A Beginner’s Guide to Camping: Tips on How to Get Started and Find Comfort Outdoors
I didn't grow up camping, but my mom instilled in us a love for the outdoors from an early age. Whether it was having a BBQ in the park, enduring a steamy hot tent on a beach day (just because we happened to have a tent), or hitting the road without a final destination in mind, the spirit of being outside became a part of me thanks to her.
In this blog post, I'm sharing how my partner and I, both now in our 40s, along with our dog, embarked on our first-ever camping adventures and how you can too. I'll guide you through the different types of camping we've experienced over the past few years, recommend some gear that has made our outdoor adventures both enjoyable and comfortable, and share resources you can use to find places to camp.
“Que les parece si nos vamos algún lado este fin de semana? (What do think if we go somewhere this weekend?)”
3 Different Ways to CamP (Pros and Cons)
As you embark on camping, it’ll be important to figure out how much you want to spend, how close to nature you want to be, and which sleeping arrangements suit you best. It took some trial and error over a couple of seasons to figure out the camping setup that works for us, so don’t be afraid to give any of these a shot.
Car camping at a Hipcamp location in Maine
Car Camping
At first, we tried car camping since our vehicle is spacious and it was a minimal investment. We purchased an SUV air mattress on Amazon (HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress), which honestly worked great and served the purpose. However, it was tight for two adults and a dog. Not to mention the shuffling of things required once it was time to clear out the back to set up the car mattress. I personally would recommend car camping if you’re one person, though I have seen plenty of couples master it.
Pros:
Comfortable
Minimal investment
Flexibility in deciding last minute where to stay
Cons:
Need to shuffle belongings within car to accommodate mattress
Can be tight for more than one person
Need to break camp in order to leave
Tent camping in Colorado with Fjallraven
TENT CAMPING
After car camping, we tried more conventional on-the-ground camping with a tent. I understand why this is probably the most popular choice among campers since it’s relatively affordable, easy to set up and break down once you've figured it out, and you get to be up close with nature. You also have the option to leave the tent behind and go for a hike or leave the grounds altogether if desired.
Pros:
Comfortable
Relatively affordable
Flexibility to leave the tent behind to travel somewhere in your vehicle or by foot
Being close to nature
Cons:
A little more setup and breakdown time required
Might be too close to nature for some people
Camping at Hipcamp location in Pennsylvania with Snow Peak tents and gear
Rooftop tent camping at a Hipcamp location in Vermont
ROOFTOP TENT CAMPING
Then came the day we fell in love with rooftop tents. I know some people might call this type of camping “glamping”, and that’s ok by me. After extensive research and dreaming about overland adventures, we decided to invest in a rooftop tent and the accompanying gear. We opted for the Roam Adventures Vagabond XL Rooftop Tent which comfortably fits the three of us. We also purchased the additional gear below to go with it. Though rooftop tent camping has been a significant investment, we’re committed to making it a lifelong activity. We love how compact our setup has become and are working towards further and wilder camping trips.
Front Runner Roof Rack Kit (needs to be customized to your specific vehicle)
Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic Awning 270 Degree
Pros:
More privacy and protection
Birds-eye-view of your surroundings
Extreme comfort
Cons:
Bigger investment (tent + additional gear required)
Need to break camp in order to drive away
Not fuel efficient
Trips to the toilet are more inconvenient
10 CAMPING ESSENTIALS WE OWN THAT WE RECOMMEND
HOW TO FIND PLACES TO CAMP
Once you’re ready to get out there and maybe try out some of your gear, here are some easy ways to find places to go camping.
Rooftop tent camping at a Hipcamp location in Vermont
Hipcamp
Hipcamp is a platform that connects outdoor enthusiasts with unique camping experiences, from traditional campsites to luxurious glamping sites. One of the reasons I’ve used Hipcamp the most so far is because it gives you access to private lands and off-the-beaten-path locations, all while supporting local hosts.
If you’d like to give Hipcamp a try, receive a $10 credit by using my link.
The Dyrt
The Dyrt offers access to a comprehensive database of campgrounds, RV parks, and dispersed camping options across the U.S., some of which are free. On the site and mobile app, you’ll find photos, videos, and reviews of campgrounds shared by campers. Though we haven’t tried The Dyrt yet, we plan to give it a try!
airbnb
Airbnb’s camping category offers a unique selection of outdoor stays all around the world. If you want to experience the comfort and convenience of modern accommodations, Airbnb has a wide array of options from fancy tents and yurts to campers and RVs with everything you need to enjoy being in nature.
GOOGLE MAPS
Don’t underestimate the power of Google Maps to look up and mark campgrounds and national parks you think might be good or come across along your travels. Some of the best places we’ve stayed at are ones we’ve stumbled upon.
now Venture into the great outdoors and start making memories!
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