An expandable bumper cargo carrying system is removably attachable to a rear bumper of a vehicle and does not require that the vehicle have a trailer hitch receptacle at the rear end of the vehicle to attach the cargo carrying system to the vehicle. The cargo carrying system comprises a cargo basket that can pivot downward to a first, horizontally oriented operative position for supporting cargo on the cargo basket, and can pivot upward to a second, vertically oriented stored position when the cargo basket is not in use. The cargo basket defines a cargo support surface that is adjustable between a first longitudinal dimension of the cargo support surface and a second longitudinal dimension of the cargo support surface, where the second longitudinal dimension is larger than the first longitudinal dimension.