car camping with a toyota truck

🚙 The Recipe for an Amazing Car Camping Adventure

There’s something about car camping that never gets old, that perfect balance between freedom and comfort. You pack up the essentials, toss your gear in the back, and go wherever the road feels right.

I’ve camped right alongside lakes, on FSRs, provincial campgrounds, gravel turnoffs, and even had a quick nap on the shoulder of a mountain road in the Rockies. And after a few trips, I’ve learned one thing: the ultimate car camping adventure for me isn’t only about chasing the most epic spots, it’s about getting all my gear extremely dialed in.

🏕️ What do I actually need to bring car camping?

This is the question I see quite often online, and I’ve definitely overpacked enough times to understand why. The truth? You don’t need as much as you think.

If you’re car camping, think in systems, not items.

  • Sleeping system: tent, pad, bag, pillow.
  • Cooking system: stove, fuel, utensils, coffee maker, and a workspace that keeps everything within reach. This year, I took one of the early versions of our Chuk Kitchen Box and got it really dialed in. It worked great and gave us lots of time to test things! 
  • Comfort system: chair, light, clothes that layer easily, and I include a toque.

The key is to try and avoid the “bin chaos”. That’s what inspired our design of the Chuk Kitchen Box. A single, organized setup that stores all the kitchen essentials and unfolds into a cook station in seconds.

🔥 How do I stay warm at night when camping?

Cold nights hit differently when you’re camping out of your car. You’re close to the elements but not totally exposed. The trick is layering both on your body and under your sleeping setup.

Here’s what works for me:

  • A sleeping pad. I use a yoga mat, a sleeping mat, and a blanket under my sleeping bag.
  • A warm sleeping bag plus a fleece blanket on top if it's cold.
  • Dry socks reserved only for sleeping.
  • A beanie (or toque) because your head loses more heat than you think.

🍳 How do you cook while car camping?

Cooking outdoors has become one of my favorite parts of camping. Early on, I went through every version of the “camp kitchen.” A folding table here, a cooler there, and utensils spread across three different bins. Every meal was a scavenger hunt.

Now my setup is simple:

  • The Chuk Kitchen Box is the hub. It stores my stove and everything I need to cook, clean, and eat. 
  • I always pack at least 2-3 ready-made meals just in case. 
  • Bring a thermos or a large insulated water bottle. It comes in handy more than you think.
  • Bring plenty of garbage bags and have a system for storing and taking your garbage with you when you leave your campsite.

The funny thing about camp cooking is that once you have an organized space, everything is easier, and the food even tastes better. You’re not fighting the setup. You’re enjoying the process.

Chuk camp kitchen box completely closed

🌧️ What happens if it rains while camping?

Rain isn’t the enemy; I find disorganization is.

If it starts pouring, the first instinct is panic. You think: Where’s the tarp? Why didn’t I put the stove away? Is my sleeping bag wet?

The solution is pre-thought simplicity.

  • Always set up a tarp or awning first if there's even a slight chance of rain.
  • Keep your cooking gear in a watertight container (why we built ours that way).
  • Have a dry backup of clothes, socks, and a towel stored separately from everything else.
  • Bring some rainy day activities!

Rainy nights are actually my favorite. The sound, the smell, the isolation, it’s when you get to truly experience the elements.

🪵 How do you choose a good campsite?

A “good” campsite is more about feel than perfection. I’ve learned to trust my gut on three things:

  1. Flat ground (you’ll never sleep well on a slope).
  2. Natural boundaries like trees or rocks for wind protection.
  3. Distance from noise or other people when possible.

And one bonus rule: always face the view you’ll want to wake up to.

☕ The Real Secret to the Ultimate Car Camping Adventure

The older I get, the less I want chaos. I want mornings that start with a sunrise, a cup of coffee, and a setup that makes my morning easy 

The ultimate car camping adventure happens when you find a rhythm. It’s having the right systems so that the outdoors doesn’t feel like work. it's bringing just the right amount of gear so you feel comfortable wherever you go.

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