Road Trip Responsibly: 9 Tips For Environmentally Conscious Vehicle Camping

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Let’s address the elephant in the room: “eco-friendly car-camping” sounds a bit like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? No doubt, the vast majority of road trippers still rely on fossil fuels. And even camping trips that have a minimal impact on the environment are still, by definition, impacting the environment. However, with a little forethought and prep work, responsible car campers can—and should—enjoy nature while protecting the places we play. Call it “environmentally-friendlier” car camping.

In this guide to responsible road trips, we’ll go over nine tips to make your next car camping adventure more sustainable. Below, we’ll break down everything from Leave No Trace principles to ditching single-use plastic while cooking at camp. Now, while these tips won’t completely eliminate camper impact, they will significantly decrease strain on popular parks and wilderness areas. Above all else, they’ll help you be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. With that said, we’re not here to preach—we’re here to teach you how to manage waste like Tony Soprano. So let’s get down to business, capiche?

1. Electric Vehicles are the New Craze for Camping

One of the best ways campers can reduce reliance on fossil fuels? Electric vehicles!
Granted, we know that adventure-ready EVs are pricey. But if you can afford an electric rig like a Rivian, you’ll be cruising in style and reducing your carbon footprint by the mile. We aren't saying you should go out, replace your current rig and buy one right now but consider one for your next vehicle. There are awesome cheaper EVs coming out every year so keep your eye out when you're shopping for your next vehicle. Getting the most out of the vehicle you have now is actually more environmentally conscious and less impactful, so get out there and use it while you have it. 

Speaking of Rivians, did you know we’ve got a Luno mattress built specifically for the R1S? It features our new AIR+FOAM PRO technology, which combines the fine-tunability and packability of inflatable mattresses with the unbeatable cushioning of plush foam. Shameless plug, but this mattress is as comfy as a couch crafted from clouds and covered in crocheted cashmere. You can be three gas-station Red Bull’s deep, set up camp, and sleep will not elude! (Our lawyers say we need to point out that three gas-station Red Bulls is one too many, and we can’t recommend such consumption, nor guarantee sleep after such a hero dose of caffeine… Just kidding, we don’t have any lawyers, drink up, campers!)

2. Camp Close and Explore Your Backyard

Even if you can’t afford or have no interest in an EV, you know what you can do to minimize camping-related gas guzzling? Drive less. This is actually one of our favorite tips in this guide, because sometimes, the best adventures are in your backyard. 

Our advice? Use an app like The Dyrt to look for nearby public lands, parks, BLM land, and wilderness areas. Explore off-the-beaten-path nooks and crannies, and get to know your backyard! We’ve road-tripped all over the states—and into Canada, too—but some of our best camping trips have been after-work expeditions within an hour’s-drive from our Bend, Oregon, HQ!

3. Carpooling to the Campsite Is Cool!

Camping solo is rewarding. But camping with friends? That’s hard to beat. Camp friends can belay you while rock climbing, make coffee before you get up, tell ghost stories around the campfire, so on and so forth. And carpooling with those camp friends is a great way to reduce your GPC (gas per camper). Not only that, but carpooling is way more fun. You can play “I spy,” share your favorite music and podcasts, exchange horoscopes—the options are endless.

4. Try Ditching Single-Use Plastic And Paper While Camping

With a little prep work before your trip, you can significantly reduce your reliance on single-use plastic and paper at camp. Instead of plastic forks and paper plates, invest in reusable sporks, camp bowls, and plates that you’ll use for years to come. Instead of individually packaged snacks, you can grab bigger containers of trail mix and treats, and use reusable bags to bring it along on hikes! We’ll also rely on absorbent PackTowls for camp cleanup instead of paper towels, and even deploy reusable trash bags and wash them at home. You don't need to go out and buy new gear either. Re-using what you have at home like Mason jars, take out containers, and old peanut butter containers are great ways to get more use out of what you have on hand.

5. Meal Prep to Reduce Waste at Your Campsite

Instead of individually packaged dehydrated meals (who needs those anyways?), meal prep at home! One of our favorite aspects of car camping is that you can bring along a cooler packed with tasty grub. We love to chop up veggies and prepare proteins at home, and then package them in reusable containers. Not only does this make camp cooking painless, but it also significantly reduces your waste on the road.

6. Familiarize Yourself With—And Follow—Leave No Trace Principles

This isn’t the first time we’ve recommended that car campers learn the Seven Leave No Trace Principles, and it won’t be the last. We’ll list of the principles and give a quick breakdown of each one below, but if you want to learn more, check out this article we’ve published on the subject here. 

Principle #1: Plan Ahead & Prepare

Most car camping conundrums can be avoided completely with proper planning. Do your research on your destination of choice, check the weather forecast (and then check it again), familiarize yourself with camping or fire regulations, etcetera.

Principle #2: Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Another one of our favorite aspects about car camping is that you camp anywhere. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Camp in existing campsites and pull-offs whenever possible. If you’re dispersed camping, stick to durable surfaces like gravel and rock and avoid delicate plant life, cryptobiotic soil, and so on.

Principle #3: Dispose of Waste Properly

This is probably the most famous of the Leave No Trace principles. Take care of your waste, people! And we’re not just talking litter here. Don’t treat your campsite like a litterbox and be responsible about human waste, too. The Luno Magnetic Bag is a great option for a trashcan that attaches to the outside of your vehicle.

Principle #4: Leave What You Find

Those pretty wildflowers? They might be pretty for the next camper to come along, too. Look, sniff, but don’t touch. As the saying goes, leave only footprints, take only photographs.

Principle #5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

Be aware of fire regulations. Are you allowed to have a campfire? If not, follow the rules. If you are allowed to have a campfire, be aware of campfire etiquette and safety protocols. (Reserve fires for existing fire rings, use small sticks instead of huge logs, never leave a fire unattended, etcetera). If you want to dive deeper on this one, we actually just published an entire article on camping during wildfire season.

Principle #6: Respect Wildlife

We’re not sure who needs to hear this, but stop trying to take selfies with animals that are big enough to eat, injure, or squash you. As a matter of fact, give all animals plenty of space. Learn the basics of bear safety. Don’t pet coyotes. Moose might be cute, but they will kick you to Copanhagen. Sheesh.  

Principle #7: Be Considerate of Others

This one comes down to one simple, golden rule of outdoor recreation: don’t be the hiker with the Bluetooth speaker. Listening to Pitbull and Dolly Parton’s “Powerful Women” on repeat might help you crush vert, but not everyone has the same sophisticated taste and drive as you. You don’t need to share Mr. Worldwide with the world. Keep that little secret in your headphones.

7. Buy Durable Gear and Invest Early

“Buy nice or buy twice” is a saying that car campers can keep in mind while shopping for gear. Investing in durable gear that’ll last for years is a smart way to keep unreliable, cheaply made goods out of the landfill. That’s a core belief for us here at Luno, and we prioritize durability and longevity across our entire line, from our flagship mattresses to our camp accessories.

8. Repair, Don’t Retire Your Gear to Keep It Lasting Longer

Don’t be quick to throw out well-worn outdoor gear, as there’s often a good chance you can fix it. Broken snowboard bindings might just need a new buckle. A ripped rain jacket can be revitalized with a waterproof patch. Always look into repairing your gear before you retire it!

9. Buy Used Outdoor and Camping Gear Instead

Buying used gear is another great way to reduce your impact on the environment. You never know what you’ll find on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or in a mountain town thriftstore. Don’t forget: you can also check out lightly used Luno mattresses and car camping accessories in our outlet. An added bonus? Buying used is a smart way to save dough, too!

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Imperfect Action Is Better Than No Action At All

There are few, if any, outdoor enthusiasts who are perfect when it comes to sustainability. Simply put, the activities we pursue, the gear we use, and the methods of transportation we rely on do have an impact on the environment. That’s just the truth. 

But there’s a Harry S. Truman quote that all campers can live by: “Imperfect action is better than no action at all.” In the context of car camping, it’s better to learn about sustainable practices and actively protect wild places than to accept that outdoor recreation is inherently harmful. At least, that’s what we believe around here. You made it this far—maybe that’s what you believe, too. 

Thanks as always for reading, and, as always, we’ll see you on the road, 

The Luno Crew