The Complete Highway Handbook: A Beginner-Friendly Intro To Car Camping

Getting into car camping can be daunting. That’s why we launched the Highway Handbook–a beginner-friendly guide to car camping in blog form–this past year. Every month for seven months, we answered a frequently asked question that often ends up in our DMs (or in your Google search bar). That process resulted in the following Highway Handbook blog posts:

• Vol. 1: What Is Car Camping?
• Vol. 2: Is Car Camping Fun?
• Vol. 3: Is Car Camping Safe?
• Vol. 4: What Do I Need For Overnight Car Camping?
• Vol. 5: How To Camp During Busy Holiday Weekends
• Vol. 6: How To Stay Cool While Camping
• Vol. 7: How To Car Camp Legally In National Parks

Essentially, the Highway Handbook is full of information we wish we’d known before we went car camping for the first time. To help you navigate this stockpile of car camping resources, we’re doing something different for this eighth and final edition of the series. Below, we’ll summarize each article and share a couple of our favorite tips and tricks from each one.

Our goals here are twofold. First, we want to help you get a crash course in all things car camping. Secondly, we hope this points you toward articles worth exploring further before your next adventure. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in.

What Is Car Camping?
Highway Handbook Volume 1

Defining “car camping” is surprisingly difficult–so much so that we dedicated our first Highway Handbook article largely to this topic.

The difficulty stems from the fact that the definition of car camping has changed over time. Historically, car camping has referred to camping in a tent near a parked vehicle. The phrase helped distinguish trailhead hangouts and roadside overnights from backpacking, which, of course, refers to trekkers who haul gear in packs and hike far from their vehicles.

Nowadays, car camping also refers to campers who spend the night in the vehicles (preferably on an ultra-comfy Luno mattress). For clarity’s sake, this is the definition that we stick to here at Luno, and we call camping in a tent near a parked car “tent camping.”

Tip # 1: Take Into Account The Pros and Cons of Car Camping

After breaking down definitions of car camping, overlanding, and more, we take a moment in this first Highway Handbook article to discuss the pros and cons of car camping. If you’re on the fence and unsure if car camping is for you, you’ll definitely want to give this article a read. Here are a few of the top reasons why we love car camping and prefer it over all alternatives:

• Safety: Car camping is much safer than tent camping, namely because you can lock your vehicle. Whether you’re worried about critters or camp crime, car camping is the way to go. 
• Comfort: Forget tossing and turning on bumpy, uneven ground. When you’re camping in vehicle, you have a flat sleeping platform at the ready as soon as you drop your backseats. Factor in a comfortable, adventure-ready Luno mattress and you’ll be sleeping better than ever on your next trip.  
• Gear Hauling:  Don’t get us wrong, we love backpacking. But one of the many alluring aspects of car camping is that you have room in your trunk for all of the extras. When you're camping in your rig, you can bring bikes, climbing gear, fishing rods–or all of the above!
  

Tip #2: Get Dialed In With Car Camping Basics 

Unsure what gear you need to give car camping a shot? No worries, you’re in the right place. In this first Highway Handbook article, we also discuss basic car camping gear, including:

• Luno mattresses: Our mattresses are incredibly comfortable, rugged, and built for life on (and off) the road. They’re also available in a range of shapes and sizes that correspond to diverse vehicle makes and models. Input your vehicle make, model, and year here, and we’ll get you dialed in with the right mattress for your rig!
• Our new Packable Camp Pillow: Whether you’re camping in an RV, a van, or an SUV, our Packable Camp Pillow is the way to go. It’s slightly smaller and more compressible than a standard pillow, making it easy to transport. It’s also stuffed with removable shredded memory foam that allows campers to fine-tune firmness to their liking. Once you camp with this pillow, there’s no going back!
• Organization Essentials: One of the most important tips we can give first-time car campers is this: stay organized. An organized rig reduces stress on the road more than anything else. After all, the goal is to use your gear, not waste time looking for it. Organization essentials like our Cargo Hammock, Upcycled Gear Tote, Seatback Organizer, and more will help you keep your rig in ship-shape and your gear accessible. 
  

Is Car Camping Fun?
Highway Handbook Volume 2

Still not sure if car camping is for you? Give this second Highway Handbook post a read. We dive into a few reasons why we think car camping is the most fun way to camp on the planet, among them:

Tip #1: Cook Up A Storm

We already mentioned how car camping allows you to haul more gear. Perhaps more importantly, car camping allows you to haul more grub, too.

When we’re car camping, we like to bring healthy produce and proteins, savory sauces, s’mores–you name it. You can pack a cooler with your favorite beverages, whip up a storm for your friends and family, or even cook over an open flame (assuming there are no fire bans).

Tip #2: Embrace The Detour

If you’re relying on public transportation, you’re tied to an itinerary. Not so when you’re road-tripping. Car campers are free to embrace the art of the detour. Stumble upon a funky roadside restaurant? Give it a try! A local recommends a hike you just can’t miss? Go check it out!

Is Car Camping Safe?
Highway Handbook Volume 3

If you’re new to car camping, safety is undoubtedly a primary concern. However, safety is also a primary reason why we love car camping. In this third edition of the Highway Handbook, we break down several reasons why car camping is safer than other modes of camping and share a few of our favorite tips for staying safe during car camping trips.

Tip # 1: Carefully Consider Critters

When you’re camping in the wilderness, critters can always pose a threat. Of course, the extent of that threat depends on the critters at play. Mosquitos and gnats? They might be more of an annoyance than a danger. Grizzly bears? Play your cards wrong and you might not come home.

That said, car camping provides better protection from virtually all critters than alternative camping methods. The raised platform of the vehicle makes snakes and scorpions less of a concern. Locking car doors provides welcome peace of mind and protection when it comes to grizzlies, wolves, and other apex predators. And when you use our mesh Car Window Screens and Sunroof Window Screen, you can enjoy a welcome breeze in your vehicle without inviting those pesky mosquitos and gnats.

All told, if you want to feel safer while spending nights in the woods, car camping has your name on it.

Tip #2: Bring a Camp Buddy

One of the best safety tips we can share with you is to bring a camp buddy. We love solo adventures, but the fact of the matter is that camping with a friend or significant other dramatically decreases your risk.

How so? Well, first off, you’re less susceptible to camp crime when you’re traveling with another camper (or more). Unpleasant brushes with bears are also less likely in bigger groups, or at the very least, you have a better chance of scaring them off. Plus, in the event of an emergency, you have more folks on deck to help out. If you’re injured and need medical attention, or you need to drive to the hospital, having a camp buddy is invaluable.

What Do I Need For Overnight Car Camping?Highway Handbook Volume 4

This fourth Highway Handbook article provides aspiring adventurers with a deep dive into the gear you need for outdoor overnights, including mattresses purpose-built for car camping and storage essentials. But that’s not all. We also stress the importance of intangibles like pre-trip planning, preventive vehicle maintenance, how and why we’re always keeping an eye on the weather, and more.

Tip #1: Use Apps And Maps To Your Advantage 

One of the most useful tools you have in your car camping arsenal is already in your pocket. Your phone can be a mission-critical piece of equipment, whether you’re looking for a place to camp or checking weather and road conditions. Our advice? Load up your phone with adventure-ready apps like iOverlander, our go-to app for finding free car camping, and GAIA, a helpful mapping app for offline adventures. And last but not least, don’t forget to download maps and more before you leave the realm of cell service!

Tip #2: Pack Safety Gear

While pre-trip planning and common sense can keep you out of trouble, bringing safety gear along for your adventures is still a smart play. No matter where we roam or how close we are to home, we like to car camp with two vital pieces of safety equipment: 

• A Satellite Communication Device: A satellite comms device, like a Garmin inReach, allows you to communicate with friends and family, or, in a worst-case scenario, search and rescue. 
• A First Aid Kit: A First Aid Kit is absolutely essential, whether you’re dealing with minor scrapes or more serious injuries. It’s equally important that you know how to use it, so be sure to take a Wilderness First Aid course, too.
  

How To Camp During Busy Holiday Weekends
Highway Handbook Volume 5

There’s an art to camping during holiday weekends, and we spill all the secrets in this fifth Highway Handbook article. Overall, the main trick is to adjust the way you plan your trip, but it’s helpful to adjust your mindset, too.

Tip #1: Target Less Popular Destinations

Popular destinations like national parks are understandably overrun on holiday weekends. The best way to car camp during hectic holidays, then, is to avoid these ultra-popular destinations, and instead target hidden gems and remote wilderness areas. Use holiday weekends as an excuse to take a longer trip, go deeper, and venture off the beaten path.

Tip #2: Have A Backup Plan (And A Backup Plan For Your Backup Plan)

Unless you have a reservation locked in for a campsite (which isn’t a bad idea on holiday weekends), it pays to have a plan B and C in your back pocket. Use apps like iOverlander to find nearby BLM land where dispersed camping is allowed. Map out Walmarts and rest areas ahead of your trip, just in case you’re in a pinch and need a place to park for the night. When you’re camping in your vehicle with a Luno mattress, you can even stealth camp in quiet neighborhoods if your campground of choice is full.

How To Stay Cool While Camping
Highway Handbook Volume 6

Sky-rocketing temps got you down? Don’t sweat it. In this sixth Highway Handbook article, we break down our favorite car camping strategies and gear for beating the heat.

Tip #1: Use Window Screens And Fans To Your Advantage

When you’re car camping in warm weather, airflow is your friend. And the best way to generate airflow is a combination of our Window Screens and Car Camping Fan.

Our Window Screens and Sunroof Window Screen are made of durable, stretchy mesh that blocks bugs but let’s in the cooling breeze. An added benefit? The black fabric also helps block the sun and gives car campers more privacy in busy campgrounds.

If the breeze isn’t cooperating, our Car Camping Fan is a must. This compact yet powerful five-inch fan has three speeds, powers via USB-C, and boasts an articulating suction-cup mount so you can aim it directly at your kisser.

Separately, these sleep-enhancing essentials are kick-ass. Together, they’ll revolutionize your nights on the road.

Tip #2: Pick Your Destination Wisely

As much as we love the desert, we tend to avoid it during the warmer months. Instead, we’ll head to high-alpine zones and cooler coastal areas to beat the heat.

Similarly, as much as we love road-tripping in Mexico, you’re more likely to find us in the Northern US or Canada during the summer. Warmer weather means that northern latitudes are likely the move.

Bonus Tip: While the above advice is sound, nothing’s written in stone. It’s equally important to check the weather before you head out. That way, if your destination of choice is too hot, you can pivot and head to a cooler locale. That ability to pivot your plans at the last minute is one of many reasons why we love car camping so much. If you’re travelling by rail or train, you simply don’t have that freedom.

How To Car Camp Legally In National Parks
Highway Handbook Volume 7

If you’ve ever tried to car camp for free in a national park, you know it’s easier said than done. There are “no overnight parking” signs everywhere, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when looking for a place to camp. In this seventh edition of the Highway Handbook, we share car camping tricks that help us explore and enjoy national parks without any stress.

Tip #1: Plan–And Reserve Your Campsite–In Advance

Sadly, you won’t find free, legal car camping in national parks. Instead, you’ll want to splurge and reserve a campsite at a campground operated by the national park.

These campgrounds may cost a pretty penny–especially compared to the free car camping we prefer–but they do have advantages. First off, you eliminate the stress of finding a site on a busy weekend when you have a reservation. Additionally, you’ll find amenities like bathrooms, trash receptacles, fire pits, toilets, showers, and the like.

That said, these campgrounds can sell out extremely quickly, so it pays to plan in advance. Campsites are often released six months ahead of time on recreation.gov, but the release schedule varies from park to park and even campground to campground. Do your research as far in advance as possible so the odds are in your favor, then set an alarm on your calendar so you can jump on sites when they are released.

Tip #2: Camp Nearby And Take Day Trips Into The Park

While free, legal car camping isn’t usually available inside national park boundaries, you can generally find it within a quick drive. After all, national parks are often neighbored by BLM land, national forests, and other less crowded, less regulated public lands that offer car campers the opportunity to enjoy free dispersed camping. Use apps like iOverlander to map out potential campsites near the national park of your choice, then take day trips into the park and explore to your heart’s content.

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You’ve Taken The Crash Course, But It’s Far From Over

There you have it–a quick-and-dirty rundown of our Highway Handbook series. We hope this series, and this article in particular, helps you confidently embrace car camping and sidestep some of the common mistakes greenhorns inevitably make.

That said, the very best learning you can do is out on the road. So gear up, assemble your squad, hop in your rig, and get after it!

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

The Luno Crew