The best camping adventures are the ones that leave you dusty.
The toughest part about Jeep camping trips is organizing all your gear and fitting it in your Jeep… and still being able to take a furry buddy in the backseat. My husband, Matt, decided to make a Frankenstein spare tire rack out of $60 Harbor Freight receiver hitch cargo carrier that attaches to the Smitty Built spare tire carrier currently on our Jeep.
Our spare tire rack loaded up with firewood and gas on the Mojave Trail. Read More
If you’re looking for a picturesque day of offroading amidst tall cliffs and geological formations, then Red Rock Canyon is the spot. Located off highway 14 north of Mojave, California, Red Rock Canyon State Park offers camping, offroading, hiking and spectacular views. Read More
The Mojave Road is a 130 mile dirt road that traverses the Mojave National Preserve, and makes for an incredibly fun and historical three-day Jeep trip. The road starts out in Laughlin, Nevada and ends a little north of Barstow, California. Along the way there are historical landmarks, abandoned mining camps and even a lava tube to explore. Camping is primitive (no running water, no bathrooms) and the spots we’ve camped at have been remote with great views.
My husband and I have taken this trip twice, both times with friends from the Wrangler Forum. I made a few videos to give you an idea what the trip is like (thanks to Steve P. for collaborating on these videos!) and also included a list of items to pack in addition to your normal camping gear. Read More
Our yellow lab, Indiana, is a big fan of our new tent setup. We recently upgraded to cots with REI air mattresses on top and they are extremely comfortable, even for those with back pain. We’ve owned the mattresses for about 4 years now, our REI sleeping bags are 5 years old, and our 4 year old REI Base Camp tent is still going strong. (And since we’re talking numbers, Indiana is 7!)
September 2019 Update:
These particular REI air mattresses, sleeping bags, and cots are discontinued, so I went on Amazon to find a few comparable products if you’re looking to buy something similar for your camp setup.
Thermarest Basecamp Self-Inflating Foam Camping Pad
Kelty Tuck 22F Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag
May 2020 Update:
We went camping… at home! With all the stay-at-home orders, my husband and I set up a camp out in our front yard for our two kids with our trusty REI Basecamp 4 tent. Read more about it here, “Camping at Home with Kids.”
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dirt Roads, Big Skies 