Before moving to Colorado, I had only been camping twice in my life — and I definitely didn’t expect to become a car camper in a MINI Cooper. But after a few weekend trips, I realized you don’t need a truck or van to enjoy the outdoors. A MINI Cooper is surprisingly roomy, affordable to road-trip in, and perfect for dog-friendly adventures.

Car camping can be done by sleeping in your car or sleeping next to your car. I have an entire guide for how to sleep in my MINI Countryman, but before I bought the Countryman, I had the MINI Cooper S convertible, and I would camp next to my car.

This guide includes everything I wish I knew when I started car camping alongside my MINI Cooper — including where to go, what to pack, and how to camp responsibly in Colorado.

Developed Camping vs. Dispersed Camping

For camping in Colorado, you have 2 options: Developed, reservation-based campsites and Dispersed camping. Both are great ways to enjoy the outdoors, and I recommend trying both of them while you're here, since there are pros and cons to both!

Developed sites

These are designated, reservation-based sites with amenities that you pay a fee to use. You can reserve spots on recreation.gov months in advance (recommended!). I've stayed at these the most because they're easy to plan, you can just throw everything in your car, and you don't need lightweight materials or organization. You can pull up, unpack your items, and easily cook meals. They usually come with a table for setting your cooking gear on and for tying up your pup, and even designated fire pits.

Pros

• Predictable and reliable
• Have picnic tables, fire pits, and sometimes bathrooms
• Usually easier for small cars

Cons

• Less privacy
• Fees required
• Hard to book last-minute in summer

Mini Cooper Tips

• Ask for drive-in sites — no need for high clearance, look at photos online of the site
• These are great for when you plan to sleep in a tent or in your car!
• Developed sites are ideal if you want to charge devices or have a safer space for your dog

Dispersed Camping

Free camping on public land — often more secluded, rugged, and adventurous. I do dispersed camping usually when I can't find a site or if I'm planning an early morning hike nearby, and I just want to sleep in my car and get going the next day! I actually set up my car usually while im at home, and I get all the blankets and everything nice and cozy, so when I arrive I can just sleep and not get things dirty trying to set it up in the rain or dark.

Pros

• Completely free
• Tons of privacy
• You can be spontaneous

Cons

• No bathrooms
• Requires research
• Some forest roads are rough for small cars

Mini Cooper Tips

• Look for dispersed spots on graded, well-trafficked forest roads
• Avoid areas marked 4x4 only unless you're renting a jeep somewhere like in Ouray/Telluride
• Turn around before the terrain gets questionable — the MINI can handle gravel, but not ruts or deep sand
• Use apps like FreeCampsites.net, iOverlander, and The Dyrt with filters like “2WD accessible”

Where to Go

There's no shortage of campsites across all of Colorado, so it's really based on what area you're looking to go to. I tend to choose campsites that are more southern since the northern part of the state is mostly the Rocky Mountain National Park area. If you want to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park, then you can check for availability on recreation.gov, or for wilderness backcountry permits on their official government website. For walk-ins, the park ranger said you can attempt to get camping sites on the day of for llama or horse-only sites, since those often don't get reserved, so you can likely snatch those on a walk-in basis to their permit office.

If you're driving far away, I recommend opting for developed campsites. If you're looking for a more bougie campsite (or "glamping") a few hours south of Denver, near the Royal Gorge, then I recommend the Royal Gorge cabins. They have cabins, yurts, and designated sites, but the best part is they have showers (with some of the best shampoo/conditioner amenities). For primitive/dispersed campsites, I've found some great places near Paradise Cove in the Pike National Forest and just outside of Buena Vista.

If you're looking to do some night sky photography, then book a few nights at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park campsite (a registered Dark Sky park) when there is a new moon (you can check out the moon phases online). A new moon is better for Milky Way photography because there won't be any light from the moon getting in the way. Don't forget your tripod either!

Sleeping Setup Ideas

I prefer to sleep in the tent if I'm staying more than one day, it's overall more comfortable, and you want to be able to use your car during the day and not get your sleeping space dirty.

• Back seats folded down completely → lay your sleeping pad, foam topper, or inflatable mattress across the floor
• Diagonal sleeping position if you're taller
• Passenger seat recline + trunk extension works for shorter sleepers
• With a dog: place a blanket bed at their favorite spot, usually behind the passenger seat or beside your legs

If your MINI isn’t fully flat when the seats fold, you can:

• Use a tri-fold mattress
• Place foam blocks or folded towels under uneven areas
• Use a backseat bridge or car extender to lengthen the sleeping surface

Space Optimization Tips

• Use collapsible bins to organize food + toiletries
• Keep all heavy gear in the trunk area
• Store clothes and small items in door pockets or under seats
• Use window reflectors or DIY sunshades for privacy and insulation

What to Pack

Before setting out on your camping trip, make sure you've got everything you need.

Here is the general list of things you need:

• Tent
• Sleeping Bag and Pad
• Camping Blanket
• Pillow
• Lantern
• Stove (Colorado can issue statewide firebans when wildfires are in season, so this is a great alternative if you can't make a fire)
• Cooler with Food and Alcohol (see below)
• Camping Chair
• Hammock
• Shower Wipes
• Portable Chargers

What to Eat

If you don't eat meat like me, there are great vegetarian and vegan alternatives nowadays. My favorite vegan hot dogs are from the Smartlife brand. They taste cleaner than real hot dogs, but the downside is that they are somewhat low in calories, so you'll have to pack lots of them to stay full! If you're doing backcountry camping for a few days, then I recommend getting freeze-dried food (since it's easily packable and you just need water). If you're not into cooking at all, then another great alternative is Soylent (chocolate flavor is the best!) since it's high in calories and requires no preparation; it also helps me achieve complete nutrients and protein. I always love a refreshing cider or some wine to relax.

Mini Cooper Car Camping Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• Always bring sunshades → keeps you warm at night and cool in the morning
• Crack a window slightly (with bug nets!) for ventilation
• Pack light — the car feels very small once you start adding gear
• Keep shoes in a tote so they’re not rolling around
• Test your sleeping setup at home before driving hours away
• Bring extra water — it’s harder to store big jugs in a MINI
• Have a ‘night bag’ with everything you’ll need so you don’t unpack the entire car
• If camping with a dog, give them a comfy, designated spot so they feel safe