Sleeping Comfortably at Camp

A beginner's car camping sleeping setup: a cot, a sleeping pad and a 30°F sleeping bag, with the reason each one belongs in your car.

Sleeping well is the difference between a camping trip you want to repeat and one you spend yawning through. At home your bed does three jobs without you noticing: it keeps you up off a hard surface, it stops the cold underneath from drawing heat out of your body, and your blankets hold in the warmth you make. At camp you have to cover all three yourself.

The good news about car camping is that your car carries the weight, so you can bring gear that is bulkier and more comfortable than what a backpacker would carry. The simplest setup for a beginner has three layers: a cot to get you off the ground, a pad on top for cushioning and insulation, and a sleeping bag to keep you warm.

Get off the ground

TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot

A cot lifts you clear of rocks, roots, lumpy ground and damp soil, and it makes getting in and out of bed much easier than climbing up from the tent floor. This one has a sleeping area of about 35.5 by 80 inches and holds up to 600 lb, so most adults have room to turn over. Set up, it measures 86 by 45 inches and stands 19.5 inches tall, so check that your tent floor is big enough before your first trip.
  • Holds up to 600 lb. (source)
  • The sleeping area is about 35.5 in wide by 80 in long. (source)
  • Set up, it measures 86 x 45 in and stands 19.5 in tall. (source)
  • Weighs 26 lb, folds to 42 x 12 x 7 in, and comes with a carry bag. (source)
View TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot on Amazon

Add cushion and insulation

Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad

A pad goes between you and the cot (or the ground, if you leave the cot at home), adding 2.5 inches of cushion and a layer that slows heat loss from underneath. At 23 inches wide it fits on top of a wider cot, and it inflates by mouth in 10 to 15 breaths, so there’s no pump to forget. Its R-value of 1.3 suits warm-weather camping, and it comes with a patch kit in case of a puncture.
  • Measures 72 x 23 in and 2.5 in thick when inflated. (source)
  • Weighs 18.1 oz and packs down to 3 x 8 in. (source)
  • Has an R-value of 1.3, which suits warm-weather camping. (source)
  • Inflates by mouth in 10 to 15 breaths. (source)
  • Made from 75D polyester and comes with a patch kit. (source)
View Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad on Amazon

Stay warm through the night

Coleman Brazos 30°F Sleeping Bag

Nights at camp often get colder than beginners expect, even after a warm day, and this bag’s 30°F rating gives you some room for chilly evenings. The synthetic insulation is machine washable in a large front-loading machine, which helps after dusty or muddy trips. A full L-shaped zipper lets it open flat into a blanket on warm nights or join a second compatible bag if you’re camping with a partner.
  • Carries a 30°F temperature rating. (source)
  • Filled with synthetic insulation. (source)
  • Machine washable in a large front-loading machine. (source)
  • A full L-shaped zipper lets it open flat into a blanket or join a second compatible bag. (source)
View Coleman Brazos 30°F Sleeping Bag on Amazon

Putting it together

Set up your bed before dark: unfold the cot, inflate the pad and lay it on top, then unroll the sleeping bag so its insulation has time to loft. Spend one night in the backyard or on the living room floor before your first trip so you know how everything goes together. Once you have these three layers sorted, you’re well on the way to waking up rested and ready for the day.