12 Car Camping Essentials for Comfortable Summer Adventures

Camp Bed

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Unlike backcountry trips, car camping allows adventurers a few sleeping choices—cot, air mattress, or sleeping pad. Another option for car camping is certainly to sleep in the back of your car, in which case a sleeping pad or even a few inches of memory foam cut to fit your hatchback's dimensions will do best.

A few pros and cons of each to consider:

Typically, cots are easiest to set up and are more durable than the other two, but air circulating underneath means you won't be warm on cold nights (on the flip side, this is great for camping on hot summer nights).

A sleeping pad will insulate campers better than either a cot or air mattress, but is more bare bones.

And while an air mattress is cushy and comfortable, its large size might require a three-person tent and a portable battery to inflate.

One great cot option is the REI Kingdom Cot 3, which is rated 4.5 stars by over 400 reviewers for its comfort, durability, and features. People also love to use it as a lounge chair during the day at camp or at the beach.

If you rather go the sleeping pad route, especially if you plan on cuddling with someone, the HEST Dually Mattress is a great option. Not only is it made with two layers of foam that form to your body, one enthusiastic reviewer even says it is more comfortable than their mattress at home.

Camp Pillow

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Car camping allows you to splurge on the pillows you bring along. Packing something familiar will make your tent feel more homey and will allow you to get better rest. (Plus, let's be honest, inflatable pillows are the worst!)

If you don't want to drag your favorite pillow out onto your next adventure, consider upgrading to Coop's Travel & Camping Bundle, which comes with a pillow, stuff sack, and a waterproof, dirt-resistant pillowcase.

Camp Chair

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Even at campgrounds that offer picnic tables at each campsite, you'd be remiss if you didn't bring along a good camp chair. Easy to move next to the fire, creek, lakeside, or wherever you're hanging out, the camp chair is an invaluable piece of car camping gear.

Quite possibly the fanciest and comfiest chair on the market is the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair. Like a cross between a hammock and a recliner, this chair allows users to lay back and swing.

If you can't make that kind of financial commitment to a chair (as life-changing as it may be) a cheaper, more portable option is the Grand Truck Compass 360° Stool, which packs down small enough to throw in your bag for daytime adventures.

Camp Table

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One of the most forgotten pieces of gear for car camping is a portable table.

If you're not staying at a campground that has picnic tables or if you just like to host a mobile game of poker, consider gearing up with an option like the Sportneer Camping Table. It's large enough for a standard camp stove to fit on top of, though you may need to be creative about adding a cutting board to the equation. This table has a great mesh shelf for extra storage, a slot along the side for hooks, and an adjustable height.

Sun Shade

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While tents can provide protection from the sun, they turn into unbearable greenhouses during the heat of the day. Plus, they're not conducive to socializing, sneaking snacks out of the cooler, or tossing a frisbee.

That's where a sun shade like the Neso 1 comes in handy. This model is very easy to set up and won't blow away in the wind. It provides sun protection better than a sunscreen with a UPF 50 rating (which is the highest level of sun protection a fabric can bestow) and even protects against water. No worrying about packing your rain jacket or a frantic camp clean up as skies start to drizzle here.

If you want something with more structure to give you a reprieve from the sun while you're cooking or hanging during the day, we love the Big Agnes Sage Canyon Shelter Plus, which is easy to set up, stands 67-inches tall, and is large enough to fit over a picnic table.

Cooler

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There is nothing more valuable to a car camping trip than a good cooler. Even for an overnight trip, camp meals are much better without guessing if the bacon has gone too warm.

The market is flooded with an option for every level. If you're a new or fairweather camper, an affordable option like the Coleman Xtreme Portable Cooler is less than $100 and will serve you well enough. If you're an avid outdoorsman or plan to spend more than two nights away from the ability to re-up on ice, you'd be wise to buy a high-quality cooler that'll withstand the test of time (and the elements), like Yeti Tundra 45, which is incredibly well-designed to keep food fresh for longer and is bear-proof.

Water Storage

Every outdoor adventure vehicle should be stocked with an emergency water supply and car camping is no exception. Having water at the ready, regardless of campsite facilities, is important for everything from wetting your toothbrush to putting out the evening's campfire.

You can either opt for a water storage bag (we like the MSR Dromedary Bags) which will pack smaller but is a little harder to pour out of, or a hard-sized water jug that can sit on a table but takes up more space in your car.

Either way, when considering which to buy, think about how large of a capacity you'll need for a full day and evening of adventures; how easy it is to fill up in the sink; and if it's designed so it's easy to fill up water bottles without spilling half the jug on the ground.

Camp Slippers

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Out of all of the comfort pieces on this list, slippers might sound the fluffiest but they are the biggest source of comfort for your next car camping trip. Hear us out here. On chilly nights slippers allow you the room to layer on as many socks as you packed. They are also warmer than trail runners but more comfortable than hiking boots. Plus, in the middle of the night when that last beer you swore was a good idea starts badgering your bladder, you'll be happy for slippers while you water the trees.

We prefer a camping-specific slipper that is made to hold up against dirt and grime outdoors. The Chaco Ramble Puff Clogs are lightly insulated, water resistant, made from ripstop nylon, and have high-traction rubber outsoles ideal for walking around uneven surfaces on. We also love that they're easy to slip on and off for middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks.

Battery-Powered Lantern

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The flickering light of a campfire will only get you so far when you need to gather wood for the fire, find the lid to your water, or read a few chapters before bed. You'll obviously have a headlamp on you, but it's also really nice to have a freestanding light, such as the Nite Ize Radiant 400 LED Lantern.

We love this option because it runs on batteries (be sure to carry a backup pair!), includes a light diffuser to dim the brightness, and can sit on a table or be strung from a tent. When searching for a camp light be sure to consider how the light is powered (some even run on propane), dimming options, and whether or not it's weatherproof.

Storage System

One very important part of a comfortable car camping experience comes into play before you even leave the house: storage and organization within your car. Great storage can eliminate the headaches of packing and can help you visualize your camping checklist better than if everything is strewn about.

If you're looking for storage that will go from garage to car without repacking, the Yeti Loadout® GOBOX 60 is a great option because it's dustproof, stackable, and has handles for easy moving.

If you want something to just keep gear together in the car, this option from Amazon is perfect. It features three large sections that are each big enough to store camp kitchen equipment, sleeping essentials, or dry food goods. Mesh pockets along the front and back are perfect for stuffing small items like trash bags, dish soap, or duct tape into, while two side pockets with a flap closure can keep paper towels or toiletries clean and dry. Plus, it folds down easily when you don't need it.

Rechargeable Battery

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While camping trips provide us with a way to escape the modern world, it's always nice to have a backup battery handy to recharge our devices. While backpackers might take along a lightweight solar panel to charge their devices, car campers have the luxury of easy, portable power.

One great option is the Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station. This battery can charge phones, cameras, navigation devices, computers, or, hell, even a mini fridge. It has two USB ports and two outlets to connect four phone chargers at once, stopping creekside wars from raging. This handsome devil can even recharge itself fully within an hour from six different power sources, including your car. Though this option is pricey, it's a good investment beyond camping as it can run essentials during power outages at home.

Camp Games and Entertainment

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When the day hikes are over and you don't have the energy to move but aren't yet ready for sleep, it's always nice to have a game on hand to play with a round of s'mores at the fire pit.

This national park-themed Yahtzee is a camp favorite (and another perfect use for your camp table). Another great option is this deck of story prompts, which invites cherished moments of bonding (if that's the sort of thing you're into).