Camping doesn’t have to be extreme to be fun. If you have been dreaming of an overnight outdoor adventure, this beginner’s guide to car camping will help you plan a memorable trip and leave you wishing for more.

What is ‘Car Camping’? Simple answer – driving your vehicle directly to your campsite. You can sleep in your car, pitch a tent, or stay in an RV. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors while staying comfortable and feeling safe.

Why should you give it a try?

• No need to buy expensive equipment
• Great way to give camping a try, and build confidence
• Feel more secure, especially if camping alone
• Less stress, great learning experience

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is not intended to serve as expert advice. Please consult the resources listed for the most accurate information.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you.

Best Time to Plan a Beginner Car Camping Trip

I have camped in all four seasons, but for your first trip, I would recommend the shoulder season. This is the magical time in spring and fall, free of bugs, extreme temperatures, and crowds. Reservations will be easy to find without much advance notice.

Camping in the summer is best on weekdays, especially at crowded parks. If you must go on a weekend, you will most likely need to make reservations well in advance.

Weather Considerations

Planning ahead by checking the weather forecast is essential. Weather apps are great, but it’s also a good idea to check the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website (NOAA). This will provide an extra layer of safety for rapidly changing weather patterns. You want the most accurate forecast for the actual area you will be camping.

NOAA

Daytime temperatures in the 60s or 70s, and nighttime lows in the 50s or 60s are best for the novice. This way, you can mostly pack what you already have on hand, rather than purchasing a lot of expensive gear.

If there are any predictions of severe weather, lightning, hail, or other hazards, there is no shame in packing up and heading home early. You should never sleep outside in these conditions.

For more information about outdoor safety and how to protect yourself from severe weather and other hazards, refer to my post “Summer Hiking Safety – Don’t Die in the Woods!”

Best Places for Beginner Car Camping

If this is your first time out, I strongly recommend trying a nearby state park or recreation area. Here you will find an easy reservation system, extra amenities, and a sense of security. Even a small town nearby, or a location with a camp store, can be helpful.

When I first started camping, it didn’t take long to be ready for more rustic adventures, but starting in a remote location or trying backpacking right out of the gate can just lead to more stress and lessen the chance that you will want to try again.

The best way to find great sites for a beginner learning to car camp is to check your state’s resources. Most states have a website for camping reservations, usually maintained by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

For example, here is a list of several Midwest state reservation websites. Click on the buttons to be directed to their reservation portals.

OK, now you are on your state’s website, and 50 choices come up. How do you narrow it down? I know it’s old-fashioned, but I still refer to my handy road atlas. State parks will almost always be marked with a tree icon, and if camping is available, a tent icon as well. Check what is available in your region.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Your First Site

• Hiking Trails – select a park with a few nice hiking trails; easy-to-moderate loop trails are a great place to start.
• Cell Service – being closer to a town will help here, but don’t always count on service, check park reviews.
• Scenery – look for online photos of campsites and trails, you may find a previously unknow beauty spot!
• Amenities – do you want flush toilets, or are you OK with vault-style?
• Distance from services – nearby towns, camp store on-site.

How to Reserve Your Beginner Car Camping Site

Once you select a park and enter your trip date(s), you can see available sites, either in a list or on a map. If you select the map option, a visual like this will pop up:

You can zoom in on the various loops, and clicking on one of the icons will usually bring up a picture of that campsite.

If possible, try to pick a site at the end of a row or near a gap between sites. You can see from the above example that the sites at this campground are pretty close together. This may be OK for your first time out, just something to be aware of.

If you are looking at an electric campground, most of the sites will end up being reserved by RV campers. Being squished between them is not always the most relaxing if you are in a tent. Check out the next section for more private options.

Restroom locations are clearly marked on the map to help you find facilities easily. If these are vault toilets (outhouse type), try to get a bit farther away, as they can be smelly. Parks with modern restrooms will be lit up at night and have more foot traffic, so you also want to be at least a few sites away from those.

Be sure to read the site descriptions. Full afternoon shade is important if it’s going to be hot. There will also be other important information, such as maximum vehicle length, if campfires are allowed, etc.

Electric hookups are handy if it’s cold outside, and you want to plug in an electric blanket. They also work well with a small electric burner or a crockpot. A small table to sit these items on is also helpful, and helps avoid using extension cords.

Safety Warning!

Check the amp requirements on the electric post and your appliance.

The outlet might not be near enough to use without an extension cord.

Extension cords can be dangerous; try to avoid them if possible, use at your own risk. Use a short 6-foot, 12-gauge heavy-duty cord.

Plug the extension cord directly into the outlet; no power strips or daisy-chaining cords.

If either the cord or outlet feels hot, unplug immediately.

Book Your Site

Once you have selected an available site, click it to be directed to the reservation screen. You will also be prompted to create an online account. You’ll need a separate account for each state. After entering your payment information, you will receive a reservation confirmation.

Options for More Privacy

After reading all about crowded sites, you may be wondering whether car camping for beginners is worth the effort. Not to worry! Non-electric sites will often be much more private. These may also be listed as “rustic” or “primitive”.

Most campgrounds offer both electric and non-electric sites. Non-electric sites are usually bigger and often have trees or bushes between sites, but this is not always the case. Check for pictures on the reservation portal and campground reviews.

I don’t have an RV, so I’ll either be in a tent or my SUV. For my purposes, the non-electric sites work best.

Some parks allow primitive campers to use the modern loop restrooms and showers, while others do not. But hey, it’s the great outdoors, right? Leave the flat iron and makeup at home, you won’t miss them!

What to Bring on a Beginner’s Car Camping Trip

You don’t need a lot of expensive gear to enjoy the outdoors. The main thing is just to get started. Chances are, you already have a lot of stuff at home that will work just fine.

Experts in the field may not agree, but there will be time to invest in more expensive, durable gear once you build your confidence, do some research, and have the knowledge to decide what is best for you. In later posts, I will give my recommendations for more advanced purchases.

A little organization goes a long way. Use storage bins to reduce clutter and save space. Make a checklist of items you want to bring.

The following are lists of the basics. Read the full post for more information on these categories.

Navigation/Communication

• Fully charged cell phone – don’t forget your car charger or power bank
• Paper Maps – cell service may be spotty or nonexistent
• Downloaded maps for offline viewing – not essential but helpful
• Compass – you can get a perfectly good one for under $20.00 on Amazon, or at a sporting goods store

Safety

• Emergency whistle
• Flashlight or healamp with extra batteries
• Duct tape or repair kit
• Battery operated lantern with extra batteries
• Window covers

Sleep System

• Bedding or sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Cot – optional for tent campers
• Sleeping pad
• Tent – unless you will be sleeping in your vehicle

Cooking and Food

• Food – simple meals, and snacks for quick energy.
• Water – starting out, it’s easier to bring plenty of bottled water.
• Cooking equipment: bring basic stuff; see recipes and ideas in the “Camp Cooking” section below.
• Utensils, plates, bowls, cups – disposables are easiest for beginners.
• Aluminum foil
• *These items are optional, bring if you will be grilling
• Charcoal*
• Lighter fluid*
• Portable grill*
• Extra-long skewer sticks – optional, for cooking over the fire
• Lighter/matches
• Cookware and utensils from home if you will be doing any more advanced cooking.
• Tongs
• Oven mitt
• Can opener
• Paper towels
• Garbage bag
• Knife – a small paring knife will do for a start.
• Cooler
• Ice packs

Clothing/Personal Hygiene

• Sandals or other comfortable shoes for camp
• Sleepwear
• Comfortable walking shoes for hiking
• Layers to dress in depending on the weather – coat, gloves, rain gear, base layer
• Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, soap, towel, insect repellent, hand sanitizer
• Disposable wipes
• Toilet paper – just in case!
• Insect Repellant
• Sunscreen

Optional Comfort and Entertainment Items

These items aren’t essential, but can make your site feel like home. Most campsites have picnic tables, but having an extra small folding table and a lightweight camp chair makes sitting by the fire much cozier.

I bought these from Walmart, and have used them dozens of times:

Books/booklight, cards, games, Tablet or Kindle – these items are nice, but I often prefer to sit by the fire and relax.

First Aid

Don’t bother buying a pre-made kit. You will end up with 50 Band-Aids and not much that will be useful. The following items are a good starting point, and you may already have most of them on hand.

• Anti-itch cream or ointment for bug bites or plant rashes
• Antibiotic cream or ointment for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns
• Cold packs – the kind you can activate by bending
• BleedStop – powder that can stop bleeding, sold in pharmacies, get an FDA-approved brand
• Adhesive bandages in various sizes
• Wound closure strips
• Pain reliever – acetaminophen/ibuprofen, etc.

Tent or Vehicle, Which is Best?

Will you be sleeping in your tent or vehicle? Believe it or not, tent temperature is easier to control than car temperature. Tents trap heat better and cool off more easily than a car. However, you may prefer the security of a locked vehicle, especially if you have a van or an SUV. This is also a great choice if you are not ready to purchase a tent.

Some parks may not allow a car without a tent, but an SUV or a closed-cab pickup is usually fine, and much more comfortable than a car. When you make your reservation, a list will pop up for you to choose a tent, RV, SUV, etc.

I have several tents, but I often sleep in my SUV when camping solo.

Tents

There are several types of tents to choose from, ranging in price from $20 to over $500. Your choice will depend on budget, number of people in your group, and the season. I started with a less expensive choice and have added tents for various purposes over the years, such as backpacking and winter weather.

For normal campground stays in moderate weather, you could easily get started with an inexpensive tent from Walmart or Amazon. Choose one that is lightweight and easy to set up. Shopping in person at Walmart is probably the easiest, as you can get a better idea of what is available. Be certain stakes are included. A rainfly (covering to keep out moisture), is also helpful if an unexpected rainstorm happens.

Always practice in your yard or other outdoor space before your trip! This will ease frustration and prevent embarrassment at the campsite. As a solo camper, I often have campground neighbors offering to help me set up. After more than 10 years at this, I really just want to be left alone to get my temporary home together in my own way.

A slightly more expensive fun alternative is a pop-up tent. These literally set up in seconds. I have this model:

These models are easy to set up, but please practice taking them down several times before using them in the field. The instructions are not very helpful, and some YouTube videos are hard to follow. I found this guy’s method so much easier:

Other Tent Considerations

• Make sure your tent has screened window openings, with covers that can be closed.
• A ground sheet is not necessary, but can be nice (made of tent like material, to place under your tent.
• Make sure your ground sheet does not extend to the tent edges, which can let water in if it rains.
• Can you set the tent up by yourself? If not, it’s too complicated for beginner camp gear, even with help.
• Start with a 3-season tent. A 4-season tent is really for winter camping and might be too hot in summer.

Sleeping Bags

There are many factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag. Temperature ratings, down or synthetic, weight (more important when backpacking), cost, and durability are all important.

For your first trips, the weather will hopefully be nice, and you can get away with bringing blankets and extra clothes from home. For a little extra protection, you could pick up an inexpensive bag from, you guessed it, Walmart or Amazon. These won’t win any survival prizes, they are just a starting point.

It’s important to understand temperature ratings. There is a difference between the comfort (the temperature at which you can expect to feel comfortable in the bag) and the survival rating (the temperature at which you may not feel comfortable, but could reasonably expect to survive). For our purposes in this post, use the lowest temperature you expect to encounter on your trip, and use the comfort rating to select a bag.

Most inexpensive tents might only have a comfort rating of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Which won’t give much protection, but is usually fine in warmer months. You can usually pick up one of these models for $50.00 or less.

Camp Cots

If you’ll be in a tent, a cot is a nice addition. Try to borrow, or get one at a thrift shop. If that’s not possible, Bass Pro Shop has a nice selection. This is not essential, but it will make your sleep a lot more restful, and your back will thank you in the morning.

Bass Pro Camp Cots

Sleeping Mats

Your sleep system’s purpose is to keep you warm throughout the night and, hopefully, comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep. Even with a cot, a good mattress will help your back. Get either a self-inflating model or add a battery-operated pump to your supply list.

Just like sleeping bags, there are a lot of things to consider. The R-Value is the pad’s ability to resist heat loss to the ground. The higher the R-Value, the warmer. As you can imagine, these can get pricey. Here is a good beginner camper alternative for your SUV, that comes with it’s own air pump:

This model is also good for a tent, but it is a little larger, so it won’t fit on a cot. If you want a cot/tent set up, here is a smaller version:

For this model you will also need an air pump:

Camp Cooking for the Beginner Car Camper

For the beginner car camper, I would suggest simple, fun meals. Bring items from home that will be easy to put together, use, and clean up. Plan at home, and do a little meal prep as needed. For instance, chopping vegetables and storing them in Ziploc bags. Putting seasonings, dressings, or olive oil in small food storage containers.

Store your food in a cooler with ice packs for your trip to the campsite.

One of my favorite camp kitchen setups uses a simple portable charcoal grill. This is a great one you can order online from Walmart:

Materials Needed:

Set Up:

• Fill the grill about half full with charcoal.
• Add lighter fluid.
• Light the charcoal and wait for the coals to turn white.
• Extra-long matches or a long-handled lighter are safest for lighting your grill.

While you wait for your coals to heat up, prepare the food. There are plenty of easy meals that taste great.

Safety Note:

Bring tongs and an oven mitt. Grills and foil become hot! Be sure to protect those fingers so you can enjoy the rest of your adventure.

DO NOT use glass pans on charcoal. I don’t recommend metal pans from home, either, unless they are cast iron. Disposable metal pans, like those used for baking, are safest and can be reused several times. Even easier, use foil packets, or place foil directly on the grill grate to cook meats, shish kababs, etc.

Foil Packets

Add a little oil or cooking spray to the inside of a large piece of foil. Place your food in the packet, and fold to seal. It’s a good idea to wrap in a second foil layer.

Place the foil directly on the coals.

Turn the packet over after 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, check for doneness. Add additional time if needed, but watch closely; it’s easy to overcook with the high heat generated by this setup.

Suggested ingredients:

• Sliced and peeled vegetables such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and green peppers.
• Fish, chicken, hamburger, and Polish sausage. Uncooked meats will take longer; use caution.
• Frozen peas and corn – it’s OK if they have thawed out.
• Additions such as lemon juice, salt and pepper, seasonings, and Italian-style salad dressing.

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes come out really yummy when cooked on a grill. Wash and dry, prick a few times with a fork, then wrap in foil. You can do this part at home. At camp, place the potatoes in the coal bed. Turn them over after 15 minutes, and check for doneness after 30 minutes. It may take up to an hour, depending on the size of your potato, especially if you like the skin a little crispy, but they do cook faster than in an oven.

Other Easy Food Choices

Pizza using a cast-iron pan:

Prepare a packet of premade pizza dough (use the kind that only needs water added). Spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray and spread out the pizza dough. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Cover with foil and place on the grate to cook.

If you don’t have a cast-iron pan, a frozen pizza works ok too. Place it in a disposable metal baking pan and cover with foil. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Grilled Meats

Shish kabobs with alternating chunks of chicken, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms, cook with bamboo skewer sticks like these:

Soak the sticks in water for 10 minutes before use.

Wrap refrigerated crescent roll dough around a hot dog and cook over the fire.

Use extra-long roasting sticks when cooking hot dogs and S’mores over the fire. These work great because they are extendable, and come with a handy carry bag.

Dessert Ideas

Spread pre-made cookie dough in a cast-iron or disposable metal baking pan. Cover with foil and place on the grate. These cook very quickly, but are so yummy!

S’more ingredients: Try using various cookies, such as fudge stripes or chocolate fudge grahams, instead of graham crackers and chocolate bars. Carefully roast large marshmallows over your campfire using extra-long skewer sticks, as shown above. Place between two cookies and enjoy. Double yum!

Campfires for Beginner Car Camper

It is important to follow the rules at your campground. Always check for fire bans, and NEVER start a fire except in an approved ring.

Don’t move firewood!. Either purchase at the park or from a nearby vendor; otherwise, you could damage the ecosystem by bringing in harmful pests. Many grocery, hardware and gas stations sell wood. Be aware of all regulations. Sometimes certified, debarked wood is required. If you purchase at the park, be prepared to pay cash.

When you are just starting out, it is easier to purchase fire starters and kindling. This way you won’t have to stress. Don’t worry, there will be time later to learn this important skill. The description below will give you a way to easily get a quick fire going.

For beginner campfires, you will need:

• Long-handled matches or lighter
• Firestarters
• Kindling
• Firewood

You can buy kindling at most hardware and home improvement stores. Kindling is simply small pieces of dried wood that will ignite quickly. The fire will then spread easily to the actual firewood.

Fire starters are an easy way to get your kindling lit. I like the Dura Flame product.

Place several pieces of kindling in the center of the fire pit. Then place 2-4 fire starters in various spots near or on the kindling.

Next, stack about 4 small to medium logs criss-cross on top of the kindling. Be sure you leave plenty of air space, and that you can still reach the fire starters. The logs need air to ignite.

Next, use caution and light the fire starters. Having a longer lighter or matches will make this much safer. It’s also a good idea to push up the sleeves of long shirts. Make sure children are well back from the fire pit.

Enjoy your fire!

For an even easier fire, Duraflame also sells individually wrapped fire logs. All you have to do is place the log in the fire pit and light the bag. CAUTION: Be certain to get the kind that can be used for cooking. Most of these products can’t. Even if you won’t be using your fire to cook, you don’t want to leave a chemical residue in the fire pit for the next camper.

I hope this post has inspired you to take the first step and plan your own adventure. Until next time, enjoy the outdoors!

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