Types of Camping

Camping is a fun outdoor activity that can help people connect with nature. While camping, you’ll be lying under a sky full of stars, hiking through green mountains, or sleeping between meadows. Camping involves many wild adventures, like taking long walks between forests to sleeping in the wild.

For outdoor enthusiasts, camping is an excellent way to nourish their souls. For others, camping provides an escape from hustle and bustle of modern life. Plus, you can also create some entertaining social media content while camping.

If you are new to camping, plan thoroughly before exploring this outdoor activity with friends or family. Part of this process is knowing different camping types and which one you’ll choose. We’ll share share the different types of camping experiences, from rough and wild ones to cozy, peaceful ones. Our guide will also be helpful if you’re looking for more ways to camp outside.

8 Types of Camping for Your Next Trip

1. Backpacking

Backpacking is a low-cost camping style best suited to adventure and wildlife enthusiasts. This type of camping involves carrying a backpack with all your essentials for a camping trip. Your backpack may include essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, and dehydrated food. Backpackers prefer lightweight gear since they carry the bag on their backs the entire trip.

Picture of a tent near the trees

Backpacking is one of the wildest types of camping. It allows individuals to adapt to environmental conditions and learn to survive with fewer gears.

2. Bicycle Camping

Bicycle camping is another popular type of camping. It is best for individuals who prefer camping alone or cover most of their camping trip in less time. Bicycle camping is more convenient than backpacking since it allows individuals to carry more camping gear like food, tents, sleeping bags, clothes, etc.

Individuals who prefer bicycle camping might experience a flat tire or a broken bicycle chain. To overcome these emergencies, campers carry a toolbox.

Bicycle camping is eco-friendly. It reduces carbon footprint and doesn’t require fuel. Additionally, it is a great way to keep your body in good shape throughout the trip.

3. Dry Camping

Dry camping, also called Boondocking, is a type of camping that allows individuals to camp in their cars. This type of camping suits beginners and people who don’t want to sleep in the wild. Dry camping can be demanding as you need to survive without water, sewer, and electricity.

Campers need to store water for their trips, use charging banks and portable chargers for batteries, and use outside toilets. It is an excellent way for a short camping trip when you don’t want to step out in the wild and complete your camping trip in less time.

4. Glamping

Glamour camping or glamping is a type of camping that takes a more luxurious approach. It is a comparatively more expensive experience than other types of camping. However, campers do not have to sacrifice their comfort while enjoying the outdoors, which is a big reason for it gaining popularity.

Glampers book a glamping resort and experience wildlife camping while being comfortable and having access to necessities. They even have a choice to pick from themes, like castles, domes, treetops, cottages, hobbit houses, bubble tents, beach houses, etc.

5. Tent Camping

Tent camping is the traditional, more common camping type. In tent camping, you can camp anywhere you want, including beaches, meadows, forests, and parks. This level of freedom makes tent camping beginner-friendly. Be prepared to spend a night out in the open because that’s what tent camping mostly involves.

In tent camping, campers can access essential utilities. With this ease, novice campers can become familiar with basic camping skills and equipment. If you are looking for an activity where you get to spend time with friends and family, go for tent camping.

6. RV Camping

Recreational vehicle camping or RV camping is another popular type. RV camping is a modern camping style where you have access to most essential utilities. RV vans come in different sizes (six-wheeler, eight-wheeler, etc.) and can be attached to your car via a hook. There are RV vans that have a car component you can drive and use to tow a truck or car.

Consider RV vans as home on wheels. RV camping is best for family trips and people who want to experience wildlife but cannot compromise on certain modern comforts. Hence, modern RV vans come with luxury-adding features like a pop-up tent.

7. Survival Camping

As the name suggests, survival camping is a more extreme form of camping that should only be attempted by experts. It requires campers to survive in the wild with barely any camping gear.

There are two types of survival camping — base camp and walk-out. Base camp survival camping allows individuals to choose a deserted location and camp and survive there for a few days. In walk-out survival camping, campers are dropped off at an isolated location, and they have to find their way back to civilization.

Learning a few things before planning a survival camping trip is crucial. They include learning how to start a fire, finding and purifying water, making a shelter, storing and hunting food, and using a compass. Campers also need to learn basic first aid skills for injuries and other such health emergencies.

8. Wild Camping

Wild camping, also known as free camping, is an approach to camping where people camp and stay the night far from civilization. The main idea behind this type of camping is to camp in wild environments, like forests.

This type of camping is also only for skilled campers and wildlife enthusiasts. It involves camping with limited essential utilities. When going to wildlife camping, campers have to be ready to deal with issues like food shortage, water availability, and avoiding lethal encounters with hostile local wildlife.

In most places, wild camping is illegal due to the threat to life, while some places allow it under specific conditions.

Our Final Thoughts

There you have it — eight different types of camping. Whether a beginner or an experienced camper, preparation is crucial when going for an outdoor adventure. Ensure you have all your safety and primary camping gear. Always remember to plan out your camping trip and do proper research before opting for

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