What does "car camping" mean, in your opinion?

When you say you're going to "car camp," what do you mean?

  • I'm going to sleep in a tent, vehicle, camper, etc. at a camping spot I drove to

    Votes: 28 87.5%
  • I'm going to sleep specifically in a vehicle at a camping spot

    Votes: 1 3.1%
  • I don't use the term "car camp"

    Votes: 2 6.3%
  • Other (explain in comments)

    Votes: 1 3.1%

  • Total voters
    32
I'm posting this from my RV on the Markagunt Plateau, where I have solar power, Starlink internet, a queen sized bed, refrigerator, flushing toilet, gas stove and oven, ad nauseum. :D
That sounds like glamping to me:D
What's it called when you crash in the pit toilet? :)
I do know someone who actually spent most of a night sheltering in a pit toilet, after her bivy sack turned out to be rather porous in steady rain while on a cycle tour of the Icefields Parkway.
This is what we call "truck camping". Mobile base camp with queen size pull-out bed, fridge, stove, heater, solar power, and sink with hand pumped faucet. We do spend as much time outside as possible:
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I only ever use the phrase "car camping" when in the context of backpacking - when talking to "laypersons" it's just camping. I'll also use the terms "frontcountry camping" and "car camping" interchangeably.

If I'm sleeping in my truck, I just say "I'm sleeping in my truck". :lol:
 
I actively avoid formal campgrounds unless I'm going with someone who requires a spigot/pit toilet/the certainty of not having to hunt for a site among a maze of backroads.

We like to use established campground similar to you EXCEPT:

1. Road trips.

State Park campgrounds often have showers, which are less expensive than hotels (by far!), and our car camping setup makes it feel like a nice break between more remote trip stretches. Go during the week and the campground typically isn't crowded. Between backpacking trips, we stayed at Cave Lake SP in Nevada for three days in 2019. Ditto, this past December at a Texas state park. Lovely hikes right from the CG, a town on the way to do laundry and buy fresh groceries and a shower every day! Awesome.

2. Some places such as Chaco or Hovenweep make staying in the designated CG more than worth it due to the location.
 
Even within the same activity, there's definitely also a difference between "crashing at the trailhead" and going out there with intention of setting up a nice/comfortable/enjoyable camp.

We often do a hybrid - Make a nice camp for one night, and then go backpacking. Doing that tonight, as a matter of fact!
 
We often do a hybrid - Make a nice camp for one night, and then go backpacking. Doing that tonight, as a matter of fact!
Did that last weekend, myself. Nice to have a comfortable evening in the woods with good food and drink, followed by some good wilderness time.

Have a great time!
 
We like to use established campground similar to you EXCEPT:

1. Road trips.

State Park campgrounds often have showers, which are less expensive than hotels (by far!), and our car camping setup makes it feel like a nice break between more remote trip stretches. Go during the week and the campground typically isn't crowded. Between backpacking trips, we stayed at Cave Lake SP in Nevada for three days in 2019. Ditto, this past December at a Texas state park. Lovely hikes right from the CG, a town on the way to do laundry and buy fresh groceries and a shower every day! Awesome.

2. Some places such as Chaco or Hovenweep make staying in the designated CG more than worth it due to the location.
Fair point. Particularly important in states (Texas being a prime example) that lack abundant public land.
 
For me, "car camping" means camp is within a short walk of the car, my backpacking gear is in a tote, and I brought a daypack.
 
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