It's easy to poke fun at those who consider parking a recreational vehicle to be a camping experience. If you're setting up a mobile apartment with electric and sewer hookups, can you really claim to be communing with nature?

Then again, the purist's form of camping won't be to everyone's liking, either. Carrying all of your supplies on your back or pitching your tent in a rustic spot—i.e., no fresh water or toilets—might soon convince you to limit your excursions to day trips.

Car camping offers something of a compromise between these two extremes, allowing you to enjoy some time in nature without being too far away from creature comforts. In this type of camping, your vehicle essentially serves as a storage spot for your adventuring needs.

There are a few different interpretations of car camping. Kirsten Kraklio, writing for the outdoor clothing company Gore-Tex, says car camping might entail driving to a campsite and using it as a base for your adventuring. Some people might wish to eschew the tent and simply set up a place to bunk down inside the vehicle, especially if they are on a multiday road trip.

A vehicle lets you pack plenty of items to accompany your camping experience. While "roughing it" requires you to downsize and use small tents while camping, car camping allows you to easily bring along a larger, more comfortable tent. Josh Sadlier, writing for the driver advice site Driverside, says you can also bring along sleeping pads, full-sized pillows, or even an air mattress.

If you're planning on sleeping in your vehicle, make sure you can legally park in any spot you plan to spend the night. For example, the outdoor recreation company REI says U.S. Forest Service roads allow visitors to park overnight. Kraklio says you should avoid parking alongside a highway or other busy roads, since this increases the risk that another vehicle will collide with yours.

Look for a flat area to park, and sleep with your head above your feet if you're forced to park at an angle. REI says your breathing will fog up the vehicle's glass, so crack the windows a few inches to allow proper ventilation.

One advantage of car camping is that you can bring along some items you wouldn't be able to take with you if you were venturing into the woods with a pack. Sadlier says you might take a kayak to explore nearby waterways or a bike to check out some trails or rural roads.

You can also bring some entertainment items to enjoy after hiking or on a rainy day. These might include board games, books, or sports equipment.

A vehicle also makes it easier to take along electronic equipment, including tablets and radios. It might be best to leave these at home, though. The National Parks Service says wifi signals may be spotty or completely unavailable at the campsite, so your laptop won't be much use.

A cell phone has become an increasingly common item for campers to bring along on trips, even if the reception might be poor. REI says a portable solar recharger can help ensure that your phone doesn't run out of juice. Sadlier says you can also use the port for the vehicle's cigarette lighter to recharge items, but be careful about how frequently you do so; if the vehicle won't be running for awhile, recharging devices can easily sap the battery.

Of course, you'll also need to bring along some essential items for the trip as well. Kraklio recommends taking twice as much water as you think you'll need, especially if you'll be camping in areas that won't have access to water. In addition to needing water for hydration, you'll also want a supply for brushing your teeth and washing dishes.

A vehicle will offer plenty of space to pack perishable food as well as beverages. REI says you can make these items last longer by packing the cooler with ice and cool packs before adding the food and drinks. While many people enjoy cooking over an open fire during a camping trip, you may also consider bringing along a camp stove to make meal preparation a little faster.

Once you're at the campsite, you'll want to move the food from your vehicle to a safer location. Sadlier says there have been several cases of bears tearing their way into vehicles in pursuit of a meal. Food should be hung in a tree or kept in a secure "bear box" provided by the campsite.

Some toiletries can make your camping experience more enjoyable, including toilet paper, soap, and shampoo. Sunscreen and bug spray can also be invaluable during the trip. Your vehicle likely already has a first aid kit, but you may want to make sure no items have expired and that no supplies have run out. REI says a headlamp and lantern can help you get around the campsite after dark, and Kraklio says a waterproof jacket will help ensure that a rainy day won't keep you cooped up in the tent all day.

Clear storage containers can help keep all of these items organized. Separate your belongings based on their use, and make sure the most essential items are the most easily accessible.

Of course, car camping comes with the risk that you'll pack too much for the journey. You'll want to leave enough room for any occupants, and to safely see your surroundings while driving.

Researching the campsite or any other stops ahead of time might let you cut down on your supplies. For example, you won't need an overabundance of water if your campsite has running water. You might even consider ditching the tent and bringing a hammock for your sleeping quarters instead.

This advance research can also help ensure that you won't have to postpone your adventure. The National Parks Service says you may need to reserve a campsite several months in advance.