Car Camp Like a Pro

Spring is a great time to go camping. It’s warmer than winter, yet cooler than summer. You get to enjoy spring blooms without the thickets of poison ivy that come later in the year, and you don’t yet have to worry about mosquitoes and other obnoxious insects. So make a point to get out this spring and do some camping!

While testing your mettle on an extended backpacking trip can be a lot of fun, car camping is sometimes a better option if you're short on time or bringing small children. You can't beat a Subaru when it comes to car camping. 

The main difference between car camping and backpacking is that you don’t have to worry about how big, or how heavy, something is when you’re camping from your car. When you're car camping, you have lots of room to carry lots of stuff, so you might as well make the most of it. Unless you're adamant that camping and roughing it should be synonymous, car camping can be about comfort and convenience. Here’s a list of items you should bring, in addition to your regular camping supplies, so that you can car camp like a pro!

• Lots of water – Every ounce counts… when you're on the trail. If you’re car camping, make sure you bring enough water for everyone, plus water to use for cleaning and cooking. I never hurts to have too much water. 
• Cooler – Load it with ice and live it up. You can bring meat, cheese, yogurt, fruit, or even ice cream (if you eat it quickly). There's no sense in eating nothing but peanut butter tortillas when you can haul out an entire ice chest.
• Kitchen – A backpacker's kitchen is a lightweight stove. An old school camper’s kitchen is a fire and a stick. Your kitchen can be nearly as good as you kitchen at home. Bring a dual-burner stove, a French press, a kettle, cups, plates, and utensils for the ultimate outdoor dining experience. Grab some biodegradable soap and a Brillo pad to make clean up a breeze. 
• Table – A folding camp table can make all the difference. Use it to prepare and cook your food, and then use it for an after dinner game of cards. 
• Chairs – Nothing brings comfort to a campsite like a good chair. Bring your favorite folding chair, or consider investing in 5-gallon plastic drum. These work great for seating as well as waterproof storage.
• Bring firewood – If you're camping in the woods, there will undoubtedly be firewood, but you never know how damp or how sparse wood may be. Bring some fire wood, enough to get a fire going, so you can get a head start on your campfire. 
• Shade house – If you’re going to be out for the entire weekend, you will need a place to escape the sunshine. Bring a shade house, or a tarp and cordage to construct your own.
• Extra tarp – Use it for shade, or a ground cover, or a rain fly, or whatever. Tarps are handy, and if you have the space you should bring one.
• Tent – This should probably make your shortlist of regular camping supplies, but if you’re usually a big guy or gal, treat yourself to a full size tent when you go car camping. 
• Air Mattress – Old school campers might cringe to see the words “air mattress,” but you can deprive yourself of comfort on those backcountry backpacking trips. It's acceptable to bring a nice cozy air mattress on a car camping trip.
• Blankets – If you're camping out of a Subaru, you have won’t have to worry about having enough room. Leave those constricting mummy bags at home and bring a blanket. Car camping is about convenience and comfort.
• Pillows – You have to have a place to rest your head!
• Frisbee, soccer ball, games – It can be great to just relax and bask in the beauty of nature, but sometimes there's a time limit on basking if you’re camping with kids. Bring some fun things to play with.
• Instruments – When was the last time you saw someone backpacking with a guitar in tow? Space isn’t an issue with car camping, so go ahead and bring some musical instruments. This is great entertainment around a fire. Just be mindful of other campers if you’re at a crowded site.

Whether you drive an Outback or an Impreza, Subaru vehicles are perfectly equipped for a spring camping trip. Subarus have tons of cargo room to carry all of your camping equipment, and they’re equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive so you can get you to those hard to reach campsites.