How to Make the Most of a Car Camping Trip

Presented by your Western Washington Honda Dealers

Whether you spend every weekend in the backcountry or you’re just figuring out your camping needs, car camping is a great in-between option. It allows for an immersive outdoor experience as well as flexibility and added comfort — you can either sleep in your car or drive up to a campground and pitch a tent. We chatted with our friends from Western Washington Honda Dealers about some helpful tips for car camping.

Choosing your camping location

The hardest part of camping might be choosing where you want to go. Especially in Washington, you can’t go wrong. That said, there are some things to keep in mind:

• Developed trailheads and picnic areas on U.S. Forest Service land are closed to camping.

• Most national parks won’t allow you to sleep in your car unless you’re in an established campsite.

• Dispersed camping is allowed in some places. It is best to contact the land manager or the nearest U.S. Forest Service ranger station directly to confirm that your chosen spot’s a go.

• Camping is popular in Washington. Make camping reservations well in advance or have a backup plan (or two!) in case the campground is at capacity.

Wherever you go, make sure you and your vehicle are ready to handle any rough roads that you might encounter on your

Packing your car

One of the luxuries of car camping is that you can bring more than the necessities. You can bring extra layers of clothing and bedding, firewood if your camping area allows for it or bulky gear like a cooler or camping chairs. If you’re sleeping in your car, consider bringing window covers for privacy. Think about what you might need specifically for your car, as well, such as a jump starter in case your battery dies or an air compressor to fix a flat tire. It’s also a good idea to bring a physical map and note where the closest gas station or auto repair shop is in relation to your campsite.

Once you get to your campsite, make unloading easier on yourself by packing your car strategically. Store your supplies in bins to corral your belongings, and make sure your tent is easily accessible, if you plan on using it, so you can set it up first and unload straight into it.

Experiencing the outdoors

You’re outside! There’s nothing quite like waking up and getting to spend the whole day in nature. Find hikes to explore with WTA’s Hiking Guide or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors. When you’re ready to hit the road again, clean up any trash from your site and look around to make sure you have all of your belongings.

We’d like to thank our friends at Western Washington Honda Dealers for discussing car camping with us. Happy trails!