Gear Gadget

Car Camping for Beginners

You drive to the site and sleep next to the car, so the gear can be cheap and comfortable. Forgot something? Drive to the store. Here is the first kit.

A first kit for two: 7 items, ~$258

Midsize SUV, warm weather, no stove yet. Starter tier, Amazon prices, checked daily. Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.

Tent

CAMPROS CP 3-Person Backpacking Tent

Fits:
3 person
Rating:
3-season

~$50

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Sleeping Bag (x2)

Coleman Palmetto Cool-Weather Sleeping Bag

Comfort to:
30°F
Fill:
Synthetic

~$30 each (x2) last checked Jan 30

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Sleeping Pad (x2)

Stansport Pack-Lite Closed-Cell Foam Pad

Warmth:
Warm weather (R 2)
Type:
Foam

~$22 each (x2)

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Cooler

Coleman Chiller 48-Quart Cooler

Holds:
48 qt
Keeps ice:
3 days

~$40

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Camp Chair (x2)

Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Camping Chair

Packs:
Standard quad
Supports:
250 lbs

~$15 each (x2)

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Camp Lighting

Energizer LED Camping Lantern

Brightness:
500 lumens
Runtime:
30+ hrs

~$20

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Headlamp

Energizer PRO-360 LED Headlamp

Brightness:
360 lumens
Power:
Battery

~$14

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Add all 7 to Amazon cart

One press puts the whole kit in your cart; take out anything you already own there.

Open this kit in the builder - or the same kit as Essential (~$782) or Premium (~$1,249) .

Seven beginner mistakes

  1. 1

    Skipping the sleeping pad. The number one mistake. The ground pulls heat out of you all night; even a cheap pad changes everything.

  2. 2

    Not pitching the tent at home first. An unfamiliar tent in the dark after a long drive is miserable. One trial run in the yard.

  3. 3

    Buying the cheapest tent. A $35 tent leaks, snaps poles in wind and fights you on setup. Spend $60-80.

  4. 4

    Packing too much. No camp kitchen, folding table, hammock or camp rug on trip one. The kit above is enough.

  5. 5

    Buying gear before booking a site. Popular campgrounds fill months ahead on weekends. Reserve first.

  6. 6

    Forgetting layers. Campsites get cold at night even in summer. A fleece and long pants.

  7. 7

    Overthinking it. Pick a campground, buy the basics, go. You will know what you want after the first trip.

Your first trip

  • A campground under two hours away. State parks are cheap, maintained and beginner-friendly.
  • One night. It tests the setup; book two next time if you loved it.
  • Arrive with an hour or two of daylight. Setting up in the dark is how first trips go wrong.
  • Sandwiches, snacks and drinks from the cooler. Camp cooking is for trip two.

Common questions

What is car camping exactly?
You drive to a campsite and set up next to the car. The car carries the gear, so you can bring a real cooler, padded chairs and a big tent instead of counting grams.
Is car camping safe for beginners?
Yes. A campground has neighbours, fire rings, restrooms and usually cell service, and if anything goes wrong the car is right there to drive home.
How much does it cost to start car camping?
About $258 for two at Starter quality at today's Amazon prices, about $782 at Essential. After that a trip costs $50-115: the campsite ($15-45 a night), food and drinks ($20-40) and gas - less than one hotel night.
Do I need an SUV or truck for car camping?
No. Two people camp fine out of a sedan or hatchback with compact gear; tell the builder what you drive and it sizes the kit to the trunk.
Can I car camp in the winter?
You can, but start warm. Winter needs 20°F-or-lower bags, pads above R4 and some experience. Get a few summer trips in first.

Going alone, or in a small car?

Six questions - who is coming, what you drive, when - and the kit rebuilds.

Build my first kit →