What To Pack For Car Camping

Car camping packing checklist to be well prepared

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If you like to go car camping, you know there are a lot of things to pack for a camping trip. You can easily forget something. It happens to us all the time! As in, really every single time!!! Even though we always bring a lot of things and we think we have everything, at the campsite, we find out that we forgot something after all. Pretty sure you know what we are talking about! 😉

So for you, and for us, we put together a list of what to pack for car camping. This printable camping packing checklist is also great for first-time campers, that way you know which essentials to bring on a camping trip.

Table Of Contents

What To Pack For Sleeping In The Outdoors
Camping Essentials To Pack For Car Camping
Food Preparation & Cooking Equipment To Pack
Other Useful Things To Pack For Car Camping
Camping Games To Pack
Toiletries To Pack For The Outdoors
Printable Camping Packing Checklist

Things To Pack For Car Camping

What To Pack For Sleeping In The Outdoors

Camping Tent – It’s best to have a waterproof tent or be very sure that it will not rain on your trip.
Sleeping Bag – Depending on the season, you will need a warmer sleeping bag or cooler sleeping bag. There are many options that fit different purposes.
Blankets & Pillows – A camping pillow is essential for sleeping comfortably. You may also want to bring some blankets to cuddle up during colder times.
Inflatable Mattress Pad & Air Pump – For the ones who like it comfy, an self-inflatable air mattress or cushioned camping pad is absolutely essential. There are many different options of camping mattresses out there.

Camping Essentials To Pack For Car Camping

Affordable Camping gear: Hammock with string lights

Hammock – One of our absolute essentials to pack for camping is a hammock. We love to just hang out and chill in the hammock during the way. You can also sleep in the hammock. There are special, insulated hammocks for that.
Camping Lights – An absolute camping essential if you don’t have night vision like a cat.
Solar Powered Lights – Even better than regular lights, are the ones that are solar-powered. Just put the solar LED lights in the sun to charge during the day, and you will be good to go for the night.
Headlamp – Once you have a headlamp you will realize how much easier it is to see in the dark, even with other lights around.
Flash Light – A flashlight is always good to have, for so many reasons.
Solar Powered LED String Lights – String lights make your campsite even prettier.
Camping Chairs & Foldable Camping Table
Windshield Reflector – A reflector for your car’s windshield is great to have for the hot summer months to keep your car from becoming a baking oven. Unless you want to make a cake! hahaha

Food Preparation & Cooking Equipment To Pack

Affordable camping gear for cooking in the outdoors

Camping Cooler & Ice – There are inexpensive coolers, that keep your food and drinks cool for a long time.
Camping Pots & Pans – There are space-saving camping cooking sets. You can also just get individual pieces since you are coming by car and will most likely have enough space. We bring a combination of both.
Cups & Mugs
Marshmallow Sticks – For all the smores lovers out there, check out these extendable smores sticks
French Press / Drip Coffee Maker – There are many ways to make coffee. We like the French Press or just simple drip coffee.
Cutlery & Camping Utensils – Don’t forget to bring cutlery for camping and a cutting knife. There are complete sets that you can buy. That way you have everything in one place and won’t forget anything.
Bottle & Can Opener – A wine opener is often among the things that we forget to bring for camping, but is so essential! 😉
Portable Camping Stove & Fuel – You can go simplistic with a small camping stove like the Jetboil or go big with a propper camping stove/grill.
Lighter For Campfire – No matches, no fire (for most of us at least)
Camping Cookbook – If you need some inspiration on what to cook during a camping trip
Spices & Cooking Oil – Do not forget!!!
Food Storage Containers – Bring food containers to store your food. There are nice collapsible containers that fold flat and if you are into having eggs for breakfast, you can get these egg containers to keep them from breaking.
Tinfoil & Zip Lock Bags – For BBQs and to store food
Kitchen Towel / Paper Towels – You will need it!!!
Sponge & Soap – Essential for cleaning up your dishes.
Trash Bags – Make sure to take all your trash back home with you or put it in the respective trash containers

Other Useful Things To Pack For A Car Camping Trip

Solar Powered Phone Charger – Lifesaver for all the ones that can’t be without their phones or want to take photos or both.
Power Bank & Car Phone Charger – That’s also one way to charge your electronics
Portable Speakers – We always bring a portable speaker, because we love to have music around. Look out for a waterproof speaker.

Camping Games To Pack

There are a ton of camping games that lightweight and portable and therefore easy to bring to the outdoors. Here are a few:

Portable & Collapsible Cornhole – There are some sturdy but portable cornhole sets that you can bring on your camping trip
Horseshoe Set – Lightweight set to bring along to the outdoors
Playing Cards – For the ones that love playing cards
Check out more camping games here.

Toiletries To Pack For The Outdoors

Quick-dry Towel
Body Wipes
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Deodorant
Camping Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Hairbrush
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent For Skin & Repellent For Clothes
Personal Medicine & Feminine Products

Printable Camping Packing Checklist

What To Pack For Car Camping

Printable Camping Packing Checklist

We hope you found our overview of What To Pack For Car Camping helpful. Download our printable camping packing checklist so you won’t forget anything on your next camping trip.

Have fun camping!