Car Camping Organization Tips

My son and I did a 5200 mile driving trip, camping in 8 different National Parks. Here is what worked for us:

We sorted everything by category. We each had one small clothing bag. All the rain gear and snow gear were in a separate colored bag. I used a plastic bin for all the food, another plastic bin for the cooking gear, and a bin for toys/books, and I had a cooler for cold foods. I had 1 laundry bag for everything dirty, since we were gone 3 weeks we had to do laundry numerous times. We put things away where they belonged every night. Except for our sleeping bags, tent, flashlight, sleeping pads, and one book each, everything else was packed away in the car as if we were leaving. In your case, I would bring 1 mesh bag for all the beach gear and make sure it gets put away each night. Another tip is for when you are at home deciding what to bring. Set out everything you THINK you need and then trim it back by 1/3 at least. Amazing what we can live without.

When we woke up in a lake of rain water our 2nd to last night, this organization really paid off. In the dark at 5am, I was able to tuck my son in the car and "break camp" in 20 minutes (in the pouring rain) knowing I had everything when we pulled out of the campsite to cross the mountain pass.

Camp Box.

Took us 5+ years of packing/unpacking before we saw some friends pull out a 35 gallon Rubbermaid tote.

Changed. Our. Lives.

We now have one tote that stays packed and in the garage - TP, couple old pans, squirt gun, rope, hand axe, lighter, salt/pepper, etc.

I use a tote for camping items like cookware, plates stuff like that. I keep our clothes in a duffle bag and bring a different bag for dirty clothes. I also have a small bag for toiletries that I put all our stuff in (it is just my daughter and I that go camping my husband refuses to go).

I like the idea of one large tote, but my car is too small. I do keep the basic camping gear in the garage in a small tote so that we can just grab it. I check it a few days before to see if anything needs replacing (batteries, first-aid kit, etc.).

When you load your vehicle and put the large items in first. Keep smaller stuff or softer stuff for last because they are easier to fit into small openings in the trunk/back of your vehicle. I would also keep items that you may need for the drive where you can easily reach them without having to unpack the vehicle.

Also make a check list before had. This way you won't bring stuff that you won't be using.

my parents use rubbermaid storage containers for their camping gear. everything that is like goes into a container.they even have containers for food. As we have evolved in obtaining our own items we first used boxes but have begun using containers. where we camp you dont have to worry about bears only racoons so if the container is packed up when we are done with things it should be ready to go when we leave. The containers make it easy to load the car and then even put things away because most stuff stays in their boxes.

My nephew on his recent cross country trip with 4 buds said their vehicle was NASTY. t-shirts, socks, food, etc. They couldn't stand it.
At O. stop, they saw a family who had O. tote per person....and their vehicle was nice and organized.
Makes sense right? And maybe a kitchen tote?

I make a list of what I need to take (some trips require a few diff things).

We keep camping gear always packed in the garage ready to grab & go:

clear plastic big boxes with
silverware
pots
coffee mugs & pot
salt, pepper, napkins etc
paper plates

Tent
sleeping bags

Then the only thing I have to add:
our clothes
grab some blankets & our pillows

I have a "travel in car" fun box w/toys for the little tot. I add new toys all the time. They are little toys for the baby & cheap, on-sale obtained hand held travel games for the older kids.

Updated

I make a list of what I need to take (some trips require a few diff things).

We keep camping gear always packed in the garage ready to grab & go:

clear plastic big boxes with
silverware
pots
coffee mugs & pot
salt, pepper, napkins etc
paper plates

Tent
sleeping bags

Then the only thing I have to add:
our clothes
grab some blankets & our pillows

I have a "travel in car" fun box w/toys for the little tot. I add new toys all the time. They are little toys for the baby & cheap, on-sale obtained hand held travel games for the older kids.

We just put our clothes into laundry baskets. I bring along a large mesh bag for the dirty laundry.

I have a shoe box size rubbermaid packed with our rainy day box - dice game, card games, puzzle book, pad of paper and pens/pencils. These are special games reserved just for travel. The box is always packed and ready to go. Also, pack a beach ball, deflated takes up no space. In addition, we each bring along a book. If it doesn't fit in the box, it has to stay home.

One box/bag for toiletries. We're roughing it, so you don't get to bring your favorite shampoo or body wash. We all use the same. We all have our own toothbrush, one tube of toothpaste. It stays packed in the bottom of the linen closet ready to go.

Fleece throws. They fold/roll up easily and don't take up a lot of space. You can use for bedding or to wrap up while sitting around the fire on a chilly night.

We do a lot of day trips so I have a rubbermaid box ready to go at all times for a picnic - paper plates, both real and plastic silverware, hand sanitizer, serving utensils, can opener, small cutting board, table clothes, dishwashing soap, hand towel, plastic bags for garbage, zip lock bags, etc. When it comes time for camping, I just grab the box. (note: the things like silverware and serviing items are either old stuff I had, items I've purchased on clearance or at yard sales)

As you pack up, make a list of the items your bringing. When you get home, edit the list adding items you may have forgotten and crossing off things you don't need. Replace all the consumable items. Now you're all ready for your next trip.