely have more space than during typical backpacking trips. However, space isn’t infinite, and keeping track of your gear in camp is just as crucial. The Stanley cook set is a favorite as it encapsulates a full car-camping kitchen packed into the largest pot, simplifying the organization of all components.
Inside the durable stainless steel 3.7 qt. pot, you’ll find a 7.25″ frying pan with a folding, locking handle, perfect for making omelets. Also nested inside are a cutting board, spatula, serving spoon, drying rack, and enough plates, bowls, and sporks for a party of four. A bungie secures the vented lid on the pot, and Stanley has thoughtfully stamped a graphic into the pot lid to remind you how to neatly nest everything. The trivet doubles as a hot pad, so bringing a second one is advisable to avoid burns when draining your pasta or lifting the full pot off the stove.
Buy for $65 at amazon.com.
Fireside Firepit
Practice leave-no-trace principles with the Fireside Outdoor Pop Up Base Kit for your campfire. This eight-pound, rust-free pit assembles within minutes and keeps burning wood elevated off the ground. The metal mesh wood box base enhances airflow, making fire starting a breeze. A spacious 2’x2’ firebox accommodates full-length camp wood; Fireside claims it can hold up to 125 pounds, although it’s best not to load it excessively.
An ember guard Velcros under the firebox, ensuring the unit complies with BLM, USFS, and National Park guidelines for campfires. Once assembled, there’s plenty of room for friends to gather around the campfire without feeling crowded—perfect for roasting marshmallows or warming up on a chilly evening. Additionally, you can click the folding grill into the corners for meals. Once it’s time to head home, responsibly dispose of the ashes and pack the pit back in its carry bag to keep your vehicle clean.
Buy for $100 at amazon.com.
GSI Selkirk 540
Although you might be far removed from your home kitchen, car camping is a fantastic opportunity to whip up a gourmet meal. You’ll need the right stove for effective cooking, and GSI’s propane Selkirk 540 rises to the occasion with dual 10,000 BTU burners and ample space for two large pots simultaneously. Additionally, if the windscreens obstruct your cooking, they easily fold out of the way.
This reliable stove ignites with a push-button piezo, allowing you to leave your lighter at home. Individual micro-control valves provide temperature adjustments from a gentle simmer to a rapid boil. Furthermore, when packing up, both its powder-coated exterior and stainless-steel cooking surface are simple to clean. The pot support and stainless-steel burner surround can be removed for easy cleaning. Finally, secure it shut and utilize the integrated handle for transporting this 10-pound stove back to your vehicle.
Buy for $125 at amazon.com.
MPowerd Luci Solar Inflatable Light and Power Bank
There’s no need to pack extra batteries with the inflatable Luci that illuminates your campsite. This 360-lumen warm, white LED lamp emits a diffused yet bright glow. The light packs flat for convenient transport and inflates to a height of 6” at full size, complete with handles for easy hanging.
A solar panel and battery on top powers the light, recharges the internal battery, and powers a single USB port for charging phones or headlamps. When the sun isn’t shining, utilize the same USB port to recharge the lantern’s battery from an electrical outlet. You can easily cycle through four modes, including a flashing mode perfect for lively gatherings. A battery indicator allows you to monitor how much of the light’s 50-hour runtime remains.
Buy for $45 at amazon.com.
Thermarest Honcho Poncho
While “insulated poncho” might not be a primary item on your car camping checklist, one evening with the Thermarest’s Honcho Poncho will have you wanting to don one every chance you get. This versatile poncho is an excellent layer for staying warm by the campfire, exploring under the moonlight, or brewing coffee on a dewy morning. If you don’t wish to wear it, you can easily convert it into a blanket. When you conclude your day, the poncho conveniently packs into its pocket, transforming into a pillow.
Featuring water resistance and polyester insulation, this open-sided poncho includes a hood and a spacious zippered kangaroo pocket for your phone and headlamp, among other essentials.
Buy for $115 at amazon.com.
Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent Gen 2.0
Don’t let hungry mosquitoes disrupt your weekend with Thermacell’s bug-beating diffuser. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this unit effectively keeps insects at bay, allowing you to picnic, read, or relax in your hammock without persistent buzzing. The heating element ignites upon turning the Radius on, warming a scent-free mosquito repellent that creates protection within a 15-foot radius, eliminating the need for smelly DEET or similar sprays.
You’ll need to recharge it every 6.5 hours, but the repellent cartridge lasts for 12 hours or 40 hours with the larger replacement cartridge (available separately). I used it on a spring camping trip in the Adirondacks, known for its mosquito population, and it performed exceptionally well. Notably, unlike earlier Thermacell models requiring a fuel cartridge, this battery-powered version is TSA-approved.
Buy for $40 at amazon.com.
