Car Camping


The latest

Archive

We hiked, ran, skied, and climbed through the night to find the best illumination of the year

Our team of testers vetted 37 cooking gadgets. These five are worthy of your precious trunk space.

Eight testers tried seven new car-camping tents. These three came out on top.

The unique design deploys in seconds and doesn’t require poles or guy wires, making it one of my most-used pieces of overland gear

Our writer learned to invest in these the hard way

Meet the Lightship L1, a pop-up, hard-sided RV that’s towable with an EV

The outdoors are for everyone. Here’s our best advice on how and where to go camping, hiking, and backpacking if you’re just getting started.

Emily Pennington wanted to see it all. But life on the road was fiercer than she ever imagined.

The Happier Camper HC1 Studio isn't just pretty

After two years of testing, our writer says the Colorado Teardrops Summit Pinnacle gets the job done and more

Which of these popular aprés accessories burns brighter?

Reusable canisters power our backyard grill, so why not our car-camping stove?

Baking this pie over the fire gives it a rich, smokey flavor

The CRKT Chogan Hammer makes quick work of campfire wood and tent stakes

A new crop of resources and products is taking the guesswork out of DIY adventure vehicles

Will you want one after reading this review of the Hitchfire Ledge? Probably.

This four-season, ultralight truck camper is designed to go anywhere, anytime

You don’t have to have a fancy rig or expensive gear to build the perfect camping truck. The system I set up in my 1998 Toyota Tacoma is more than fine.

Slawek Kalkraut and Krzysztof “Kris” Szymanski, also known as Men with the Pot, have millions of likes on TikTok—and a new cookbook

Pro tips on preparing a lot, annoying your friends a little, and really shining as the caretaker of all

A product of obsessive attention to detail, these new water jugs and faucet reinvent water storage for the outdoors

How to turn unexpected problems into easy solutions the next time you go off-grid

You don’t need a reservation to pitch a tent at these free and dispersed camping areas on public land, from empty beaches to lush forests to hot springs. Go, enjoy, and pledge to leave the place in better shape than you found it.

Savory backcountry eats. Camping meals that really impress. Chefs who inspire. And the perfect tools to help you create a mouthwatering feast after a day of adventure.

Ashley Rodriguez, host of the ‘Kitchen Unnecessary’ YouTube show, shares her favorite tricks for creating delicious meals outside

As overlanding has exploded in popularity, these companies come up with increasingly inventive camping gadgets

Now’s the time to stock up on everything you need for wilderness and backyard cooking

In the era of megafires and fire bans, we need a new way to hang out at base camp. Howl Campfires are genuinely warm, easy to transport, and safe to use.

Starry nights. Fresh air. Towering trees. Whether you’re car camping or in the backcountry, make the most of your life outside.

From a creamy pasta main to a chard-corn side, we’ve rounded up some of the best meals to enjoy in the outdoors

One of our editors just bought on of these for use on family camping trips and swears by it. Why? No more hiding behind trees or being surprised by guests while going to the bathroom in busy areas. It has a steel hook for hanging a water bag and four…

This trusty headlamp has gotten Outside editors through many adventures both close to home and far afield. It’s easy to use, compact, and runs on three AAA batteries (we like to use rechargeables). The red light mode is great for not blinding tent mates and the IPX8 waterproofing has proven…

The store isn’t just good for bulk buys or $1.50 hot dog combos. There are some great outdoor deals, too.

The knowledge you need to find the most effective gear on a budget

Bring these wines with you on your next picnic, beach day, or camping trip

Travel far and drink well with these great products.

Fresh out of film school, Soraya Simi’s first documentary was centered around the Paralympic rower’s 2,500-mile solo journey to Hawaii. Except Madsen never made it.

From finding an open site to tracking the weather, these apps will up your camping game

You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal on a fully built camper van

Take the whole family along in this distinctive camper

This is the most innovative camper we’ve tested in years

These shelters score major comfort points

The best gear for staying put outside

A five-star kit for base-camp meals

What to buy and what to avoid if you don’t want to pay the insane markups on new and used cars this summer

Eight fan favorites. Three head-to-head rounds. Only one winner.

Consisting of both a cooktop and an oven, a range will open the door to a wider assortment of on-the-go meals

When life started feeling a little stale for writer Graham Averill, he went out in search of a new hobby. He found it in his Toyoya 4Runner, which he’s been converting into his very own adventure vehicle.

Starlink promises to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote areas currently underserved by wired internet. Naturally, we had to test it.

Across the country, hard-to-nab spots are sitting vacant. How do we make sure these coveted spaces aren’t going to waste?

I was a lifelong glamping skeptic, but after seeing how much my four-year-old enjoyed the comforts of a Stella Bell tent, I’ve given up on the hate. We’re glampers now.

Enzy campers are huge—which makes them extremely popular among hunters. But Bryan Rogala thinks the space inside an Enzy is a blank canvas perfect for a variety of adventure sports.

Winter after winter, Outside contributor Kaelyn Lynch had trouble keeping her lower body warm. Until she stumbled onto a pair of puffy pants—then her whole world changed.

Bryan Rogala introduces his latest project: a four-season truck camper he’s turning into the ultimate ski-camping rig

“Compact enough to stow in a tote for most outings, the Bestie is durable and affordable,” wrote Gift Guide contributors Gabriela Aoun and Joe Jackson about the Bestie blanket, which is currently available at the Outside Shop. (New and existing Outside+ members receive an annual $50 credit to the Shop—…

Is it possible to add heat to normal tent efficiently and effectively—without starting a fire? I spent the past two years finding out.

Bryan Rogala takes a Dave and Matt Van for a spin

Taxa is known for building small, lightweight trailers with a NASA-like design, and the Mantis is the largest version it offers

“Without a doubt, the Stargaze is the most comfortable camp chair I have ever tested,” wrote our Gear Guy, Joe Jackson in his review of camp chairs made for serious relaxation. “More like a mini-hammock than a chair, it swings effortlessly and reclines easier than a La-Z-Boy.”…

Columnist Wes Siler crowned the FirePit the best portable grill ever. It works as both a fire pit and an efficient grill, thanks to the fan that makes the pit run “virtually smokeless,” Siler wrote. “With the fan running on high, the entire thing went from cold to ready-to-sear…

If trail weight is an issue, you can’t beat Hydro Flask’s Trail Series bottles, which are 25 percent lighter than their original versions. They’re still double-wall insulated to keep beverages cold for hours. You can fit two pints in their larger, 32-ounce bottle making it perfect for a happy hour…

Bryan Rogala’s friends Ben and Sasha built a van loaded with some ingenious features that make life on the road a breeze

Bryan Rogala takes a tour of the Earth Traveler Teardrop Trailers shop in Santa Fe and takes one out for a spin

Good wine is more adventure ready than ever before

Turn those fun-sized sweets into delicious desserts and decor

We combed the event for the most unique and badass builds

From campsite to nightlight, BioLite’s AlpenGlow sets the perfect vibe

Keep your body and the planet clean

From chopping onions to making a mean espresso, these products will help turn backcountry outings into something slightly more gourmet

Next