r/carcamping

Back in 2023, when I picked up my Toyota Sienna 2014, I already had a plan in mind.

Not just a family van… but something more.

Before cutting a single piece of wood, I spent quite a bit of time planning the layout -

trying to think through how everything would fit and work together,

and avoid as many mistakes as possible.

Of course… a few still happened 😄

But having a plan made a big difference.

Then the build began.

Evenings, weekends, a lot of small steps…

First came the bed.

Then a way to sit during the day.

Then storage… power… and eventually - even a sink.

At some point, it stopped feeling like a project…

and started feeling like a small space you can actually live in.

Now it’s set up for trips around British Columbia and Alberta, Canada -

pull over somewhere quiet, make a coffee, watch the water, stay the night.

No rush. No constant packing. Just… being there.

Looking forward to camping season 2026!

did my first car camp away from home. I started with a walk along the beach and got quite anxious as the carpark was quite busy but settled down watched the sunset on the beach and then had dinner and settled in for the night with a few programmes on the phone all went well and can't wait for the next time

We spent the weekend by the water, nothing crazy planned. Just wanted to get outside for a bit. I brought a tent because rain was in the forecast (mom mode lol), but we ended up sleeping in the back of my Acura MDX and it actually worked out really well.

Waking up to the sound of the water instead of an alarm… making tea while everything’s still quiet… hearing all the different birds in the morning... it just feels different out there.

My kid was obsessed the whole time. The geese, the squirrels, the baby ducks... picking mussel shells out of the lake, eating outside, sitting by the campfire...

She really slowed down watching the fire. Sure, it was past her bedtime and had skipped her nap but I felt like watching the fire quieted her mind. She was just... calm. Tranquil.

We played checkers in the tent while it poured down rain ( I refuse to let her win)

I've always loved camping, but being a mom makes it hit different. Getting to see my heart experience it for the first time and actually love it... that part got me.

We need more of this.
We all need more of this.