Car Camping

Where to start? What to pack? Here's some tips on how I went about getting ready for my first solo car camping adventure.

Having privacy at night helped me feel more safe. So I would recommend getting window covers. I used these car window shades to just slip over the windows, and I could even crack the windows a bit and not worry about bugs getting into the car. I also used a front windshield car shade. For even more privacy, I bought fabric, cut it to size, and used velcro strips to attach it to the windows. 

I also put up fairy lights around the top of the car. These were amazing! I could just turn on these lights, even when it was pitch black outside, and have enough light to maneuver around and find whatever I needed.

3. How to Keep Clean

Since I car camped for several days, I wanted to be sure to had a way to stay clean. I was a little anxious about where and how I would go to the bathroom. Of course, I could use the bathrooms at the trailheads, but what if there wasn't one available?

So here is how I did it:

I used the Pibella Travel Pearl. This is one of the best inventions ever for this purpose! But I have to admit, I had to practice using it before the trip. Once I got it figured out, it was full-proof. Or should I say, leak-proof. If I didn't want to get out of the car in the middle of the night or if I was in the middle of a 15 mile hike, this was my go-to.

I bought these Combat Wipes Active Outdoor Wet Wipes and they worked perfectly to wipe down after a long hike.

4. Being Safe

As a female, traveling alone, safety was my number one concern. I decided to invest in a Garmin inReach. This gave me a way to communicate with family and friends if I couldn't get cell service and an emergency SOS button if needed. I have my garmin nuvi to navigate the roads (in case I don't always have cell service). I've never had to use them, but I also have pepper spray and a knife.

On the trails, I carry a bear horn. My backup apps are All Trails or the free Gaia app. On this trip, I only used my Garmin InReach. Whatever you use to navigate, it's important to download the maps ahead of time so they are already preloaded. The Garmin both apps have a GPS that is able to show me exactly where I am on the trail at all times.  I also carry paper maps of the trails if my devices run out of battery.

5. Organization

Use Clear Plastic Tubs

I started using clear plastic tubs because you can see where everything is located. I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled everything out of a box, digging for an item at the bottom, and then struggled to get everything to fit back in the box with no success. Or not being able to find what I was looking for because it was in the other box. Having a clear, plastic tub solved this problem.

Cooler Tips

A few day's before the trip, I bring the cooler inside and put it in our basement (the coldest part of our house). This will help the inside stay colder and the ice will not melt as fast. I also start freezing water. I use a gallon of purified water and empty out about a fourth gallon to account for expansion when freezing. I do the same thing with water bottles and store them in the bottom of the cooler. Bigger blocks of ice will last a lot longer than ice cubes. I also used regular ice cubes to fill in the spaces.

Clothes

I use different color packing cubes for everything. That way I can stay organized and know exactly what cube I need to grab to get what I need.