Car Camping Essentials You Actually Need!
These are my go-to car camping essentials for car camping. you actually need. These aren’t ultra-light backpacking items or Instagram-worthy glamping setups, just real, practical essentials that help me stay warm, dry, well-fed, and happy out in the wild. Whether you're a seasoned camper or brand new to the outdoors, I hope this helps you get outside without feeling overwhelmed by gear.
Another season of camping is upon us and I’m ready to shake out all my gear and take stocks of my equipment. I love the first camping trip of the year, before the bugs take over and the air still has a crisp edge to it.
Shelter + Sleep Essentials
Tent
The most important thing for me is a good tent. Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds, from bargain bin pop-ups to more premium brands. The three things I always look for now are:
a full rain fly (because let’s face it, I’ve camped through plenty of rain),
an easy solo setup,
and enough room for me, my friends, or my dog.
Right now, I’m using an A-frame three-person tent from Woods. It’s roomy, adorable, and I can pitch it by myself in no time. I also really love the Hotcore Mantis, a great Canadian brand, and the Coleman Skydome, which has that nostalgic feel. Fun fact: our old yellow Coleman tent lasted over 20 years before we finally sold it. If you're on a budget, keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace, there are often great deals to be found there.
Groundsheet / Footprint
A footprint protects your tent floor and keeps water out. You can usually buy one that fits your tent or just use a tarp, just don’t let it extend past the tent edge or it will channel rain into pools under your tent, defeating its purpose.
Sleeping Mat
Comfortable sleep is non-negotiable for me. I’ve tried cots (my least favourite), foam pads, inflatable mattresses - you name it. There are two things you’ll want to think about - the thickness of your mat and the thermal rating for your mat if you camp in the shoulder seasons. Right now, I’m using a tri-fold memory foam mattress I got from Amazon years ago. It’s super cozy, but a bit bulky, so I’m eyeing the Luno AIR+FOAM Pro camping mattress for my next upgrade. It’s more compact, and I can use it in a car or even boat-camping setups.
Sleeping Bag + Blankets
When it comes to sleeping bags, things can get overwhelming fast. My advice? Always go warmer than you think you’ll need. Even summer nights in Ontario can get chilly.
First, there’s the temperature rating - this is what the sleeping bag’s lowest temperature it can go to keep a normal person warm. You’ll always want to go warmer than you think, since nights can get chilly, even in the summer. Next is the shape, mummy-shaped bags trap heat better than rectangular-shaped bags, but rectangular-shaped bags are roomier.
I personally hate sleeping in bags, so I use mine like a quilt with my feet tucked in, top open. My faves are:
A lightweight one from Hotcore (warm and Canadian!)
A thick bag for colder months
Pro Tip: Fill a Nalgene with hot water to make a DIY hot water bottle for nighttime warmth!
I also like to toss in a couple of fleece blankets and bring a real pillow from home (a small luxury that makes all the difference).
Bug Tent
After years of getting eaten alive, I caved and bought a bug tent. It’s not the easiest to set up (I’ve definitely pinched my fingers more than once), but it’s worth every bit of hassle. Not only does it keep the blackflies and mosquitos at bay, but it also doubles as a cozy, rain-proof hangout spot. For solo trips, I use a smaller Eureka backpacking bug shelter, which I can set up on my own.
Camp Kitchen Setup
When I’m solo camping, I keep it simple with backpacking meals, tbh I’m just lazy 😅 . But when I camp with friends it’s so much nicer to make and share a meal. So these are the items I bring for my camp kitchen.
Cooler
Listen, I would love to have a Yeti cooler - they are amazing and I love my Yeti tumblers for camping, but they are darn expensive. So, my go-to cooler is from Woods. It was on sale when I grabbed it, and I love that it has a little light in the bottom. It’s not huge, but keeping it tightly packed helps everything stay cold longer. I also have a plug-in cooler I scored on Facebook Marketplace that comes in handy for road trips.
Camp Stove
Cooking-wise, I rely on two things: our ancient Coleman two-burner stove that’s probably older than I am, and my newer Jetboil Flash, which boils water in seconds for tea or dehydrated meals. I Use the Coleman to cook food and the Jetboil only for water. Honestly, the Jetboil is one of my favourite pieces of gear; it’s fast, compact, and a game changer for making it quicker to eat!
Kitchen Kit
Your kitchen kit should be simple, easy to use and easy to clean. You want to be able to make your meals, without bringing every utensil you own. I bring a mix of practical and personal essentials:
Mess kit: mine is from Light My Fire, and it’s all-in-one and made from bioplastics. I like that it all fits together and can pack away easily.
Pots & Pan kit: I have this set from Woods. I like that there are two pots and one pan, plus a little kettle. But I also like this stainless steel one that packs away nicely.
Cast iron pan: Cast iron pans just hit different when you’re cooking outdoors. They take a bit more work to take care of, but they’re such a great cooking tool. I got mine from Canadian Tire.
Utensils + tongs: You’ll probably want a spoon, spatula and tongs and you’ll want to opt for silicone. You can pick them up from the dollar store, or get a kit like this.
Oven mitt: Trust me, they’re super useful!
Water jug: You’ll want one to carry water from the campground spigot.
Tablecloth: for the picnic table since you’ll be using it a lot!
Thermarest Z Seat: I love mine. It’s lightweight and keeps your butt warm/dry when sitting at the picnic table.
Paper towel and sponge: for easy clean-up
Folding camp sink: It’s helpful for clean up, and it doubles as a bucket for carrying things. I got mine from Woods.
Lighting + Power
Headlamp
A good headlamp is a must. Mine is rechargeable and has a red light mode, which is perfect for late-night stargazing.
Lantern
I’m obsessed with my Biolite AlpenGlow lantern. It has a long-lasting battery and has a setting for “candle” vibes, colour and white. The only downside is that it doesn’t charge through USB-C like many of my other gadgets. But I love the ambiance it gives to the campsite. It also has a little hook so you can hang it inside your tent or inside the bug tent.
String Lights
Speaking of ambiance, my friend brought camp string lights on a recent trip, and they totally transformed our bug tent into the coziest space. Biolite has a solar-charged set that also doubles as a battery pack.
Power Station
And if you’re camping while working remotely like I sometimes do, or just want to keep gear charged, a power station like the Bluetti EB3A is incredible. It’s not exactly essential for weekend trips, but helpful on longer adventures. I use mine for charging my camera, laptop, and phone on longer trips.
Miscellaneous Must-Haves
Firestarter: If you’re on a budget, some dryer lint in toilet paper rolls works great, but you can also get these firestarters to help get your campfire going.
Axe: An axe is super useful around a campsite. You can use the back to hammer in tent pegs, or use it to cut up smaller logs into kindling or shavings.
First aid kit: It’s always good to have a first aid kit, all the time. I keep one in the car and carry a compact one for hikes.
Hammock: My favourite non-essential essential is a hammock. I have this one from Kammock. There’s nothing better than stringing it between two trees, grabbing a book, and swaying gently in the breeze. Just don’t forget hammock straps, which are sturdier, safer, and better for the trees.
Car Camping Essentials
To recap, here’s a list of camping essentials for car camping you actually need:
tent and footprint
Pillow and fleece blankets for extra warmth
Bug tent (for those extra buggy campsites)
Kitchen Kit
Firestarter
Hammock for ultimate relaxation vibes.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to have the fanciest setup, it’s to feel confident and comfortable outside. Start simple: warmth, shelter, food, and light. Everything else can come later, piece by piece, as you figure out what works for you.
Camping is really about connecting with nature, not obsessing over gear. And with a little preparation, it becomes something you’ll want to come back to again and again.
What’s your must-have camping item? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments. Until next time, happy camping!
