Car Camping Gear List for Couples: Our Favorites

As a former REI employee and fellow gear whore, getting new camping gear is like Christmas morning. I first started collecting backpacking gear when I moved to Colorado, but over the years, I started noticing my friends’ comfy car camping setups and wanted one of my own.

Since then, we’ve slowly built our collection of car camping gear, finding things that make camping a little more comfortable without feeling over the top.

I’m sharing my favorite car camping gear for couples that we’ve collected over the years, plus a few things still on my wish list.

Sleeping & Shelter

Big Agnes Tent

Our Big Agnes tent might be my favorite thing on this entire list. I previously had an REI tent that I loved, but we were gifted a 3-person Big Agnes tent, and it’s SO easy to set up. I can easily put it together by myself; it’s lightweight, and it’s the perfect size for the two of us and our 70-pound dog.

We loved it so much that we eventually upgraded to a 6-person Big Agnes tent when we had two large dogs. It feels like a giant living room! You can actually stand up inside, so it’s perfect for families, camping with multiple dogs, or anyone who wants more room to spread out.

We still use our 3-person tent the most because it’s lighter and easier to set up. The 6-person is a bit heavier and takes more effort to put together, but it comes with a great carrying case and would be especially nice for longer camping trips when you want a more comfortable setup.

Big Agnes is a small outdoor gear company based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Both tents have held up incredibly well in Colorado weather, are durable, and are easy to pack away. We also bring our smaller 3-person tent backpacking since it’s light enough to carry.

Sleeping Pad

I’ve learned that a good sleeping pad is worth splurging on, and it really makes all the difference when you’re camping. I started with a 3-inch REI Camp Bed that served me well for about eight years before it started deflating in the middle of the night. That’s when I decided to upgrade to the Exped MegaMat.

As a side sleeper, I wanted something thicker and more comfortable for my hips. The MegaMat is also self-inflating, which makes setting up camp easier. Since we mostly use these for car camping, weight and packing space aren’t as much of a concern. I have a separate, lightweight sleeping pad for backpacking, so I don’t mind having something a little bulkier for car camping.

Exped also makes a MegaMat Duo for couples, but we prefer having two separate sleeping pads. We’re both light sleepers, and I tend to toss and turn, so having our own pads really helps. Plus, if we’re ever camping separately, we can each bring our own.

Sleeping Bags

I’ve always used the same sleeping bag for backpacking and car camping, although sometimes I’ll just bring a comforter when we’re car camping. I love my women’s NEMO sleeping bag with the extra room around the knees and hips for side sleepers. It’s so comfy!

When choosing a sleeping bag, think about where you’re camping and how cold you sleep. In Colorado, I always used a 0-degree bag for chilly summer nights at higher elevations. Now that we’re in North Carolina, I need to get something like a 40-degree bag for warmer temps.

A quick tip: Sleeping bag temperature ratings aren’t always comfort ratings, so check those before buying. Down bags are generally lighter and pack smaller, while synthetic bags are often more affordable and handle damp conditions better.

Screen Tent

We never started with a screen house, but after one trip to Walmart in the middle of a camping trip with horrible mosquitoes, we always make sure it’s on the packing list! We got one with mesh sides to keep the bugs out, plus panels we can pull down for extra protection from rain and wind.

I wouldn’t say ours is the most durable in crazy weather, but it’s spacious, easy to set up, and has held up pretty well over the years.

Camp Kitchen & Cooking Gear

Camping Stove

Having a camping stove makes it so much fun to cook gourmet meals while camping! It’s especially nice in Colorado when there are fire bans, and we can’t cook over a campfire. We have a Coleman camping stove and usually bring our cast iron skillet and a pot, depending on what we’re making.

Shop Coleman Camping Stove

Camp Cooking Setup

We keep most of our cooking essentials together in a camp kitchen bin, which makes packing for camping trips so much easier. Along with our stove, we bring the basics for cooking, eating, and cleaning up after meals.

What we keep in our camp kitchen bin:

• Plates, bowls, and utensils
• Cutting board and knife
• Cooking utensils
• Dish soap, sponge, and towels
• Trash bags
• Seasonings and cooking oil
• Coffee
• Dehydrated meals

Coffee Setup

Coffee while camping is essential and really elevates the experience! We have a French press for making coffee but will sometimes use instant coffee when we’re in a pinch. I love Café Bustelo instant coffee and always keep a big container in our camp kitchen bin.

Shop Stanley French Press

RTIC Cooler

We went with an RTIC cooler on wheels, and it’s been perfect for car camping! Having wheels makes it so much easier to move around, especially when it’s packed with food and drinks.

Shop RTIC Cooler

Table for kitchen

We usually keep our Coleman stove and water on a separate camping table, which makes cooking and cleaning up so much easier. It’s a simple addition, but having a dedicated space for our camp kitchen really helps keep everything organized.

Shop Outdoor Camp Kitchen Table

Camp Accessories

Camping Chairs

We currently have basic REI camp chairs, but we’ve been looking to upgrade to something a little more comfortable. I’ve tried quite a few over the years, and if you have a Murdock’s near you, their padded camping chairs are SO comfortable. They’re definitely my pick for a single camp chair.

For couples, I also love the Kelty two-person camping loveseat. It’s great for sitting together around the campfire, or let’s be real, sharing with your dog.

I’ve also considered getting a reclining camp chair for stargazing, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about the swinging-style chairs tipping backward. So for now, I’m sticking with the classics!

Lantern

A lantern is a camping essential, but bonus points if it can also charge your phone. We have one for the kitchen table and one that hangs up in our tent.

Shop Rechargeable Camping Lantern

Portable Fire Pit

If you’re in an area that frequently has fire bans like Colorado or California, having a portable fire pit with an on/off switch is so nice to have! I was a little against this at first as it didn’t feel like an authentic camping experience, but after summers in Colorado without fires, it was the next best thing.

Shop Portable Propane Fire Pit

Hammock

Probably my second favorite thing on the list! I set my hammock up pretty much anytime we go camping, in the backyard or wherever you are with a couple of trees. I’ve had the Eno hammock for years and absolutely love it! Keep in mind, you’ll have to buy both the hammock and the straps. It easily ties up to two trees, and you can set it up within a minute.

Shop ENO DoubleNest Hammock

Bluetooth Speaker

If you like a little entertainment while camping, a Bluetooth speaker is nice to have! We have the TurtleBox.

Shop Turtlebox Speaker

Camping Tools & Essentials

Water Storage

We have 2 5-gallon containers for water. 1 we keep one on the table for refills and cleaning. The second one we usually keep in the car as a backup and great for putting the fire out.

Shop Camping Water Container

Headlamps

Headlamps are essential and make it so much easier vs. carrying a flashlight.

Portable Phone Charger

We always make sure to have a charged portable phone charger to charge all of our devices.

Shop Portable Power Bank

Hatchet

We have a hatchet for splitting firewood and kindling.

Shop Hatchet

Shovel

Depending on where we’re camping, we’ll bring a shovel for digging catholes.

Shop Camping Shovel

Car Camping Emergency Kit

These aren’t the most exciting things on our camping gear list, but they’re important! We always keep a few emergency essentials in the car, especially when we’re camping somewhere remote.

• Jumper cables – Always good to have in case of a dead car battery.
• Portable car battery jump starter – Especially helpful when there’s nobody around to give you a jump.
• Extra phone charging cords – We keep a few in the car so we’re never without one.
• First aid kit – For minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and other unexpected injuries.
• Flashlight or headlamp – Essential when you’re trying to find something in the dark.
• Emergency blanket – A lightweight backup in case temperatures drop or you’re stuck somewhere overnight.