We had the pleasure of escaping to Alabama Hills, California, for our first ever car camping trip! We wanted to take advantage of having the extra storage space and bring along some fun accessories. Here are some cute and fun must-haves that can make camping in a car that much more enjoyable.
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1. SHEER CURTAINS
We had the idea of attaching sheer curtains to our Toyota 4Runner’s tailgate with suction cup hooks to extend our personal space, and it immediately established such a lofty vibe! Also, depending on where you plan to car camp, these curtains may also add some protection from insects.
TIP: Wipe down any dirt and dust from the area to maximize the adhesion of your hooks. We opted for using curtain rod clips to hang, as opposed to using curtains with grommets so we can place them exactly where we want. We also tied the curtains with twine when the wind picked up.
2. LED STRING LIGHTS
Like the curtains, the string lights brought an instant boost to the overall look of our camp space, and provided an adequate amount of light. Our suction cups were strong enough to hold the lights, and we had an additional pair to hang from our net inside the car. Magical!
3. BASKETS FOR STORAGE
Adding baskets to space is a great way to utilize storage in a cute and cozy way. We were able to toss our blankets and soft items into a large woven basket before loading into the car. When we arrived at our campsite, the basket made it super easy to place and have access to throughout our stay.
4. REUSABLE LIGHTWEIGHT BOWLS & PLATES
These colorful mix-and-match bowls and plates are lightweight, durable, and were perfect for arranging our s’mores ingredients.
5. OUTDOOR FRIENDLY RUG
We brought our indoor-outdoor flatwoven rug to establish and bring comfort to our lounge space.
TIP: Lay down a sheet of tarp underneath the rug for easier cleanup (and less dust in the car afterwards).
6. LOVESEAT CAMPING CHAIR
This was kind of a splurge purchase, but we couldn’t resist the idea of snuggling under the stars with this camping loveseat. Totally worth it!
7. COOLER WITH A POP OF COLOR
We bought this cooler several years ago because it matched our kitchen perfectly, but we think it looks even better for camping with a car. The built-in cup holders are an added bonus.
8. SILICONE WINE GLASSES
These lightweight and easy to clean wine glasses are such a fun addition to your car camping trip. Since they are made from silicone, we were able to toss them with the rest of our stuff without worry of breaking them. And the colors! 😍
9. FUN PILLOWS & BLANKETS
For some, the idea of camping in a car, and especially sleeping in a car may not be the most appealing. However, the use of cozy blankets and bold outdoor pillows can turn your vehicle into a very inviting space. We used this light, insulated blanket as a comforter on top of our car padding. We also brought our colorful saddle blanket to use as a throw.
10. PORTABLE MINI FANS
Although we were looking forward to slightly cooler weather, Alabama Hills is still in the middle of the desert, and these portable fans made a huge difference in helping us sleep comfortably. The flexible arms made it easy to reposition, and its rechargeable battery lasted all night. Other colors are available as well.
11. NIFTY SHOWER RACK TURNED GADGET HOLDER
We managed to unplug for the majority of the trip, but in the event that we wanted to watch a movie beneath the stars, this heavy duty shower caddy kept our iPad easily accessible while keeping it off of our sleeping space.
TIP: Like the suction cup curtain hooks, we highly recommend cleaning the area free of dust to avoid your caddy from falling.
12. HANGING TOILETRY POUCH
We were delighted to find that this toiletry caddy was the perfect height for our 4Runner. It was nice being able to access our essential items right there, just like a hanging nightstand. It also comes in a variety of fun colors!
13. ACCESSORIES TRAY
While we are on the topic of maximizing space, this fun woven tray kept our sleeping area tidy and held our other items for entertaining.
14. CUTE LITTLE MUSIC MAKER
It’s always a joy to bring music with you while traveling. I’ve been learning to play the kalimba, which is such a whimsical handheld instrument. It felt surreal playing a couple of little tunes gathered around the fire. I love the fact that this one’s bear-shaped too 😍
15. HEADLAMP TURNED PAPER LANTERN
Greg thought of an innovative idea for using our headlamps as a lantern. We ordered a set of paper lanterns (we used the medium size), and positioned our headlamps in a way so that we can use its strap to hang from our tailgate. It diffused the light surprisingly well, and looked amazing too.
We had such a great first experience camping with a car and making it our own! Of course, these items are not absolutely necessary. However, they sure can add to the comfort and fun of being able to bring a little more than what you can carry on your back.
SHOP THESE SUPER CUTE CAR CAMPING ESSENTIALS
Sheer Gradient Curtains
Suction Cup Hooks
Curtain Ring Clips
Waterproof LED String Lights
Woven Storage Basket | similar
Metal Basket Table | similar
Plastic Plate, Salad Bowl & Cereal Bowl
Outdoor Rug | similar
Loveseat Camping Chair
Cooler | similar
Silicone Wine Glasses
Insulated Camp Blanket
Outdoor Throw Pillows | similar
Portable Mini Fans
Shower Caddy
Hanging Toiletry Holder
Woven Tray | similar 1 similar 2
Bear-Shaped Kalimba Instrument
Paper Lantern Set
SHOP OUR CAR CAMPING GEAR
All-Purpose Tarp
Mesh Window Shades
Cargo Net Organizer
SUV Portable Folding Mattress
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❤ Daina
Too cute! Definitely camping with style!! Thank you for sharing your adventure!!
Thank you, Kelly! We had a lot of fun adding our own personal touches to this trip!