Car camping, a unique blend of convenience and adventure, has become popular for outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike traditional tent camping, car camping allows you to use your vehicle for both transportation and shelter. Whether you’re opting to sleep inside your car, on top of it, or in a truck bed, the essence remains: using your trusty vehicle as your cozy refuge after a day filled with exploration, hiking, fishing, or whatever other adventure presents itself.
At Mike White Ford in North Idaho, we see a lot of car camping enthusiasts. To be frank, we see all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts at our Ford dealership. For one thing, this area of the country offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. For another, we carry vehicles that are ideal for outdoor adventures. North Idaho has mountains, lakes, rivers, great parks, and thousands of acres of forests and wilderness. Car camping trips are just one more activity locals add to their summer plans.
What is Car Camping, Anyway?
Car camping is a great compromise for those not thrilled with the idea of roughing it or those new to camping and not ready to dive in full bore. Think of it as a step between hard-core camping and camping in a trailer or RV (or staying at a local motel!).
There are numerous advantages to car camping. For one thing, car camping is permitted in many places. It is allowed at many national and state parks, private campgrounds, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management open spaces. To confirm your chosen spot allows it, check ahead of time, comply with local regulations, and respect private property boundaries. Because car camping is so informal, you don’t have to worry as much about reserving campgrounds ahead of time; it’s great for those times when you have a spur-of-the-moment inspiration to get out of town.
Setting up camp is easy. Once you arrive at your camping location, you can basically park your car, set up your folding chairs, and begin camping! Okay, it may take more effort than that if you want to do it right. But it is easier than many other types of camping in that you don’t have to hike your gear into the campsite. Where you park is where you camp, and your gear is already right there with you. If you pack your car well before you leave – with everything where you want it – you don’t have to unpack or rearrange your vehicle when you reach your destination.
There are numerous car-camping set-ups. You can get tents that fit right over your truck bed, mount on your roof, or out of your tailgate. You can buy camping mattresses designed to fit in your vehicle’s truck bed or cargo space and awnings that attach to your car. Setting up your shelter and packing it back up are quicker and easier than with traditional camping.
Some Handy Accessories For More Comfortable Car Camping
As with all camping, there are certain things you always want to have in your camping kit, including a flashlight or other camp light, a comfortable mattress to sleep on, a sleeping bag, bug spray, and a folding chair. For avid car campers, having these things ready to go or always packed in the car makes it easy to indulge in spontaneous getaways.
Here are five additional accessories that can make your car-camping trips more comfortable.
- Cooler: Everyone should bring a cooler when camping, but don’t settle for just any cooler; having the right one can make a big difference in your camping experience. Buy one that will keep food cool for days, is robust enough for a campground, has heavy-duty wheels, and drains easily. It also helps if it has multiple compartments to keep your food organized and separated (alternatively, use storage containers). Efficient coolers can be bulky, and some are expensive, but you will appreciate a good cooler that keeps your perishables fresh.
- Solar Generator: Let’s face it, if you were intent on getting off the grid, you would not be car camping. So why not give yourself the comfort of using electric devices? Whether powering lights, keeping your phone charged, or cooking on a hotplate, a solar generator can make car camping comfortable. Several on the market are ideal for setting up in a campsite. Prices can vary greatly, and some carry a hefty price tag; ensure you get one that produces the power you need.
- Rooftop Rack: When it comes to storage, there’s no such thing as too much, especially if you plan to sleep in the cargo space. A rooftop rack offers additional capacity for bulky gear and essentials so that you are not packed like a sardine when trying to get some shut-eye. Having ample storage space also means you don’t have to pick and choose what you want to bring or worry about what you might need: bring it all!
- Window Screens: You can’t roll your windows up when sleeping in your car – you’ll need some fresh air. At the same time, you don’t want bugs to get in. The solution? Window screens. As simple as they are, you will be immensely grateful for being able to get adequate ventilation in your vehicle without having to deal with uninvited guests. There are some great window screens designed specifically for car camping.
- Camp Water Faucet: This may seem like a luxury, but once you use a camp water faucet, you’ll realize you need it. Having plenty of water is critical, but those big jugs are cumbersome when trying to get water to brush your teeth, wash your hands, rinse your dishes, or make coffee. A camp water faucet can transform any water jug into a faucet, allowing you to set up an outdoor kitchen or lavatory easily. Using a faucet will also result in less waste and spillage.
Ready to embark on your next (or first) car camping adventure? Get yourself fitted with the right accessories and visit Mike White Ford in Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint to explore our range of rugged 4WD vehicles designed to take you off the beaten track and into the heart of nature. We have the perfect ride to complement your car camping adventures.