As great as it is to venture deep into the backcountry, there's something just as special as setting up a super-comfortable campsite complete with all the modern comforts that can fit into your trunk.

In honor of camping season fast approaching, we compiled a checklist of all the basic gear you'll need to take car camping (or vanlife-ing) and our best recommendations for each.

TENT | We love: Big Agnes - Big House 4 Person Tent
TENT FOOTPRINT | We love: Big Agnes - Big House Footprint
SLEEPING BAG | We love: Big Agnes - Torchlight Camp 20 Sleeping Bag
SLEEPING PAD | We love: Therm-a-Rest - BaseCamp Sleeping Pad
CAMP PILLOW | We love: Nemo - Fillo Elite Luxury
CAMP TABLE | We love: Big Agnes - Soul Kitchen Camp Table
BLANKET | We love: Nemo - Victory Picnic Blanket
CAMP CHAIRS | We love: Helinox chairs and the Nemo - Stargazer Recliner Chair
WATER STORAGE | We love: Hydrapak - Expedition 8L
WATER BOTTLE | We love: Hydroflask
STOVE | We love: Eureka! - Ignite Camp Stove
POTS/PANS | We love: MSR
DINNERWARE | We love: MSR - 2 Person Mess Kit
COOLER | We love: Canyon Cooler
COFFEE MAKER | We love: Aeropress Go
DAY PACK | We love: Cotopaxi, or come shop our selection of Osprey packs in-store!
HAMMOCK | We love: Eno - Doublenest Hammock
HEADLAMP | We love: Black Diamond
SUNSCREEN | We love: SunBum
FIRST AID KIT