What do you need for car camping?

I always pack a tent, sleeping bag, cot, and air mattress. The sleeping bag should be rated for the temperatures you expect, and the tent quality will matter more in rainy conditions. I also pack a camping stove and propane canister, along with a pot, pan, and mess kit. You'll need matches as well if your stove doesn't include a lighting mechanism. The campground will have a water spout, but I've found it convenient to bring a five gallon water container that we keep on the camp site. For a weekend trip, a few changes of clothes, a flashlight or headlamp, and a couple extra batteries will definitely come in handy. We bring folding chairs and wood if the camp site has a fire pit. A cooler with plenty of ice can keep ingredients cold for a weekend trip, and between hiking, cooking, setup and teardown, there's enough to do for a full weekend.