VIDEO: For the Love of Car Camping

**Redoleary** · 10-06-2016, 09:37

This is largely just me rambling on about car camping, which is something I've sort of "rediscovered". Had a great drive around Michigan's U.P. last weekend and I'm just sharing some thoughts on that trip.

**Marmaduke** · 10-06-2016, 10:02

I'll definitely watch this one after work. I love car camping, and probably do it more than backpacking to be honest. We like setting up, leaving our stuff somewhere safe, and heading onto the trails to explore. I still love backpacking, don't get me wrong....... but car camping, with a trunk full of wood and a cooler full of meat is hard to beat.

**MLank** · 10-06-2016, 10:39

Good homage to car camping! I definitely love it and don't feel like I get to do it enough. Thanks for sharing.

**johnspenn** · 10-06-2016, 10:45

I haven't done it much but if you can find the right spot then IMO car camping is definitely a solid option. You can still get plenty of hiking in and hey, plenty of lolligaggin too if you want. No doubt the food is much better as well! Thanks for the thoughts Red!

**michigandave** · 10-06-2016, 11:02

Nice video. Car camping is an overlooked option if you just want to get out there and relax. We were just up in the UP 2 weeks ago and started our hike on the NCT at the Rivermouth Campground. Plus, the food options with a full size cooler are a heck of alot better that dehydrated food on the trail. Looks like you made the most of your time up there.

**Redoleary** · 10-06-2016, 13:06

Originally Posted by Marmaduke

I'll definitely watch this one after work. I love car camping, and probably do it more than backpacking to be honest. We like setting up, leaving our stuff somewhere safe, and heading onto the trails to explore. I still love backpacking, don't get me wrong....... but car camping, with a trunk full of wood and a cooler full of meat is hard to beat.

Thats the real beauty of car camping when you can hang out at one spot for a few days and not have to pack up and go somewhere else every morning.

Originally Posted by MLank

Good homage to car camping! I definitely love it and don't feel like I get to do it enough. Thanks for sharing.

I'll be doing some more this weekend at the MI fall hang, I'm quite looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by johnspenn

I haven't done it much but if you can find the right spot then IMO car camping is definitely a solid option. You can still get plenty of hiking in and hey, plenty of lolligaggin too if you want. No doubt the food is much better as well! Thanks for the thoughts Red!

A good campground is no doubt the key, I've had loud neighbors in the backcountry in places like Algonquin and it really takes away from the experience.

Originally Posted by michigandave

Nice video. Car camping is an overlooked option if you just want to get out there and relax. We were just up in the UP 2 weeks ago and started our hike on the NCT at the Rivermouth Campground. Plus, the food options with a full size cooler are a heck of alot better that dehydrated food on the trail. Looks like you made the most of your time up there.

Thanks Michigandave, that is a beautiful area up there for sure, and the food can't be beat compared to backpacking food.

**OneClick** · 10-06-2016, 13:16

Originally Posted by Redoleary

A good campground is no doubt the key, I've had loud neighbors in the backcountry in places like Algonquin and it really takes away from the experience.

That's what I like about Michigan. You can just get into the public land and drive around on two-tracks all day. Once you find a spot you like, pull a few feet off the trail, hang your free DNR camp permit, and call it camp. Free, quiet, and very piney

**nothermark** · 10-06-2016, 15:15

Good one! Car camped for years with my kids and now GF. It's a different skill set but still living in the woods. Folks that knock it are cluelss. Moved to a cabin on ewheels when getting up off the ground got to be a problem. Many if not most of the RV's you see out there are folks who have car camped and often back packed.

**STinGa** · 10-06-2016, 15:37

My family loves car camping. The kids vary in ages and back packing isn't always a good option. Outside of loading the portable grill and the cooler on the rear cargo rack, we try to use a hiker's mentality for our car camps. As long as there is a creek for the kids to play in, a Frisbee or a football, and a book for each person, we are set for a few days.

Before the kids headed back to school after their summer break, we drove the Blue Ridge Pkwy and camped out each night. Each morning, we would plan the day's stops and each evening we would get set up just before dusk and cook dinner and relax around the fire.

Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a good eye.

STinGa

**Redoleary** · 10-06-2016, 16:18

Originally Posted by markr6

That's what I like about Michigan. You can just get into the public land and drive around on two-tracks all day. Once you find a spot you like, pull a few feet off the trail, hang your free DNR camp permit, and call it camp. Free, quiet, and very piney

I am not familiar with this, tell me more. There are plenty of places I would not hesitate to do this, I just didn't know there was a permitting system for it.

Originally Posted by nothermark

Good one! Car camped for years with my kids and now GF. It's a different skill set but still living in the woods. Folks that knock it are cluelss. Moved to a cabin on ewheels when getting up off the ground got to be a problem. Many if not most of the RV's you see out there are folks who have car camped and often back packed.

I grew up car camping. We're actually looking at teardrop type trailers or similar because, of all things, my dog can't seem to relax even if she sleeps in the car, so a tiny trailer might be the answer to making my dog into a happy camper.

Originally Posted by STinGa

My family loves car camping. The kids vary in ages and back packing isn't always a good option. Outside of loading the portable grill and the cooler on the rear cargo rack, we try to use a hiker's mentality for our car camps. As long as there is a creek for the kids to play in, a Frisbee or a football, and a book for each person, we are set for a few days.

Before the kids headed back to school after their summer break, we drove the Blue Ridge Pkwy and camped out each night. Each morning, we would plan the day's stops and each evening we would get set up just before dusk and cook dinner and relax around the fire.

Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a good eye.

STinGa

Thanks STinGa, camping is definitely some good family time.