Carcamping makes camping a lot easier than backpacking. First of all, you drive your car right up to the campsite, which means you can take everything including the kitchen sink, as the saying goes. Each camp site usually includes a level place to pitch your tent, a picnic table with benches and a fire ring. Most camp grounds have toilet facilities and running water. Some campgrounds have electricity available, others do not. Following are some hints to ensure a successful carcamping experience.

• Find out ahead of time if reservations are required. Follow instructions. Some reservations are available only by telephone.
• Take a ground cover for the tent. Practice setting up the tent ahead of time so you'll make sure you have everything you need.
• You'll need a sleeping bag and maybe a blanket if it's really cold, and a pillow, if you use one. To go under your sleeping bag, a THERM-A-REST or other self-inflating mattress is great, or you can use a foam mattress like those used in hospitals. It is generally colder in the Smokies than in Chattanooga so take something warm to sleep in - polypropylene underwear or sweat pants. The sweatpants are a great idea for wearing around the campfire at night.
• And, speaking of campfires, if you have seasoned wood and kindling to take from home, you'll have a much easier time building a fire. Don't forget paper and matches.
• Plan easy to prepare meals and do provide for snacks. You'll be surprised at how hungry you can get after hiking all day, with no refrigerator to raid. Take an ice chest (with ice) for those food items requiring refrigeration. Don't forget soft drinks.
• If you don't plan on using a campfire for your cooking, you'll need some kind of stove. A backpacking stove, Coleman stove or small charcoal grill will suffice. Of course you'll need pots and pans. A pot holder comes in handy too!
• An oil cloth or plastic table cloth for the picnic table will add to the festivities and make it easier to clean. Take newspapers to go under the cloth.
• You'll need containers for water. There's usually a central water supply, so you'll have to carry water to your site. You'll also need a pan of other container to wash dishes in, and don't forget the detergent and washcloth or sponge.
• Paper plates and cups make cleanup easy. (And don't forget toilet paper and paper towels.) Remember to take eating utensils, and don't forget garbage bags to use in cleaning up trash at your site.
• Take salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc. needed to go with your food selections.
• Don't forget a flashlight. If you have a lantern, take it for light at your site at night. There are no street lights.
• You'll need to be prepared for rain, so take rain gear and dry clothes. A tarp or screen room to go over your picnic table will be invaluable if it does rain.
• Be prepared to pack away in your car all the food and utensils at night. Leaving anything out will only invite bears or other night roaming animals.
• Take a towel, washcloth, soap and other toilet articles you can't do without.
• If you use it, insect spray may make life a little more enjoyable in case of ants or flies in the area.
• And don't for get your hiking gear!

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