The Highway Handbook: How To Camp During Busy Holiday Weekends

The Highway Handbook: How To Camp During Busy Holiday Weekends Description:You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. That’s the gist of our new educational series, The Highway Handbook. One of our main goals at Luno is to make the outdoors more accessible, and we mainly do that by designing comfortable air mattresses and nifty accessories that help you turn your everyday vehicle into an extraordinary adventure mobile. But gear alone doesn’t remove barriers to the great outdoors, and sometimes, the simple act of sharing knowledge makes all the difference. In The Highway Handbook, our team of car camping experts will answer questions that regularly bombard our DMs. Whether you’re a car camping veteran or new to the game, we hope this series helps you get outside, explore, and enjoy time in nature with friends and family. Are you itching to spend weekends in the woods now that the warmer weather has arrived? Unfortunately, you’re not alone. Much like sprouting daisies, chirping birds, and snuffling bears, campers of all creeds perk up as soon as spring hits. Don’t get us wrong–we love to see more and more people enjoying the great outdoors. But overcrowded parks and overflowing campgrounds can be a serious buzzkill when you’re on an adventure of your own, especially during notoriously hectic holidays like Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, and Labor Day weekend. That brings us to this month’s edition of The Highway Handbook. What are the best ways to avoid the holiday crowds while camping? Below, we’ll share eight tips on how to camp during busy holiday weekends. If you’re hoping to ditch the hordes of holiday campers–or at least navigate them without pulling your hair out–keep reading, you’re in the right place. Tip #1: Target Less Popular Destinations The single best tip we can give you is this: visit less popular camping destinations on holiday weekends. If you’re hoping to spend the 4th of July at Yosemite or Yellowstone, all power to you, but thousands of fellow campers undoubtedly have the exact same idea. Instead, plan to visit marquee destinations and parks during off-season weekends–or even better, hit them mid-week. Treat holiday weekends as an opportunity to explore lesser-known wilderness areas, monuments, national forests, so on and so forth. Use guidebooks, Google Earth, and websites like PublicLands.org (we love their recreation mapping tool) to discover new-to-you zones. Ask your camp buddies for off-the-beaten-path recommendations. If you’ve never heard of a campground or national forest, chances are you’re not the only one! Tip #2: Make Reservations At Popular Campgrounds If you do decide to explore a more popular zone, booking a campsite reservation well in advance is a smart idea. What’s well in advance? That depends entirely on the campground’s reservation system, but generally speaking, the earlier the better. Yosemite National Park is a great example of why it’s key to research your destination ahead of time. The world-famous California park has thirteen campgrounds. For almost half of the campgrounds, including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow, online reservations are available to the public on Recreation.gov five months in advance. More specifically, reservations can be made at precisely 7 AM PST, on the 15th of each month, and sites sell out quicker than Taylor Swift tickets. However, the rest of Yosemite’s campsites can only be reserved two weeks ahead of time, except for Camp 4, which is open for reservations a mere week out. Needless to say, it pays to make a plan, set an alarm, and be ready to pounce on popular campgrounds. Tip #3: Get To The Campground Early (Really, Really Early) For First-Come, First-Served Campsites This goes without saying, but if you’re heading to a first-come, first-served campground, make sure you get there first. Here are a few tricks of the trade that give you a better chance of doing just that: Leave a day or two early to snag a campsite. Set up camp, and then work remotely if you need to from a nearby coffee shop or library. Use vacation days to extend your holiday weekend on the front end, giving yourself a buffer to beat the crowds. Arrive early in the morning, not late at night. Tip #4: Try Dispersed Camping We love campgrounds. They often offer bathrooms, potable water, and trash receptacles. Sometimes, they’ll even have luxuries like hot showers, and they’re a great place to meet like-minded outdoorsy folks. However, if you exclusively camp in campgrounds, your options are severely limited, especially during holiday weekends. Dispersed camping refers to camping outside of existing campgrounds. Usually, we dispersed camp in national forests or on Bureau of Land Management land, as these land designations tend to permit this style of wild camping. The gist is simple: you find a pull-off or park on a durable surface like rock or gravel, make camp, and call it home. There aren’t any of the amenities you might find at campgrounds, so it’s on you to both be self-sufficient and follow Leave No Trace principles. But because you’re not limited to campgrounds, being prepared to go dispersed camping exponentially increases your pool of potential camping destinations. Tip #5: Have A Camping Plan A, B, And C Unless you’ve got a campsite reservation locked in, it’s not a bad idea to have a backup plan (or two). Here are a few examples of how we like to build backup plans into our camping itinerary: Use car camper-approved apps like iOverlander to pinpoint alternative first-come, first-serve campgrounds that are near your campground of choice. Look for nearby BLM land or national forests where dispersed camping is allowed. Be on the lookout for quiet neighborhoods where you might get away with a night or two of “stealth camping.” In a nutshell, stealth camping refers to when car campers, vanlifers, or RVers spend the night in residential neighborhoods or urban zones. In most cases, stealth camping isn’t explicitly illegal, but it isn’t entirely welcome, either. Look for rest stops, Walmarts, and Cracker Barrels along your route. These road trip institutions often allow overnight parking. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and you don’t have to resort to Plan B or C, but it’s reassuring to have them in your back pocket. Tip #6: Optimize Your Overnight Options With An Enclosed Sleep System Guess what? Two of the four backup plans we outlined in our last tip aren’t possible if you’re camping in a tent. Rest stops, Walmarts, and Cracker Barrel parking lots that allow overnight camping in enclosed vehicles explicitly prohibit tents. Similarly, it’s damn near impossible to “stealth camp” in a tent–nothing stealthy about that. That’s one of many reasons why we love car camping with our award-winning, best-selling vehicle mattresses. Not only are these mattresses incredibly comfortable, durable, and easy to use, but they also significantly increase your camping prospects by allowing you to camp in your vehicle. When you’re camping in your car, it’s easy to pull over and get some sleep in a rest stop, crash in a Walmart parking lot, or spend a stress-free night in a quiet neighborhood. Everything from a mattress for your van, truck, or SUV from more affordable essentials like the AIR BASE or the most comfortable the AIR+FOAM Pro. Pro Tip: If you are stealth camping or camping in a busy parking lot or rest area, privacy is a hot commodity. Shield your sleep setup from view with our easy-to-use Car Privacy Curtain. Tip #7: Embrace Camping In Less-Than-Perfect Weather It’s always important to consider the weather while planning a camping trip. However, normally we’re on the hunt for good weather. On a holiday weekend, doing the opposite can be advantageous, as embracing bad weather can help you avoid crowds. Extreme weather, like heavy rain and snow or sweltering heat, will inevitably dissuade many campers from visiting that neck of the woods. But if you’re down to bring a warm sleeping bag, why not head to cooler pastures? Or, if you’ve stocked up on sunblock, why not check out a sizzling desert zone? Take this tip with a grain of salt, as you may prefer camping with a crowd over chancing heat stroke. That said, if you do decide to camp in a hotter climate, check out our Cool Down Bundle. It includes our mesh Car Window Screens, which let in all of the breeze but none of the bugs, as well as our compact yet powerful Camping Fan. Tip #8: Reframe Your Mindset Sometimes, try as you might, avoiding crowds is impossible. In that case, do your best to embrace the crowds. Get zen! Download some meditation playlists and relax. Let go of any malice and hate you harbor, and just be stoked that there’s a big community of people who love the outdoors just like you! Grab a cold drink, walk over to the fellow campers next to you and who knows, you might make some new friends! -- Sorry, We Won’t See You Camping On Holiday Weekends This Year With a little planning (and some good luck), it’s possible to enjoy remote and wondrous wild places, sans the crowds, even during the busiest weekends of the year. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll have the tools required to evade the adventure-hungry hordes and camp in style during the holidays. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you on the road. Actually, maybe we won’t. –The Luno Crew

What to Expect Your First Night Camping (A Beginner's Guide)

What to Expect Your First Night Camping (A Beginner's Guide) Description:Paging all newbies! If you're about to embark on your very first camping trip, this article is for you. Below, we're going to teach you what to expect on your first night camping. We'll share knowledge learned the hard way on our own camping misadventures, and help you avoid these common first-time camping mistakes on your maiden voyage by sharing how to pack and prepare like a seasoned pro. We'll cover everything from the importance of weather forecasting and pre-trip research to camp critter management and fire safety. Consider this a crash course in camping 101. Hopefully, you're not reading this on your phone in the midst of a poorly planned camping trip. All jokes aside, we recommend reading through this guide a couple of weeks before your adventure, as that will give you ample time to dial in your gear, plan your trip, and prepare accordingly. Now, without further ado, let's dive into the good stuff! How to Prepare for Your First Camping Trip If you want your first night of camping to go smoothly, our biggest recommendation is this: don't cut corners ahead of your trip. While more experienced campers are often comfortable winging it, first-timers will appreciate having a concrete plan, packing all of the essentials (and then some!), researching campgrounds, and more. That prep work goes a long way when it's time to hit the road! How to Check the Weather Before a Camping Trip First and foremost, we want to emphasize the importance of checking the weather ahead of your adventure, because weather is the single biggest factor in determining whether or not you have a fun, and more importantly safe, camping trip. More Than 2 Weeks Before Your Trip If your trip is multiple weeks out, checking the weather forecast isn't super helpful, as most forecasts max out at 10 to 14 days. However, it can be helpful to check average temperatures. For instance, if you Google "average temperatures for Yosemite in June," you'll get a better understanding of typical early summer temps in this popular national park, which helps you decide how warm your sleeping bag needs to be, what clothes to bring, and so on. 2 Weeks Before Your Trip At the two-week mark, weather trends begin to materialize. Is a storm on the horizon? A stretch of sunny weather? Unseasonal snowfall? This information is helpful for packing and prep, but it's important to note that two-week forecasts are far from set in stone. Forecasting is an imperfect science. Don't check the weather once at the two-week mark and call it done! A Week or Less Before Your Trip Weather forecasts are much more reliable a week or so out, and they get increasingly accurate as you get closer to your departure date. In fact, we'll check the weather almost daily in the 72 hours leading up to leaving. Not only does this confirm what clothes and sleeping bags we pack, but it can also heavily impact (or even change) our itinerary. For instance, let's say rain is in the forecast for Yosemite. We'll pack a warm sleeping bag, plus warm and waterproof gear like rain jackets and merino wool base layers. But if there's high-elevation snow on the way? We might pivot entirely and swap Yosemite's alpine hikes for bouldering in Bishop or surfing down at the California coast. Listening and adapting to the weather is an underrated skill for the savvy camper. If the forecast is concerning, don't force your trip. Listen to Mother Nature! The bottom line: Expect weather to impact your trip. Smart campers pay attention to the forecast and adapt accordingly. 3 Favorite Forecasting Apps for Campers OpenSnow: Skiers will recognize this one! You can set point forecasts and get detailed precipitation estimates for specific locations. Mountain Forecast: A favorite of climbers and mountaineers, it lets you search specific mountains and provides forecasts at both summit and base elevations. NOAA: Free, fairly accurate, and hard to beat for general camping trip planning. Specific down to a square mile of area when using their maps. First Time Camping Checklist: What to Pack If you're packing for your first-ever camping trip, expect to forget something. This might sound like a joke, but it's true! The best way to minimize the odds of forgetting gear is by using a packing list. And let's be clear: packing lists aren't just for newbies. Even though we've collectively been on hundreds of camping trips, Luno team members still swear by them, because they make it almost impossible to forget anything. And guess what? We've still forgotten things while using a packing list! Check out our full car camping packing list here. It covers everything from sleeping gear (don't forget your Luno mattress!) and first aid essentials to camp kitchen gear and clothing, all broken down by category. Essentially, it's everything you need and then some to make sure you're ready and prepared for your first night of camping. 3 Tips for Packing Like a Pro 1. Pack like you're going on an expedition. Spread out all your gear on the floor so you can see everything at once, then cross-reference your packing list to make sure nothing's missing. 2. Pack gear by category. Once everything's accounted for, pack strategically so you know where things are in your car. We put all camp kitchen gear in one bin, for example, so it's easy to grab and go when it's time to cook. 3. Use clear plastic bins or milk crates. These let you quickly scan the contents without unpacking everything. Game changer. Car Camping vs. Tent Camping: Which Is Better for Beginners? You might've noticed that our packing list doesn't include a tent. That's because we mainly focus on car camping around here, which means sleeping on a comfy camp mattress inside your vehicle instead of pitching a tent. Here's why we prefer it, especially for beginners: Affordability: Tents, especially trustworthy weatherproof ones, are one of the priciest pieces of camping gear. When your car is your shelter, you skip that cost entirely. (Pro tip: If you're looking for an affordable entry point, check out our AIR BASE mattress, our most budget-friendly option.) Safety: Car camping is significantly safer than tent camping. You can lock your doors at night, which provides serious peace of mind that a nylon-walled tent simply can't offer. Plenty of room for gear (and toys!): Tent campers, especially backpackers, are limited by what they can carry. Car campers? You'll often spot the Luno crew rolling in with surfboards, bikes, fly fishing rods, you name it. Easy setup: No tent poles, no stakes. Just inflate your Luno mattress (takes minutes) and you're ready to hit the hay. Camp where tent campers can't: Because you're sleeping inside your vehicle, car campers can spend the night in places like Walmart parking lots, highway rest stops, and quiet side streets where pitching a tent isn't an option. Quick Tips If You're Going the Tent Route All power to you! Here's some fast advice for the tent crew: Practice at home first. Set up your tent in the backyard (or living room) before your trip so you're not figuring out the poles in the dark at camp. Headlamps are your homies. Don't forget one for nighttime setup, bathroom runs, or general camp life. Sleep well in there: Our AIR+FOAM PRO Camping Mattress fits great in tents and works in your vehicle too, and it's our comfiest, most luxurious construction to date. You can also view more affordable but vehicle specific mattresses from us too like our new AIR BASE. How to Find a Campsite (And What to Do If They're Full) You're all packed up and ready to go, but do you actually know where you're going? Finding a great campsite is an art form. Here are a few tricks of the trade: Don't expect to pull into a popular campground and find a spot. Summer weekends mean crowds. When we're heading to National Parks, we'll either book a reservation in advance or thoroughly research free camping options just outside park boundaries. Use campsite apps. The Dyrt and iOverlander are excellent for finding both paid campgrounds and free dispersed camping spots. Filter by amenities, read recent reviews, and pay attention to notes about noise, closures, or sketchy access roads. Expect spotty cell service. The best camping spots are rarely the best places to use your phone. Download maps and campground info before you leave, always. Have a plan B and C. No reservation? Identify backups ahead of time. A nearby Cracker Barrel parking lot, a quiet neighborhood street, a rest stop. Use apps to scout them in advance. Timing is everything. Take a Friday off work, head out Thursday night, and you'll beat the weekend rush entirely. Want to go deeper? Check out our complete guide to finding free car camping. Fire Safety: Don't Expect a Campfire to Be a Given One of our all-time favorite camp activities is gathering around a fire. Obviously. But in today's climate, high wildfire danger means fires are often limited to existing fire pits or banned outright. Don't assume a campfire is allowed. Actively research current fire rules for your destination before you go. When in doubt, call a local ranger station or park office. If a campfire is permitted, great! Just don't let your guard down. Use a designated fire pit, never leave a fire unattended, and douse coals thoroughly with water before you sleep or leave camp. Check out our guide to Leave No Trace Principles for more on fire safety and responsible camping. Wildlife and Camp Critters: How to Stay Safe at Night (for you and for them) Reminder: you're camping in the wilderness. Critters live there. You're just visiting. Expect to have wildlife visitors, especially after dark. That's not meant to scare you (the vast majority of encounters are totally harmless), but it pays to be aware and prepared. In some areas, your biggest concern might be field mice chewing into your snack stash. In others, it's grizzly bears. In either case, the protocol is basically the same: clean up food and trash at night. Many campgrounds in bear country have bearproof storage boxes, so use them. Speaking of bears, this is yet another reason we love car camping. Locking your doors at night is a level of security a tent just can't match. Heading into bear country? Read our full bear country camping guide. How to Sleep Comfortably Car Camping: Tips for Beginners You've found your spot. You're ready to call it a night. Sleeping in your car, especially on a plush Luno mattress, is genuinely dreamy. But a few small details will take your sleep from good to outrageously great: Find a level parking spot. You don't need perfectly flat ground, but get as close as you can. If there's a slight incline you can't avoid, park so your head is elevated, not your feet. Block out the sun. Summer days mean early sunrises. Use our mesh Car Window Screens and Privacy Curtain to keep the light out. Bonus pro move: pack a sleep mask. Block out the birds (and the neighbors). Camping can be surprisingly loud with chirping birds, revving ATVs, and road noise. Earplugs are a legitimate power move. Pair them with that eye mask. Dial in your temperature. Cold nights call for a sleeping bag rated for the expected low, plus merino wool layers if rain is in the forecast. Warm nights? Oftentimes, we’ll just camp with a Fitted Sheet and light sheet or blanket from home when the weather is warm. Roll the windows down using mesh screens to let in airflow without letting in mosquitoes. And if it's a sticky, still night, our Car Camping Fan is a total game changer. Manage condensation. Cracking your windows helps prevent morning condensation from building up on the glass. Keep a small utility towel handy to quickly mop up any that forms overnight. The Luno Window Screens are also great at keeping fresh air flowing in your vehicle while keeping the bugs out. Set an alarm. Follow these tips and you will sleep well. If you've got a big hike or drive planned the next morning, set that alarm, because your surprisingly comfortable car setup will absolutely try to keep you in bed. Leave No Trace Camping: How to Clean Up Your Campsite Congrats! You made it through the night, slept like a baby sloth, and had a great trip. Now it's time to head home. But before you hit the road, take the time to pack up, clean up, and leave no trace. The basic idea: leave your campsite better than you found it. Pick up trash, fully extinguish any fire, and restore the site to its natural state. Build cleanup time into your exit day plan so these beautiful wild places stay that way for years to come. Learn more about the seven Leave No Trace principles here. Final Thoughts: First Time Camping Advice from the Luno Crew Phew! You made it to the end of this beast of an article. Well done. We know that was a lot to take in, but our goal is simple: arm you with enough knowledge that you can head into your first night outdoors feeling prepared, not panicked. That said, here's one last piece of advice: don't stress. You might forget your binoculars. Your first-choice campground might be booked. Something will probably not go according to plan. But you know what? You're outside, you're in nature, and that's worth a whole lot. The bumps in the road are part of the story and, honestly, they make for the best campfire tales later. As always, thanks for reading, best of luck, and we'll see you out there! - The Luno Crew First Night Camping: Frequently Asked Questions What should I expect on my first night camping? Expect a mix of excitement and unfamiliarity. Things might not go perfectly (setup takes longer than you think, you might forget something small) and that's completely normal. As long as you have shelter, warmth, food, and water, you're in good shape. Everything else is a bonus. What do beginners need for their first camping trip? The essentials: shelter (a tent or car camping setup), a sleeping bag rated for the expected temperature, food and water, a headlamp, basic first aid supplies, and weather-appropriate clothing. See our full camping packing list for a detailed breakdown by category. Is car camping better than tent camping for beginners? For most beginners, yes. Car camping is safer (lockable doors), cheaper (no tent purchase needed), faster to set up, and more forgiving when you inevitably overpack. It's a great way to get comfortable with camping before investing in more specialized gear. How do I stay warm camping at night? Bring a sleeping bag rated at or below the expected overnight low. Layer merino wool underneath if it might get cold or wet, since merino stays warm even when damp. Crack your car windows slightly to reduce condensation and maintain airflow. Avoid cotton layers, as cotton loses its insulating value when wet. How do I find a free campsite? Apps like The Dyrt and iOverlander are your best tools for finding free dispersed camping on public land. Filter by amenities, check recent reviews, and always have a backup option in mind. What are the most common first-time camping mistakes? The big ones: not checking the weather, skipping a packing list, assuming a campsite will be available without a reservation, and not securing food at night. All easily avoided with a little preparation, which is exactly what this guide is for.

Why We Camp: Honest Advice & Real Stories from the Luno Team

Why We Camp: Honest Advice & Real Stories from the Luno Team Description: Camping means something different to everyone, but for most people, it comes down to the same handful of things: fresh air, simpler days, and time with the people you love. To kick off the 2026 camping season, we asked the team here at Luno why they love camping. After all, we're a company made up of creatives, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts. We make our gear for campers because we are campers. Whether you're a seasoned car camper, a first-time beginner looking for camping tips, or just someone dreaming about their next trip, we hope this gives you a little inspiration to get outside. Meet the Luno Team (well, just the ones who answered the questions) Karolina - Operations & Impact Manager Chase - Social Media Content Specialist Lillian - Product Development Lead Hannah - Operations and Warranty Specialist Landon - Marketing Manager Zak - Chief Marketing Officer Peter - CEO & Founder What is one main reason you love camping? Ask any camper why they keep coming back and you'll get a different answer every time. For some it's the stillness of the morning, for others it's the food, the fire, or the feeling of being completely present. Here's what the Luno team had to say: Karolina -  It's a tie between campfire conversations and having to step outside as soon as you wake up in the morning while camping! Chase - The freedom I feel and connection to nature, and the momentary disconnection from the rest of the world. Lillian - Beating crowds to the trailhead! Hannah - Camping feels like a core part of who I am, and it has shown me how insanely beautiful the planet is, while also teaching me patience, self-reliance, and how malleable the definition of “fun” is. Landon - I love being able to have no responsibilities to worry about other than the ones exactly in front of you on the trip like, setting up camp, making a fire, cooking food, etc. When camping, life is simple: no meetings, no texts to respond to, no house projects to worry about. Zak - Food taste better outside, next to a fire, with friends. Peter - Disconnecting from the daily routine. What is one piece of advice or words or wisdom you'd give to someone who's never camped before? First-time campers often worry they need the perfect gear list, a flawless plan, or years of outdoor experience before they're "ready." The truth? You really don't. The best camping advice tends to be refreshingly simple — and our team is proof of that: Karolina -  Find a way to incorporate the things that are important to your daily ritual into your camp set up! Is your morning coffee the best part of your day? Pack items to make your coffee the way you like it! Do you love a pre-bed time cup of tea? Bring the tea! Do you do yoga every morning? Bring the yoga mat! There are no rules to camping. And with car camping, you generally have a lot more room to bring your everyday essentials to make you more comfortable. Chase - Go with the flow. The reason camping is so freeing and so exciting is BECAUSE it’s out of our typical “comfort zone”. Not everything will go according to plan, you might have to pivot, but that’s all part of the fun. If you can roll with the occasional “punches” you will always have a great time! (And a great story). Lillian - You don't need a bunch of gear to get started! Just a sleeping pad+ blanket, your favorite snacks and a good attitude. Hannah - Best way to learn is to just do it, but do it prepared! Go with someone who’s camped before, attend a 101 session through an outdoor org/group, and research where you plan to go before you get there. Landon - Don't worry about having everything exactly figured out before you go on your first trip. Make sure you have the essentials but you'll learn with each trip and dial in your gear as you learn. It doesn't have to all be figured out the first time you go. Zak - Don’t stress the details. It will all work out if you just pack the bag, grab some friends, and go! Peter - Bring extra layers! What's 1 thing you're are looking forward to with regards to camping (upcoming trip, bucket list goal, learning a new skill, etc.)? From solo backpacking trips to sharing the outdoors with family for the first time, the Luno team has plenty to look forward to this season. Here's what's on everyone's radar for 2026 and maybe beyond: Karolina -  I have some family visiting me for the first time this summer. They told me their goal for the visit is to wake up to a sunrise in the mountains. I'm so excited to take them to some local camp spots and make this dream come true for them! Chase - I’m so excited to car camp all throughout California soon and do some solo backpacking this summer!! Lillian - Bagging a few local peaks the summer - Baileys, St. Helens, Broken Top, and maybe Middle Sister. Hannah - A general answer but looking forward to going to new places and going back to favorites where the views never get old. Landon - I am looking forward to camping in new areas of North America, particularly Alaska, Canadian Rockies and the Northeast. Zak - Watching the family experience the joy and fulfillment of spending time in nature. Peter - Finding the next no service location to call home for a night. Now It's Your Turn Whether you're planning your first camping trip or adding another adventure to a long list, the best time to go is always sooner than you think. Pack your layers, bring good food, and don't overthink the details — the outdoors has a way of working everything else out. We'd love to hear what gets you outside this season. Share your camping plans with us on social, and if you're looking for gear that makes camp life a little more comfortable, explore what we make at Luno.

How to Car Camp on Any Budget: A Complete Guide for Every Setup

How to Car Camp on Any Budget: A Complete Guide for Every Setup Description:Car camping is exactly what it sounds like. You sleep in your car instead of a tent, using it as your shelter and home base. It’s one of the easiest, most low-stress ways to get outside, and you don’t need a ton of gear or a big budget to make it happen. For this month’s edition of the Luno Journal, we’re going to help you learn how to car camp no matter your budget. That’s right: we’re talking money like Warren Buffett. That is, if Warren Buffett packed upper-decker Zyns, tied his own flies, and drove a ‘15 Tacoma with 200K miles, an elevated intake, and upgraded tires and suspension that made creek crossings feel like hopping up a curb. All jokes aside, there’s a common misconception that car camping is expensive. Sure, if you want to go all out, invest in the best camping gear, and drive a brand-new, head-turning, off-road-ready rig to match, car camping is undoubtedly a pricey pastime. But there are also hundreds of tricks and tips that help beginners enjoy the great outdoors without torpedoing their credit score.  In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about car camping based on your budget. To do so, we’ll focus on three tiers of car camping budgets. First, we’ll speak to budget campers who want the most bang for their buck. Next, we’ll focus on mid-tier campers who are happy to splurge here and there but still are conscientious of spending habits. Lastly, we’ll touch on boujee, balling campers who don’t care about paying top dollar so long as their gear is top-tier and their rig gets double-takes in trailhead parking lots.  For each of these budgets, we’ll talk about the types of campers who fit into each category, what vehicle you might be driving, tips on where to splurge and where to save, car camping hacks that are most relevant to your budget, essential gear, and more. Long story short, consider this article a detailed guide to car camping that places special emphasis on dolla dolla bills, yall. In this guide you will learn about: What is Car Camping? How to Car Camp (Step-by-Step) Budget Car Camping Setup Mid-Range Setup Luxury Car Camping Setup Free vs Paid Camping Essential Gear Checklist Tips for Sleeping in Your Car How to Car Camp on Any Budget: What You Actually Need If you're new to car camping, the good news is you don’t need much to get started. After years of sleeping in everything from beater rigs to fully built-out setups, we’ve learned that a simple, thoughtful setup beats an overcomplicated one every time. Whether you're planning your first night sleeping in your car or refining your car camping setup, here’s what really matters. If you want to go deeper, check out our guides on: how to find free car camping the best car camping apps the best vehicles for car camping Car Camping Essentials (Any Budget) A place to sleep: A flat surface, whether that’s folded seats, a sleeping pad, or a full mattress Warmth: Blankets, sleeping bags, or comforters depending on the season Water: Always bring more than you think you’ll need Food setup: A simple camp stove or no-cook meals Lighting: Headlamp, flashlight, or lantern Nice-to-Have Car Camping Gear Camp chairs Cooler for food storage Window covers for privacy Portable fan for airflow Budget Alternatives That Work Household blankets instead of sleeping bags Backpacks or duffels instead of storage systems Coolers instead of powered fridges The bottom line? The best car camping gear is the gear you already have. You can always upgrade your vehicle camping setup over time. How Do You Car Camp on a Budget? If you’re trying car camping for beginners or just want to keep costs low, you don’t need to overthink it. In our experience, some of the best trips come from the simplest setups. The key is focusing on function over fancy gear—especially when you’re just getting started with sleeping in your car. Budget #1: How To Car Camp on a Shoestring Budget First up, let’s talk budget car campers. Now, there’s no shame in camping on a budget. We’ve been there, done that. Many of our favorite camp memories involve ramen noodles, cars crammed with friends all pitching in for gas, and secondhand gear.  In fact, Luno’s founder, Pete Ducato, got the idea to start Luno after tossing and turning on a flimsy backpacking sleeping pad in the back of his Subaru on a fateful snowboard trip to Mammoth. In part, he chose to camp in his car because slopeside hotels were ridiculously overpriced. All that to say, we get it. Whether you’re completely new to car camping and money is tight, or you’re an experienced outdoor enthusiast who simply prefers to live frugally, car camping is one hundred percent for you. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently.  Who fits in the budget category?  Keep in mind, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are a few types of folks who might self-identify as budget car campers.  First-timers: If it’s your first time trying a new activity, there’s no need to go on a crazy spending spree. Get the bare minimum equipment to camp safely, see if car camping is up your alley, then invest more as time goes on.  College students and young professionals: Pursestrings can be tight if you’re still in school or just getting your feet underneath you after graduating. While many outdoor activities can be prohibitively expensive, car camping can be a cheap, easy, and fun way to get outside.  Families: In today’s world, doing virtually anything with a family is expensive. But unlike notoriously expensive outdoor activities like skiing, car camping with a family can be relatively reasonable, provided you are discerning and strategic with gear acquisition (more tips on this below). Gear-rich, cash-poor outdoor enthusiasts: You’ve already spent all of your money on touring skis, carbon mountain bikes, that sexy climbing rack… and now there’s no money leftover to spend on a fancy tents. We get it. Car camping is a fantastic way to save dough so you can spend it on the gear you need once you arrive at your campground of choice! Basic Tips to Save Money While Car Camping:    If you want to save money on your next camping trip, the tips below are worth their weight in gold.  Sleep in your car: We’re a little biased around here—we’re a car camping brand, after all—but one of our favorite ways to save money on adventures is to camp in your car. If you’re camping inside your car, you don’t need to invest in an expensive waterproof tent, as your car is already leakproof and ready to weather any storm. Another huge benefit of camping in your car? You can pick up a warm sleeping bag for cheap. Backpackers need to invest in expensive, lightweight sleeping bags because they carry gear on their backs. Since car campers aren’t hiking with gear on their backs, we don’t worry about sleeping bag weight and can nab a toasty, comfy sleeping bag for a quarter of the price.  Never pay for campgrounds: If you’re pitching a tent, chances are you’re going to have to pay for campgrounds, at least some of the time. However, when you’re sleeping inside your vehicle, you’re much less conspicuous, and you can get away with sleeping in highway rest stops, Walmart parking lots, and more. Of course, our favorite places to camp for free are far from civilization in Bureau of Land Management land. Read our comprehensive guide to finding free car camping here to learn more tricks of the trade! Buy used gear: One of the best ways to save money while camping is to buy used gear. Not only is this a smart play financially, but it’s a win for the environment, too, as you’re keeping unloved gear out of the landfill! If you don’t have a local used gear shop, check out geartrade.com. Did you know you can also find pre-owned Luno mattresses and accessories in our outlet for up to 50 percent off?  Use household items: When it comes to affordable adventure, the best gear is the gear you already own. For instance, don’t splurge on titanium sporks, just raid the cutlery drawer and borrow some forks and knives. Same goes for bedding. Because you’re car camping, you don’t need to invest in fancy sleeping bags. Just grab some sheets and a comforter, and you’re good to go. (This last tip is actually one of the reasons we love car camping in the first place. No need to overheat in a sleeping bag—just luxuriate in sheets and blankets like you would at home!) Budget Rigs We Love:  The car in your driveway: You know how we said the best gear is the gear you already own? Same goes for your vehicle. The best car camping rig is the one you already drive every day. Unless it’s a sedan—it’s pretty hard to sleep comfortably in one of those. In fact, we’ve actually written an entire article about why the best adventure rig is the one that’s parked in your driveway. Beater rigs: We’re talking 2002 Honda CR-Vs. 2001 Ford Explorers. Late 90s Nissan Xterras. You get the picture. The more miles on the odometer, the merrier. We love car camping in these types of rigs because they’re still kicking for a reason (they’re reliable AF) and who cares if you scratch a little paint?  Rentals from Budget: Maybe you own a sedan, or you don’t own a car at all. No problem. You can always rent a car (from Budget or otherwise). Just make sure to specify that you’re looking for an SUV, and be sure to research the make and model to confirm that you can fold the back seats flat. We’ve done this trick on many international adventures, too! Essential gear:  The AIR Mattress: Our most affordable car camping mattress, the Luno AIR BASE Vehicle Mattress is a sleek sleep system that gives budget road trippers unbeatable bang for buck. It’s comfy, supportive, and compatible with hundreds of makes and models, not to mention easy to inflate and deflate at camp.  Coleman Classic Propane Gas Camping Stove: A classic two-burner camp stove that’s been at the heart of good times and good grub for generations, this Coleman Classic is exceptionally tough and as cheap as it gets.  Water Jug: We’ve covered the most important part of your sleep setup (your mattress) and the keystone of your camp kitchen (your campstove). One more thing you literally can’t live without? Water. Stay hydrated no matter where you roam by filling these handy, military-style five-gallon jugs up with potable H2O before you depart.   Extras We Don’t Like to Camp Without: Camp Chair: We’ve got no beef with stumps, rocks, or logs. But sometimes, it’s a treat to take a load off and plunk down in a comfy camp chair. These chairs from Bass Pro Shops cost less than a burrito and are trusted by thousands of campers the world over.   Cargo Hammock: Our Cargo Hammock is no cut-rate camping accessory, but we’re including this stretchy shelf as an optional extra for budget campers because it’s cheaper than a roof rack and turns unused ceiling space into invaluable storage. One of the biggest challenges of car camping is staying organized, and the Cargo Hammock helps you do just that.  Vehicle Mods and Maintenance:  Preventative Vehicle Maintenance: We’re not expecting budget campers to make aftermarket vehicle modifications or invest in pricey racks and overlanding accessories. However, this one piece of advice goes a long way: invest in preventative maintenance. Get your vehicle checked out before car camping excursions, so you’re less likely to run into costly, trip-ruining mechanical issues on the road. Budget #2: How To Car Camp on A Mid-Range Budget If bona fide dirtbags are on one side of the car camping spectrum and loaded Land Rover-piloting overlanders are on the other, the majority of campers fall somewhere in the middle. If you have some disposable income to splurge on car camping gear but still appreciate deals and discounts and monitor your road trip spending, this section is for you.  Who fits in the mid-range budget?  Calculated splurgers: You splurge, but only on certain pieces of gear and only when the time is right. You might be content to buy a used touring setup from your local ski swap, or pick up last season’s outerwear for pennies on the dollar, but also have no problem investing in your dream mountain bike, a spiffy, sparkling climbing rack, or a masterfully crafted fly rod.  Multi-sport mavericks: Several Luno team members fall into this camp. We have mountain bikes that cost more than the Subies we haul ‘em with. We’ve got outrageously priced ultralight carbon skis and splitboards, but couldn’t care less about a scratched bumper or broken seat warmer. If you prioritize your adventure gear over your adventure rig, we’re talking to you.  Reformed dirtbags: This one’s for the ski bums and crag addicts who hung it up and got adult jobs. We see you. We are you. If you’re a weekend warrior who works a nine-to-five but you’re still a dirtbag at heart, car camping is a beautiful way to keep the dream alive. When to Upgrade Your Gear and When Not To Think through your purchases: This one’s a no-brainer, but worth noting nonetheless. Don’t make impulsive purchases. Think big acquisitions through. Ask yourself if you’ll regret that purchase when the credit card bill arrives. In that same vein, it’s a smart idea to consider used gear, stay tuned to holiday sales cycles, and shop accordingly.  Pay for campgrounds (in certain circumstances): We’re huge proponents of free car camping. Car campers can bunk down where tent campers can’t, like quiet neighborhoods, highway rest stops, so on and so forth. However, it’s worth splurging on a paid campground during busy holiday weekends or if you’re visiting a popular national park. We’ll also happily book campgrounds if there are amenities like hot showers, restrooms, etcetera. Lastly, we’ll pay for campgrounds in areas that feel sketchy, as it can’t hurt to have a camp host or ranger to watch your back.  Use apps to your advantage: Don’t get us wrong, we love to unplug. That said, our smartphones are loaded with apps that help us save money while car camping. We’ll use Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas, The Dyrt or iOverlander to find free campsites, and more. Check out more of our favorite car camping apps here. A Few of Our Favorite Mid-Range Vehicles: Stock Subarus: Perhaps the most classic car camping rig of all time? A stock Subie. Enough said.  Used Toyotas And Similar Cult Classics: Nothing says car camping like a well-loved Yota. We’re cracking a virtual cold one for these classics (and its many imitators). CR-Vs, Rav-4’s, and Crossover SUVs: Maybe you’re a soccer mom midweek and camp counselor over the weekend. Or you’re a practical professional who owns a daily commuter that doubles as an adventure rig. Regardless, we’re here for it, and we salute you. Get it! Essential Gear:  Luno AIR Pro: Our mid-tier camping mattress, the Luno AIR Pro, is lighter, more packable, and more durable than our BASE mattress. It also features a zipper that allows you to leave half of the mattress at home on solo adventures. Last but not least, the SUV and hatchback version comes with our Head Support Bridge Attachments, which secure to the back of the front seats to create a stable, level sleeping platform. You can also nab an Air PRO mattress that’s purpose-built for 4Runners, Bronco's and Jeeps.  Camp Chef Everest 2 Stove: If you’re looking for a durable, fuel-efficient camp stove with stellar simmer controls, Camp Chef’s Everest 2 is hard to beat.  Fitted Sleeping Bag Comforter: Step up your snooze game with our Fitted Sleeping Bag Comforter. The warm, plush, cozy, duvet-style sleep system pairs perfectly with Luno mattresses, and it’s so snuggly that getting out of bed in the morning requires monumental mental fortitude.  Rtic Cooler: Rtic’s hard-sided coolers feature a similar rotomolded construction as industry-leading Yeti coolers, but they’re much more affordable, making them our top value pick.  Extras We Don’t Like To Camp Without: Helinox Beach Chair: Thanks to a low-slung, lounge-like backrest and a built-in headrest, Helinox’s Beach Chair is one of our all-time favorite pieces of camp furniture. You can find camp chairs that are cheaper, but it’s tough to find a comfier one.  Car Camping Fan and Window Screens: When you’re car camping on a muggy, buggy night, airflow is everything. Our mesh Window Screens enable campers to roll down the windows without letting in any unwanted mosquitos, while the nifty Car Camping Fan generates a welcome breeze on otherwise still and stifling nights.  Camping String Lights: Bring a little shimmer to your campsite with our twinkling string lights. Whether you string these bad boys up in your vehicle or drape them across tree branches, they add a touch of ambience that makes the wilderness feel like home.  Vehicle Mods and Maintenance: An Emergency Tool Kit: If you’re venturing deep into the wilderness, it’s a smart idea to pack an emergency tool kit (and know how to use it). We like to fill a tool roll with all the requisite wrenches as well as miscellaneous repair items like duct tape, zip ties, and more. A Solid Spare Tire: A donut might get the job done, but if you’re replacing a flat tire miles from civilization, a high-quality spare is a valuable asset. Racks Galore: Smart car campers utilize the exterior of the vehicle for hauling bikes, skis, fly rods, and more. We love to deck our rigs out with racks galore, roof boxes, you name it! Budget #3: How To Camp Like a Pro When we use the words “baller” and “boujee,” we’re not talking about multi-million-dollar mansions or bottles of Cristal. We’re simply shouting out the car campers who place a premium on comfort, convenience, and the best damn gear money can buy. If that sounds like you, keep reading.  Who fits in this baller budget?  “Money is no object” campers: When you’re shopping for gear, do you obsess over technical specs and hardly ever glance at the price tag? Well, if you love top-of-the-line gear and value a high-performance or even luxury vehicle, you might just be a baller when it comes to car camping.  Dedicated car campers: Maybe you’re not made of money, but you spend enough time car camping to know what you want and need. If you’re a dedicated weekend warrior or a road trip regular, investing in premium gear is well worth the spend.  Full-time overlanders:  If you’re a full-time overlander and home is truly where you park it, you have the perfect excuse to ball out on car camping gear.  Tips for Campers Who Need the Best: Buy nice or buy twice: Have you ever heard the saying “buy nice or buy twice?” Cheap gear is often cheaply made. Invest in proven, durable gear from tried-and-true outfitters,  and chances are it will last for decades to come.  Don’t bring the kitchen sink: Just because you have the budget to buy every piece of gear on the planet doesn’t mean you should. Less is sometimes more. Remember that everything you bring car camping is taking up trunk space, and while you have plenty of room to pack the essentials and the extras, too, smart car campers are judicious and discerning. This piece of advice is less about what you can afford to buy and more about what you can afford to pack.  A Few of Our Favorite Dream-Level Rigs: Toyota 4Runners: The Brad Pitt of adventure rigs, the bees’ knobby knees, the pride of Japan, and an absolute dynamo of the desert, the 4Runner is a dream to drive and a nightmare to pay off in full. (Shoutout to the Luno team members crushing those monthly payments!) Jokes aside, we love the 4Runner, so much so that we designed a mattress and window screen specifically for this legendary rig.  Rivian R1S and R2S: The Rivian R1S and R2S are electric in more ways than one. Easy on the eyes—and the environment—these EVs are comfortable and capable when it counts. Again, we love these rigs so much that we designed an R1S mattress and R2S mattress, both in our award-winning, premium AIR+FOAM PRO construction.  Jeep Wrangler: If you’ve got ducks on your dashboard, check out our special edition AIR+FOAM PRO mattress that’s designed to fit perfectly in 2018+ Wranglers. Essential Gear:  Luno AIR+FOAM PRO: We’ve mentioned our AIR+FOAM PRO construction already, but let’s take a quick second to break it down. Our most comfortable and technologically advanced construction to date, our alchemical AIR+FOAM PRO formula features open-cell foam sandwiched between durable, protective fabrics. We’ve tapped our inflatable expertise, too, so you can fine-tune mattress firmness to your liking, but the ultra-cushy foam is what makes the AIR+FOAM PRO as comfy as your bed at home. Our AIR+FOAM PRO mattresses are available in precisely contoured versions for SUVs and hatchbacks as well as purpose-built designs for Rivians and Jeep Wranglers. Plus, we even have a rectangular Camping Mattress ideal for single sleepers. The Camping Mattress is designed to be at home in both vehicles and traditional tents, making it our most versatile mattress to date. Rooftop Tent: If you have a family of four or love to camp with friends, it can be fun to add a rooftop tent as a guest bedroom. Two campers can bunk down in the vehicle thanks to Luno’s car camping mattresses, while two or more campers can snooze comfortably in a rooftop tent. Be wary, ballers: these car camping castles don’t come cheap.  Front Cab Mattress: Here’s a hot take for you: Vanlife is really just a boujier version of sleeping in your car. If you’re a van camper, check out our innovative AIR Pro Front Cab Mattress. It’s a durable, inflatable camp bed that turns the front seats of Sprinters, ProMasters, and other popular vans into a comfy sleeping platform that accommodates shorter adults, kids, and even pets.  Yeti Cooler: If you want a cooler that will outlast a Chernobylesque nuclear meltdown, go with a Yeti. They’re pricey, but you get what you pay for.  Jetboil Genesis: Jetboil’s two-burner Genesis is significantly pricier than the other campstoves we’ve mentioned in this car camping guide. How come? In a word, it’s collapsible. This brilliantly designed stove folds up into a much more manageable bundle, saving car campers valuable trunk space and facilitating pain-free hauling from trunk to cook station.  Extras We Don’t Like To Camp Without Power Stations: Again, we love to unplug while we’re camping, but power stations let you charge up essentials like your phone, camera, headlamps, GoPro, you name it. Bigger power banks, like this Yeti 1500 from Goal Zero, cost a pretty penny, but they can be literal lifesavers in a pinch.  Solar Panels: When you combine high-quality solar panels like this portable Nomad 200 from Goal Zero with a power station, you essentially have a never-ending supply of power. For digital nomads, outdoor photographers, and the like, a setup like this one is a complete gamechanger that can make longer dream adventures turn into reality.  Vehicle Mods and Maintenance Lifted Suspension: There’s a decent chance that if you’re a balling car camper, your vehicle isn’t stock. Common upgrades include lifted suspension, supersized tires, skid plates, elevated air intakes—the list goes on.  Overlanding Accessories: As notable poet, overlanding icon, and certified baller Tyga rapped in 2012: “Rack city, b*tch. Rack rack city, b*tch.” This heartfelt, glowing example of 21st-century balladry is apt when discussing the exterior of a boujee car camping rig. We’re talking rack city, with everything from bike racks and fly rod holders to overlanding-specific accessories mounted willy-nilly like jerry cans, traction boards, shovels and axes, you name it. Lights: Another practical aftermarket upgrade common on boujee car camping rigs? Lights. From light bars to hood-mounted flood lights, those extra lumens go a long way (literally, beaming hundreds of feet into the darkness) when you’re on a midnight adventure. Car Camping FAQ Is it legal to sleep in your car? It depends on where you are. Many public lands allow free dispersed camping, while cities and private lots may have restrictions. Always check local regulations before you park for the night. Where can you car camp for free? Free car camping is often available on public lands like Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and national forests. Apps and guides can help you find safe, legal spots. What’s the best vehicle for car camping? The best vehicle for car camping is the one you already own. SUVs, crossovers, and hatchbacks tend to work best for sleeping in your car, but nearly any vehicle can be adapted. How do you stay warm while sleeping in your car? Layering is key. Use blankets or sleeping bags, wear warm clothing, and insulate your sleeping surface. Proper ventilation also helps prevent condensation and keeps things comfortable. Is car camping safe? Car camping is generally safe if you choose your locations carefully, stay aware of your surroundings, and follow basic safety precautions like locking your doors and keeping valuables out of sight. No Matter Your Budget, We Hope You Enjoy Your Next Adventure! 🏕️🚙 We’re well aware that budgeting for car camping is a personal journey, and it’s tricky to address all campers in this admittedly simplified article. Regardless, we hope that this guide helps you navigate the car camping landscape like a pro and crush your next trip.  If you’re looking to learn more, don’t forget to explore the rest of the Luno Journal, as we’re constantly adding blog posts and content designed to make your life outdoors better than ever. Thanks as always for reading, and we’ll see you on the road. –The Luno Crew