A Guide to Car Camping: The Ultimate Roadtrip Adventure
The idea of spending a night or two outdoors in your car might sound like a strange way to go camping, but it’s one of the most popular ways to get away from it all. There are lots of different names for this kind of camping: car camping, stealth camping, urban camping, road trip camping. Whatever you want to call it, this article will tell you everything you need to know about hitting the open road and sleeping in your vehicle. We’ll take you through everything from packing tips and safety considerations to where you can go car camping and what you should pack. Get ready for the ultimate road trip adventure with these helpful tips!
What you should know before you go car camping
Before you set off on your next car camping adventure, you should be aware of a few things that might make it a bit more difficult or, in some cases, even impossible. If you have any of the following issues, car camping might not be the best choice of adventure for you. - Is your car in good working order? It’s important to make sure you have a vehicle that can make it to your desired destination and back to your home again. You don’t want to break down in the middle of nowhere with no way to get help! If you don’t have a car, you can always rent a vehicle. This way, you don’t have to worry about your own car breaking down. - Do you have the right car camping gear? This is the most important factor in making your car camping trip a success. If you don’t have the proper car camping gear, you might find yourself in a sticky situation. This is especially true if you’re going somewhere where the weather might pose a threat to your safety. - Do you have the right amount of patience for going car camping? Some people get really excited about the idea of going car camping and envision spending the whole time out in nature. But sometimes the trip there can take longer than they expected, and they might get bored or feel pressured to make it back home on time. If you have the right amount of patience, though, you’ll enjoy the journey and the destination even more.
Where to go car camping
The possibilities for where you can go car camping are endless. You can spend the night in your vehicle almost anywhere you want! That being said, some areas will be more appropriate for car camping than others. Here are a few places where you can easily find places to car camp. - National Parks - Most national parks allow some kind of camping, and many of them have designated areas for car camping. This is usually a very popular way to experience the parks, so you need to make sure you plan your trip accordingly. Many parks have peak season dates, and you might need to make reservations months in advance. - State Parks - Many state parks also have designated areas for car camping. It’s important to check with the parks to make sure you’re adhering to the rules of car camping. Some parks might only allow tent camping, and others might require you to have a permit. - National Forests - National forests are another good option for car camping. The U.S. Forest Service allows for dispersed camping, which means you can basically pick any spot in the forest and camp there. Again, though, you should check with the forest service to make sure you’re following any rules or regulations. - Public Land - Public lands, such as Bureau of Land Management lands, are often a great choice for car camping. You can find these areas on websites, such as this one. There are also apps that you can use to find public lands near you.
What to bring when you go car camping
Just like with any other type of camping, you should have a checklist of items you need to bring along on your car camping trip. This will ensure that you have everything you need and nothing you don’t. - A tent - This is the most important item on the list, in our opinion. You should never sleep in your vehicle while car camping. You don’t have any protection in case of a storm or a criminal act. Plus, it’s not very comfortable. - Sleeping bag - You should try to make sure your sleeping bag is appropriate for the season. You don’t want to freeze during the winter, and you don’t want to be too hot during the summer. - Propane stove - You can use a propane stove to make food while you’re car camping. It’s much easier than trying to cook over an open fire and is a lot safer. - A cooler - You can keep food and ice in a cooler while you’re car camping in order to keep it fresh.
Tips for a successful car camping trip
When you go car camping, you want to make sure you have a successful and safe trip. These tips will help you achieve that. - Stay in a public place - While it’s fun to be in nature, make sure you’re not camping in a place that is privately owned. This can lead to trouble, as many people don’t appreciate car campers in their areas. - Follow the rules - Make sure you’re following the rules for where you’re car camping. You don’t want to be kicked out of a national park because you’re not following the rules. - Get rid of your trash - You don’t want to be known as the car camping group that left a bunch of trash behind. Make sure you pack out everything you brought in. - Stay hydrated - It can be easy to forget to drink while you’re car camping. Make sure you drink plenty of water and have some on hand at all times. You don’t want to get dehydrated! - Don’t drive while you’re tired - This is a good rule to follow in any situation. When you’re tired, it’s even more important.
Final words: Is car camping for you?
Car camping is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature. It’s also a lot easier to fit into your busy schedule since you can just sleep in your car. If you’re looking for a way to get out of the city for a few nights, car camping is a great option! But it does come with its own set of challenges. Make sure you’re ready for them, and you’ll have a great time.