Get Outside—and Stay There!—with These Car Camping Gear Essentials

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Lying on the bare earth beneath the open sky may sound idyllic, but for most of us (and our backs), it does not feel idyllic.

I, like most, crave outdoor adventure while also enjoying modern amenities, which makes car camping a more palatable option. For several years, I have spent my summers camping out of my 2001 Ford Econoline, affectionately known as Rhonda. While Rhonda may not be the pique #vanlife aesthetic, she is a testament to the accessibility of car camping.

Blending the excitement of outdoor adventuring with the familiarity of your own vehicle, car camping can be fun for everyone regardless of their age or background. So grab your keys and search for your intrepid spirit while we unlock a world of possibility with these car camping gear essentials.

Things To Consider When Car Camping

Power: Will there be access to electricity where your travels take you? This is possibly one of your biggest considerations in this modern age, but it also takes into account your safety while camping. Always make sure to have some type of power source that will keep your phone charged in case you need to make an emergency call.

Vehicle Make and Product Compatibility: If you're buying something that installs onto your car, like a rooftop tent, make sure you take the correct measurements to ensure it will actually fit your vehicle. Do the research!

Road Conditions: What will the roads be like on the way to your campsite? If you plan to do a bit of overlanding to your site, consider having some emergency equipment that can help you in a pinch should you drive through a puddle that you swear didn't look that deep.

Price: If it's an item that you'll use regularly or will determine your comfort, it's not so bad to consider a splurge purchase. For standard items such as camping stoves or headlamps, however, you can probably stick with the average price points. Just remember: When it comes to gear and gadgets, you usually get what you pay for.

Storage Space: If your car is both sleeping and storage quarters, you'll have to plan storage ahead of time. Because while having a cooler pressed against your face while you sleep won't kill you, it's certainly not ideal.

Ready to hit the road and stay there? Here are our favorite car camping gear essentials.

Tepui Foothill Tent

Arguably, the biggest concern when camping is where to sleep. The Tepui Foothill Tent elevates your rest with this convenient and space-saving method. Designed to fit onto most cars with roof racks, the Foothill Tent mounts onto either side of the vehicle, leaving space for additional adventuring gear like bikes or kayaks.

Besides the obvious space-saving benefits, an elevated rooftop tent not only relieves ground-sleeping fatigue but also brings you closer to the stars, which you can gaze at through this tent's dual skylight feature. Best of all, its foam mattress stays inside when the tent is folded up.

Campfire

Seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and brand-new campers alike love the Solo Stove Campfire. It utilizes a cleverly designed airflow system that burns efficiently and leaves no trace behind at your campsite. The Campfire is the smallest product in the Solo Stove line, so make sure to size up if you're driving a truck or RV!

Inflatable Car Air Mattress

For those on a budget or car camping for the first time, the Onirii Inflatable Car Air Mattress is a decent sleeping solution. Simply lay your back row flat, inflate the mattress, and voilà! You've just made your bedroom.
Be advised, though, that you'll eventually want to level up your car-camping mattress game (see the Exped MegaMat Auto, below); inexpensive inflatable mattresses like these have an annoying way of springing a leak after even a few uses.

The Onirii is a universal fit product, with an option for an SUV or car model. Just remember to pack lightly because everything in your third row and trunk must move to the front seat while you sleep.

Solar Generator 1000

Sure, you may be camping to "unplug," but chances are you're still going to need power. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 has all the benefits of a typical power bank (AC and DC charging options) but with the added benefit of solar panels. Charging this unit to full before any big trip, and topping up with the included solar panels, will more than make up for your camping power needs.

Roadhouse Tarp

Whether you're seeking shade from the scorching sun, shelter from the rain, or you simply want a hangout place, the Roadhouse Tarp will give you just what you need. The product is designed to fit most SUVs, Jeeps, and even vans. Be sure to check vehicle compatibility when searching for any car awning.

CFX3 Power Cooler

#VanLife-rs and overlanders have been plugged into the Dometic brand for years, and for good reason. The CFX3 keeps your food and drinks anywhere from cool to frozen without pulling much of your vehicle's DC power. It comes in seven sizes, from 25 up to 100 liters, so there's one for every car, truck, and RV. As an added feature, Dometic comes equipped with a battery alert, so you can ditch the anxiety about your battery draining, and concentrate on enjoying nature instead.

Siesta Hooded 20 Double Sleeping Bag

Next time you're car camping with a companion, defy the laws of personal space with this double sleeping bag. The Siesta Hooded Sleeping Bag is rated to keep you warm down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit with an insulated hood and separate vents at the feet for customizable temperature regulation. Shopping for a sleeping bag is a very personal experience, so be sure to select the product that best fits your needs.

MegaMat Auto

The MegaMat Auto features 4 inches of open-cell polyurethane foam for support and warmth and a brushed, stretch tricot nylon surface for cradling comfort. The open-cell foam is self-inflating, meaning that when the inflate valve is opened, the foam expands and draws air into the mat. An EXPED Mini Pump is included to top off the inflation and achieve preferred firmness.

Helio LX Pressure Shower

Even though nature is decidedly dustier than your home, it doesn't mean you have to be dustier too. The Helio LX Pressure Shower gives the gift of revitalization with a pressurized shower system. The Helio is different from a typical camping shower because it does not rely on gravity to dispense or require a hose to be filled. Simply pour into the top, leave in the sun to heat up, pump, and shower away.