Some city dwellers, who have never been camping, and would like to try this adventure, may be a bit overwhelmed by sporting goods salespeople trying to sell them expensive and usually useless camping equipment.  This article is an attempt to help the novice camper establish some car camping guidelines that will take the mystery out of this type of recreation.  First and most importantly, the novice needs to understand that car camping and backpacking are two very different forms of recreation and the equipment demands are vastly different. With that said, the excursion to purchase car camping equipment will be much less costly. 

Car camping is first and foremost an activity that is simply not going to be very comfortable if attempted in cold or wet weather.  This doesn’t mean you have to avoid a camping trip because the weather channel predicts showers.  But it does mean that you need to structure your trips during reasonable camping weather. With that in mind let’s look at some of the basics by developing a simple camping plan for the novice.

1.  Where should you camp?

Whether you are alone or with others it would be best to learn the basics by planning a camping trip in tenting sites provided by private camp grounds in towns and cities.  Eventually you will be able to venture out to National Parks, but for starters you will be a lot more comfortable and secure if you plan that first trip with tent space reservations in private campgrounds located in towns and cities.  These vary considerably in price anywhere from 15 to 30 dollars a day.  KOA campgrounds are typically more expensive than non-franchised campgrounds.  Be cautious of using the net for searching for campgrounds.  Most of the web sites will attempt to direct you to very costly campgrounds.  A safe approach is to use something like Woodalls net directory to take a first glimpse at what is available.  Take the time to look up campground web sites and email the owners for getting specific information such as availability of laundry facilities, do they allow pets, and do they actually have tent sites.  That last one may seem strange, but the fact is that camping has become big business for manufactures of the RV and many campgrounds cater only to the RV er.

2.  What do you need to know about the area where you plan to camp?

This isn’t rocket science but if you are taking kids along it would be really foolish not to have a general idea of the location of emergency medical facilities and the phone numbers of these facilities. Keep your cell phone well charged and when possible pick up a local phone book from the town’s chamber of commerce.  Also, you really want to know what tourist attractions are available in the surrounding area. Don’t simply accept what the campground management tells you about local attractions.  They want your business and will not be all that careful about directing you to something that is appropriate for all family members.  Check out the attraction on the net.  If your first trip out is with kids, then you really have to have a well planned day of activities, which might include playing miniature golf or visiting the local zoo.  If you don’t have this well planned (location and cost) you are going to have some really bored kids on your hands.

3.   What kind of equipment should you purchase?

You can spend a small fortune on camping equipment especially on things like tents, stoves and bedding equipment.  For the average person (or family) you can easily fulfill equipment needs at your local Wal Mart.  It is just plain silly to purchase equipment from expensive sport stores.

Tents:

The tent is something that is used for privacy and to keep bugs out of your bedding.  You are not camping in the Himalayas and you don’t need the ultimate in weather protection.  The tent does not need to be very large however the rule of thumb is that if the tent manufacture says it will accommodate three adults then you can be fairly certain that any more than two will make it a nightmare.  You can purchase a fine tent that will accommodate two adults for less than 100 dollars (make sure the tent has a water proof floor and a rain fly).  Anything more than that is overkill.  My wife and I use a 25 dollar dome style tent (if it fails it is really cheap to replace).

Bedding:

If you are planning on camping in the summer during warm weather, then you don’t want sleeping bags.  Use light weight blankets from home and make sure they are the kind that can be easily washed.  During warm weather, sleeping in a small tent on top of a furry blanket can be really uncomfortable.  Think in terms of how you sleep at home.  This means using a bottom sheet and a light blanket that takes the place of a top sheet. (A light inexpensive comforter should be on hand just in case the weather turns cold and wet).  And of course bring pillows with you.

Sleeping on the ground need not be an exercise in torture.  Modern sleeping mats are quite comfortable.  The inflatable mattress is probably the one item you should avoid.  Even if they do not develop a tear, the mattress will deflate when the air cools down at night.  A better idea is to use the self inflating pads used for backpacking (about 28 dollars at a Wal Mart store).  You can really add to the comfort of this by also using a egg crate roll up mat (13 dollars).  In combination (the self inflating pad on top of the egg crate mat) will give you a comfortable night’s sleep.

Stoves:

Do not purchase the single propane burner that is placed on top of those small green propane bottles.  They are dangerous and can easily tip over while you are cooking.  You should get a 2 burner that lays flat and uses either propane or white gas (about 85 dollars).  My preference is the white gas type, simply because it is less expensive and you don’t have to keep tossing out those small green propane tanks.

If planned well car camping can be a lot of fun for the entire family and you will create memories that your children will cherish.  And for you single young folks, many of these private camp grounds have special events such as music bands at night and getting together cookouts: you just might meet that special someone! Enjoy the adventure in car camping.