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Beginner camping

Car camping vs backpacking for beginners: where to start

Car camping vs backpacking for beginners: start with car camping to learn your gear and habits, then move to backpacking once you know what you need.

Karim Belkacem4 min read

A car parked at a campsite beside a tent with gear on a picnic table
Image by LuidmilaKot from Pixabay

Verdict: start with car camping. You carry less on your back, you can drive out if something goes wrong and you find out what gear you actually use. Backpacking comes next, once you know you like sleeping outdoors.

Which wins on

FactorCar campingBackpacking
Weight you carryThe car carries itEverything is on your back
Gear costLow, bulky gear is fineHigher, light gear matters
ComfortBig tent, chairs, coolerSmall tent, minimal food
Getting helpDrive outHike out
Skills neededBasicMore: navigation, water, weight
Quiet and viewsOften busyOften quiet

Pick car camping if

  • It is your first, second or third trip.
  • You are going with kids.
  • You want a proper meal, a chair and a good sleep.
  • You are unsure about gear and want to borrow or buy cheaply.

Read weekend car camping packing list for what to bring.

Pick backpacking if

  • You already camp comfortably and want quiet.
  • You are fit enough to carry a pack for several hours.
  • You are happy with simple food and fewer comforts.
  • You can navigate and handle changing weather.

Backpacking means you carry shelter, food, water and sleeping gear for the whole trip. Weight is the main problem. Every item is a decision. Check day hike essentials checklist before you try a night out.

The rule that matters most: go where you can get out. On a first overnight trip, choose a place close to the road, with a short walk, so you can leave if it goes wrong.

A camp table with a stove, chairs and a cooler next to a car
Car camping lets you bring comforts that do not fit in a packImage by StockSnap from Pixabay

What goes wrong first

For car campers, it is overpacking and chaos at the site. Use a bin system. For backpackers, it is feet and weight. See how to prevent blisters when hiking and pack only what you use.

A cautious note

Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Check the forecast. Learn the rules for fire and food storage where you are going, using the official page of the park.

A path from the first trip to the first backpacking trip

Moving up in steps removes most of the risk.

  1. Camp in the yard or a nearby campground. Test your tent and bag for one night.
  2. Do a car camping weekend. Learn to cook, stay warm and run a camp.
  3. Try a walk-in campsite. Carry your gear a short way from the car.
  4. Take a short backpack trip. One night, a few kilometres, a clear trail, good weather.
  5. Build up. Add distance and nights as you gain skills.

At each step, note what you did not use and what you missed. Backpacking rewards a short list.

What changes in your gear

ItemCar campingBackpacking
TentRoomy, heavy is fineSmall, light
Sleeping padThick and comfortableThinner, lighter
StoveTwo-burner or smallSmall canister
FoodFresh, coolerDry, light
ChairYesProbably not

Do not buy backpacking gear until you know you want it. Light gear tends to cost more and wear out sooner.

Quick questions

Can I use the same gear for both?

Some of it. A stove, a headlamp and a sleeping pad can work for both. A big tent and a heavy cooler cannot.

Is backpacking harder than car camping?

It asks more of your fitness, planning and gear. It is not hard if you build up in steps.

Should I try a walk-in campsite first?

That is a good middle step. You carry gear a short way from the car to the site. If it goes badly, the car is near.

How many trips before I try backpacking?

There is no number. Move on when you are comfortable setting up, cooking and sleeping in your gear.

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