Published on December 1, 2022 | Modified on October 25, 2023
Bonus Tip!
We’re going to share a new tip: bring olive oil or a high temp oil for cooking like canola for over your cast iron stove. If memory serves correctly, there were small containers at all the AutoCamp locations we had visited until we got to AutoCamp Zion. They did provide in-camper cast iron pans for cooking – the only way you can cook! – but we also had to ask for olive oil. They gave us the equivalent of 2 ketchup packages. So, we now have cooking oil on our packing list for future AutoCamp visits.
We’ve got 5 Pro Tips for first time campers heading to AutoCamp in Cape Cod, the Catskills, or the three California locations – Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and Russian River.
We’ve been to AutoCamp Cape Cod and AutoCamp Catskills so far, and with each trip, we realize there are some things we would have liked to have brought along with us, so we’re going to share what we’re learning with you.
AutoCamp Pro Tip #1: Firewood
For those who don’t know, AutoCamp is quite environmentally friendly. They don’t allow the burning of traditional firewood. Firewood emits more particulates and carbon into the atmosphere, so AutoCamp requires that you use either compressed firewood or charcoal for cooking.
Holy smokes, pardon the pun, AutoCamp charges $20 a sack of 12 pieces of compressed wood. Instead, I went to my local Ace department store, and I bought them for $6.99 each!
So, Pro Tip 1 is get your Bio Blocks and charcoal before heading to AutoCamp, and you’ll save yourself money on things you shouldn’t throw it away on. Oh speaking of charcoal – you’ll want it for cooking over your fire pit. It’s far more efficient for cooking than the compressed wood.
AutoCamp Pro Tip #2: Wind Resistant Fire Lighter
The compressed firewood at AutoCamp Cape Cod was an absolutely bear to light! The Bio Blocks were far easier. Either way, bring a wind resistant lighter with you to get your fires burning. This is Pro Tip 2 for a reason. We didn’t have one on our first trip. We went home and ordered a pack of 4!
AutoCamp Pro Tip #3: Fresh Water
AutoCamp will give you 2 refillable water bottles. This is terrific! However, if you’re like us, you’ll be using plenty of water for coffee, filling the dog bowl, refills for your own bottles, and maybe cooking. AutoCamp Catskills had a place to refill your bottles in the Clubhouse, but to me, that’s a nuisance, so Pro Tip 3 is: bring a few gallons with you. We brought 3 gallons for 2 nights in summer for 2 of us and dog, and it was just enough. 2 gallons for 2 nights for 2 of us and a dog in winter was plenty.
AutoCamp Pro Tip #4: Cream for COffee
AutoCamp generously will give you enough locally roasted coffee – along with some tea bags – to go along with the French Press to make coffee. They do also give you some of those little tiny containers of half and half. Personally, I don’t like to use those. First, who knows how long they’ve been sitting there. Second, it makes plastic waste. I’d just as soon stop at a store before checking in and grab a pint of half and half. So Pro Tip 3 – pick up some creamer (and maybe some snacks!) for your coffee and tea.
AutoCamp Pro Tip #5: Adult Beverages
And while you’re at the local store, Pro Tip 5 is to grab some adult beverages! Like the firewood, food, and ….well…everything in the Clubhouse store, everything is crazy expensive. At AutoCamp Cape Cod, they didn’t even have a license to sell adult beverages yet, and we had to go back into town to purchase some. Even you might want to try a local beer or wine that AutoCamp sells at their camp stores, it’s a wise idea to bring some of your own, as well. There’s nothing wrong with taking home anything extra!
Your trip to AutoCamp
We hope these Pro Tips help you enjoy your visit to AutoCamp. AutoCamp Reviews enjoys sharing our experiences with you, and we hope you find them helpful!
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