Ultimate Car Camping Checklist
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The Ultimate Car Camping Checklist (Updated 05/22/2025)
You’re in the midst of an epic adventure and realize you forgot a critical piece of gear at home…yikes!
We’ve all been there.
Save this checklist so you can do a quick run through before hitting the road on your next car camping trip!
- Sleeping System (platform, sleeping bag, pad, etc.)
- Charged Flashlight/Lantern
- Water
- Food/Cooler/Ice/Coffee
- Blanket/Sleeping bag
- Fire starter/wood/axe
- Portable air compressors & fix-a-flat
- Tool Kit
- Stove/BBQ/Propane
- Portable Heater (winter camping)
- Cooking Gear (pan, kettle, pot, etc.)
- Plates/utensils
- Sponge for dishes
- Soap (body & dishes)
- Bug Repellent
- Drying towel (body & dishes)
- Toilet Paper
- Hand shovel
- Camping chair
- Charging cables/device
- Beer,whisky, other beverage of choice
- Bear spray/animal deterrent
- Human deterrent! (pepper spray, etc.)
- Toothbrush & paste
- Route mapped w/ ETAs
- Offline maps downloaded
- Camping/Overlanding apps (here’s a list of our favorites)
- Gas!
- Medications
- Window coverings
- Tow rope
- Recovery tracks
- Jackery, Goal Zero, solar panels or other power station/bank
- Rain gear
- Sunscreen
- Old towels
- Playing cards
- First Aid Kit
- Multi-tool(leather men)
- Sharp knife
- Compass & map (useful if navigation devices fail)
- Satellite Messenger (new iphones now provide SOS service!)
- Shovel (compact or full size)
- Make sure to let a trusted family member/friend know where you are going and for how long
What do you bring on your car camping trip that we didn’t mention here? We want to make this interactive. Please keep the comments coming below so we can add it to this list!
This list is as comprehensive possible to act as a helpful reminder/memory jog for those about to hit the road. By no means do you need all of these items to enjoy a car camping trip :)
Got all the gear, but don’t know where to go? Check out our article on How to find dispersed car camping spots
Looking for more helpful content focused around car camping? Check out our full car camping guide!
Happy camping :)
11 comments
The Shapiro Shopping Camp List
HAVE BUY DO
Food
ice pack Aiko and leave for Meg
eggs buy ice and pack coolers
bacon sausage water plants
home Fries feed birds
onion
cinnamon swirl bread
syrup
OJ
coffee
tea
hot chocolate
cream
butter
oil
cheese
bagels/muffins
hamburger for burgers
hamburger rolls
mustard brown mustard
ketchup
relish
mayo
chili sauce
B-B-Q sauce
steak
hot dogs
hot dog rolls
potatoes
corn
spaghetti
spaghetti sauce
hamburger for spaghetti
shredded parm
garlic bread
dessert
chips
cookies
soda
CJ
water
cheese
crackers
rum vodka
Set-Up Supplies
tent
tarp
stakes
poles
canopy
sleeping bags
air mattress
pump
nail
flashlight
AA batteries
lantern
propane
stove
stove stand
hatchet
broom
chairs
small rake
wood
hammocks
Meal Supplies
foil
salt
garlic salt
other spices
heavy duty plates
plates
cups
mugs
knives
forks
spoons
sharp knife
B-B-Q tools
grill
trash bags
paper towels
bottle/can opener
charcoal
lighter fluid
matches
lighter
pots/pans
water jugs
coffee pot
scrub sponges
dish towels
tablecloth
pot holders
Clothing/Personal
underwear
shorts
jeans
t-shirts
bathing suits
sweatshirts
sweatpants
jackets
hats
sandals
sneakers
watch
soap
aspirin
deodorant
toothpaste
toothbrushes
hairbrush
toilet paper
bug spray
bandaids
pillows
extra pillowcase
water shoes
camping now shirt
Miscellaneous
headlamps
umbrella
reading material
yahtzee
uno
cards
frisbee
cigars
electronics charger
charger cables
A small 12 volt fridge really ups comfort and convenience when car camping. It’s amazing what you can fit in even the smallest of car fridges with judicious packing and repackaging of goods. I use a soft hiking carafe to chill wine, as it will so easily fit in narrow gaps. I have a set of containers that fit my tiny fridge perfectly for storing meats or decanting dips. I use grated cheese, as it will squish into negative space. My micro fridge actually holds enough food for a week, if I am careful how I pack it.
I like having copious lighters and mylar blankets. Battery operated fan. Ziplock bags in numerous sizes
A shovel is one of the most important recovery tools; even a small compact one is better then no shovel. I prefer a half size handle shovel with a full size head. The shorter handle to make it easier to pack away and a full size head to make the work easier; but that said, even a military compact folding shovel is going to allow the ability to dig out of almost any bad soil condition. It just takes time to dig.
Satellite messenger like Spot, InReach, or a recent iPhone.