Car camping in a Honda Element
Sleeps two inside - no tent needed.
Element car camping setup and accessories
8 items. Check current prices on Amazon. Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
Sleeping Bag (x2)
Kelty Cosmic 40°F Sleeping Bag
- Rated to:
- 40°F
- Fill:
- Synthetic
Price shown on Amazon
Check price on AmazonSleeping Pad (x2)
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
- Warmth:
- Three seasons (R 4.4)
- Type:
- Inflatable
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Check price on AmazonCooler
Coleman Classic 52-Quart Cooler
- Holds:
- 52 qt
- Keeps ice:
- 3 days
Price shown on Amazon
Check price on AmazonCamp Chair (x2)
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
- Packs:
- Standard quad
- Supports:
- 325 lbs
- Seat:
- Padded
Price shown on Amazon
Check price on AmazonCamp Lighting
Coleman 1000-Lumen LED Lantern (BatteryGuard)
- Brightness:
- 1000 lumens
Price shown on Amazon
Check price on AmazonHeadlamp (x2)
Lepro Rechargeable LED Headlamp
- Brightness:
- 300 lumens
- Power:
- Rechargeable
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Check price on AmazonCamp Stove
Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove
- Burners:
- 2
- Fuel:
- Propane
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Check price on AmazonCook Set
Fire-Maple Feast 12-Piece Camp Cookware Set
- Pieces:
- 12
- Surface:
- Steel
Price shown on Amazon
Check price on AmazonAdd these gear picks to your cart, then remove anything you already own.
Not quite you? Change who is coming, the quality tier or the season - your Element stays filled in.
What fits in the Element
Rear seats fold up against the sides, come out entirely, or fold flat into what Honda called a lounge, over a wipe-clean urethane floor of about 75 cu ft. That is midsize-SUV cargo space, so:
- Any cooler up to the 52-quart family size fits.
- Compact or standard quad chairs - nothing oversized.
The last ones are 2011 models. No B-pillar and rear-hinged doors make loading easy.
Sleeping inside the Element
With the rear seats folded, the Honda Element is the bed.
- On the cargo floor: the kit's pads, or swap them for a 4-inch SUV air mattress that fills the floor.
- For regular trips, a low plywood platform makes it a real bed with storage underneath.
- Crack the rear windows behind Honda Element window rain guards and run a small fan to stop condensation.
Car camping in a Honda Element: common questions
Is the Honda Element good for car camping?
Yes. It has midsize-SUV cargo space, so a standard camping kit fits without a roof box. It sleeps two inside with the seats folded.
Can you sleep inside a Honda Element?
With the rear seats folded, yes: two adults fit on sleeping pads, diagonally if not straight.
Need a place to take your Element?
Explore our pilot campsite map, compare free and reservable options, and check current dates with the operator.
Find a campsite →