Family camping affords us the opportunity to unplug from the diversions of everyday life, connect with the natural world and one another, creating lasting memories in the process. Whether you’re taking the family out for a long weekend of experiencing the outdoors world, or setting up basecamp for a week, there’s no reason you need to also abandon the idea of comfort and good living.
The following nine items have been vetted and recommended by our editors as the staples for all of our car camping adventures.
Kelty Granby
Whether you’re a family of four, five or six… there are a few key features you’ll need in a tent, and the Granby hits every mark on the list. This spacious, easy-to-set-up family tent offers plenty of usable living space for you and the rest of your family. An array of wall pockets help keep things organized, and the double vestibules provide shelter for anything that doesn’t fit inside.
$459.95 (Six Person), $399.95 (Four Person); kelty.com
Primus Profile Dual Stove
Don’t think of the Primus Profile Dual Stove/Grill as merely another ‘camp stove. Rather, think of it as a mini-kitchen that’s light (only 11.9 pounds), durable, and portable enough to take to every campsite, and convenient enough to whip-up just about any culinary treat you can think up. The InstaStart piezo ignition turns this baby on without matches, and WindBlock shields make sure you can make dinner on this stove even when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating.
$159.95; primuscamping.com
SlumberJack Sleeping Bags
When it comes to family camping, you don’t need sleeping bags that come with a slew of technological widgets and gadgets that can run you extra coin. All you really need is dependable cozy comfort, and that’s where SlumberJack delivers. From the kids range of bags to the Timber Jill and Timber Jack, SlumberJack offers some of the highest-quality camp bags you’ll find anywhere at a price that’s hard to beat. They’ll keep you warm and cozy for plenty of car camping excursions to come.
$44.95 (Kids Kit), $69.95 (TimberJill 20), $74.95 (TimberJack 20); slumberjack.com
Therm-a-Rest Vela Double Blanket
For those who prefer to go sans-sleeping bag, or those simply looking to elevate the car camping and road tripping experiences, the 650-fill downVela Double Blanket is a must. With Blanket Construction offering freedom of movement and easy temperature regulation, the Vela Double Blanket is your dreamy refuge in the midsts of nature’s playground. Side snaps and the included Loop Kit allows you to attach the blanket directly to any mattress or other Therm-a-Rest blankets for the ultimate slumber party.
$279; thermarest.com
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset
Just because you’ve got some extra room in your SUV it doesn’t mean you need to pack along the kitchen sink. When it comes to your cookset needs, GSI Outdoors has taken the liberty of nesting all the essentials you need to tackle your multi-person cooking concerns into one convenient and innovative package. Loaded with plates, bowls, mugs, pots a frypan and a wash basin, this set is fully equipped for the gourmet needs of your family and weighs in at a meager 3lbs and 10oz.
$129; GSIoutdoors.com
SOG Base Camp Axe
Whether gathering kindling for a campfire, pounding in tent stakes or clearing some brush for camp, the hatchet is the original camping multi-tool. Designed specifically for your base camping endeavors, the SOG Base Camp Axe features a durable forged steel head that holds an exceptional edge. Opposite the blade, the back of the head features a flat striking surface ready for a veritable cornucopia of camp duties. And because you can’t control Mother Nature’s mood, the molded rubber handle fills your hand to create a lock-tight grip that won’t let go even when wet.
$80; sogknives.com
Coleman 100qt Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
Coleman has been an American campground classic for over 100 years – and it’s new generation of XTreme coolers offer a durable cooler that is not only geared for any adventure, but won’t take a huge chunk out of your camping budget. Whether it’s a long weekend, or an entire week’s worth of campsite cooking, this rugged five wheeled cooler keeps food and beverages cool and fresh in any weather. The Coleman Xtreme will store ice for 5 days at exterior temperatures of up to 90 degrees; holds 160beverage cans with ice; and even serves as a handy beverage holder with 4 stay-put beverage holders on top. At the end of the trip, just open up the rustproof, leak-resistant drain. The tilted channel does all the work for you.
$99. http://www.coleman.com
Alite Designs Mantis Chair
Whether it’s time for a campfire story, roasting SMORS or just lounging effortlessly for a few hours while everyone else is out fishing, you’re going to need a comfortable spot to sit. Enter the Mantis Chair from Altie Designs. The biggest chair in the Alite furniture family, the Mantis Chair is a perfect combination of minimalist design and maximalist comfort.
$120; alitedesigns.com
The PackTowl Family
Setting up a stationary camp doesn’t mean that your camping adventures will be static. From paddle boarding to swimming, and freshening up at the camp shower, you’re going to need a towel . Made out of a microfiber fabric, the PackTowls from Cascade Designs are soft, highly absorbent, and include a mesh stuff sac for compact packing that will let your towel breathe when it’s packed away. How good are they? The Original Pack Towl absorbs 10 times its weight in water. That’s a lot. Sorry bulky old cotton towels, your time has come and gone.
$30. cascadedesigns.com/packtowl