Car camping

The character of car camping sites varies greatly. Some are rustic and remote, with bumpy two-track roads leading to sites consisting of nothing more than a partially-cleared patch of ground with a stone-circled fire pit. Others are conveniently located, with paved drives and carefully landscaped sites featuring charcoal grills, picnic tables, and electrical hook-ups, with a playground and swimming pool on the grounds. Either of those might be someone's ideal, but still others may be little more than a grassy field or a parking lot, between a motel and a shopping center, a block from a major highway's exit ramp.

See also Renting a motorhome in New Zealand for information about car camping in that country.

There are a multitude of ways to car camp, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Trailers may require your having a driving licence that covers them, often a different one when you exceed a certain size. Similarly, big motorhomes may require a licence for a truck.

• Passenger car – Getting into your own car and heading off on a long road trip has an intrinsic appeal in its simplicity. Unlike larger vehicles, you are probably already familiar with driving your car and know its limitations. For serious camping, though, the limitations of a passenger car are many. Trying to sleep in a parked car seldom results in a restful night's sleep. If you plan to carry a tent with you and camp out, make sure you are camping somewhere it is safe and legal to do so, which often means using camping grounds.
• Large car, such as a minivan, SUV, sedan or station wagon, with seats that lay down – Blankets and pillows are a must. Desert environments can be very hot during the day but freezing cold at night. If you have trouble with bugs getting into your vehicle, with the windows rolled down to allow fresh air in, there are custom insect screens to fit your vehicle available, which can be ordered on line.
• Pickup truck with truck top – Truck tops, also known as camper tops, are hard shells that fit snugly over the bed of a pickup truck. They are relatively inexpensive and can make for ideal car camping. One or two people can easily sleep in the pickup truck bed enjoying privacy and protection from the elements. Essentially, you can camp anywhere you can park, and most pickup trucks can easily handle dirt roads or other rough conditions that may be present where you want to camp. Truck tops are usually made to your specific model of truck and are available from many after-market truck retailers. Costs can be from US$400 to above US$1000. You will probably want to buy a truck bed liner as well.
• Trailers (U.S.) / Caravans (UK) – A variety of options exist if you are willing to tow your camper, ranging from lightweight pop up tent campers to more durable trailers. You will need a trailer hitch and a vehicle capable of towing – any place that sells camping trailers would be happy to explain the capabilities of your vehicle and install an adequate hitch.
• Car top campers – A new back to basics class of camper is a tent that temporarily mounts to roof rack systems of SUVs, trucks, vans, station wagons, some cars and small off-road utility trailers. These roof top tents typically contain a built-in mattress and can store bedding and pillows while folded for travel. With practice, set up takes five minutes. Sizes vary from single sleeper to tents that sleep up to four people. The advantages of these campers are comparatively low cost, compact go-anywhere convenience, easy driving, good MPG and RV comfort sleeping space that often exceeds 7 feet length – nice for taller travelers.
• Car Campers – A concept where a car (usually a station wagon) has storage space under a fabricated bed frame in the rear luggage compartment. It has a permanently made up double bed with access through lift up lids to the storage beneath. It contains all equipment necessary for travelling and camping in camp grounds or in the bush.

• Fast food – It's everywhere, but fast food on a daily basis is seldom nutritious or satisfying.
• Farmer's markets – Great way to get local produce and meet local folks.
• Supermarkets – Cheaper than restaurants.
• Campground stores – Many campgrounds have stores in the campground with ice, firewood, and some canned goods, though often the prices are higher than the local norm due to having a "captive market".
• Truck stops – Some truck stops (in the USA: especially TA and Petro) have sit down restaurants. Truckers know the roads well and often a good way to find the best restaurant on a highway is to look for a collection of big rigs outside. This is almost certain to get you moderate prices and large servings, and sometimes the cooking is very good as well.
  Many truck stops have fast food outlets where the prices are higher and the menus are limited. You can also purchase hot food such as hot dogs or pizza. The selection of food (especially canned goods) is larger than a typical convenience store, but it is more expensive.
• Stops for chartered buses – These are used also as truck stops, but in addition to truck drivers, they are used to offer a meal for a bus-load of tourists, with preferences perhaps different from truck drivers. There may be facilities for children.
• Ordinary restaurants and shops – you may want to park somewhere with public transport in reach or at walking distance from the centre, explore the town and enjoy normal restaurants.
• Outdoor cooking – Can be an enjoyable option if open fires are permitted or you have a camp stove. Many campgrounds have barbecue facilities.

Some campers just use their vehicle for transportation, pitching a stand-alone tent to sleep in. Some use it to pull a pop-up trailer/tent or use their car or van as part of the tent or shade structure. Some drive large vans or recreational vehicles to sleep in, which may include many of the comforts of home (on a more compact scale). In car camping lingo, "boondocking" or "dry camping" refers to camping anywhere that RV hookups are not present. How long one can comfortably do this depends on the capacities of your rig's generator, LP gas, water storage, and wastewater tanks. Setting up a tent on private property or in a town of any size can easily attract unwanted attention. Sleeping in the car outside campgrounds may or may not be accepted.

In the Nordic countries, the right of access allows campers to stay overnight practically everywhere outside built-up areas, as long as they do not disturb residents or cause damage. Parking may be restricted, though, especially in Norway.

Apps like iOverlander, Park4night and Campercontact provide a wealth of information on where to stay and the services different places offer. For Australia and New Zealand, try Campermate as well.

OpenstreetMap can be used offline using apps such as OsmAnd and websites Open Camping Map to find camping sites.

• RV campgrounds are the most obvious place to camp. While amenities vary greatly with location, virtually all will have hookups for water and electricity, and for grey and black water disposal. Nationwide chains in USA and Canada include KOA Kampgrounds.
• U.S. State parks and Canadian provincial parks. Research ahead, look for nearby state parks make sure camping and/or RVs are allowed. You can also consult a park lists local to your area to save time. Some of these may only provide "dry camping" sites.
• National parks in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand often have campsites with spaces for RVs. Check each individual national park to be sure.
• BLM Land and Federal Wildlife Refuges in USA: Most allow overnight camping, just ask the ranger. Great way to bird-watch or spot wildlife at sunrise.
• Rest areas. Well patrolled in some countries; some areas have rules against overnighting. However, in practice, these are usually only enforced to keep vagrants, drunks, or other undesirable elements away. Police generally let car campers stay overnight.
• Truck stops. Again ask, but almost always allowed. Some offer dump sites. Showers are available for a fee or free with purchase of diesel fuel. Make sure you are not blocking truck pathways. It is best to refrain from using rooms that pop out as this takes up additional parking spaces.
• Parking lots. Use common sense and courtesy here. In the U.S., many 24-hour Wal-Mart stores informally allow car camping overnight on their parking lots, as do some shopping malls, restaurants, etc. Never stay on a parking lot longer than 12 hours, and try to leave by 9AM or when regular customers begin to arrive. Do not use awnings or BBQs. Common courtesy says you should buy something at the store where you are parked or eat at the restaurant.
• Casinos. Most casinos in some countries allow overnight camping or even have full fledged RV hookups. At casinos with RV parks, ask first inside the casino if they have a coupon or other promotion for RV'ers. Sometimes, you can score a hookup for free.
• Amusement parks Great if you plan to go to the amusement park the next day, of dubious value otherwise, and many amusement parks charge for parking. Some also have special areas for RV'ers, call ahead to ask.

Many campgrounds will have drinking water at the site, but you will need to bring your own into some primitive sites. Some campsites have cafes, kiosks or vending machines, perhaps selling soft drinks, snacks, coffee, etc.

Remember, alcohol and driving do not mix. By-laws regarding alcohol consumption at campgrounds vary greatly; some ban alcohol altogether (either for legal-liability reasons or to placate other campers, such as families with children) while others might have a small bar on the premises. United States campsites can sometimes be strict enough to check your cooler for beer when you arrive.

"Workamping", i.e. working while staying at a camp site, is an ideal arrangement for those who want to enjoy RV'ing on a full-time or part-time basis. You may or may not receive monetary compensation. RV parks offer either paid or volunteer positions or a combination thereof. Some will only provide you with a "free" campsite (with full hook-ups), whereas others will compensate you for your hours worked. Those who pay you will charge for your campsite, generally. Make sure you discuss specific job duties and expectations, additional costs such as uniforms and cleaning, and the hours you want to work prior to accepting a job.

Volunteer opportunities also exist - mostly at National or State parks in the U.S. While the only compensation is usually a free RV hookup, many people report very high satisfaction with these jobs.

Other work possibilities abound for those with "portable" careers - such as writers and artists, or those with careers that afford time off during the summer. For example, there are RVing accountants, teachers, and dentists.

See also: Health, Hygiene

You can often expect toilets (of some kind) at any campground, but facilities such as laundry, telephones, showers, etc., depend on the site; you'll want to find out about these before planning a long stay.

Most YMCAs around offer amenities such as hot showers, saunas, pools and exercise equipment. Usually the cost for a non-member day pass is around $4, but if you hold a membership, you can use any of the facilities at any location for free. This includes fitness classes such as Yoga and Kickboxing.

In the U.S., truck stops offer showers. They are usually free with any purchase of diesel.

If you have a large RV you should consider purchasing a truck GPS. A truck GPS is more expensive than a regular GPS, but it provides the following extra features:

• larger screen
• automatically avoids low bridges and underpasses
• provides locations to park including Wal-Marts and truck stops

The major U.S. truck store chains (Pilot/Flying J, TA/Petro, and Love's) always have at least one model on sale each month.

Try to arrive at your overnight site well before sundown. Not only is this common courtesy at RV campgrounds, where others may be sleeping, but in the dark you may not notice obviously bad places to camp (such as an area littered with broken glass, or in front of a farm gate).

As much as you might like to believe that anyone who shares your love of the outdoors has good enough character to respect your belongings, you do have to take precautions against theft. Keep valuables with you whenever you can. When you can't, leave them locked in the car out of sight. Don't leave items (even inexpensive ones) sitting out in plain view when you leave the site.

Do not assume that your automobile association's roadside assistance will provide for recovery of both your vehicle and camper trailer if you break down. Most are equipped to tow cars and light trucks (without trailers) to a repair facility, but a large motorhome (as one integrated vehicle) may require specialised equipment to transport if disabled. Some caravan clubs and RV associations may be able to resell third-party insurance to provide suitable roadside assistance; in the USA, the for-profit "Good Sam Club" sells coverage.

Downtown areas of cities are almost never good places to car camp.

• Camping
• Tips for road trips