Camping gets a bad wrap when it comes to being classified as a vacation. A vacation is an extended period of time you spend on leisure or recreation. To me, camping is one of the best vacations you can take, here are 17 reasons why you should go camping on your next vacation.
1. Camping is an activity that of all ages can enjoy
2. Camping can be enjoyed in practically any time slot
3. You can scale up or scale down comfort while camping
4. There are so many possibilities for activities
5. You can temporarily unplug from electronics
6. Camping is very affordable, sometimes it’s even free
7. You can travel in your own vehicle
8. It’s healthy in many ways
9. You get to explore nature
10. It creates a tradition in your family
11. The stars are amazing
12. You can bring your furry friends along
13. It’s simple and doesn’t require extensive planning
14. Food tastes better when it’s cooked over a fire
15. It fits in nicely with your children’s summer vacation
16. You can catch up on reading
17. There is an opportunity to meet new and exciting people
By the way, If you are in the market for a new tent, then you should click here to see the one I recommend on Amazon.
1. Camping is an activity that nearly anyone can enjoy
There are practically no limits to who can and can’t enjoy camping. Age certainly is not a factor. People take their infants and toddlers camping all the time around the world with no issues, while at the same time, there are so many elderly individuals that continue to camp well into their golden years. Camping can be enjoyed at practically any age.
In addition to age, disability is another non-issue when it comes to camping. Many federal and state parks have adopted practices that make camping accessible to almost anyone. Most major campgrounds around the United States have accessible campsites that may only be used with those that possess valid placards. Therefore camping can be enjoyed by practically anyone regardless of any limitations they may possess.
So no matter what the situation is with you and your family, odds are that camping can be an activity for your next vacation since it is so accessible and friendly no nearly anyone.
2. Camping can be enjoyed in practically any time slot
Whether you have a vacation that lasts two weeks, one week, 4 days, or simply just a weekend, camping can fit into that time slot. Camping is a great activity no matter how long you have to do it. You can enjoy camping in just one night or you can have an epic two-week-long trip. Either way, camping can adapt to your timeframe, and you can adapt how long you have to camp with where you can go camping.
3. You can scale up or scale down comfort while camping
Camping is very versatile. Part of that versatility is how luxurious or how rugged camping can be. You could take a camping trip whittled down to just the very basics such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, food, water, and not much else and still have a good time. Or you could go all out with a massive tent, a huge cor with a nice air mattress on top full of Egyptian cotton sheets and high thread count blankets. The point is that camping can be pretty luxurious, also known as glamping.
You can take unique or luxurious camping trips with services like Airbnb where loads of different unique camping opportunities exist. On the flip side, you could just do some dispersed camping by driving down a dirt road in a National Forest until you find a clearing and set up a basic camp. Camping can be as rugged or as extravagant as you want it to be.
4. There are so many possibilities for activities
Camping comes with many opportunities for outdoor activities. Among them are things like fishing, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, boating, kayaking, playing cards, playing games, you name it. Find an activity that you want to do and go do it. If you are taking a vacation then find some activities that you could do together, and yet also some that you could do individually if everyone shares different interests.
5. You can temporarily unplug from electronics
Camping offers a rare opportunity to unplug and disconnect from electronics and the internet. I love the internet and my phone as much as the next guy, but sometimes turning it off and just enjoying being in the moment is amazing. It is mentally healthy for us to get away from the fast-paced electronic world that we live in today.
There’s almost no better time to unplug than when you are camping. Sometimes it is the only option we have since a lot of the time when you are camping you have no access to internet or cell service. Take advantage of that and just turn off and put away your electronics for the duration of your camping vacation, you will be glad that you did.
6. Camping is very affordable, sometimes it’s even free
Compared to hotel rooms and the such, camping is very affordable. You can camp in most places for a small fraction of the price you would pay for a typical vacation. This makes camping a smart financial decision for a vacation. Prices do vary from campground to campground, mostly dependent on amenities offered. You can see and experience a lot of cool stuff for very little monetary cost.
There are even opportunities for camping for free on federal lands if you disperse camp. I have an entire post on primitive camping you can read, which is practically the same as dispersed camping, a type of camping you can do for free in a lot of areas in the United States. To make camping extremely affordable you could make your camping trip a free one.
7. You can travel in your own vehicle
Mode of transportation is always a big issue when planning a vacation. Often times you have to take planes, trains, taxis, subways, monorails, buses, you name it. If you are going camping then it is basically a road trip that you can bring your own vehicle. After all, you need something to hold your gear, and you and your family will feel more safe and comfortable in your own vehicle. It is a big plus to know that your vacation can be done in your own car instead of figuring out a proper schedule for other modes of transportation.
Even if you choose not to use your own vehicle, you can always rent one. Renting is sometimes better if you need more space or want more features for your road trip. At the same time, you will be doing the driving and therefore you are responsible for when and where to go. You don’t have to rely on public transportation schedules, you make your own schedule when you drive,
8. It’s healthy in many ways
Camping can be a really healthy activity. Okay maybe if all you do is sit around in your camping chair all hours of the day then it might not be healthy, but most likely that is not what you are going to do. Yeah, sometimes it is nice to just lounge around when the time is right, but other times you will be exploring, hiking, doing other activities outdoors that gives you some exercise.
In addition to physical health effects camping can have, there are the mental health benefits that you get from disconnecting from electronics, not having to wake up to an annoying alarm clock, and getting away from your daily grind. Camping is very mentally relaxing if you let it be and that can be just as beneficial to your health as physical exercise is.
9. You get to explore nature
Of course, I can’t forget to mention nature. Depending on where you are from you might be missing out on a lot of the beautiful things that nature has to offer. Nature consists of things like plants, animals, landscapes, and other natural features we have on earth. Spending your vacation in nature can be a lot better experience than spending it in an urban environment. It’s not often that we all get to enjoy the things that nature has to offer.
Camping is about as close to nature as you can get. The great thing is that you can scale how remote you are when you go camping. Campgrounds are all over the country, some are super remote and offer the best ways to get in touch with nature, and some are not so remote, but still give you a taste of nature.
10. It creates a tradition in your family
Traditions are customs or beliefs that are passed from generation to generation. Choosing to take a vacation camping can inspire other members in your family to continue doing so in their own lives down the road. Creating a tradition in your family can bring them closer together, and it is a really good reason to go camping for vacation. It can be the beginning of something spectacular, for many families, camping is one of those activities that has been in the family for many generations.
11. The stars are amazing
One of the best reasons to go camping is to admire the wide-open sky. It’s one of those things you don’t get enough of if you live in a city. If you go on vacation to another city then you still won’t be able to admire the sky much. Cities cause light pollution, which limits how much light we can see in the sky, which means fewer stars to see. Camping can get you out to some of the best remote places with wonderful starry skies.
12. You can bring your furry friends along
When you go on vacation you usually have to leave your dog(s) behind. If you choose to go camping then they can come along with you. Trying to take your dog on a plane is expensive and a really big hassle, not to mention the safety of your dog is questionable. If you instead opt to go camping for your vacation, you can safely bring your dog along. Most campgrounds are dog-friendly provided you follow some simple rules.
13. It’s simple and doesn’t require extensive planning
Camping is a unique experience in that it doesn’t take months to plan a trip. It’s a lot more spontaneous if you want it to be. Provided you avoid very busy campgrounds that take online reservations, you shouldn’t need to do much planning. Other vacations that include plane travel could require months of advanced planning in order to get fair prices and make sure that hotel accommodation isn’t completely booked.
14. Food tastes better when it’s cooked over a fire
You can eat some amazing food while you are on vacation. Sometimes, we plan vacations completely around trying new foods in a different local. However, camping can also be a good means of eating some great tasting food. Food tastes better over a campfire. Maybe it’s the simplicity, maybe it’s the smoke of the fire, No one is quite sure, but I am sure that campfire food tastes delicious.
15. It fits in nicely with your children’s summer vacation
Versatility is a great thing to look for when planning your next vacation. Arguably the best (and certainly the most popular) time to go camping is during the summer months. Children are often on an extended summer vacation and therefore it can be the perfect time to go camping. This is a popular thing to do as during the summer months popular campgrounds become packed to the brim with families. If you are trying to go to a popular camping destination during the summer months then keep that in mind.
16. You can catch up on reading
When you are on vacation how often do you think about reading? My guess is not often, a lot of our vacations are action-packed and fast-paced. Camping is a vacation where you can sit back and relax. There is nowhere that you must be and therefore you can stimulate your mind with a nice book or other reading materials.
17. There is an opportunity to meet new and exciting people
Some really interesting people like to go camping. You can find people from all walks of life. Camping can be a really unique social opportunity, one of which we cannot find anywhere else. Sharing stories with strangers around a campfire is one of those activities that can lead to memories you will never forget and lots of laughs too.
My Favorite Camping Gear
- Air Mattress: click here
to check out my favorite on Amazon. - Tent: click here to see my favorite tent available on Amazon.
- Sleeping Pad: click here to check out the one I love on Amazon.
- Sleeping Bag: click here to see the one I recommend on Amazon.
- Camping Stove: click here to see the best camping stove on Amazon.