Your Guide to Different Types of Camping Experiences

From traditional tents to luxurious yurts and everything in between, camping can look quite different depending on which camping experience you prefer. As we explore different types of camping options, you'll discover just how diverse camping can be. So whether you're a seasoned camper or you’re headed out for the first time, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your next adventure.

Traditional Camping: The Root of Outdoor Adventures

The word “camping” conjures up visions of tents, campfires, s’mores, and sleeping bags galore. Let’s take a look at some of the traditional camping experiences you might enjoy if “roughing it” is your camping style.

Tent Camping

This form of camping is perfect for those who prefer to pack light and leave the comforts of home behind, but still enjoy the access to amenities that come with an established campground like restrooms, fire pits, and picnic tables. If you’re planning a tent camping adventure, you’ll need to pack up a tent, book a site in a campground, and bring along all the basics like a camp kitchen, a cooler full of food, drinking water, and sleeping bags. But you can leave luxury items, like a coffee maker, at home.

Primitive Camping

The choice for those who enjoy more of a survivalist camping experience, primitive campsites are often found off the beaten path and away from populated campgrounds. You’ll need to be a relatively self-reliant camper and be comfortable without access to amenities like restrooms and potable water. But for those who seek solitude, adventure, and a deeper connection with nature, primitive camping is a great alternative to busy campgrounds. And as a responsible camper, you’ll need to pack out everything you brought with you at the end of your stay.

Backpacking

Backpacking is a great camping option for those who prefer to stay on the move. Hikers carry everything they need for camping on their back and will likely cover long distances each day as they hike between campsites. This journey is a huge part of the backcountry camping experience, witnessing diverse landscapes and challenging yourself to live on only what you can carry with you. Lightweight gear is a must and you’ll need to educate yourself on the local wildlife to be sure you store all of your belongings safely away from unwanted guests such as bears in the backcountry.

Car Camping

Car camping is a flexible option that is perfect for longer road trips with multiple destinations. This style of camping typically entails setting up a bed in your car which allows you to set up camp in a wide variety of locations including campsites, forest service roads, and even Walmart parking lots if you’re in a pinch. It’s a favored approach for those with a spontaneous spirit, always ready for the next unplanned adventure.

The Recreational Vehicle Experience

Boondocking

Boondocking is a term used for off-grid, primitive RV camping. If you’re looking for more of a backcountry experience, but tent camping isn’t quite your speed, boondocking offers the same authentic connection with nature while still allowing you to bring along some of the comforts of home. In this dry camping experience, you won't find hookups, running water, or stores nearby so be sure to plan accordingly.

Van Camping

Camper vans have increased in popularity over the years with many opting to live in them full time! And as such, van camping has exploded across the country with camper van meetups and sites designed specifically for those traveling in these agile RV’s. At some RV parks, you’ll find smaller sites optimized for camper vans that are often cheaper than a full size RV site. And at others, there are whole sections dedicated to van lifers where you’ll find amenities like communal kitchens, lounge spaces, and more. Plus, van life is great for those who prefer dispersed camping on BLM lands and national forests as their off-grid capabilities and smaller sizes often allow you to reach more remote and rugged locations.

RV Parks

Most RV parks are equipped with a range of amenities tailored for RVers including full hookups, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, and luxury entertainment like pools, hot tubs, rec rooms, fitness centers and more! Many modern RV parks are located in close proximity to local attractions, making them the perfect home base to explore the surrounding area. 

When you reach your destination, you can expect to find well-defined spaces for each RV which can range from closely packed spots in urban parks for more spacious natural settings in rural and scenic areas.

Learn more about different types of RVs here!

Unique and Cozy Accommodations

Cabins & Cottages

Perfect for those winter camping trips or cozy getaways, cabins and cottages offer a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort; the ideal middle ground between tent camping and hotel stays. Often located in pristine natural settings, these homes range from simple wooden shelters in the woods to luxury living inside RV parks with amenities like hot tubs, full-functioning kitchens, and cable TV.

Yurts & Conestoga Wagons

Yurts are circular tent-like structures that offer a cross between tent camping and cabin dwelling. They often feature built-in beds and heating sources like wood stoves and are quite weather resistant, making them a great option for camping in all seasons.

Conestoga wagons are also a fun and unique way to stay. Today’s “prairie schooners” that you’ll find at modern day campgrounds are reminiscent of those used by settlers headed West in the 18th and 19th centuries, but they’re outfitted with comfortable sleeping quarters, storage spaces, and all the camping basics.

Both yurts and Conestoga wagons offer a fun twist on traditional camping that allows campers to immerse themselves in a blend of history, culture, and nature.

Tiny Homes

Tiny homes are a trendy choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a mix of luxury camping and minimalist living. Despite their small size, many tiny homes are fully equipped with modern amenities like full kitchens, bathrooms, and separate sleeping areas, proving that compact living and luxury can coexist. In comparison with larger vacation homes or cabins, tiny homes often present a more affordable option for a weekend away and many are crafted with sustainability in mind, using recycled and eco-friendly materials.

Glamping

For those who might find traditional camping a bit daunting, glamping, or “glamorous camping’, offers an accessible way to enjoy the outdoors. It's perfect for families, romantic getaways, or anyone looking to experience nature with a touch of luxury.

Glamping often comes with many of the comforts you'd find in a hotel, including comfortable bedding, heating and air conditioning, private bathrooms, and sometimes even ultra luxury amenities like spa facilities or a personal chef.

And glamping sites are often located in scenic areas where the beauty of the surrounding nature serves as the inspiration for the beauty of the accommodation which may come in many forms including treehouses, luxury tents, geodesic domes, safari lodges, and more.

Adventure Camping Experiences

Kayak & Canoe Camping

Similar to backpacking, kayak and canoe camping offer unique remote experiences that may not be reachable by car. This form of camping requires you to pack ultralight, stowing your camping gear in watertight bags as you paddle down waterways to your next destination. Beyond basic gear, paddlers need to be equipped with navigation skills, first aid knowledge, and safety equipment like life vests and signaling devices. Be sure to plan ahead and look out for water and weather conditions that may create potential hazards.

Bicycle Camping

Bike camping is about embracing simplicity, challenging yourself, and experiencing nature on two wheels. Whether it’s a quick weekend trip, or an extended journey through national parks, bike camping offers a unique perspective of the world around us.

Beyond the joys of exploration and outdoor activities, bike camping is an amazing way to stay active and build connections in the biking world as bike campers tend to share a bond, exchanging route advice, campsite recommendations, and tales of their adventures along the way.

Overlanding & Off-roading

Overlanding and off-roading are the ultimate adventures for self-sufficient campers looking to escape the comforts of campgrounds and push their vehicles to the limits. Overland vehicles are often equipped with rooftop tents, portable kitchen units, water storage, and more that allow for extended trips in the backcountry. Overlanding will have you traversing through unpaved terrain like rocky trails, sand dunes, mud, and snow so be sure your vehicle can handle the elements!

Book Your Next Camping Adventure With Spot2Nite

America's landscapes are diverse, and the ways in which we embrace the great outdoors are no exception. From the rugged survivalists who lean towards wild camping, challenging themselves against the elements, to those who prefer luxury outdoor stays, this resurgence in outdoor appreciation reminds us that nature offers experiences tailored to every camping preference.

At Spot2Nite, we make trip planning easy with an interactive map and highly specific filters that allow you to explore different kinds of camping options around the country. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and book your next camping trip today!