car camping

noun

variants or less commonly car-camping

ˈkär-ˌkam-piŋ 

1

a

: outdoor camping that involves driving to a campsite

The only real "roughing it" we do in car camping is that we still sleep in a tent on an inflatable mattress, and we have to walk a hundred yards to the restrooms.

—Matthew Dickerson

The best part about car camping is that you don't have to worry about how heavy your gear is, including your tent. This four-person, three-season tent is on the bulkier side but will easily fit in your car to drive to your campsite.

—Megan Johnson

b

: camping using an automobile (such as a car, truck, or van) for shelter

The idea of car camping might conjure up images of big vans and SUVs … but even smaller cars can be outfitted for a comfortable night's sleep.

—Linnea Harris

2

: sleeping overnight inside an automobile (such as a car, truck, or van) for non-recreational purposes

Previously, an ordinance banned car camping, but it will now allow for local institutions … to offer legal spots for those who stay overnight in their vehicles.

—Daniel Kennedy

While the jump in car camping may have been due to the cold, it's possible homelessness is up in general, [Jeff] Buscher said.

—Christine Compton

car camp intransitive verb

or car-camp

ˈkär-ˌkamp 

car camped or car-camped; car camping or car-camping; car camps or car-camps

… because they decided to car camp, they needed to buy camping gear such as a tent, table and chairs, a cooler as well as food and toiletries.

—Alice Sjöberg

When car-camping, secure all food and coolers in a locked vehicle after you've eaten.

—The Cañon City (Colorado) Daily Record

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1a