Car tent camping sounds cool until you wake up with a sore back, cold feet, and a half-eaten granola bar stuck in your hair.
But honestly, it doesn’t have to be like that. Just because you’re camping in your car, truck tent, or SUV tent doesn’t mean you can’t add a little bit of luxury to your trip.
Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh coffee brewing on your portable stove, rolling over onto soft bedding instead of crumpled sleeping bags, and stepping out into a campsite that looks like an outdoor Pinterest board.
With just a few easy upgrades, your car tent camping setup can feel more like a relaxing glamping retreat and less like survival practice in the woods.
If you’re tired of roughing it and want your next camping trip to actually feel like a vacation, these tips will help you turn your basic car camping tent into a dreamy, cozy, and totally Instagram-worthy glamping setup.
Upgrade Your Sleeping Arrangements
If you’re gonna sleep outdoors, you might as well sleep well. Upgrading your car camping tent setup with a thick air mattress or cushioned sleeping pad changes everything.
You could also try rooftop tents if you’re camping in your SUV or truck. Sleeping off the ground keeps you warmer, away from creepy crawlies, and just feels way fancier than a thin sleeping bag on cold dirt.
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Bring Luxurious Bedding
Forget those scratchy old sleeping bags that smell like last year’s campfire. Bring your softest blankets, cozy flannel sheets, and plush pillows from home.
It might sound extra, but trust me, it’ll feel like sleeping in your own bed under the stars. Even if you’re in a minivan tent attachment or a roof tent, good bedding makes car tent camping feel like actual glamping.
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Set Up a Cozy Lounge Area
Glamping is all about comfort, so create a small chill spot by your tent.
Lay down an outdoor rug under your SUV awning, add a few floor pillows or folding chairs, and string up some lights.
It becomes the perfect hangout zone for card games, reading, or just enjoying the view while you sip something warm. It’s like your own outdoor living room.
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Create a Portable Kitchen
Don’t just eat cold sandwiches all weekend. Bring a foldable table, a portable stove, and basic cookware to build your mini kitchen.
Having everything organized in bins makes cooking feel easier and less messy. Whether you’re camping in your SUV or setting up a tailgate tent kitchen, it’ll feel so much more like glamping when you can cook real meals outdoors.
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Prepare Gourmet Meals
You don’t need a fancy kitchen to make good food. Pre-make pasta salads, marinated meats, or breakfast burritos at home and pack them in your cooler.
Grill veggies in foil packs or toast garlic bread on your campfire. Cooking decent meals makes car camping rooftop tent trips feel way more luxurious. Plus, you’ll save money compared to eating out every day.
Invest in Stylish Cookware
Let’s be honest – eating ramen noodles straight from a pot isn’t cute. Invest in enamel mugs, bamboo plates, and nonstick pans that look nice and feel better to use.
Even if you’re camping in your truck bed tent or roof tent, eating off pretty dishes with real cutlery makes your outdoor meals feel special. It’s small upgrades like these that add a glamping vibe.
Add Ambient Lighting
Good lighting changes the mood completely. Hang battery-powered string lights around your tent or SUV awning for a dreamy glow. Bring solar lanterns to place around your camp for soft lighting at night.
Fairy lights inside your tent make it feel cozy too. Whether you’re in a car roof tent or truck tent camping, lighting is one of the easiest glamping upgrades.
Decorate With Personal Touches
Bring small decor items to personalize your campsite. Maybe a boho throw blanket, cute mugs, or a small plant in a plastic pot.
Lay out your best camping tent set up like it’s a Pinterest board. These personal touches make your car tent camping setup feel more like glamping and less like you just threw everything into your SUV last minute.
Use Scented Candles or Essential Oils
Campgrounds can smell like dirt, smoke, and old tents. Freshen up your space with lavender essential oil or a small scented candle in a mason jar (just keep it safe from wind).
The smell makes your tent feel like a spa, especially when combined with soft bedding. Even when camping in your SUV or a roof tent, calming scents make it feel way more luxurious.
Bring Along Comfortable Seating
Don’t just sit on your cooler. Bring a comfy camping chair with a footrest, or even an inflatable lounge chair if you have space.
If you’re camping in your SUV or under a tailgate tent, good seating makes eating, relaxing, and hanging out so much better. Your back will thank you, and it makes your campsite feel like an outdoor lounge.
Incorporate Nature-Inspired Decor
Collect pinecones, leaves, or flowers around your campsite (if allowed) and decorate your table or lounge area. It makes your setup feel more intentional and aesthetic.
Pair it with your car awning or SUV tent setup for an earthy, glamping vibe. Plus, it’s free decor that looks amazing in photos and feels calming when you’re chilling by your tent.
Set Up a Dining Space
Instead of balancing your food on your knees, set up a small dining table with foldable chairs. Cover it with a cute tablecloth and add a lantern or candle.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in a truck bed tent, SUV camping tent, or car tent camping setup – having a real dining space makes meals feel fancy and organized, like a tiny outdoor café.
Pack a Portable Fire Pit
If campfires aren’t allowed where you’re going, bring a portable propane fire pit. It’s smokeless, easy to light, and makes your campsite feel cozy.
Perfect for roasting marshmallows or keeping warm on chilly nights. This is a glamping hack that levels up your campsite instantly without the hassle of wood and ash cleanup.
Bring Entertainment Options
Download movies on your tablet, bring a Bluetooth speaker for music, or pack card games and books.
Even better if you have a mini projector to watch movies against your SUV or tent wall. It makes your car camping rooftop tent trip feel like an outdoor movie night, which is peak glamping vibes.
Create a Relaxation Zone
Set up a hammock between two trees, lay out a yoga mat for morning stretches, or bring a small foot spa bucket to soak your feet after a hike.
Having a zone just for chilling and unwinding makes your car tent camping trip feel like a true getaway. These are the little things you’ll remember long after the trip ends.
Ensure Privacy With Curtains
If you’re camping in your SUV or minivan tent attachment, hang blackout curtains or window covers for privacy. In a car camping tent or roof tent, you can clip up light-blocking fabric for extra coziness.
Not only does it block out early morning sun, but it also makes your sleeping space feel safe, enclosed, and like a proper bedroom.
Choose the Right Campsite
Finally, location matters. Choose a campsite with a great view, access to clean restrooms, and plenty of flat space to set up your gear.
Sites near water or with mountain views automatically feel more glampy. Even the best tents for off-road camping or the fanciest Geertop Large Instant SUV Tent can’t fix a muddy, noisy spot with no scenery.
