To some, camping is abhorrent; in the middle of nowhere, in a tent, with no showers or internet and the wild animals stalking just out of view. To others, camping is an escape from the modern world and the rat race, a chance to recharge their batteries and spend time with good people. You’re probably wondering why camping is fun.
Camping is an escape from modern life; a campground in a state park, with family, friends or solo. A few days in nature, with no reports to complete, no emails to answer and no traffic to sit in. Camping is a great way to relax and enjoy nature without other obligations hounding you.
Now, you may be on the fence about camping, you might find it abhorrent, or you love camping and all it entails. Keep reading to find 10 reasons why camping is so much fun.
Why is Camping So Much Fun?
Camping brings everyone together, like a tug of war; everyone has to work together for the experience to be good. Once you get to the campground, it is just you and the gear you brought. Every mishap is an opportunity for a story in the years to come, when you remember to bring the tent pegs or whiskey. (While you’re at it, here are some fun things to bring while camping!)
Not only that, camping is, in and of itself, an adventure. Everything can go right, and everything can go impossibly wrong when a flash flood sweeps your tent away. It’s impossible to predict what will happen on a camping trip, and that is part of what makes camping fun; the prospect of having a great story to tell afterward.
Quality time is important, and that is part of the appeal of camping. Because you are removed somewhat from society and its sprawl, you all have more time to be with one another and appreciate one another’s company, more than you otherwise would if you were still in your home city or town, with other distractions and obligations.
10 Reasons Why Camping Is So Much Fun
Camping is an Escape From Modern Life
Despite camping being very much up to date, thanks to the latest gear and technology, if portable electric kettles are your thing, camping is still, at its core, simplistic and a way of disconnecting from the world for a period of time.
Watching sunsets, sunrises, hiking on trails and cooking your own food over a campfire are very satisfying activities. While camping may not seem that far removed, depending on how seriously you take it, it is still much more analog and less digital than the world we otherwise inhabit. It is a way of getting back to our roots.
Making new Memories
Camping is also an opportunity to make new and long-lasting memories, whether they be from a hike, meeting new people or when your cousin dropped their phone in the cooler full of fish as you got out of the boat. Not only that, you don’t need to spend extra to try something new when you are out camping.
Depending on the type of camping trip you are doing, you could swim in a new lake, raft a white water rapid or scope out a new line for mountain biking. Meeting new people is also a given if you go camping at a popular site or near a well-traveled hiking trail; you might learn something new or make an important connection.
Camping presents endless opportunities for making fun, long lasting memories; it presents the chance to try something new and you should certainly take that chance.
Relax
Despite how stressful camping can seem at first if you are doing it for the first time, it is actually quite relaxing once your campsite is set up. No traffic, emails to answer or meetings to attend; you are simply in nature with the people you bring and the plants and animals surrounding you.
It is an opportunity to clear your head. Being out in nature has a soothing effect, and while you do not notice it right away, it is there and will show up after a period of time. When it does present itself, it will feel like the stress is leaving your body, and this is alluring; just clearing your mind of all clutter and obstructions in order to reset.
Stargazing
Going stargazing while camping is also a brilliant activity, because outside the cities, the light pollution drops away and the majesty of the night sky reveals itself in all its starry glory. Constellations, planets and stars all pop out from the surrounding darkness, free for viewing.
Additionally, if you bring a telescope on your camping trip, you can get a close up view of these constellations, stars and planets. It can be a mini telescope that fits in a backpack, or it can be a behemoth that requires its own case to be transported, but bringing a telescope on a camping trip allows everyone to stargaze for free, and it is definitely something you should do.
Hiking
Camping in a tent or cabin does not have to be the central focus of your trip. You can leave the campsite or cabin, and explore the surrounding area on a planned hike. Hiking allows you to explore areas on foot that you can’t get to in a car, or that are best appreciated on foot. The physical exertion is also good for you, and it is a good opportunity for bonding with family.
Hiking is also a good way to meet new people, not just camping. Because you are out moving, you will see more people than you otherwise would just staying at a campground. Also, you may discover a new watering hole to swim in, a new trail to hike, bike or run on. From a health aspect, hiking is great for your cardiovascular system and a good way of clearing your head.
Learn New Things
Camping presents the opportunity to learn something new, even if you are a seasoned veteran of the pastime. There is always the potential for learning a new way to track an animal, or cook a fish. Not only that, depending on the length of your trip, you will have plenty of time to practice whatever new skill you happen to take a fancy to, whether it be tracking, cooking or swimming.
Practicing survival skills is also a good idea when camping, just in case a member of your group gets lost or injured. Take the opportunity to learn a new skill, and try to turn it into a fun activity, because we humans learn better when we are enjoying the activities we undertake.
This is especially true for young children, who should absolutely be taught basic woodland survival skills the first time you go camping with them. Still, it doesn’t have to be a serious ordeal, it can be enjoyable and still teach a valuable lesson. You will all leave with a new skill under your belt and be safer and happier for it.
While camping, it’s essential to maintain a clean campsite to preserve nature’s beauty and ensure a pleasant experience for all.
You Don’t Have to Follow a Schedule
While it is a good idea to put a timeframe on your camping trip, while you are on the trip, you do not need to follow a set schedule. There is no need to get ready for school, or rush out the kitchen, keys and coffee in hand, in an attempt to make it to work on time. You can slow down, appreciate the beautiful morning weather and drink a cup of coffee while listening to birds sing.
Not only that, at the other end of the day, bedtime is when you set it; not a time dictated by the demands of an alarm clock. You can stargaze while having marshmallows by a fire, listen to an owl, or sit in the dark and enjoy the sounds of a forest around you. Camping allows you to move through the day in the rhythm that you feel is best for you, which makes it more enjoyable.
Of course, there’s no need to do activities at set times either, you can simply go through the day at your own pace and do whatever takes your fancy at the moment. That is one of the beauties of camping, it gives back some agency over your own time and can be quite a stress reliever.
Relationship Strengthening
While it may sound cliche, camping is actually a good way of strengthening the bonds between family, friends, what have you. Being disconnected from society to that extent allows people to free up and relate to one another more than they otherwise would, although keep in mind this is not a universal sentiment and should not be taken as a fix all for any relationship.
Health Benefits
Camping is actually good for your health. The various physical challenges it presents you with are good for both your body and mind, as they require you to use muscles and think in ways you may not normally operate in day to day life.
You should definitely attempt to cook your own food when you go camping. You can only bring so much with you, which means you need to find ways to make food simpler and healthier if you choose to cook your own food at the campsite. This is an opportunity to try new recipes and, if you are sufficiently skilled, use ingredients from your surroundings.
Not only that, food cooked over an open fire, even if it is just hot dogs, tastes better and makes the whole atmosphere feel more special, so you should definitely try cooking your own food on a camping trip.
Cost Effective
Camping is not free, but it is cheaper than a trip to DisneyLand, for example. If you are new to camping, you should definitely choose a campground with amenities like bathrooms and showers, just to ease into the world of camping overall. These sites will cost more due to the extra services provided, like small stacks of pre-cut firewood for campfires.
However, if you are more experienced, you can go to campsites that are little more than clearings with a road leading to them, and these are cheaper than campsites with cabins, bathrooms and showers. However, regardless of skill level, choose the campground you are comfortable with, regardless of amenities.
Is it Possible to Camp Through AirBnb?
Technically speaking, yes: it is possible to camp through AirBnb. Hosts can list a campsite that they have created on AirBnb, and you can book it for a nightly fee, just like a regular campground. Keep in mind that prices and amenities vary, but it is absolutely possible to camp using AirBnb. Here are some campsite rentals on Airbnb!
3 Coolest Places to Camp Through AirBnb
It is impossible to narrow it down to the best three places to camp using AirBnb, but here are three out of many excellent places to camp using AirBnb:
1. The Land Yacht, Joshua Tree, California
The Land Yacht is an AirStream trailer in Joshua Tree. It features a covered deck and small pool to cool off in, set amongst dramatic, boulder filled scenery. It gets very hot during the summer, but that is where the pool comes in.
2. Stunning Yurt, Creede, Colorado
The Stunning Yurt is a yurt in the San Juan mountains, where the view you get depends entirely on what time of year you stay there. You can potentially see snow, the burst of color from fall leaves, or rolling summer hills. This place is all about the view.
3. Red Rock Teardrop Trailer, Moab, Utah
The third place on our list is actually mobile; it is a teardrop trailer that you rent and tow to the desired spot in Moab. The trailer is not the party piece, Moab is. There are many trails for hiking, offroading and biking, so lace up the boots, bolt up the bike rack and fuel up the Jeep. You’ll love it.
Bonus: Disney has a camping sight that is both fun and affordable! You will be able to save money for a Disney hotel with this campsite!
Conclusion
Camping comes in many shapes, sizes, costs and disciplines. You can camp in Moab, rough it along the Appalachian Trail or spend a weekend in the Alaska backcountry if you choose. That is the beauty of camping; being able to spend time out in nature, away from the troubles of regular life, and reconnect with your inner self.