Essential Equipment for Camping with Teens

I love family camping. Even when my teenage boys are fighting over stupid things and throwing rocks very close to where I’m sitting, I just lean back in my camp chair and take a big whiff of the pine trees and smile at the chipmunks.

My family car camp, and even as an outdoor writer—I don’t feel any shame in it at all. Of course, backpacking deep into the wilderness would be great. It is physically demanding and pure. But car camping is a much easier way to bring our family of four along. It requires less logistics, so we’re more likely to do it, and it’s instantly fun for everyone, while maximizing the limited time we have available.

Life is busy with two teenagers and all of our individual activities – sports, social life, work. But the four of us spend almost 24 hours car camping Together. Outside. In the dirt, under the open sky. My sons know that we have at least two mandatory family camping trips every summer, and though they may be a little nervous, I know they secretly look forward to the fresh air and s’mores, and listening to their parents sing hippie songs on guitar.

We started car camping with our boys when they were little. My sons are now 18 and 14, and there are few things I love more than waking up in a tent with all of us, including the cozy dog, under a nylon roof.

Here’s the gear that makes our family car camping less hassle and more reward. Some are timeless standbys while others we’ve added as our boys became teens and their gear needs changed.

6-person tent

Marmot Limestone 6

We have an old 6-person tent similar to this one marmot. I’m a big fan of the 6-person size and the yellow Lab for a family of four. We have plenty of space to sleep and we can move around and play games in the tent even during the rain. Great on space but bulky and heavy, this type of tent is the opposite of a backpacking tent, but it works great as a car camping home base. It’s easy to install and has interior corner pockets for items like headlamps and car keys.

2-Person Sleeping Pad

Extended Megamat Duo

We use two Exped MegaMat Duo sleeping pads for the four of us. They’re extremely comfortable, big enough for two adults or two teenage boys, and easy enough to inflate and deflate. (It’s even easier now that we’ve added Exped Megapump.) The pads are made from recycled materials, and pack relatively small considering their large size. The folded mats also have welded handles for easy transportation.

2-burner stove

GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ Camp Stove

We’ve been camp cooking with the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ Camp Stove and love its simplicity, functionality, and power. The stove is relatively lightweight, and is flat and compact for travel – safely inside with the propane connecting attachment. Once in camp, we simply attach a 1-lb. propane canister, turn the burner knob, and press the ignite switch. There is no need for a match, and the butane creates a powerful flame instantly. Quick heating is a relief for hungry families when camping, and the double-burner is a must. The easy-to-install lid also effectively blocks wind.

11-Piece Cook Tools

GSI Outdoor Gourmet Kitchen Set of 11

Instead of rummaging around in our kitchen to find spatulas, large spoons, cutting boards, etc. whenever we go camping, we keep a GSI Outdoor Gourmet Kitchen Set 11 in our camping bin. It stores and transports all the cooking tools we need to make tacos, scrambled eggs, or almost any meal you can think of in a single zip-up container.

2-person chairs

kelty low loveseat

We have two, two-person Kelty Low loveseats, and, well, we like them. Two chairs are easier to get on and off than four, and they keep us closer. I have fond memories of sitting next to each of my boys at different stages of their lives, watching the fire and roasting marshmallows. (We also use these chairs to watch youth football games.)

fishing poles

Ugly Stick Elite Spinning Combo

As my boys have grown and lost interest in climbing rocks and playing games around camp, I have relied on fishing to entertain them. My 14-year-old, who fishes often, uses an Ugly Stick Elite Spinning Combo – he likes it for its sensitivity and its clear tip that the fish can’t see when it’s in the water. My 18 year old just started using this Ugly Stick GX2 Spinning Combo And says he appreciates its reliability. Both rods are durable and easy to use.

Giant roof carrier.

Thule Force 3 XXL

Since my teens are tall and we camp with our dog, plus bring all the gear listed above and a guitar – we rely on the carrier on the roof. We use a Thule Force 3 XXL to fit everything. The box locks shut and the side-access design makes it easy to load and unload. It’s also easy to take the roof rack on and off and secure with a simple clamp attachment. It sits on the roof of our old Toyota 4Runner for camping and ski trips, and leans against a shed in the yard when we don’t need it. But when we need it, boxes are the most convenient way to pack everything we need and want for successful family camping trips with teenagers.

camp shoes

Teva Aventrail R2T Trail Running Sandal

I’m a big fan of camp shoes, lightweight, easy-to-take-on-and-off shoes that can be worn during a night out. The Teva Avantrail R2T Trail Running Sandals surprised me with how well they worked for camping, especially near water. I wore them walking around the muddy shore of a lake before going stand up paddleboarding. Subsequently, they dried so quickly that they became comfortable when worn with socks while camping. And it has proven easy for them to sneak in when I take my dog ​​out of the tent to pee in the middle of the night. (I always get up.)