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Fall is a great time for car camping. The leaves are changing, the air is cooler, and most bugs have gone into hibernation. The mistake many people make is thinking they need an off-road SUV to head out to the wilderness to spend time under the stars. Many modern campgrounds, located at the state and national parks, have car access and premade firepits to make camping easier for anyone. If you want to go car camping this fall, it’s pretty easy, especially with one of these SUVs.

What is car camping, and why should you do it?

A Family Car Camping Next to a Lake
A Family Car Camping Next to a Lake | Wiki Commons

Car camping is a lot of fun and is an activity you do where your tent and campsite are set up next to your vehicle. Sometimes, this camping activity involves sleeping inside the vehicle or on top of it in a rooftop tent.

The best way to go car camping this fall is to find one of the SUVs that has ample storage space and roof rails to handle the gear you want to take with you. Just because you’re in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to “rough it” and live like you’ve been in survival mode. Here are some great SUVs to drive to your favorite campgrounds.

Your Honda CR-V might be the right SUV for fun in the forest

Front angle view of Modern Steel Metallic 2023 Honda CR-V crossover SUV
Modern Steel Metallic 2023 Honda CR-V | Honda

One of the most popular SUVs in the market is the Honda CR-V. If you’ve got this SUV sitting in your driveway and wonder if it can handle the task of taking you camping in the woods, the answer is “yes.” Many modern versions of the CR-V offer:

  • Generous roof weight capacity of 150 pounds
  • A large cargo area that expands with the rear seats folded
  • FWD or AWD drivetrains
  • Towing up to 1,500 pounds

Is the Honda Pilot one of the best SUVs for car camping this fall?

A 2022 Honda Pilot parked on the beach. It's the only Honda SUV that's actually better cheaper.
2022 Honda Pilot | Honda

The new Pilot Trailsport arrives soon enough, but most versions of this three-row midsize SUV work great for your drive to the campsite. The same SUV you use for transporting the kids to school can work great for camping. The Pilot offers:

  • Roof weight capacity of up to 165 pounds
  • Large cargo area with the rear seats folded
  • FWD or AWD drivetrains
  • Towing up to 5,000 pounds

The Toyota 4Runner can handle the tough trails

A red 2023 Toyota 4Runner midsize SUV is driving off-road.
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

The Toyota 4Runner is made for some off-road driving on some of the harshest trails. This is one of the best SUVs for car camping in the fall. With this SUV, you’ve got the option of a premade campsite at a state park or creating your own next to a lake or on top of a high hill. The 4Runner brings you:

  • Roof weight capacity of up to 300 pounds
  • Large cargo area to fit an air mattress
  • RWD, AWD, and 4WD drivetrain options
  • Towing up to 5,000 pounds

Can you go car camping in your Nissan Pathfinder?

A red 2023 Nissan Pathfinder midsize SUV model driving down a country highway framed by wooden fencing
2023 Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan Motor Corporation

The Nissan Pathfinder can be a comfortable three-row midsize SUV to drive when you want to spend time in the wilderness. This is one of the best SUVs for car camping this fall. You’ll love the spacious comfort of the Pathfinder, which also offers:

  • Roof weight capacity of up to 150 pounds
  • A large cargo area
  • FWD or 4WD drivetrains
  • Towing up to 6,000 pounds

The Subaru Outback is certainly one of the best SUVs for car camping this fall

The best small SUVs for snow include the Subaru Outback
The 2022 Subaru Outback | Subaru

Whether you’re faced with a rough gravel road to the campsite, or you have a paved path to your spot, the Subaru Outback can handle the drive. This SUV delivers the goods and brings you:

  • Roof weight capacity of up to 165 pounds
  • Ample cargo room for an air mattress with the rear seats down
  • Standard AWD drivetrain
  • Towing up to 3,500 pounds

Do you have one of these SUVs in your driveway right now? If so, you’ve got one of the best SUVs for car camping this fall. Where will you spend your nights under the stars?

Next, check out the Potential Motors Adventure 1, or enjoy some camping tips in this video below:

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