The Gear We Actually Pack
After hundreds of road trips, we've continually refined our packing list. Not to cut costs — but because less gear means more range, more space and less stress. Every pound on the roof costs range. Every item you never unpack was dead weight.
Here's the honest list — split into what's included in our packages and what to bring yourself.
What's Included in Our Packages
Camping Package (from $149/day)
Sleeping:
- Rooftop tent (2 person) — pops open in 30 seconds, no wet ground nights
- Memory foam sleeping pad (2 inches thick, you won't feel the roof rails)
- Duvets and pillows (yes, real duvets — no thin sleeping bag)
Cooking:
- Yeti Tundra cooler (stays cold 5 days without power)
- Two-burner camp stove with gas cartridge
- Cook set: pot, pan, cutting boards, knife, utensils
- Coffee gear (pour-over set + mugs)
Living:
- 2 camp chairs
- Folding table
- LED string lights (yes, really — atmosphere matters)
- Food storage bin (bear-proof for national parks)
Cybertruck Off-Grid Package (from $299/day)
Everything from the Camping Package, plus:
- Cave tent (attaches to truck bed tailgate, massive)
- Compressor fridge (no ice needed, runs off the 120V outlet)
- 1000W power station (charge laptops, drones, cameras)
- Starlink Mini (internet everywhere — yes, even in Death Valley)
- Recovery kit (traction mats, tow rope, compressor)
- 100W solar panel (charge the power station during the day)
What to Bring Yourself
Clothing (Less Than You Think)
- 3 t-shirts, 2 shorts, 1 pair of pants, 1 fleece jacket — that's enough for 14 days. Laundromats exist in every town.
- Hiking boots — broken in! New boots = blisters by day 2.
- Flip-flops — for the campsite and showers.
- Rain jacket — lightweight, packable. Monsoon season (July–September) in Arizona is real.
- Warm layer for nights — even in summer it can get cold at 6,500+ feet.
Personal Essentials
- Sunscreen: SPF 50, lip balm with UV protection, hat. The desert doesn't forgive pale skin.
- Water bottle: At least 1 liter per person in the car. 3 liters per person per hiking day.
- Headlamp: Campsites rarely have lighting. The red setting won't disturb neighbors.
- First aid kit: Blister bandages, ibuprofen, antihistamine, insect repellent.
- Documents: Driver's license, international driving permit (if yours isn't in English), booking confirmation.
Tech
- Phone + charging cable — USB-C, the car has 4 ports.
- Camera (optional) — your phone works, but a tripod for night sky photos is worth it.
- Offline maps — download Google Maps offline for the stretches without signal.
What You DON'T Need
Things first-time campers pack and never unpack:
- ❌ Generator — Camp Mode provides A/C, light and USB charging. The Tesla IS your generator.
- ❌ Huge cooler with ice — Yeti holds 5 days. Cybertruck package has a compressor fridge.
- ❌ Gas lantern — LED lights are brighter, safer and need no gas.
- ❌ Tons of canned food — buy fresh along the way. Walmart, Trader Joe's and local farm stands are everywhere.
- ❌ Toolbox — the car doesn't need an oil change. Problems? Call Concierge.
- ❌ Paper maps — the AI app works offline.
Camp Mode: Why Tesla Camping Is Different
Camp Mode is why Tesla camping is its own category. What it does:
- A/C runs all night — whether it's 104°F in the Mojave or 35°F in the Rockies
- Lighting stays on — interior lights, USB ports, sound system
- Car doesn't shut off — no alarm, no locking, no surprises
- Consumption: ~1% battery per hour (A/C), ~2–3% (heating). One night costs 8–10% battery.
What this means: No sweating in a sleeping bag. No condensation on the tent. No generator noise at 6 AM from the neighbor's RV. You sleep like at home — just with a better view.
The Best Campsites in the Western USA
After hundreds of nights under the stars — our top 15:
National Park Campgrounds (Reservation Required)
- Watchman Campground, Zion, UT — On the Virgin River, shuttle access. Book 6 months ahead.
- North Campground, Bryce Canyon, UT — Right on the rim. Ranger night sky programs.
- Mather Campground, Grand Canyon, AZ — South Rim, 2 minutes to the Rim Trail.
- Furnace Creek, Death Valley, CA — Choose your dates: October–March. Too hot in summer.
- Jenny Lake, Grand Teton, WY — The Tetons reflect in the lake at dawn.
BLM / National Forest (Free, No Reservation)
- Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ — Pine forest at 7,000 ft. Dozens of spots.
- BLM Land near Moab, UT — Red rock camping with La Sal Mountain views.
- Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA — Rock formations against the Sierra Nevada. Film location.
- Dispersed Camping, Sedona, AZ — Forest Road 525. Red rocks, no crowds.
- Valley of Fire backcountry, NV — 1 hour from Las Vegas. Mars landscape.
Our Hidden Gems
- Palo Duro Canyon, TX — America's second-largest canyon. Barely known. $8/night.
- Goblin Valley State Park, UT — Alien rock formations. Kids love it.
- Joshua Tree BLM, CA — South side of the park. Free, silence, Milky Way.
- Craters of the Moon, ID — Volcanic landscape. Lava tubes to explore.
- White Sands, NM — White gypsum sand under a full moon. Backcountry camping with permit.
Best Practices: 10 Tips from Experience
Arrive early — Popular campsites (especially free ones) fill by 2 PM. Plan to arrive before noon.
Charge in the evening, not the morning — Use Destination Chargers at campgrounds or hotels overnight. Start mornings with a full battery.
Cook simple — Pasta, eggs, wraps, canned soup. Gourmet camping sounds great but creates more dishes than fun.
Store food bear-safe — In national parks, food must be in bear-proof containers or in the car. The Tesla trunk counts.
Leave No Trace — Everything that comes in, comes out. No trash, no fires outside fire pits, no soap in waterways.
Keep water stocked — Many dispersed camping spots have no water. Fill up at every opportunity. 2 gallons per person per day (drinking + cooking + washing).
Download offline content — Spotify, Netflix, podcasts. At the campfire equivalent (Camp Mode + LED string lights), entertainment is gold.
Shoot photos at golden hour — The hour after sunrise and before sunset. In the Western US: spectacular every single night.
Sleep with a window cracked — Rooftop tent + Camp Mode A/C is enough, but fresh air is better. Tesla windows can be programmed to stay slightly open.
Enjoy the silence — No engine. No generator. No noise. That's the greatest luxury of Tesla camping — and the reason you'll never want to go back.
Got Everything? Let's Go.
Booked through our platform, you only need to bring clothing and personal items. Tesla, gear, insurance, Supercharging, app and Concierge are all included.
Camping isn't a compromise. With the right setup, it's better than any hotel.