The twentieth century was the era of the automobile which changed many aspects of American life. With the automobile came the idea of car camping—being able to drive to scenic destinations, such as our national parks, and camp there.
Shown above is early car camping in Yellowstone National Park.
While car camping often involved using the car to haul a tent and other equipment to the camp site, travel trailers and motorhomes soon followed.
Shown above is 1924 Ford Model TT Truck outfitted as an RV. This is on display at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
Classic Car Museum:
Bigfork, Montana is a village located at the north end of Flathead Lake. Bigfork is the home to the Classic Auto Museum—The Flathead V8 Ford Collection which has about 80 Fords and other items on display. Shown below are photographs of the museum’s display on car camping:
Shown above is a 1963 Shasta. This 10 foot camping trailer sleeps 4; it has an ice box, propane stove, and sink. The silver wings are a Shasta feature.
Shown above is a 1936 Eaton Teardop Trailer. It was made in Canada and sold by the Eaton department stores.
Shown above is a 1946 Kit-Kamper. This teardrop trailer has a kitchen in the back. It sleeps two.
Montana Auto Museum:
The Montana Auto Museum is housed in the Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana. Shown below are photographs of the displays about car camping.
Shown above is a 1933 Kozy Kamp Pop-Up Trailer. It weighed 950 pounds and sold for $295. It provides a 7’ by 10’ living area when open and had 76” of head room.
The car shown pulling the Kozy Kamp is a 1936 Hudson Custom Six Sedan.
Shown above are some photographs of early car camping.
Oregon Historical Society:
The Oregon Historical Society in Portland, in an exhibit called “Oregon My Oregon” tells the state’s history from its aboriginal inhabitants through the present day. Shown below are photographs of the display on car camping in Post War Oregon.