Why We Love Car Camping

Your next adventure doesn’t have to involve sacrificing comforts and amenities. Car camping, or glamping (glamorous camping) as some like to call it, can be just as fun as a trip into the backcountry. We could go on and on about why we love car camping, but here are our top four reasons why we love car camping.

1. Something for Everyone

One of our favorite things about car camping is that it offers an option for everyone. For those looking for a more comfortable experience, many state parks or developed campgrounds offer amenities like bathrooms and running water. Although some only have vault toilets and water pumps, it still beats filter water or digging a hole. State parks are also typically strategically located to outdoor activities like hiking, boating, climbing, or biking. Pick the activities you’re looking to enjoy and you’ll more than likely find a a state park nearby that has what you’re looking for.

For those looking for a more rugged experience, national forests offer plenty of dispersed camping. If this is what you are looking for, you don’t have to restrict yourself to crowded campgrounds and can travel further off the beaten path into the backcountry.

You may have a friend or family member wanting to join your camping trip, but enjoys staying close to camp and relaxing - not a problem while car camping! Car camping can be as relaxing as a lazy Saturday at home, except you get all the benefits of being outside. Bring a hammock along to hang in or grab a book you’ve been wanting to read. It doesn’t matter how you spend your time, it only matters that you enjoy your time while camping.

2. 5 Star Camping Meals

Food options are endless when car camping. Since you don’t have to worry about packing up your tent site before you leave or setting up when you arrive, you have extra time to make and enjoy your favorite camping meals. You can make all the gourmet breakfasts and dinners you dream of while backpacking. Your only limit to food options is the size of your cooler. Food still needs to be kept at safe temperatures, so don’t forget to bring ice.

As for cooking food while car camping, you have many options: Cooking over a multi burner camping stove, making fire pit foil meals, or roasting hotdogs over the fire. You’ll love cooking with the Littlbug Senior Stove while car camping because it holds a cast iron skillet perfectly. Cooking your food over a natural fuel like twigs and leaves is an added bonus too.

Littlbug Tip: Plan ahead by meal prepping and organizing your food before heading out on your trip. Dice your vegetables and mix your sauces and batters and place them in sealed containers that won’t leak. Label each of your containers so you know what is what. Organize your cooler so you don’t have to pack and repack your cooler every time you eat. This saves you time when your starving after a long day being out on the trail or in the morning when you’re eager to get your day started.

3. Home Away from Home

When car camping, your campsite acts as a homebase in between adventures. Find the perfect campsite, set up, and head out on your daily adventures. The best part? You don’t have to worry about finding a new place to lay your head at night. Return to your campsite for a midday nap or end your day by relaxing by the fire and sharing stories about the day, not worrying about setting up your tent and sleeping arrangements.

4. Endless Gear Options

One of the benefits of car camping is comfort, so don’t be shy about bringing luxury camping items. Since you don’t have to squeeze all your gear into a 72 liter pack, there is no need to to worry about how heavy or bulky your gear is. Grab your favorite bulky sleeping pad for extra cushion and pack your heavy lantern you love because it lights up the campsite perfectly. As long as it fits in your car, size and weight don’t matter.