Um. Yeah. We have too much stuff -- Image provided by Blaine Franger
Space in the family car is always an issue when it comes to a camping trip. High gas prices make bringing multiple cars an expensive option and those overhead storage containers are often cost prohibitive for those on a budget. That being said, the family camping checklist is still large so you often need to be creative when it comes to saving space.
Here are a few things that I’ve learned over the past few years…
1. Leave the food – It truly amazes me just how much space is taken up by food. While some families spend a lot of time cooking and preparing ahead of time, I prefer to pick up the food while we’re there. There is likely going to be a supermarket within a short driving distance from your campground. Simply pick up the what you know you will eat, a disposable cooler, some ice and you’ll be good to go.
2. Collapsible Coolers - If those styrofoam coolers aren’t your thing (I personally despise them) a great alternative is a collapsible cooler. Coleman makes some decently built ones that can store your food and beverages. One thing to note about these is that you will need to replace your ice more often but they are a great space-saving alternative to the traditional cooler.
3. No suitcases - First of all, suitcases shouldn’t be brought when camping. Those are for hotels, resorts and such (ew. gross. ugh). However my practical wife came up with the great suggestion of substituting duffel bags for suitcases she normally brings. They’re inexpensive, somewhat durable and more squishable (yep, another made up word) than their less flexible suitcase counterparts.
4. Less clothes - No I’m not suggesting to camp naked. The sunburns are just not worth it. What I am suggesting is to utilize the laundry facilities at the campground (if available) rather than bringing different clothes for each day of your trip. Another simpler and possibly less popular option is to simply wear clothes more than once. This is camping after all. Most folks won’t care if you wore those same jeans yesterday.
5. Small Games - Games are a staple of the family camping trip, but don’t bring the the full board game versions.Go with the card game varieties and you’ll save a decent amount of space. Plus these games are slightly different than their space hogging cousins which will provide your family with some fun variety
So there you go. Follow those tips and you’ll have more room in your vehicle for your next camping trip. Just remember to have fun, be safe and create lots of memories!
“I’m not suggesting to camp naked. The sunburns are just not worth it.” LOVE THIS!!!!
These are great tips! You’re so right about bringing less food– we’ll have to adhere to that next time!
Hello,
Nice article! It will me more chose what I will buy and What I will select for me.
Thank’s,
Twitter: yourwildchild
says:
We are leaving for a 10-day camping trip next week. We’ve always had our truck and can bring whatever we want, but this time we will be squeezing 4 people and all of our stuff into a little Camry. Lord help me. Buying food there is a good way to go, but I definitely cannot do a disposable cooler. Maybe we can at least buy the dry goods when we get there. Anyway, a very timely post for me!
Twitter: ATVCamper
says:
Keeping your gear stored in plastic totes making loading and unloading much easier, plus it saves space to boot.
I remember the first me and my kids decide to go on a camp. For first timers, we almost brought everything in the kitchen to make sure that we can use any thing we can think off. Only to find out, that in the camping site, they have some tools that we can use and we end up bringing ‘useless’ things.
Great information especially for first time campers.
Warmly,
Jason
Another way to reduce space is to bring less cooking tools. In the past, we’ve brought all kinds of burners, pots and pans, fuel, only to find out it’s much more fun to use the fire pits and a big old fashion iron pan. Many camps will sell wood on site for your fire pit. My boys love lighting up the fire and watching us cook our food right on there. Thanks for the post. Looking for more.
i think you are right for not to bring suitcases while camping… it become very big burden on you while camping…
These are great tips! I have been camping numerous times and I always find that we bring too much food and too many clothes. I love the duffle bag idea – it is squishable.
Hi Sebastien — Agreed. I’ll be looking at my cooking tools more closely on my next trips as we definitely didn’t use all of them this past trip. Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: rainintorainbow
says:
I keep a master camping list, then customize it for each camping trip. After the trip, I mark the items that weren’t used, so I’ll know when we take a similar trip that those items may be unnecessary.
It always seems that there is too much stuff, doesn’t it?
The master list is always a great thing to have. Save me a few times. Clothes is a tricky one because you don’t want to get caught with two few clothes (especially none) but too many can really weigh you down.
Camping is not something I used to do well. I would bring way too much stuff and end up making way too much work for myself. I finally got smart and started a camping list like the previous poster mentioned. It’s way more fun with less stuff. Besides, if you absolutely have to have something, you can usually run to a store to grab it.
Twitter: familyfirepit
says:
It is a little hard to not pack food when you are out in the boonies. Never seems to be enough space especially when kids are involved, especially when they need a few changes in clothing throughout the day.
Agreed. You have to judge what you need and use common sense. If you’re in the middle of nowhere some of these tips just aren’t practical. However, many families camp in locations that are well within a short drive from stores to pick up most items.
awesome tips, thanks for sharing these nice ideas
Another great set of tips…. its always hard deciding what to take and what to leave out
Twitter: luvtobfit
says:
Definitely the secret to a successful camping is in the preparation, and it all boils down to a list. The one you provide is a good starting point. Make a list, make it as specific as possible, and bring along the things that are on your list only. You will find that you bring everything you really need without the extra stuff.
Twitter: Charlotte_RV
says:
Another suggestion concerning food is to pull a small trailer with the cooler and supplies if the car just doesn’t have the room. Its also easier to pack/unpack(no doors)
nice! really good tips i must say especially about the food i mean i always ether bring too much or not enough. really great post and kepp them comming my friend
I agree with you and less is better when you are camping. I like using the collapsible coolers like you mentioned instead of the styrofoam ones. They are better for the environment and will save your some space which is something I like about them.
There is some very sound advice here, especially, ‘leave the food’ so many times I have packed and taken food with me, usually in a large cool box and really wished I hadn’t. They take up so much room and I could easily and just as cheaply got the food at my destination.
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well you are right when going out camping its not hoteling so we need to lose the suitcases
and to bring only necessary stuff. One thing about clothes it depends on the season you are camping but if its at the fall or winter so you need to consider a few layers and another thing don’t forget the first aid kit very important be well
Nice list and good suggestions for keeping it simple – in general the amount of stuff we want to take always seems to be just a little bit more than the space that’s available in the car. This seems to happen no matter how big or small the car is. Preparation’s the key, or so I think as I’m throwing various items in my car just before leaving. Next time things will be different…
Twitter: GoGoMh
says:
One of my best space saving tips is to take only “some” of various kitchen supplies. Take “some” of the ziplock bags – not the whole box. Take “some” of the plastic forks, knives, and spoons instead of the the whole box. — you get the idea.
This works best on weekend camping trip where you really aren’t going to use a whole bunch of stuff.
Is that an orange Honda Fit pictured above? I can’t tell – but I drive an orange Honda Fit and take it camping quite a bit. I have also hauled an entire solo art show on several occasions, amazing all the other artists with my ability to stuff so much into my small car.
wonderful blog,
Cindy
Mountain Home, Arkansas
Thanks,
This is great. I never heard of Geo-cacheing until I watched this movie the other week. Didn’t know it was actually real until now.
Well yes, these are definitely good tips for families that will go camping. And about foods, no need to bring along since all you need is good for a day or two and which is already prepared and easy to carry.
sell my house quick
When car camping my girlfriend and I limit ourselves to 2 “Backpacking Loads” each. It makes packing and unpacking much less stressful! A great game that we take along is called mancala. We found a folding travel board that is small enough to take backpacking.
Twitter: brainsmart
says:
Theres no question that camping is great fun if its kept simple and a little organisation goes a long way .The trick is not to take the spontaneous joy outof the experience while at the same time planning for all eventualites.Your list and tips are a great guide to happy camping.
Gill in Coventry
Now, this is good information! I’ve been looking for some tips on how to maximize my space for a three day camp and coming by this one is really really great! Thanks for giving me some insights on how to pack my bags well and what to bring and not to in it. Trying this would surely be fun!
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Good point about leaving the food at home and getting it when you get there. In that case it would take doing some homework ahead of time. I bought food at a grocery store just outside of Yellowstone. I couldn’t believe how expensive milk was.