Whether you’re a seasoned camper or an enthusiastic newbie, car camping is a great way to unplug and recharge in nature without leaving all of the comforts of home. Unlike backcountry camping, which requires hiking or canoeing with all of your gear over long distances (a rewarding but challenging endeavour), car camping can be as easy as parking at your site and pitching a tent. While car camping usually means you’ll be in close proximity to other campers, it also means you’ll likely have access to amenities like hot running water and flush toilets, which can help make roughing it a little easier, especially for families with small kids.
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Explore your options
There are many ways to go car camping in Canada, from pitching a tent in a private campground to renting a yurt or cabin in one of Canada’s national parks. Each has its pros and cons, and each park and campsite will have slightly different rules, amenities, and activity options, so it pays to do your research before picking a destination. It’s also a good idea to plan your camping trip well in advance since booking a campsite in popular locations can be extremely competitive.
Get back to basics
It’s very easy to go overboard with gear when prepping for a car camping trip, but even the largest vehicles don’t have infinite space. While things like generators, portable showers, and electronics can be tempting to bring along, it’s important to remember that the whole point of camping is getting back to basics for a few days. Everyone will define “the essentials” differently, but suffice it to say that (aside from the basics of food, shelter, and clothing) you probably don’t need as much gear as you think.
Pack the essentials
Essential car camping gear falls into a few basic categories: shelter, sleeping, eating, and extras. Basic shelter items usually include a tent big enough for everyone and a ground sheet to keep your sleeping area dry. If you’re expecting rain, or using an older or untested tent, an extra tarp or rainfly is also a good idea. Essential sleeping gear includes sleeping bags, sleeping pads or air mattresses (don’t forget the patch kit and pump), and pillows. For cooking and eating, pack a cooler and ice, a set of basic pots, pans and sturdy dishware, a portable stove and fuel (useful for anything that you don’t want to prep over a fire), plus a sharp knife and cutting board. For cleanup, include a bucket, biodegradable dish soap, and a rag or sponge. Other extras include toiletries, a first-aid kit, headlamps, a multi-tool, bug spray, suntan lotion, camp chairs, and books or games to keep you entertained on rainy days.
Chow time
The best way to ensure you eat well on your camping trip is to meal plan in as much detail as possible. By making lists of ingredients for each meal in advance you’ll have a much easier time grocery shopping for your trip and are less likely to forget something important. Try to plan for simple, satisfying meals like pancakes, chili, and noodle dishes, which maximize pantry items and minimize fresh food (which will all take up valuable space in your cooler). If you are planning to cook meat, fish, or other perishables, plan to cook them earlier on in your trip to reduce the chance of spoilage. Most importantly, check the campsite’s best practices on food storage before you go and pack accordingly. Since you’ll be sharing the woods with all kinds of critters, it’s essential to ensure that your food is safe from tampering by the furry locals.
Mind the battery
Your car will be a repository for all of your essentials while camping, which means doors and tailgates will be opened and closed often. To ensure you don’t wind up with a dead battery at the end of the weekend be sure to turn off all interior lights, be mindful of using the car to charge mobile devices, and pack a portable car battery charger just in case.
Obey the campsite rule
The more times you go camping, the better you’ll become at planning and packing to suit your wants and needs, but there’s one rule that every camper should obey: leave the campsite in better shape than you found it. This means picking up all visible litter and food scraps, safely extinguishing your fire pit, and taking care not to disturb the surrounding flora and fauna.
Be prepared
Car camping is all about smart planning, and that includes insurance. To ensure you’re taken care of in case of an accident, make sure you have a good
Jeremy Freed is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto. His writing about fashion, travel, food and design appears in Sharp, Harry and re:Porter magazines, among many others.