Must-Have Items for the Road Warrior Who Likes to Sleep Under the Stars

There’s something uniquely satisfying about pulling your bike up to a remote campsite, kicking off your boots, and sipping coffee as the sun rises over your handlebars. Motorcycle camping isn't just a hobby—it's an escape, a mindset, and let’s be honest, sometimes a test of how much gear you can strap to a machine with zero cargo space. Whether you're a seasoned moto-camper or just planning your first overnighter off the beaten path, having the right gear makes all the difference between a weekend of serenity and a series of creative swear words shouted at your tent poles.

As a former cruiser and adventure bike rider who now tears up the backroads on a Can-Am Spyder RT (yes, I said Spyder, and yes, it’s still a real motorcycle—don’t @ me), I’ve learned a few things about what gear works, what gear doesn’t, and what gear will make your camp setup easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Let’s dig into the essentials, with a few personal picks that have earned their place in my saddlebags.

Shelter That Won’t Suck in the Rain

Choosing the Right Tent for Motorcycle Camping

Nobody wants to be the person who wakes up with a puddle in their sleeping bag and a raccoon judging them from a nearby tree. Your tent needs to be compact, lightweight, weather-resistant, and preferably not a complete puzzle to set up after a long ride.

• Kelty Late Start 2P Backpacking Tent
• Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2 Bikepack Tent
• Featherstone Outdoor UL Granite 2P Backpacking Tent

These three are popular among motorcycle campers for a reason. Kelty’s Late Start 2P is simple to pitch and compact enough to stash in saddlebags. It’s also known for holding up well against surprise rainstorms—which is great, because it will rain the one time you forget your rainfly.

My personal go-to is the Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2, which comes with a large gear vestibule—perfect for storing boots, packs, and your helmet out of the weather. It's purpose-built for those traveling light and sleeping wild.

Another solid option is the Featherstone UL Granite 2P. It’s ultralight, free-standing, and packs down small. It offers great airflow and setup is intuitive, even when you're hangry and your knees are arguing with you after 300 miles in the saddle.

Get Off the Ground, Stay Off the Pain

Sleeping Pads and Bags That Actually Let You Sleep

It doesn’t matter how scenic the view is—if your back feels like you’ve been sleeping on a bag of wrenches, your trip’s going downhill fast. I learned this the hard way after one too many nights “sleeping” on a yoga mat under the stars while my knees cried out for forgiveness.

• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
• Sleepingo Ultralight Sleeping Pad
• TETON Sports LEEF Ultralight Sleeping Bag

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm stays on the list because it’s a champ for cold-weather riders who camp early in spring or late in fall. For those looking for a warm-weather, budget-friendly, and Amazon-available option, the Sleepingo Ultralight Sleeping Pad delivers surprisingly good support, weighs next to nothing, and packs down smaller than a burrito. It’s become a crowd favorite among campers and moto-travelers alike.

As for sleeping bags, the TETON LEEF continues to be a strong pick. It’s lightweight, compressible, and actually warm without turning you into a human popsicle.

Coffee, Cooking, and Not Burning Down the Forest

Compact Camp Stoves for the Roadside Chef

If I had a dollar for every time I watched my husband try to balance a Jetboil on a rock, I’d probably still be poor, but at least I’d have a Jetboil. Cooking while motorcycle camping doesn’t have to be gourmet—but you do need heat, fuel, and something that won’t tip over the minute you look away.

• MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove Kit
• Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System
• GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Cookset

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is one of the most popular stoves for a reason—it’s featherlight, reliable, and won’t take up more room than a beer can. The Jetboil Flash, on the other hand, is a speed demon when it comes to boiling water. Want coffee in 100 seconds flat? This is your guy. For those who like to do more than boil-and-bag, the GSI Pinnacle Soloist includes a pot, bowl, and mug—all nesting neatly together like a Russian doll set for hungry campers.

Lighting That Won’t Die on You

Camp Lights and Headlamps That Last

Let me tell you, nothing tests your patience like trying to brush your teeth in the dark next to a tree stump that you swear moved. Bring lighting that doesn’t leave you in the dark—or waste half your phone battery.

• BioLite Dash 450 Rechargeable Headlamp
• Vont LED Lantern (2 Pack)
• Goal Zero Crush Light Solar Lantern

BioLite’s Dash 450 headlamp is super lightweight and rechargeable via USB (read: off your bike). It’s bright enough to help you set up camp at night but dimmable enough not to fry your retinas. The Vont LED lanterns come in a pack of two, fold down flat, and last forever. Toss one in your pannier and forget about it until you need it. For those of us who love the idea of solar power (but maybe forget to set things in the sun), Goal Zero’s Crush Light is collapsible, lightweight, and great for ambient tent glow.

Cargo Space Hack: Pack Smarter, Not More

Dry Bags, Compression Sacks, and the Art of Motorcycle Tetris

Packing your bike is like playing 3D Tetris with consequences. If something falls off mid-ride, best-case scenario is that you get a story out of it. Worst-case, it’s your only pair of clean socks. Invest in the right storage tools.

• Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack
• Nelson-Rigg SE-3050 Dry Saddlebags
• Kriega US-30 Drypack

Sea to Summit’s compression sacks are a game changer—shove your sleeping bag or clothes in, then cinch down until it’s half the size. For saddlebag options, Nelson-Rigg’s SE-3050s are waterproof, rugged, and expandable. My personal favorite? The Kriega US-30. It’s a tailbag that straps easily onto just about any bike—including my Can-Am—and it doesn’t move, shift, or leak. I've dragged mine through the Smokies and the Ozarks, and it's held up like a champ.

Don’t Forget the Little Things

Useful Extras That Make Camp Life Easier

Here’s where the quirky side of experience comes in. These are the unsung heroes of a great camping trip—the little extras you forget until you need them and swear you'll never leave behind again.

• Paracord for clotheslines, tarp ties, or emergency bungee cords

• Microfiber camp towel that doesn’t smell like mildew by day two

• Folding camp stool that keeps your backside off the dirt

• Emergency repair kit (because duct tape really can fix everything)

Where to Camp on Two (or Three) Wheels

Scenic Stops and Road-Tested Favorites

If you’re just getting started, some beginner-friendly spots include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway area. All offer stunning scenery and motorcycle-friendly campgrounds. I’ve personally loved pulling over for a night near Deals Gap, or parking the Spyder by a creek in Hocking Hills State Park—just close enough to feel like wilderness without being too far from a hot cup of coffee.

Motorcycle Camping Is Simpler Than You Think

You don’t need to spend a fortune or outfit your bike like you’re crossing the Sahara. With just a few smart pieces of gear, a love of the road, and maybe a stubborn streak that says “I will figure out how to fit this tent,” motorcycle camping becomes less about surviving and more about thriving outdoors.

Whether you're on two wheels or three like me, the real goal is simple: ride more, worry less, and wake up to fresh air, birdsong, and a sunrise worth slowing down for.