Car Camping
Archive
Trail runner, life-balance pro, and car-camping dad Luke Nelson shows us how it's done
Even since VW stopped making its European Winnebago in 2003, options for small, capable campers have dwindled in the United States. Meanwhile, Japan is producing dozens of the vehicles. What gives?
Hiker Trailer produces lightweight, affordable teardrop trailers, packing in everything you need to experience the outdoors in a tiny space
How to build out your campsite without breaking the bank
You don't need pricey gizmos to have fun outside. These 8 pieces of just-good-enough gear cost less than $100 combined.
Everything you need to know before you head out camping this summer
For those who want to camp way, way out there
Not ready to buy a campervan but still want to experience #vanlife? We’ve got you covered.
Tips for designing a functional, comfortable camper—without spending all your savings
A tricked-out VW Transporter that makes us want to move to Europe
8 essentials to turn your ride into a roving base camp
Camp lights for when you don't have to worry about fast and light
Use these tips to avoid the crowds and take in all this magical place has to offer.
Outdoor kitchen, quilt-top mattress, hot water. Who says you have to forgo the niceties while camping?
Towable as hell but built with enough room to host dinner parties
There’s no reason to sacrifice function for fashion. These seven items—from the world’s most versatile shorts to the ultimate koozie—give you flexibility to relax, run around, and keep the booze chilled all day long.
The best gifts don’t have to cost a fortune
Drive These 10 Open Roads Whether you have a day or a week, we’ve got the ten best stretches of highway to bolster your soul. Read more. Whether you have a day or a week, we've got the ten best stretches of highway to bolster your soul.
Your First Car Camping Kit Here at Outside, we often write about the newest—and priciest—outdoor gear. But when it comes to car camping, you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to build a solid kit. Read more. Here at Outside, we often write about the newest—and…
Smell like the great outdoors, no matter where you are.
Pitching the ultimate base camp has never been easier. —Sam Moulton Pitching the ultimate base camp has never been easier. —Sam Moulton (Michael Karsh) Primus FireHole 100 stove There are no fancy features and few moving parts on the FireHole ($150)—and that’s…
We've come a long way from the days of instant coffee and card games by flashlight.
Few things can ruin a would-be stellar trip like realizing you forgot something really important. With this guide to packing, you won't have to learn the hard way.
Where to camp, how to navigate—and how not to get stuck
Now we can all (basically) have the car of our dreams
Control your sustainable energy on the go with a smartphone app
Three new, surprising offerings from a heritage knife maker.
Tow this ultralight camping trailer with a motorcycle.
A portable sound system built for the demands of the outdoors
A cooler that does double duty as an air conditioner.
Bring your creature comforts wherever the road takes you.
You no longer need a backyard to grill like a caveman.
On the road with two kids, a dog and a vintage RV.
Winnebago is no longer just for the meek
19 essentials designed to keep you alive
Be ready to simplify before jumping on the tiny-house bandwagon.
The 6 rules you must follow before embarking on a life on the road
It's a long weekend, perfect for that family wilderness getaway you've been dreaming about.
When it comes to staying safe and enjoying great views, rooftop tents are the way to go.
We've got the Vanagon packed, but where and how should we unload it for a picture-perfect base camp?
Yes, it's possible to abandon the stakes, poles, and fly. Tuck into these alternatives next time you need some shut-eye outdoors.
Here at Outside, we often write about the newest—and priciest—outdoor gear. But when it comes to car camping, you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to build a solid kit. After all, there’s no need to buy the lightest, fastest, expedition-ready products if you have a multi-ton vehicle…
Or is this $280,000 splurge the ultimate off-road rolling home?
The founder of a SoCal startup is gearing up to give us equipment for car camping that’s right for the job and looks hot. Please, let it be so.
Hoping to share a family meal by the campfire this summer? This camp-friendly high chair will give your kids a seat at the adults’ table.
Sending your kids to camp may not be the best way to keep them active in the warm months
We're going for an epic, cross-country road trip. Weight isn’t an issue, so we're excited to load up on gear that we normally wouldn't have in the backcountry. What are three pieces of gear that you think really make for a great car-camping trip?
Making a good tent requires compromise. In line with the old business adage “Good, fast, cheap: pick two,” tent designers generally aspire to two properties from their own list: light, roomy, and sturdy. Other trade-offs include the convenience of two doors and vestibules for the weight of the extra zippers and fly fabric.
Who says you can't eat, drink, and sleep in your car as well as you do at home? These products, from the three-gallon Nemo Helio portable shower to the low-profile, synthetically-insulated Montbell U.L. Therma-wrap to the 16-pound, 55-inch long REI Camp Table XL, are all about upping the comfort factor.
The Minnow has landed! Texas is so vast it makes New Mexico feel as crowded as wall-to-wall suburbs back in Jersey. Two hours after leaving Truth or Consequences, we crossed the state line north of El Paso and saw a sign: “Beaumont: 831 miles.”…
I'm in the market for a new chair for car camping. I'm open to anything from a Crazy Creek to a folding frame, as long as it's comfortable and durable.
My wife and I recently went car camping. It was her first trip. She enjoyed it a lot, but the mummy-style sleeping bag I borrowed for her wasn’t comfortable. Too restrictive. What do you suggest we try?
Outside brings you the best adventure-specific dresses for your next late summer trip.
Spontaneity means traveling light but also being prepared. The gear you bring—bikes, boats, ’biners—depends on where you’re going. The rest? Pack no more than the Black Diamond Equipment Apollo.
Spontaneity means traveling light but also being prepared. The gear you bring—bikes, boats, ’biners—depends on where you’re going. The rest? Pack no more than the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core.
I'm looking for a two-person tent that can be used for backpacking or car camping. Something light but not ultralight, and easy enough for one person to set up. I usually camp alone but want the space of a two-person tent. Suggestions?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Therm-a-Rest Ventra Down Comforter.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Coleman Portable Propane Coffeemaker.